Your next stint of Sunday shopping just got boozier, all thanks to City Winery Brisbane and BrisStyle. The former is Fortitude Valley's resident winery, the latter hosts markets around town, and the two are joining forces for another Sip & Shop Pop-Up event. Between 11am–4pm on Sunday, November 17, Brisbanites are invited to browse stalls, buy handmade wares and enjoy a few wines in the process, all at City Winery's James Street digs. If you've always thought your market experience needed a bit of vino, then you're in luck. If you've always wished your next wine-sipping afternoon would also involve shopping, you're in luck as well. Focusing on Queensland artisans, the pop-up will feature jewellery, art, clothing and homewares, with BrisStyle highlighting some of its popular online sellers. Plus, City Winery won't just be serving up beverages, but bites to eat as well. Image: BrisStyle.
Everyone's favourite annual celebration of France is back for another year. That'd be the Brisbane French Festival, complete with all the fine food, busy market stalls and fun activities Francophiles have come to expect. This year's three-day cultural affair features plenty of all three, although the wine pavilion is certain to be everyone's first port of call. If you're able to tear yourself away from sipping on deliciousness, you can browse for homewares, gifts, fashion, books and magazines, or enjoy live music, dance classes and even magic and acrobatics. Want to steep yourself a little deeper in French style? That's where the fashion shows and masterclasses come in. Jostle for the front row at the festival's annual parade of chic clothing, or learn about everything from French table settings to whipping up decadent pastries. Then, cap off your weekend of Gallic goodness with a glass of champagne — yes, there's a session on that too, of course. Image: Jez Timms.
Brisbane's beers are among the world's finest, and now there's an event celebrating that fact. No, we're not talking about the week-long beverage extravaganza that is Brewsvegas, or the upcoming beer and cider fest that is the Beer InCider Experience, although they're related. From one of the founders of the latter, and helping raise money for the former, The Beeries are the city's new beer and cider awards. Beverage aficionados take note, because The Beeries come in two parts: voting and attending. 45 nominees are in the running for six categories, and you can cast your picks on Brissie's best brewers, retailers, cider makers and more. Then, on September 21, it's gongs, eating and drinking time at the Royal International Convention Centre. Tickets cost $135 per person, and include beverages, a two-course dinner, live entertainment, seeing who emerges victorious and 400 brew lovers being merry. As well as putting the proceeds towards next year's Brewsvegas, the event will also make a donation to the Red Rose Foundation, a charity committed to ending deaths caused by domestic violence.
Maybe you'll see a glowing giraffe. Perhaps you'll spy a dazzling koala. Or, you might find yourself peering at the sun — but much closer than usual. They're just some of the lanterns that could be brightening up the inky night sky at the 2024 Luminous Festival, which returns to South Bank Parklands from 11am–8pm on Saturday, August 3, complete with a lantern parade from 6pm. The parade part of the fest doesn't just give the riverside spot a new glow for the fun of it. As the entire event does, it celebrates multiculturalism and has for more than 15 years now. Over that time, Luminous has grown to become quite the hefty — and radiant — date on Brisbane's calendar, with 2024's timed to mark the start of Queensland Multicultural Month. Free to head along to, the festival champions diversity and welcomes new Queenslanders, including migrants, refugees, international students and people seeking asylum. As well as the lanterns, the program spans cooking demonstrations in the South Bank Piazza, music and dance workshops, sports activations, live tunes and performances, and a market filled with food and craft stalls. So, your day can including catching Bollywood and Tibetan dancers, learning how to whip up South Sudanese and Samoan cuisine, giving African drumming a try, tucking into Afghan dishes, then hanging out with Brisbane Lions players.
Venom was a mixed bag. Venom: Let There Be Carnage was only entertaining when Tom Hardy was arguing with himself. And Morbius made it clear that its titular vampire wasn't the only thing that sucked. But there's no stopping Sony's Spider-Man Universe, aka the studio's rival to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Because the webslinger actually belongs to the MCU, this film franchise is all about Spidey's foes — and Kraven the Hunter is next, arriving in cinemas in October in the flick that shares his name. Expect another supervillain origin story, this time telling Marvel's nefarious big-game hunter's tale. Kraven the Hunter is set to step through the character's childhood, how he scored his skills and why he's so feared — and take place well before any beef with Spider-Man. "I stared death in the face, and for the first time I saw my true self," says the Sergei Kravinoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bullet Train) after being attacked by a lion as a teen in Kraven the Hunter's just-dropped first trailer. "They say he uses a connection with animals to track his prey," the debut sneak peek at the film, which hits cinemas in October, helpfully notes as well. Also on offer in this initial glimpse: Russell Crowe (The Pope's Exorcist) with a Russian accent as Kraven's father, who the feature's namesake keeps rebelling against; a hefty body count, and zero fear of getting bloody; and West Side Story Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose as voodoo priestess Calypso. Kraven the Hunter's cast features Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus), Alessandro Nivola (Amsterdam) and Christopher Abbott (On the Count of Three), too, while JC Chandor (Triple Frontier, A Most Violent Year) directs. And if you're wondering what else is in store for the SSU, it's planning to keep hunting down box office glory, with Kraven the Hunter set to be followed by the Bad Bunny-starring El Muerto, then the Dakota Johnson (Cha Cha Real Smooth)- and Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria)-led Madame Web, plus a third Venom movie — all currently slated to arrive in 2024. Check out the trailer for Kraven the Hunter below: Kraven the Hunter releases in cinemas Down Under on October 5.
Exceptions exist, but Adelaide sadly remains something of a flyover city when it comes to touring artists. Yet things are looking up for a summer of Australian live music, as brand-new festival — A Day in the Gully — has revealed a stellar debut lineup. Taking over Civic Park in Modbury on Saturday, February 28, 2026, expect the good vibes to flow freely, whether you're getting up to groove or hanging with mates in the grass. Open to all ages, this one-day festival features chart-topping Aussie touring artists and emerging indie bands. Drawing thousands to the sprawling green space, much-loved headliners like Chet Faker, Ball Park Music, The Living End, Pete Murray and Mallrat bring serious credentials to the stage, having sold millions of records and toured the globe. "This new music festival is all about bringing people together. It will be a great chance to celebrate Australian live music and have some fun — right in our own backyard. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone at Civic Park having an amazing time", says City of Tea Tree Gully Mayor Marijka Ryan. For those who love to get the inside word on the next big thing before they blow up, A Day in the Gully is inviting these acts too, with fast-rising bands like Teenage Joans and The Tullamarines delivering boundless live energy. Meanwhile, the festival is heightening the community spirit beneath the gum trees by making sure some of the region's food and wine purveyors get a spot to showcase their wares. Best of all, locals get a special treat, with City of Tea Tree Gully residents welcome to access an exclusive pre-sale, offering tickets at a $50 discount. For everyone else, first release tickets go on sale at 7am on Monday, November 17. "Our vision is to create an unforgettable experience that showcases amazing Australian artists, local food and wine, and the relaxed, welcoming vibe that makes this region so special", says Danielle Jones, Managing Director and Co-Owner of SRO Events. A Day in the Gully is happening on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Civic Park, Modbury. Head to the website for tickets and more information.
What do 90s lawyer comedies, recent TV sensations, Captain America's sex life and the fact that it isn't easy being green all have in common? The Marvel Cinematic Universe's latest streaming series. What gives the always-wonderful Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) a worthy comic showcase, sees Marvel's ever-sprawling franchise make a rare admission that The Incredible Hulk exists, and gifts Sorcerer Supreme Wong (Benedict Wong, Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness) a hilarious new buddy dynamic, too? Yes, the MCU's likeable She-Hulk: Attorney at Law — which started hitting Disney+ in weekly instalments from Thursday, August 18, and proves savvy, self-aware, silly and satirical all at once. What refuses take itself too seriously, knows it's in busy territory, and winkingly responds to the world that's helped it to even exist? This Kat Coiro (Marry Me) and Anu Valia (And Just Like That...)-directed show, too, which just keeps ticking a long list of boxes. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is astute and amusing, skewers popular culture's obsession with superheroes, and unpacks the way society treats women — superpowered and otherwise. And where its immediate small-screen predecessor, Ms Marvel, loved the MCU more than its audience ever will, this playful sitcom about Marvel's emerald-hued, six-foot-seven-inch-tall lawyer sees plenty about the ever-expanding on-screen saga to lovingly parody. The spoofing and nudging kicks in from the outset, with She-Hulk: Attorney at Law beginning with a question: "what is the responsibility of those in power?". Yes, it's meant to spark a reaction. Yes, it be dispiriting if the show didn't patently know how familiar those words are. Jennifer Walters (Maslany) is practising a closing argument and, as anyone who has seen anything relating to superheroes over the past two-plus decades will spot, she utters well-worn sentiments. But She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is gleefully getting meta first up — and comical. No one in the world has enough fingers and toes to count the amount of times that power and responsibility have weighed upon caped crusaders, as well as the films and shows that focus on them, so this new episodic addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe doesn't dare pretend otherwise. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is the MCU's eighth Disney+ series, all in less than two years, after WandaVision first brought a couple of Avengers figures to the small screen in January 2021. That year was filled with familiar faces sliding into their own streaming stories, such as The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki and Hawkeye, while 2022 now welcomes newcomers via Moon Knight, Ms Marvel and this. In its opening chapter, however, a few things about She-Hulk: Attorney at Law quickly become apparent. Firstly, it has as much in common with Ally McBeal and Fleabag as it does with its fellow spandex-clad cohort. Secondly, it's happy being a goofy case-of-the-week sitcom about a lawyer trying to have it all, including superpowers. Thirdly, poking fun at the superhero realm — and the reaction to it, especially to women within it — is one of the smashing show's big motivations. When Jen rehearses in those introductory moments, she's her regular human Deputy District Attorney self. She isn't green or towering, or hulking out. Instead, she's the star of what she describes as "this fun lawyer show", because fourth-wall breaks are part of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law's irreverent style (and date back to the character's time on the comic-book page, starting in 1980, rather than aping Deadpool). But Jen also knows that viewers aren't here for just another legal comedy, even though that's what head writer Jessica Gao (Rick and Morty) purposefully sets up first, before any displays of strength, power and responsibility. Cut to a flashback explaining how Jen became She-Hulk, a moniker she openly dislikes. (You'd better believe that She-Hulk: Attorney at Law points out how unacceptable it is to name the character after her male counterpart, too.) In that jump backwards, Jen heads on a road trip with her cousin Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo, Dark Waters), ends up in a car accident, gets splashed with his gamma-radiated blood and wakes up sharing his traits. Smart Hulk hops into action, training Jen in the ways of being giant and grass-coloured whenever her emotions bubble up. "This is a multi-year journey you're about to embark on," he advises, complete with a binder of notes that'd do Leslie Knope proud. Jen just wants to be herself, though, and remain the attorney she's spent her life becoming, helping people via the law rather than via her new capabilities. Also, because being female involves restraining her feelings daily, she's already innately able to control her Hulk stints. There's a statement in that reaction, as there is in everything about She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. The paths traditionally dictated for women, the control over their own destinies that's often stripped away, the contrast between hard work and easy fame, that all attention has its price: they're all pondered, and smartly. Obviously, Jen doesn't get to just step back into her old life. She tries, but then a superpowered influencer named Titania (Jameela Jamil, The Good Place) crashes into court. Using her abilities, Jen saves the day, which thrusts She-Hulk into the public eye. She also loses her job, then gets hired for another one: heading a superhuman law division, because she can relate. In introducing a new character to the MCU, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law couldn't skip the origin story part of its narrative. Thankfully, it unfurls all the basics quickly. And, although every superhero movie and series examines what it means to have extraordinary gifts, including for better and for worse, this addition to the fold filters it through the daily lawyering life of a thirtysomething who wants to be an attorney — and a regular person — first. That spans juggling cases covering everything from Emil Blonsky/the Abomination's (Tim Roth, Sundown) past misdeeds to Asgardian elves and wily magicians, and trying to face the dating world. It also includes sharing her professional, personal and superpowered chaos with her best friend and paralegal Nikki Ramos (Ginger Gonzaga, Space Force), and getting support from recent sitcom standouts, aka Josh Segarra (The Other Two) and Renée Elise Goldsberry (Girls5eva) as fellow legal colleagues. The MCU is no stranger to slipping into whichever established genre it thinks fits its various heroes. See also: Ms Marvel's teen dreams and high-school hijinks already this year. But based on the first four instalments in its nine-episode first-season run, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law strikes an entertaining, perceptive and well-cast balance between the obligatory caped crusader nods and spinning a lawyer comedy about a caped crusader. If you've seen the trailers, the show is exactly what it always promised to be — in the right way. Check out the She-Hulk: Attorney at Law trailer below: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law streams via Disney+ from Thursday, August 18. Images: courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.
I have a question for you. When you see my face – is it like sunlight drippin? Because it is for Jack Glass and Chris Stracey. Apart from being able to make a girl blush with their swooning lyrics, these two boys are the mix masters behind dance music trio Bag Raiders, and their about to come mix some sunlight trippin music our way. They've been remixing tracks for years now, budding up with electro bands like Cut Copy, Midnight Juggernauts and DJ troup Bang Gang, adding their magic touch here and there. But it wasn't until they released the summer anthem 'Shooting Stars' last year that the boys started getting international recognition. For those that didn't get to listen to a radio throughout 2010's entirety, this is what all the fuss is about. https://youtube.com/watch?v=feA64wXhbjo Now the duo are set to take they're highly danceable tracks to the UK, but before they do they will be mixing up a storm at The Monastery on ANZAC Day. The DJ set will be supported by a slew of local talent including Danny T, Noy, Alex terrel, Killafornia and Rhys Dunmall. Prepare to dance, sweat and sing at the top of your lungs.
Struggling to pay the rent is just part in parcel to the life of a 20 something. Many of us may whinge and complain about it, but very few break out into song. For the eight creative spirits in the musical Rent, the weekly board fee (amongst other life blows) in New York's lower east side is much to sing and dance about. The iconic musical based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La boheme will be showing in Brisbane for the next few weeks at UQ's Schonell Theatre with an all Australian cast featuring James Gauci and Emma Taviani. If you're yet to bare witness to Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical then a heads up is in order. Rent isn't a musical with classic chorus lines and spirit fingers. It's a very unapologetically loud rock opera. Expect to hear electric guitar solos and up-beat harmonies. Expect to see unconventional love stories and controversial subject matters. There is no time for twee humour and puns in this free-spirited musical. The Australian cast of the show have already flash mobbed Brisbane's Pancake Manor with an impromptu table dancing performance with notable applause, and that was only a taste of what's to come. Perhaps struggling with the rent isn't so bad after all? Concession prices are $35, Adults are $42.
With new food crazes popping up all the time (I'm looking at you, dumplings, Mexican, American food et.al.), it can be easy to overlook the mainstays of Brisbane dining. Don't get me wrong; I love all of the aforementioned crazes, but nothing can beat a great Indian curry. Lovers of Indian food have been making regular pilgrimages to Punjabi Palace for over a decade. The West End restaurant is a cumin-scented hive of activity seven days a week, hosting a diverse range of diners from families to business groups to couples to rowdy party-goers. The public restaurant downstairs and private function room upstairs - accommodating up to 100 people - make up the dining areas. Punjabi Palace's popularity is not accidental. The food menu includes entrees, chef's specials, meat and vegetarian curries, breads and accompaniments, and all of it is outstanding. Vegetarians will find their happy place, with the Butter Matar Paneer a particular veggie standout. Of the meat dishes, the Chicken Korma is a favourite. Of course, no Indian meal is complete without a naan bread, so try a garlic or a Punjabi naan to mop up every last drop of that delicious sauce. Best of all, if you can't remove your rear end from the comfort of your own couch, Punjabi Palace delivers to certain suburbs. There is a well priced drinks menu and BYO is also available for dining in. What are you waiting for? Get a group together and affirm your appreciation of Punjabi Palace
QUT is shining the innovative light again this month with Remoteness. Comprising series of works, Remoteness showcases artists who draw upon the social emotional and physical solitariness that has come to define our modern-day environment. Thanks to the digital age our world has never been more connected, but how deep do these connections go? Despite technologies bringing us together, some have never felt more isolated. It's these modern issues and evocative questions that are addressed and explored in Remoteness. French-Canadian roboticd artist Louise Philippe Demers makes a noteable contribution to the project in the form of The Prayer Drums. The fascinating work can ultimately be described as a complex musical instrument based on Buddhist prayer drums, operated by a series of motion-detecting cameras and sensors. Another work worth noting is Hello World! Or: How I Learned to Stop Listening and Love the Noise by American artist Christopher Baker which is made up of an awe-inspiring amount of of personal vlogs. Remoteness is on display from 4-21 May at The Block, on QUT’s Kelvin Grove campus. It features these and more immersive installations, animations and video/screen art at The Block and on the massive outdoor projection screens.
Iconic Brisbane band Gentle Ben And His Sensitive Side are known as icons for a reason. Their dark howls and smooth crones have long struck a chord with audiences who are thirsty for their unique style of cabaret rock. Which is why their latest album Magnetic Island may come as a surprise to most. It seems the band's over-the-top front man (and of Six Ft Hick fame) Ben Corbett has, well, found his sensitive side. Straight melodies, softer vocals, pop songs and piano ballads litter the new album, while a slight darkness and intensity also haunts the lyrics. The band's signature drama is still evident though, along with Ben's exuding charisma. Magnetic Island may mean a shinier sound for Gentle Ben and his Sensitive Side, but you can be sure their live show still holds the same lively passion and magnitude as always. But you don't have to take my word for it. Go and see for yourself when Gentle Ben And His Sensitive Side perform at an all ages show at Tym Guitars on Sunday. A nice place to spend a leisurely afternoon, the astro-turfed Winn Lane will play host to an intimate gig, and best of all it's free.
If the team behind Lost Movements, Scribble Slam and Jungle Love Festival know anything, it's how to dare big and get away with. Their latest project, Concrete Jungle, is no exception. Not only is it taking place at a huge metalworks warehouse only a stone's throw from the Brisbane CBD, it's showing off some of Brisbane's best musicians, artists and performance acts at a sweet price. And that's no easy feat. Concrete Jungle kicks off at 4pm on Saturday, April 11, at Serafini Chains in Bowen Hill (just a short walk from the train station). Live bands include Rhythm Hunters (NSW), Bullhorn, Michelle Xen & the Neon Wild, Tin Can Radio plus a heap more will be playing from get go. Paired with live painting from SFP CREW, Blu Art Xinja, Kel Edso, Kira Crees and Leah & Kirsty, plus alternative and a little freaky dance act Pent Upglamour, this festival isn't one for the faint hearted.
If this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles secret lair Airbnb listing wasn't evidence enough that we're desperate to relive our youth through '90s TV shows, this latest pop-up should be. Some nostalgic diehard decided that Chicago didn't have enough diners that resembled that of high school sitcom hangouts, and has promptly launched a Saved by the Bell-themed diner and bar in the neighbourhood of Wicker Park. The Saved by The Max pop-up is a replica of The Max, the diner frequented by the Bayside High students. It's a perfect recreation of early '90s bowling alley meets milkshake bar decor with an insane clashing of bright, block colours, laminex tabletops, neon lights and a jukebox. It sort of hurts our eyes, but so did lots of things in the '90s. A photo posted by Saved by the Max (@savedbythemax) on Jun 3, 2016 at 7:52am PDT The pop-up will undoubtedly have patrons eating better than the characters did on-screen, with things like AC sliders, Tori's fried chicken and Max's Magical Sweet — which reportedly comes with words of encouragement — on the menu. Of course, there'll be milkshakes and floats, along with the addition of alcohol because we're all really old now. According to CBC News, the genius behind the pop-up is local bar events manager Derek Berry, who is "a former DJ at '90s nostalgia-oriented events". After collaborating on the concept with some friends, they then went to NBC Universal and got the rights to use the show as the diner's inspiration. So this is as legit as it gets. Saved by The Max opened on June 1 in Chicago. Unsurprisingly, they've been inundated with bookings, but you can still try your luck as a walk-in if you're in town. For more info, visit savedbythemax.com. Via CBC News.
You know when a club night celebrates an anniversary, chances are they're going to throw a massive party just to prove it. Such is the case with party collective White Rhino who have been hosting unruly and diverse events for the past three years now, bringing exciting artists such as Mount Kimbie and Seeka to the basement level of Barsoma. As the brain child of fellow beat-heads Simon Bird (Lone Pariah) and Richard Buck (Arku), White Rhino was designed to blend techno, glitch and electro beats with digital art, blurry the boundaries of sound and vision to create an unhinged and hypnotic party vibe. The innovative approach worked and now three years later the pair are celebrating the night's third birthday. This Saturday at the collectives home Barsoma will be a birthday extravaganza that will include two stages of sound and vision, Rhino pinyatas, as well as a few other surprises you'll just have to wait and see. The guest of honour of the party will be much lauded producer DRO CAREY, who has been setting the world on fire with his distinct sound. UK music bible FACT MAGAZINE has already anointed him as one of the ten producers to watch in 2011 – and he's only 18. There will also be a bunch of other track twisting performances by Vivandiere, Atlast, Jimmy Larcombe and Forest of Death, so best be prepared for a big one while White Rhino blow out the candles.
Have you heard about what's happening at West End’s Boundary Hotel every Wednesday evening? Super electric, beer fueled, pizza filled, ping-pong tournaments that's what. The trouble makers behind Fans and Lambda club night are spicing up our Wednesdays with some pseudo-sport-excuse-for-drinking fun with Single Malt Sports, and they need your help to get the ball rolling. For the first few weeks the games held will be a free-for-all. Simply rock up, grab some pizza and a paddle and get started. Match ups will be organised along with a table that runs team challenges with the winning team taking home a carton of beer. If winning a carton of beer has got your competitive juices flowing, then you might like to set your sights on the Charlie Sheen Cup. To win, Single Malt Sports will run a series of matches played over a few weeks. If your team would like to register, email them here to be in the running, or make that 'winning.' signing up to our weekly newsletter to find out what's the go with leagues, tournaments and other such fun times.
Brisbane's own curly haired DJ Sampology will be finishing up his Super Visual Monster Mash tour this weekend. Meshing musical beats with visual delights, Samplogy's tour is an impressive feat in technical brilliance. Where most DJs are focused on their headphones and mixing tracks in and out, Samplogy is busy manipulating video via two turntables along with triggering animations from a drum machine, all projected live onto a big-ass wide-screen – all the while dropping his signature dance-frenzy tunes. Talk about being a multi-tasking-mix-master. Fresh from his US tour where he played in New York, LA and the reputable SXSW festival, Samplogy will be ending his epic tour on a high note in his home town. There to welcome him home will be some of Sampology's own personal favourite DJs. Cut a rug to Cutloose, Tom Thumb, Charlie Hustle, Danny Cool and of course Samplogy. Cancel that gym membership – Saturday night will see you see you get that heart rate going in no time.
Touring to Australia for the first time in more than five years for your first Aussie festival headlining slot since 2011 is one way to celebrate 35 years as a band. The group: Tool. The fest: Good Things. For 2025, Maynard James Keenan and company lead the fest's big names. Also on the bill: Weezer and Garbage. Get ready to hear 'Sober', 'Forty Six & 2', 'Buddy Holly', 'Island in the Sun', 'Vow' and 'Only Happy When It Rains' like it's the 90s and early-00s again — all on Sunday, December 7 at Brisbane Showgrounds. The rest of the bill includes All Time Low, Machine Head and The All-American Rejects, as well as Knocked Loose, Lorna Shore, Refused, New Found Glory and Make Them Suffer. And, you can catch Dayseeker, James Reyne, Kublai Khan TX, Cobra Starship, Goldfinger, Tonight Alive and more. Good Things 2025 Lineup Tool Weezer Garbage All Time Low Machine Head The All-American Rejects Knocked Loose Lorna Shore Refused New Found Glory Make Them Suffer Dayseeker James Reyne Kublai Khan TX Cobra Starship Goldfinger Tonight Alive Bad Nerves Civic Dead Poet Society Fever 333 Gwar High Vis Inertia Palaye Royale Scene Queen South Arcade Wargasm Windwaker Yours Truly Top Tool image: Scott Moran. Good Things images: Kane Hibberd.
Melbourne band Strange Talk seem to be on a good thing at the moment. Their sound has drawn comparisons to Cut Copy, Phoenix, Friendly Fires and Yeasayer, and judging by the popularity of the aforementioned bands, such a powerful music brew can't be a bad thing at all. And judging by their fast paced success - its not. After releasing the track 'Climbing Walls' to which they received a lot of triple j love for last year, the four piece have quickly gained a following. Along with the fans have come notable gigs including performances at Parklife, Good Vibrations and the support spot for Foster the People's sold out Melbourne shows. The indie-pop act is now setting its sights on Brisbane and to help make the night just that extra bit fun, local rising stars Mitzi will also be performing. Combining disco beats, syncopated guitars and laid back vocals, Mitzi's smooth and alluring sound is also winning the band a lot of fans. The performance comes hot on the heels of their recently released debut EP All I Heard. Both bands are set for great things, which means you are in for a great show.
Taking off on that overseas adventure just got much simpler and a whole lot faster, with electronic boarding passes for international flights now available at airports across the country. Changes made by the government today mean passengers will now be able to check into international flights via their smartphone, just as they've been doing on domestic routes. Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge announced the move this morning, and hopes the new system will reduce costs to airlines, save on paper and slash time spent moving through the airport. We're already dreaming about the extra sleep-in time we'll score for those early-morning flights. "Last financial year more than 21.4 million travellers were cleared through the border departing Australian international airports," Mr Tudge said in a statement. "These increasing volumes mean we are always looking for ways to clear legitimate travellers efficiently and seek out those of interest to law enforcement. This change will cut out the need to visit the check-in desk to show your passport and collect your paper boarding pass." The new mobile check-in system has already been trialled for international travel by Qantas, Air New Zealand, Emirates and Singapore Airlines, and is expected to be rolled out across all flights and airlines in the coming months. Check-ins could become simpler again, if biometric trials at Sydney airport are deemed a success. The trials, which started in May, saw some international travellers check into flights using a simplified six-step process using their face and fingerprints.
As proved by Twix, socks and Will Smith, things are infinitely better when they come in two – disregard The Shining. That’s why the collaboration of Brisbane artists Marcel Daniels and Daniel Herberg in The Changing Standards of Dialogue is sure to trigger sequential head nods, pondering glazes and a tirade of questions. The exhibit is one of poignancy – it raises questions regarding the slippages and contradictions between various elements of representation, perception, value systems and identity, all revolving around a central theme of ‘otherness’. Through multi-artistic platforms, such as sculpture, object and image-based works, they’ll be exploring human value and perceptions in a no means standardized manner. The Changing Standards of Dialogue is a culmination of these two artists, their confusingly similar names, dissimilar styles and experiences as the 2013 Artists in Residence at Metro Arts – if you knew their talent, you’d understand the fortune of this artistic marriage and the creative offspring it's produced.
There's always a good reason to put off that big trip. But if those cringe quotes and sappy videos that make the rounds on social media have taught us anything, it's that we should make every moment count. Don't save that annual leave and that holiday fund for 'one day'. Take advantage of your wanderlust now and treat yourself to an entirely unexpected, over-the-top adventure to somewhere brand new now. We bet you deserve it. From a romantic helicopter flight that wouldn't be out of place on an episode of a certain reality dating show or fine dining under desert skies, a trip to Central Australia is just what the doctor ordered. We've teamed up with Tourism Central Australia to give you the most outrageously decadent itinerary Central Australia has to offer. Because why not? You only live once, so live once. Want to plan your very own adventure to the Red Centre? Take a look at our handy trip builder to start building your custom itinerary now.
Buying your food from the supermarket is fine. Ordering a gift for mum on the internet works. And picking up a new plant for your home at Bunnings is OK (well, it's pretty good if you get a snag). But, there's nothing quite like perusing rows and rows of vintage wares, handmade goods and just-picked produce at markets — especially when it's autumn. It can be a little fresh in the morning, but nothing to deter you from rising early, and a whole heap of local produce is at its peak. It's stone fruit time, friends, time to overload on plums. So, here are our favourite five markets happening around the city this May. And if you're not a morning person, no stress. A heap of them go until the afternoon, so you can roll out of bed whenever you please.
Saying that a particular actor could read the phone book and make it sound great has long been deemed high praise. It's now a cliche, but like many over-used expressions, it still remains accurate. Ask Emma Thompson to utter any words on screen, for example, and it'd likely prove enthralling. Playing a family court judge in The Children Act, she reads legal judgements in a complicated case, keeping her emotions in check when few others can. Her character gives firm, sober answers both in her professional and her personal lives — and when the justice lets her guard down on one rare occasion, Thompson literally sings. Indeed, regardless of what the two-time Academy Award winner is doing or saying, she's utterly riveting. Thompson's Fiona Maye spends her days adjudicating difficult cases involving the welfare of minors, with the 1989 U.K. law known as the Children Act her guiding light. It's a job that she approaches with the utmost care, and often under significant scrutiny. Fresh from decreeing the fate of conjoined infants in an affair that's been splashed across the newspapers, another thorny matter comes before her court. 17-year-old Jehovah's Witness Adam Henry (Fionn Whitehead) is dying from leukaemia, and refuses to have a blood transfusion because it's forbidden by his faith. His devout parents (Ben Chaplin and Eileen Walsh) support his choice, but his doctors are seeking legal intervention to administer the life-saving treatment. The decision facing Fiona might rank among the most complex of her career, weighing someone's right to life against their right to their beliefs. Crucially, she's charged with deciding whether a boy who's almost a man can make a choice between the two for himself. Thompson is a powerhouse when Fiona is quietly considering all of the details, often with a pensive yet penetrating look adorning her face. She's just as mesmerising when she's exercising the character's wit, too. But when The Children Act truly cracks Fiona's facade — in fights with her unhappy husband (Stanley Tucci) about their childless marriage, in tender moments when she flouts protocol to visit Adam on his sickbed, and when she just can't hide the stress of the situation — she's nothing short of astonishing. When Adam feels as if he's being drawn to Fiona, his reaction to her presence is easy to understand. Thompson turns in a soulful performance in a film that also earns the same description, which is hardly surprising given the movie's pedigree. The Children Act isn't just the second novel by Ian McEwan to reach the big screen this year, after On Chesil Beach. It's also the second that he has written the screenplay for himself — something that he hadn't done for nearly 25 years beforehand. On the page and in the cinema, the result is another of the writer's mature and thoughtful works, with the picture sensitively handled by director Richard Eyre. The filmmaker is no stranger to complicated matters himself, as previously seen in book-to-film adaptation Notes on a Scandal, but there's a blend of deep emotion and calm subtlety to The Children Act that borders on devastating. Credit is also due to Whitehead, best known until now for his work in Dunkirk, who ensures that Adam is as multifaceted and fascinating as Fiona. It's a portrayal that makes viewers wish for another life for his character, and certainly keeps the audience invested in Adam's fate. As an acting showcase for both the young talent and for Thompson, The Children Act couldn't be better, however the patiently shot drama also succeeds as a probing and empathetic look at a difficult topic. Like this year's festival favourite Apostasy, it ponders faith and medicine among Jehovah's Witnesses to stunning effect — and with heart-wrenching delicacy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWOfsnxcD3s
UPDATE, June 23: Due to the unsurprisingly overwhelming demand for tickets, a handful of new dates have just been added to The Presets' tour, with new shows bound for Torquay, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle. This article has been updated to reflect that change. See the full list of dates below for all the details. When you've spent two decades doing something you love, turning it into a career and enjoying phenomenal success with it, you're allowed to get nostalgic about how things began. Back in February, The Presets did just that, returning to the Sydney venue where they started out for a one-night-only rave-cave gig. The Club 77 club set clearly struck a chord with Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes, so much so that it's no longer a once-off. Across more than 20 shows, the duo will be taking things back to where they all began again, playing small clubs and bars around the country from July–October. The tour is set to kick off in Victoria, then head through Queensland and pinball between New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, too. So, fans can catch The Presets at venues such as Frankston's Pier Bandroom, Friday's Riverside in Brisbane, Magnums Hotel in Airlie Beach and the Dee Why RSL in Sydney. If you've seen the duo bust out their festival sets across Australia and the world, or their audiovisual-heavy own solo shows, that isn't what you're in for this time around. "We've been lucky enough to play the biggest stages and festivals in the world over the past 20 years," explains Moyes, announcing the tour. "But nothing compares to the buck-wild intensity of an intimate party. They are an entirely different beast and we can't wait to unleash over these 20 nights." "DJing in small clubs is a whole different experience to performing our usual live show on the big stage with the lights and visuals and things like that," adds Hamilton. "It is more freewheeling and immediate — we feed off the energy of the crowd, weaving our own tracks in with classic jams by our favourite artists. So it's a 20 years celebration of not only our music, but also all the incredible tunes that inspire us. Plus we get a chance to throw in a few unreleased surprises too." Expect hits from The Presets' hefty back catalogue, tracks you've never heard before and also different handpicked special guests each night. Who'll join the duo is yet to be revealed. As well as celebrating where their time as The Presets began, plus giving tracks like 'My People', 'Are You the One?', 'This Boy's in Love' and 'Talk Like That' a whirl, the aim is to make each night a completely different experience. Go hard then go home, obviously. THE PRESETS DJ TOUR: 20 YEARS. 20 NIGHTS. Thursday, July 13 — Torquay Hotel, Torquay — NEW Friday, July 14 — Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave — SOLD OUT Saturday, July 15 — Pier Bandroom, Frankston — SOLD OUT Thursday, July 20 — Beach Hotel, Byron Bay Friday, July 21 — Friday's Riverside, Brisbane — SOLD OUT Saturday, July 22 — Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra — SOLD OUT Friday, July 28 — Burleigh Bazaar, Gold Coast Saturday, July 29 — C.EX, Coffs Harbour Friday, August 4 — Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay Saturday, August 5 — Drifters Wharf, Central Coast — SOLD OUT Thursday, August 10 — Gilligan's, Cairns Friday, August 11 — Kirwan Tavern (outdoors), Townsville Saturday, August 12 — Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach Friday, August 18 — Beer Deluxe, Albury Saturday, August 19 — Torquay Hotel, Torquay — SOLD OUT Friday, August 25 — UOW Uni Bar, Wollongong — SOLD OUT Saturday, August 26 — Kambri Anu, Canberra Wednesday, August 30 — The Station, Perisher Thursday, August 31 — Miranda Hotel, Sydney — NEW Friday, September 1 — Miranda Hotel, Sydney — SOLD OUT Saturday, September 2 — Dee Why RSL, Sydney — SOLD OUT Sunday, September 3 — Dee Why RSL, Sydney — NEW Sunday, September 7 — The Espy, Melbourne — NEW Saturday, September 9 — Monsoons, Darwin Saturday, September 16 - The Espy, Melbourne — SOLD OUT Saturday, October 21 — Freo Social, Fremantle — NEW The Presets are touring Australia from July–October 2023. For more information and tickets, head to their website. Top image: Ben Sullivan.
Wake up, Prime Video viewers: in 2023, your streaming queue is getting nostalgic. If The Wiggles can top the Hottest 100, take their rainbow-hued skivvies to Mardi Gras and make a date with Falls Festival (and maybe Little Nas X), then of course they can be the subject of a new documentary that'll hit the online service next year. Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles will tell exactly the tale you think it will, following the group's career over more than three decades, including the new levels of fame and popularity that 2022 has thrown their way. Sure, Dorothy the Dinosaur mightn't need an origin story, but OG Wiggles Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Greg Page and Jeff Fatt are getting one, with Sally Aitken (Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks, David Stratton: A Cinematic Life) directing. Prime Video is promising never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, too, as part of the feature-length film. "When we first formed The Wiggles more than three decades ago, our aim was to educate and inspire children through music, and that continues today," said Field. "Looking through the archives has brought back so many incredible and emotional memories, from our first shows for 30 children to touring America and the world, playing to arenas. It's been such an incredible and evolving journey and we can't wait to share our story with everyone." Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles forms part of Prime Video's 2023 slate of original Australian content, with the streaming platform running through all the Aussie-made efforts you'll be able to watch next year — some newly revealed, others already announced. Sitting in the latter category but certain to be a must-see is Deadloch, the latest series from The Kates. This time, The Katering Show and Get Krack!n's Kate McLennan and Kate McCartney are writing, executive producing and showrunning a mystery-comedy starring Kate Box (Stateless) — yes, another Kate — as a Tasmanian cop. When a local man turns up dead on the beach, the sleepy titular town is thrown into chaos. (And no, it won't be by accident that Deadloch subverts the usual dead girl trope that's such an engrained part of these kinds of TV series.) Also on Prime Video's 2023 list: five-part doco series Dance Life, following students at Brent Street; plus movie The Defenders, a documentary about Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi's arrest while honeymooning in Thailand, and former Socceroos captain Craig Foster's efforts in response. And, similarly among the highlights, there's Class of '07, about the mayhem that follows when an apocalyptic tidal wave hits during an all-girls college's 10-year reunion; and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, an adaptation of Holly Ringland's debut Australian novel starring Leah Purcell (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), Asher Keddie (Nine Perfect Strangers), Alycia Debnam-Carey (Fear the Walking Dead), Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Hotel Mumbai), Alexander England (How to Please a Woman) and none other than Sigourney Weaver (Ghostbusters: Afterlife). Comedians Joel Creasey, Rhys Nicholson, Dave Hughes, Tommy Little and Lizzy Hoo will score specials, too. And if you're wondering exactly when you can get watching, release dates for the whole slate still to be revealed. The just-announced titles Prime Video's 2023 Australian slate don't yet have exact release dates. Keen an eye out on the streaming service itself for further details.
Potential is such a loaded term. Everyone is meant to have it. We're all petrified that we're not realising it. Chasing it, searching for it, grappling with it and coming to grips with possibly not living up to it — and that it can change and evolve as well — can all knock a person off-kilter. That's true of life, and also within Apple TV+ dramedy The Big Door Prize in both its 2023-premiering first season and now 2024's second season. Lead Chris O'Dowd, like everyone, knows that the baggage that comes with the word is inescapable. "I think you're right in that potential is such a loaded term and such an arbitrary one, really. We've just decided that this could be a thing. There isn't any proof for anything, if we want to buy into the premise that a potential is something that exists at all," The IT Crowd, Bridesmaids and Juliet, Naked talent tells Concrete Playground. "So I shudder to think, but it's probably true that it comes from some sense of entitlement to something better than you have or you are. And I think that keys into all of our egos. And, I suppose as a structure for a series, therefore it makes a lot of sense." Adapted from MO Walsh's novel of the same name, with Schitt's Creek alum David West Read bringing the text to the screen, The Big Door Prize pushes the concept of potential in more than just a general sense. At its heart is a machine that could be magical and is definitely mysterious: the Morpho, which turns up in the fictional US town of Deerfield out of the blue to spit out blue cards with white text proclaiming what everyone should be. Dusty, O'Dowd's high-school teacher character, is told by the contraption that "teacher/whistler" is his destiny — once he slowly warms up to giving the gadget a go after being the local cynic at first. But for him, as for his loved ones and neighbours, receiving a piece of paper that proclaims to inform you of your life's purpose doesn't provide all of the answers. Big questions sit at the heart of this thoughtful and contemplative dramedy, clearly. Also navigating how to react to the Morpho — and, of course, to the idea that anything can advise you what you should be devoting your existence to — is Deerfield's resident ex-hockey player-turned-Italian restaurateur Giorgio. As played by Josh Segarra, he's a dose of almost-constant optimism, as the Scream VI and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law actor also was in now-dearly departed comedy The Other Two. Giorgio doesn't share Dusty's uncertainty about the Morpho, but a card announcing "superstar" doesn't set him on a straightforward path, either. Getting existential comes with the series, then — a show that feels perfectly timed for the pandemic era, O'Dowd notes, as everyone reassesses what they want out of life and who they want to be after such a jolt of a period. But when you're starring in The Big Door Prize, your job is to take the audience on that journey, Segarra advises. "We just have to play each moment to each moment and make it as believable as possible, and then allow the viewers to ask the questions," he explains. Acting in the series doesn't stop you wondering what you'd do if a Morpho appeared in front of you, though, or what you'd want your card — or vision, the machine's next level, which features 32-bit clips instead — to show. With season two of The Big Door Prize now streaming, plunging back into a community that's flocked to a clairvoyant console to give them the answers that everyone wants, we chatted with O'Dowd and Segarra about their first reactions when a series about a mysterious machine that tells everyone their life potential crossed their paths — and also their dream Morpho fortunes, the show's mix of comedy with hope and tragedy, what gets them excited about a new project and more. On O'Dowd and Segarra's Initial Reactions to a Show About a Small Town That's Upended by a Mysterious Machine That Tells Everyone Their Life Potential Chris: "I was intrigued. I read the book first — because I always find if you have that opportunity, and sometimes that's not the case, but if the opportunity arises where you can read the book first, I think it's a better process of doing it. Because it means that you first find what the intention of the writer is, and then the person who's adapting, you know instantly what their intention is by what they've left out. And I thought as a premise it was very intriguing and promising. Reading this mid-COVID, it kind of offered this reset to life that I think people were discussing anyway, and that something could act as a catalyst for that reset and this recharging of their new versions of themselves. In a post-pandemic world, it felt very attractive to get on-screen. That's what I thought initially." Josh: "I love what you said about that because that's the truth. The way the book reads, MO Walsh's book, it reads very spiritual — and it's fiction, and you're still following these characters, but in a way, it also felt like a self-help book, because as you're reading it you are in your time with the characters asking the same questions. So then you get to our show, that's no longer our job to ask the big questions that we're delivering. We just have to play each moment to each moment and make it as believable as possible, and then allow the viewers to ask the questions." On Dusty's Journey From Being a Cynic About the Morpho to Using It as a Guide — and What That's Like for O'Dowd to Play Chris: "Poor old Dusty is clutching his straws. Emotionally and mentally, he doesn't know how to deal with these huge upheavals in his life. He felt fairly settled, so it's fun to play somebody who goes from probably the biggest cynic in town about this new machine — they put up a kind of ideological forcefield against the idea of it being anything — and then becomes really the rabble-rouser for it and the Pied Piper, leading people back to. It speaks to how much upheaval it has had on his own mentality. So there's a lot of nice little meandering changes going on for Dusty, so I feel very lucky for that." On What Appeals to Segarra About Playing a Character with Such Outward Optimism in The Big Door Prize – and in The Other Two as Well Josh: "Probably the way that it makes me feel after I'm done every day. I like playing positive characters because they allow me to put their shoes on for a day and allow me to feel pretty positive. I feel like it always feels better when you're putting out love, when you're putting out kindness — so when I play characters like that, it makes me feel like I went through like a like a flight simulator. I was in the flight simulator, I didn't have to fly the plane, but it sure felt like I did. And I like finding the heart of the characters, so sometimes they might be written one way and I'm going to try my best to figure out what makes them tick, what makes them move. But these, thankfully, are written with a lot of heart, both Lance and Giorgio." On Contemplating, or Not, the Human Need for Answers and for Validation When You're Making a Show About a Magical Machine That's Giving Life Advice Josh: "I try not to think about it too much. It was Chris yesterday that said something that I've been thinking about. He dropped so many gems on me. Yesterday, he said 'our jobs are playing the triangle in an orchestra, and we can't concern ourselves with what the drums are doing'. So the drums in our case are David and our writers room. They're taking these ideas, these big questions and making sure that they're seamlessly strewn about. But our jobs are to take the moment and make it as believable as possible, get from A to B and tell the story the way it needs to be told." On Finding the Balance of Comedy, Hope and Even Tragedy in The Big Door Prize Chris: "There's so much pathos going on with Dusty, and a lot of ups and downs. And tonally, it can be tricky sometimes, because you want people to be invested in the sadness of a breakup while also not letting the laughter completely die out. I think it's important for us to always keep those balls in the air. Otherwise, you're just watching a single ball — and that's the worst job I've seen." Josh: "The worst." Chris: "I'll watch it for a while just because I like seeing people do stuff with their hands." Josh: "That would be a funny act, if you never added the second and third ball. It'd be like an Andy Kaufman bit." Chris: "Yes, it would really depend on how it was lit." On What Gets O'Dowd and Segarra Excited About a New Role, and a Project Like The Big Door Prize, at This Point in Their Respective Careers Chris: "For me, this one was fun because it was such a big idea. And I think getting inside the guts of that can be very satisfying. Because you're really just trying to make a lot of it — when you're playing the kind of role I am, anyway — relatable. You're the audience, really. When you're kind of the grounded person in a show saying 'this doesn't make sense, guys' a lot and then become romantic about what would happen, actually, if it were all true — that's probably how we want the audience to feel. You want them to feel a little cynical at the start so you have to somehow reel them in. I was interested by the prospect of that. And I grew up if watching those Amblin movies where you tell very detailed truths through a very high concept. In the same way that ET was about divorce and Jaws was about getting old, this is in many ways about the great reset. And so to be part of the big idea like that was enticing." Josh: "Exactly that. Plus the idea that I'd get to work with Chris. I'd get to play a former professional hockey player." Chris: "Woo!" Josh: "I'd get to wear track suits for my entire wardrobe. And we got to live in Atlanta while we did it. All pretty good things. I'm still asking Apple to let me jump to the front of the line at the Genius Bar, but they haven't really approved that that request quite yet." On Whether O'Dowd and Segarra Would Use the Morpho If It Was Real — and What They'd Hope Their Card Would Say or Vision Would Show Josh: "Absolutely." Chris: "Oh yeah, I'd do it. I'd do it. In like Flynn, why not?" Josh: "In a heartbeat." Chris: "Rich poet." Josh: "That'd be fun." Chris: "I don't know what, maybe it's inherited — but you know, it's a magic card, so it doesn't really matter." Josh: "I like that. I'd like to go with a chef. I wish I knew how to cook better. I can cook a couple mean meals, like I make a nice chicken parmesan, I make a good breakfast. But I'd like to be able just to kind of — you know those people that can look in their fridge and see what's left and then throw together an amazing meal? I'm not one of them and I wish I was." The Big Door Prize streams via Apple TV+. Read our reviews of season one and season two.
Forget everything you think you know about soft serve — ice cream served in a slice of watermelon is here to blow your mind. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like: instead of a crunchy cone, your ice cream comes in a crisp, cold wedge of watermelon. The combo — as well as ice cream dished up in something more traditional, if you'd prefer — has arrived in Brisbane thanks to Double Good, which operates at the Eat Street Markets from Friday to Sunday. If you're prone to wearing dark colours and making a mess of your food, it's the dripping dessert you've always dreamed of. If watermelon's not your thing, then switch it out for pineapple or coconut (which come served in their respective receptacles). Or try a charcoal-infused soft serve that actually tastes like coconut and comes served with Oreo cookies. Pair it with a Nutella and banana milkshake if you're feeling extra decadent, or the mix of waffle, doughnut, churro and multi-coloured soft serve that is their famous rainbow funnel cake.
Whether for a drink, a bite to eat, a stint at the casino or to spend the night, heading to Treasury Brisbane has always involved heading to two neighbouring George Street spots. Until now, that is — with the inner-city venue branching out to a third location perched over the Brisbane River. Called Will & Flow, the new bar marks Treasury's first off-site location, although it isn't far from the casino and adjacent hotel. Mosey down to the Queen's Wharf precinct, where the overwater watering hole sits between the QUT Gardens Point CityCat stop and the Goodwill Bridge. On the menu: coffees during the day, cocktails after work and bites to eat from morning till evening. You can start with a fruit bowl or ham and cheese croissant before 11am — and then snack on chipotle crab buns, roasted king prawns, oyster and mussel-filled platters, scallops with bechamel sauce, and four types of pizza. Yes, seafood is a big feature. For dessert, there's even a chocolate peanut butter pizza, which comes topped with strawberries and marshmallows. And, as for what you'll be sipping, the drinks lineup also includes smoothies, wines, spritzes, Queensland beers, and other boozy concoctions such as espresso martinis, lime and lemongrass margaritas, and a 'State of Origin negroni'. Obviously, you'll be consuming all of the above with scenic views over the river to South Bank. Will & Flow is available for events, too, which'll benefit from the same waterside vantage. Visitors can choose between both indoor and outdoor seating, and the latter is bound to be mighty popular. That said, in line with current social-distancing requirements, visitors won't have too much company to start with, with the bar catering to 130 patrons either seated or standing up cocktail-style. The overwater bar is the second to open in Brisbane's inner city in the past couple of years, following Mr Percival's over at Howard Smith Wharves — aka the last big new precinct to open its doors.
Thanks to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, everyone in Australia will forever remember where they were at two specific moments: when the Matildas beat France in a stunning penalty shootout, and when Sam Kerr kicked the goal of a lifetime in the semi-final loss to England. The Sunshine State doesn't just want the team's feats at football's ultimate competition to live on in our hearts and minds, however, or via footage of the games. Rather, Brisbane will commemorate the Australian national women's soccer team's achievements physically, with the Queensland Government announcing that it will build a Matildas statue. That epic match against France was played at the River City's Suncorp Stadium, as was the Matildas' 3–2 loss to Nigeria in the group stage and 2–0 third-place playoff defeat by Sweden. Accordingly, that'll be the site of the new monument to Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso, Steph Catley, Katrina Gorry, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord and their teammates, as a permanent reminder of their history-making World Cup campaign. No Australian soccer team has made it as far into the coveted contest as the Matildas did in 2023 — not the Matildas themselves in the past, and not the Socceroos, either. Indeed, it's no wonder that their games kept smashing ratings records, with the England match now the country's most-watched TV program since 2001, and also likely ever. Exactly what the statue will look like will be left to Football Australia to decide, with the Queensland Government advising that it'll work with the sporting body "on the design and recognition of the team to ensure the statue depicts the success of the Matildas now and into the future". And as for when it'll be unveiled, that hasn't been revealed. But when it does grace the Milton stadium, it'll add both female and football representation to a site that currently features statues of rugby league stars Wally Lewis, Arthur Beetson, Darren Lockyer, Mal Meninga and Allan Langer, plus rugby union's John Eales. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CommBank Matildas (@matildas) "The Matildas have created history. Not only has their performance set new benchmarks for sport, they have captured our hearts and inspired a nation," said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, announcing the statue. "As a FIFA Legacy Ambassador I am so proud of our Matildas. They are role models who will inspire thousands of girls to pick up a football and play the game. It's only fitting that we recognise all they have achieved with a permanent tribute." Until the statue becomes a reality, you can spend more time celebrating the Matildas via documentary Matildas: The World at Our Feet. Brisbane's new statue at Suncorp Stadium celebrating the Matildas' 2023 Women's World Cup efforts doesn't yet have an installation and unveiling date — we'll update you when further details are announced. Top image: LittleBlinky via Wikimedia Commons.
New Zealand's South Island is home to some of the most beautiful sights one could ever imagine. There are some spectacular wineries, plus it's home to a burgeoning network of craft breweries and distilleries that are making beers and spirits to a remarkably high standard. So, where exactly are these innovators of imbibing located? Well, you can find them scattered all over the island — if you're planning a big trip around the whole South, we've found a spot for you. To help you on your drinking journey, we've crafted the ultimate brewpub itinerary. Let's start at the top and work our way south. BREW MOON BREWING COMPANY, AMBERLEY Established in 2002, the Brew Moon Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery and taproom in Amberley, North Canterbury. Brew Moon tinnies are available all over New Zealand, but visiting the Brew Moon site gives you the opportunity to try taproom-only seasonals and exclusives. The taproom holds 16 taps and pours beer straight from the brewery to your glass — doesn't get much fresher than that. The menu at Brew Moon only serves woodfired pizza to go with its craft beers, but really, it's a winning combination so there's no complaint here. THE FERMENIST, CHRISTCHURCH The Fermentist microbrewery in Christchurch is the newest craft kid on the block and aims to create great beer in a sustainable and environmentally friendly fashion. The brewery has implemented solar panels, composting, rainwater gathering, waste minimisation recycling and even tree-free toilet paper. The kitchen sources South Island hops and malt for brewing and local ingredients for the taproom kitchen. The Fermentist also has a female head brewer — which is not all that common in the craft beer community. The taproom is open daily and boasts an extensive menu of food and beer, as well as a fill-your-own station if you want to take home a growler of fermented delights. CARDRONA DISTILLERY, OTAGO A little further south in Otago, you'll find the Cardrona Distillery — a family-owned boutique distillery creating premium artisanal spirits. Situated within the remote Cardrona Valley, the distillery produces whisky, gin, vodka and liqueurs — all of which are handcrafted onsite. A tour of the facility costs $25 and takes 75 minutes, during which you'll learn about all aspects of spirit making — from grain to glass — and be treated to a guided tasting of each of the Cardrona spirits at the end. RHYME AND REASON, WANAKA While it's only been open for just over a year, Wanaka brewpub Rhyme and Reason is already a firm favourite in the region. Open daily from midday, it serves tasting paddles and pints from the ten taps, as well as 'hoppy' hour specials and cheese plates. The venue even allows BYO food if you're hankering for something specific to match with your beer. The team at Rhyme and Reason is all about creating a beer-loving community, best illustrated in the epic beer garden, which boasts everything from giant Jenga and foosball to the occasional food truck festival and even free community yoga on Sunday mornings. Tours are available but no set times exist, so just contact the brewery to book. WANAKA BEERWORKS, WANAKA Celebrating its 20th year brewing, Wanaka Beerworks knows how to please the people. Using the freshest ingredients and pure alpine water to create extremely tasty beer, this microbrewery produces small-batch brews under the brands Wanaka Beerworks and Jabberwocky with the flagship beers always available, alongside the occasional seasonal. Tours run Monday to Saturday, and take you through the entire beer-making process with, of course, the option to sample one or two at the end at the tasting room and bar. EMERSON'S BREWERY, DUNEDIN If there's a godfather of New Zealand craft beer it's Richard Emerson, who went from brewing beer in his parents' garage in Dunedin to owning his first brewery in 1993 and onto building Emerson's Brewery and Taproom in 2016. Emerson's boasts a restaurant, a bar with more than 20 beers (each matched to a menu item), and a 12-tap cellar door for your fill-your-own requirements. Tours of this state-of-the-art brewery run multiple times daily and include the opportunity to get your hands dirty in the workshop, a unique sensory experience and a guided tasting of six famous beers. Bookings are recommended. SPEIGHT'S, DUNEDIN So, it's not exactly a craft brewery, but no beer lover's trip to the South Island would be complete without visiting Speight's in Dunedin. Speight's is the epitome of the kiwi beer scene and has been brewing beer in the south since 1876 — this long and remarkable history is outlined during the tour which takes place at various times daily. The tour ends with not just beer tasting, but the opportunity to pour your own beer in the new tasting room and some great pub grub from the Speight's Ale House. The facility has just undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation to improve the visitor experience, so this South Island veteran is looking better than ever, even after 141 years. INVERCARGILL BREWERY As far south as possible lies the Invercargill Brewery, a place that's been applying new-world flavours to old-world beer styles since 1999. This brewery and taproom is dedicated to all things local, being sustainable and, most importantly, making amazing craft beers and ciders, both stalwarts and seasonals. The venue also has a newly opened events space called Asylum which hosts bands, comedy evenings and art exhibitions. Brewery tours are available on request. DANCING SANDS DISTILLERY, TAKAKA Run by husband and wife team Ben and Sarah Bonoma, Dancing Sands Distillery is situated in Takaka at the top of the South Island. The couple small-batch distil using a 150-litre copper still imported from Germany and age the spirits in a combination of French and American oak barrels. Dancing Sands' focus is on purity and sources its water from one of the clearest sources in the world, Pupu Springs. Ben and Sarah make vodka, gin and rum under the brands Dancing Sands, Sacred Spring and Murders Bay. And, the team is does some pretty innovative things, particularly under the Dancing Sands brand — wasabi gin, anyone? MCCASHIN'S BREWERY, NELSON Just down the road in Nelson, McCashin's Brewery has been brewing craft beer since the 1980s — long before it was trendy. McCashin's makes both beer and cider under brands Stoke and Rochdale, the latter of which is New Zealand's oldest cider. The onsite kitchen and bar serves food, coffee and, of course, beer and cider that can be enjoyed inside the brewery or sitting in the beer garden with that famous Nelson sunshine. Tours run daily, Monday to Friday, and cost $25 — that includes the guided tour, a post-tour beer and cider tasting and a souvenir glass which is yours to keep. Tour bookings are recommended. Start planning your trip to New Zealand's south with our guide to the South Island journeys to take here.
Time for a bit of love for a sometimes under appreciated entry in the fierce competition for the title of Brisbane’s best Indian restaurant. Trading in the restaurant hub of Rosalie, Halims is a local favourite, dishing up fantastic Indian meals every night. The butter chicken you will find at Halims is everything you could ever want a butter chicken to be. The rich, creamy sauce is dotted with cashew pieces, fresh herbs and the odd raisin and is perfect for dipping into with a naan bread. This is the kind of sauce people write songs about (okay, maybe not…but it really is that good). Insider tip: don’t order this dish if you are planning on being active afterwards. You’re more likely to find yourself spread out on the floor after dinner, bemoaning your full belly and your lack of self-restraint. There are other menu items, of course; the Aloo Gobi is a delicious vegetarian dish and there is a range of dahl and other curry options. The banquets are amazing value for money and include a huge platter of entrees, so make sure you’re hungry. The staff are lovely, food is delivered to the tables promptly, and you can BYO alcohol or order beer and wine from the drinks menu. Indian restaurants are always a great pick for group dinners and Halims is no different, happily catering for groups or functions.
Sitting in the Andaman Sea between the west coast of mainland Thailand and the island tourist mecca of Phuket, Ko Phi Phi Don is an idyllic island measuring little more than 8km in length. Ever since Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony) turned Alex Garland's famous 1996 novel, The Beach, into an even more famous film of the same name, this palm-fringed paradise has been on the to-do list of twenty-somethings around the world, with the neighbouring isle of Ko Phi Phi Leh providing the setting for much of the film's action. Hundreds of limestone karsts jut out from the turquoise waters as you near Phi Phi, with the islands' respective silhouettes providing a stunning vista. As the ferry drops anchor, those travellers seeking out the island's famous whiskey bucket-fuelled beach parties hop off at Ton Sai Bay, destined to dance the coming days and nights away in any number of open-air bars full of Scandinavian, European and Antipodean backpackers. This time though, we're heading for a calmer locale, another 45 minutes by longtail boat around the coast to the island's northernmost point. As the longtail pulls up to Laem Tong beach, Zeavola's exact location is not immediately evident. Set back in lush green vegetation that fringes a perfect white sand beach, this boutique eco-resort's scattering of hand-hewn teakwood huts have been cleverly disguised by an extensive network of palm-laden gardens, linked by meandering sand paths. The hotel's staff greets you on the sand to take your bags, insisting you carry your luggage no further. As you make your way up the beach, the rustic but luxurious architecture of Zeavola becomes apparent. Guests are encouraged to ‘step back to simplicity’ here. Zeavola is one half design hotel, one half beach shack. Each of the resort's 52 freestanding villas is carefully disguised by the surrounding gardens, so you feel like you have your own private beach house but can still enjoy the comforts that come with being part of a bigger, managed property. Open air showers give you access to the outdoors when you want it, and remote controlled shutters around the bungalows do the opposite when you need to sleep off your lunchtime Singhas. Zeavola's menus offer contemporary interpretations of traditional Thai cuisine alongside smatterings of western options at Baxil, the resort's main restaurant (where breakfast is served each day), and Tacada, a breezy restaurant and bar right on the sand. Closer to the water sits a line of bright yellow beach umbrellas with oversized pillows and triangle cushions, the perfect place to spend extended periods of time reading, sleeping, drinking and just being. Further down the beach at Jasmine, a simple restaurant owned by a charming young family from Phuket, you'll be served authentic Thai food for a smaller price in a jovial atmosphere created by some of the island's sea gypsies next door. Phi Phi's beaches, reefs and surrounding islands are the most popular attractions to see, and the best way to see them is to head down to the nearest cluster of longtails and bargain for the best hourly, half day or full day rental rates. The service is as basic as it gets, but the local boatmen will happily take you anywhere on the island at anytime of the day and night, including around to Ton Sai Bay and back in the wee hours if you want to join the heaving masses. If a trip to The Beach (Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh) or Monkey Bay is on your list, head there early before the tour boats arrive. But for something a little slower, hightail your longtail to Mosquito Island or Bamboo Island. If you're lucky, you'll even find your own private slice of paradise for a few hours. Double rooms from 8000 baht (AUD$240), +66 7562 7000, www.zeavola.com. The writer stayed courtesy of Zeavola.
Queensland has ramped up its war on waste again, with a range of single-use plastic and polystyrene items now banned in the Sunshine State. After introducing a container refund scheme and scrapping disposable plastic bags, Queensland first proposed ditching single-use plastics in 2019, then floated it by the community in 2020. Legislation cementing the ban passed Queensland Parliament back in March, and now today, Wednesday, September 1, the law has just kicked in. Gone from shelves — and from use in general — now that spring is here: plastic straws, cutlery, plates, bowls and stirrers, as well as polystyrene foam food containers and cups. They've all been ditched under the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Plastic Items) Amendment Act 2020, with fines now in place for businesses who supply them. Wondering about the nitty gritty? When it comes to straws, the ban covers regular plastic straws, flexible straws, straws with a scoop, cocktail straws and bubble tea straws. The ban on stirrers spans hot and cold drink stirrers, swizzle sticks, and hot and cold food stirrers — and, in regards to cutlery, you won't be using plastic knives, forks, spoons, teaspoons, sample tasting spoons, soup spoons, chopsticks, splayds and sporks. The plates and bowls part is self-explanatory, as is scrapping polystyrene takeaway food containers and cups. Crucial to the ban is the existence of already-available alternatives. In some cases, you can use reusable items instead — with cutlery and plates, for instance. In other cases, there are 100-percent compostable options, as seen with paper straws and stirrers. That said, for people with disability, some alternative products to plastic — such as bamboo, paper and metal straws — aren't always a viable option. Accordingly, the legislation includes exemptions for people with disability, or with other relevant healthcare needs, who require access to one of the banned single-use plastic items. Some businesses are exempt from the ban so that they can supply single-use plastic products for healthcare needs and to people with disability, including hospitals, medical and dental clinics, pharmacies and aged care facilities. When the legislation passed, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs Meaghan Scanlon advised that the move had widespread support across Queensland. "During our community consultation stage, from March last year, some 94 percent of the 20,000 respondents supported our proposal to ban these items. In addition, our latest online survey, which concluded on January 15, also supported the inclusion in the ban of expanded polystyrene products such as takeaway food containers and cups — with an overwhelming 98 percent of 6800 respondents in favour of removing them from our environment." During the consultation phase, a number of other single-use items were identified by respondents, which may be covered by the ban at a later date. They could include coffee cups, plastic cups and heavy-weight plastic shopping bags, which were all identified by the Qld Government as potential targets when it first announced that it was investigating a single-use plastic ban. Similar laws came into effect in South Australia earlier this year, while Victoria has set a 2023 deadline for implementing a single-use plastic ban as well — and, as a nation, Australia has floated banning all non-recyclable packaging by 2025. That's all on top of smaller-scale initiatives, not only including bag bans and container schemes, but the phasing out of single-use plastics in various guises at the company level, with Coles, McDonald's, IKEA, Coca-Cola Amatil and Qantas among those making steps in the plastic-free direction. For more information about the Queensland Government's single-use plastics ban, head to the government's website.
Looking for a luxe but relaxed way to welcome in the last public holiday until Christmas? Like sipping drinks in a decadent underground cocktail lounge? If you're after all of the above — and you love 90s R&B tunes — then head down to The Boom Boom Room's retro shindig on Sunday, October 6. Given the venue's moniker, you can probably bet that one old-school track will get a spin: DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince's 'Boom! Shake the Room'. There'll be more where came from, because the 90s is the decade that just kept on giving when it came to R&B. The fun kicks off at 5pm and, while you can just mosey on in whenever you feel like it, you might want to book in advance if you're keen on nabbing a booth — or splashing out on a vault spot. The bar already has a music-inspired cocktail list, so you can sip drinks inspired by famous musos and their hit tracks (including Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't She Lovely', Marvin Gaye's 'I Heard it Through the Grape Vine' and Bruno Mars' 'Locked Out of Heaven') while you're there — even if they don't necessarily fit the R&B vibe.
Aside from that time Bart Simpson called Australia and learnt that Australian toilets drain clockwise (and subsequently had to travel out 'ere to apologise), The Simpsons hasn't really uncovered many of our country's truths. But that's not true anymore with a new Simpsons short — which takes place outside the Sydney Opera House — released online yesterday. In the video, Homer manages to take down our accents, diss Rupert Murdoch, meet the Sydney seal and get attacked by seagulls in little more than a minute. It was created by Matt Groening ahead of his appearance at the Sydney Opera House for their GRAPHIC festival, which will run over one weekend in November. The fest celebrates pop culture and graphic storytelling, animation and music. Groening will be doing a keynote (which has already sold out), as well as a talk with fellow cartoonist Lynda Barry. Finally, the rest of the world can know the truth: the Australian animal to be afraid of isn't snakes — it's seagulls. Watch the full short video below. Video: THE SIMPSONS TM & ©2016 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.
Every great movie and TV show about teenagers has three things in common. Firstly, they're all rich in relatable-yet-universal detail. Even if something clearly isn't based on reality, it's obvious that it has been made by someone who has invested their own high school experience into every second. Secondly, they each transport the audience back to their own time walking the corridors, wishing they didn't have so many textbooks to cart around and living life by the bell. And, last but not least, every one resonates not only with viewers who are still catching the school bus at present, but also with everyone who has been there, done that and kissed it all goodbye. Plenty of flicks and programs have fit the above description over the years, with high school-set fare comprising its own genre. If getting transported back to your adolescence is your idea of a great day or night on the couch, we've teamed up with streaming service Binge to pick five must-watch options that'll do just that — including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
The arrival of summer means afternoons spent in beer gardens and nights that run late on cocktail bar rooftops. But, what if you could have an equally stimulating experience while avoiding that tinge of regret that comes when checking your bank balance the next day? The wonders of BYO make this dream scenario possible! With BYO-friendly destinations in Brisbane increasingly harder to come by, this list will ensure you're well placed to celebrate every kind of occasion with your closest pals and a carefully curated drinks selection from your own fridge or local bottle shop. Together with Mosey Fruity Beer, the hottest newcomer to the beer aisle, we've rounded up a collection of cracking BYO-friendly spots to hit up this summer. Ranging from much-loved restaurants to weekend escapes, all six picks are confirmed hot spots for taking a Mosey along. By stashing a can (or a four-pack) of the new brew in your bag, you're bringing a fruity take on the classic frothy — and an added level of freshness and 'crushability'. Our prediction? You'll be stinging for a sip by the time you're finished reading. [caption id="attachment_754733" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] CATCH THE SUNSET Brisbane's golden hour provides a rousing end to most summer evenings. Although the city only has five parks that permit BYO alcohol, they're all top-notch spots to enjoy the show after you knock off work. South Bank Parklands is one such spot, with its 17 acres of riverfront greenery and licensed picnic areas always delivering a great experience. Another striking sunset vantage point is Celebration Lawn. Enveloped by Roma Street Parkland, this colourful spot is an ideal place to crack open a cold tinnie and catch the day's last rays before the sun dips below the horizon. [caption id="attachment_750971" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Emily Davies[/caption] PICNIC IN THE PARK When you're in the mood for a BYO date with your best pals, load up the picnic basket and cruise along to one of Brisbane's sprawling licensed parklands. New Farm Park is an obvious choice — this lush green space is renowned for its fragrant rose gardens and open fields perfect for lobbing a frisbee. Situated within South Bank Parklands, Picnic Island is a slightly more secluded area where you can soak up the waterfront vibes with a drink in hand. Just as the name suggests, this spot is ideal for enjoying a couple of tins beneath the shady treetops or around the covered barbecue facilities. [caption id="attachment_869922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yutacar, Unsplash[/caption] AVOID THE RELOS BY HOSTING A FRIENDS-MAS PARTY PSA: you don't have to spend the holiday season with family. Hosting a top-notch friends-mas party delivers the opportunity to relish in the good times with your closest pals instead. Whether your loved ones live in another city or you just want to avoid any painful conversations, planning a friends-only festive shindig is a winner. So, what's needed to put together an unforgettable end-of-year celebration? Loading the fridge with tasty beers to go with your veritable feast, of course. Alongside lawn games and board games, a carefully curated playlist that turns your living room into Brisbane's best dance floor won't go amiss either. [caption id="attachment_871107" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Thang Tran[/caption] HIT A LOCAL BYO RESTAURANT Let someone else take care of the cooking by booking your next BYO session in a sumptuous Brissie restaurant. Lemak is a go-to choice in East Brisbane (especially if you're into golden, crispy chicken). Plus, this Malaysian street food restaurant is more than happy for you to bring along your own brews. Order the signature fried chicken with nasi goreng or suss out the flavourful range of laksas. Alternatively, take your tastebuds on a trip to the Med at Little Greek Taverna. Enjoy fresh, affordable Greek cuisine cooked by the family owners as you take in a 180-degree view of bustling West End — sipping on a BYO beer of your choice, of course (maybe a fresh and fruity brew?). SKIP TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND Make the most of your wider locale by skipping town for the weekend with a few friends. Just a short drive out of Brisbane you'll find more than a few lush stays. Set amid the Glass House Mountains, The Brick Barn has enough space for eight guests to enjoy its soaring six-metre vaulted ceilings and central courtyard — you can even get toasty next to the fire pit and pizza oven. Or, maybe take your brews along to a pastoral stay on the doorstep of Tamborine Mountain. This rejuvenated Queenslander features incredible views of the Great Dividing Range from its (multiple) decks, while a swimming pool overlooks the surrounding working farm. [caption id="attachment_794956" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tatters via Flickr[/caption] CRUISE OUT FOR A CAMPING TRIP Brisbane and its surrounding regions are blessed with world-class camping, perfect for reconnecting with nature while enjoying a chilled beverage. While you'll have to hike in to reach any of Mount Barney National Park's serene campgrounds, finding your place amongst the jagged mountain tops and subtropical rainforest repays your effort and then some. Cylinder Beach Camping Ground on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is just as beautiful. Set along a beloved surf beach on the isle's northeastern corner, the grounds boast pretty impressive facilities considering you're some distance from the mainland. With barbecue areas, bountiful shade and patrolled beaches, a BYO sesh here will go down in history. Armed with a ripper BYO spot and a four-pack of Mosey Fruity Beers, you'll be ready to make summer yours. To find out more about the juicy brews, head to the website. Top image: Chester Newling
Getting creative is a tried-and-tested way to de-stress. Sometimes, you don't just want to whip up a masterpiece, though — you also want to blow off steam. Enter splatter rooms, aka the paint-flinging alternative to smash rooms such as Rage Cage, which lets you hit stuff with a baseball bat. At this imaginative activity, you can throw colours at the canvas in the name of art and catharsis. Keen to get a-splattering? Meet The Splatter Room, which is part of Portside Wharf's new Art Month in May. You'll find it next to the Dendy cinema from Friday–Sunday across the month, letting you get messy in a space that'll be white when you enter, then covered in paint when you leave. The paid activity costs $60 per session, which includes all of the supplies that you'll need and an hour to use them. An obvious word of warning: don't wear something that you're not comfortable with getting covered with paint, even though you'll be donning a protective garment over the top. The Splatter Room sits on the Art Month lineup alongside a big street party at the Hamilton precinct, and also dedicating the month's markets to local creatives and artists. At the first, which takes place from 1–6pm on Saturday, May 4, there'll be free art activations, plus pop-ups serving up bites to eat and sips to drink. At the second, more than 35 stalls will sling their wares. The street party will also include free splatter sessions at 3, 4 and 5pm four groups of ten — until booked out. And, away from the paint, there'll be live tunes thanks to a roving brass band, Caribbean percussion and a DJ. The folks from Pink Flamingo, which opened in Hamilton late 2023, will also be family-friendly circus shows. Fancy lawn games instead? That's also on the bill. As for the food, Fosh, Rise Bakery, Bird's Nest Yakitori, Byblos and Gusto Da Gianni are among the venues taking part. Then, when it's time for the Portside Wharf Creative Market on Saturday, May 18, free splatter sessions will be on offer again at the same times — and for the same group sizes. You'll also be able to shop for pottery, homewares and art. Pet portraits will be available, too, for free for the first 25 folks or for $10 afterwards. You'll either need to bring your furry best friend or a photo of them. Your dog can also get creative via peanut butter lick painting, which is exactly what it sounds like. [caption id="attachment_819236" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Claudia Baxter[/caption] [caption id="attachment_867714" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Claudia Baxter[/caption] Portside Wharf Art Month runs from Wednesday, May 1–Friday, May 31 at Portside Wharf, Hamilton — head to the precinct's website for more details.
All hail the Keanaissance — for bringing him back to our screens, and often; and for giving everyone an excuse to shower his past hits with love as well. Before he was Neo and John Wick, he wasn't just one half of Bill and Ted, or Point Break's surfing FBI agent Johnny Utah, but also a guy trying to stop the bus that couldn't slow down. We know you're a fan, because who isn't? Alongside the aforementioned Point Break, Speed is one of action gems of the 90s — and Keanu is at the heart of both of them. And, we know you've always wanted to relive the latter film's high-stakes action movie magic, so here's your chance. Brisbanites, get ready to step onboard a vintage bus and prepare for the ride of your life. After thrilling fans and making plenty of new ones during several previous Brisbane Comedy Festival runs, Speed: The Movie, The Play is bringing its high-octane thrills back to the fest in 2022. It's taking on passengers between Thursday, May 5–Sunday, May 29, with shows held Thursday–Sunday — and this is one stint of public transport chaos (and 90s nostalgia) that you should willingly sign up for. Need to whet your appetite? Check out the trailer for the original film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8piqd2BWeGI
If you want to get properly warmed up before jumping into fresh rainforest water this summer, take the track through Behana Gorge to discover the impressive swimming spot that is Clamshell Falls. Situated 30 minutes drive south of Cairns, the track winds its way alongside a babbling creek for 3.5 kilometres before opening up to a dreamy dip destination. The waterfall itself acts as an active backdrop to the gentler swimming hole that sits below. The incline of the walk can be challenging in parts which means it's likely there won't be too many people around. Just make sure you take all your essential items with you as there are no amenities when you're this deep into the jungle.
The creative process of artists is as fascinating as it is mysterious. Songwriters are a famously cagey breed of individuals and are often particularly guarded as to the true meaning behind their music. Yet, bizarrely, these same songwriters seem to possess an irrepressible urge to share their innermost feelings with thousands of people through the medium of song. These quotes from ten songwriting legends provide a fascinating insight into what drives these musicians to be musicians. Whether it's because they weren't good enough for art school, because they are an emotional train-wreck or because they are just a wee bit insane, here is a little peek into why musicians do what they do and what inspires their art. David Bowie “I always had a repulsive need to be something more than human. I felt very puny as a human. I thought, ‘Fuck that. I want to be a superhuman.’” Tori Amos “Some people are afraid of what they might find if they try to analyze themselves too much, but you have to crawl into your wounds to discover where your fears are. Once the bleeding starts, the cleansing can begin.” Bob Dylan “Songs, to me, were more important than just light entertainment. They were my preceptor and guide into some altered consciousness of reality. Some different republic, some liberated republic… whatever the case, it wasn’t that I was anti-popular culture or anything and I had no ambition to stir things up. I just thought of mainstream culture as lame as hell and a big trick. It was like the unbroken sea of frost that lay outside the window and you had to have awkward footgear to walk with.” Richey Edwards - Manic Street Preachers “We started at a time when rock’n'roll was dead over here. The UK was in the grip of dance, rap, and the acid house thing. All that Manchester sound stuff that sounded so contrived… The only real rock’n'roll was coming out of America. We were consciously reacting against all that. Our friends laughed at us because they said there was no audience for us. But we felt we had to do something to bring back rock’n'roll, so that’s how the Manic Street Preachers came about.” Michael Gira “[Music] was a kind of sado-masochism. I would take the things that were painful to me and elevate them and, through the mantra of music, make them into a release.” Sonic Boom “I think a composer is literally an antenna to take in feelings, emotions etc and analyze, re-synthesize and then broadcast out to other humans. We felt we were making music (in the mid ’80s) for a sector of society including ourselves who seemed uncatered for. We could only imagine that there were other people out there wanting something more than what was currently on offer and in the realm which interested us. Luckily, we slowly seemed to find the other alienated types seeking something special from the music in their lives — i.e. not aural wallpaper as music is sometimes used.” Leonard Cohen “It seems like the height of folly to decide to solve your economic problems by becoming a singer. But I’d always played guitar, and I’d always sung. And I’d played in a country-western band, in Montreal… I came down to New York, and I didn’t have very much success in getting the ear of anyone. I visited some agents and they’d say, ‘Turn around, kid… let’s have a look at you. Aren’t you a little too old for this game?’ I was 32 at the time. I think I was eating very little; I was about 116 pounds…and going to all the clubs, and listening and playing and writing. Just the ordinary cliche of a young writer in New York.” Nick Cave “I kind of came in through the back door. I was always something of an imposter, I guess, because I couldn’t really play music or sing very well and it was some years before I was able to do anything that was worthwhile musically. I did music because I failed art school. If I hadn’t failed art school I probably would have carried on and been a moderately successful painter.” Jarvis Cocker - Pulp “If somebody told me in 1981 that it would take 13 years to get recognized, I would have been horrified. I guess it was self-belief that kept it going all the time, because for a long time nobody else seemed to like it. But we thought we were doing something that was worth doing, so we kept doing it and hoped that the world would come round to our way of thinking.” Patti Smith “These things were in my mind from the first moment I entered the vocal booth: The gratitude I had for rock and roll as it pulled me through a difficult adolescence. The joy I experienced when I danced. The moral power I gleaned in taking responsibility for one’s action.”
Melbourne isn't the only patch of Victoria that's gaining a new place to celebrate creativity in 2025, and adding something different and welcome to Australia's cultural scene in the process. While the state's capital city is set to become home to the Australian Museum of Performing Arts in December, championing the nation's contribution to music, theatre, opera, circus and dance in a city that's never short on any of those artforms, Halls Gap at the foothills of Gariwerd/Grampians National Park is gaining the National Centre for Environmental Art before winter is out. Again, the venue's focus and its location match perfectly. If you're going to open an Aussie-first gallery that's dedicated to works about the natural world, doing so in stunning surroundings is a must. The National Centre for Environmental Art is the brainchild of the Wama Foundation and, as it hones in on artistic narratives heroing the earth, will form part of the organisation's new art and environment precinct. When it begins ushering patrons through its doors — at a yet-to-be-revealed midyear 2025 date — the National Centre for Environmental Art will launch as stage one of the broader hub, alongside the Gariwerd/Grampians Endemic Botanic Garden, plus new artwork around the grounds. From there, immersing art within the landscape will continue to be a highlight of stage two, which will also boast a sculpture trail. So, you'll be enjoying the site's affection for both creativity and nature indoors and out. Inside, Western Australian artist Jacobus Capone will be in the spotlight at the centre's debut exhibition, with End & Being contemplating the planet's warming, the crisis as a result and the influence that humans have had upon the situation. The Fremantle-based artist creates everything from paintings and video installations to photos and performances — and will take visitors to Bossons Glacier at Mont Blanc in France without leaving Victoria, all by documenting a performance staged above and beneath the icefall. [caption id="attachment_1006306" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Astrid Muller[/caption] "Our program, encompassing new commissions, group exhibitions and nationally touring shows, will be rooted by a spirit of inquiry. Our take on the genre of environmental art is expansive, offering ample space for both playful exploration and deep contemplation," explains Wama Foundation CEO Pippa Mott of the National Centre for Environmental Art's aim. "Jacobus and I are deeply honoured to be part of Wama's inaugural exhibition and to present a project that, like Wama, seeks to foster a dialogue between art, humanity and the environment," added curator José Da Silva, who is also UNSW Galleries' Director and previously was part of the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art's team in Brisbane, including leading the Australian Cinémathèque. "Capone's work, with its profound sensitivity to environmental change and human vulnerability, speaks directly to that mission, and has guided our decisions to present this particular project." [caption id="attachment_1006309" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Astrid Muller[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1006310" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacobus Capone and Moore Contemporary[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1006311" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacobus Capone and Moore Contemporary[/caption] Find the Wama Foundation and The National Centre for Environmental Art at 4000 Ararat-Halls Gap Road, Halls Gap, Victoria, Australia sometime from winter 2025 — head to the Wama Foundation website for more details.
From the shaken to the stirred and everything in-between — this May, the country's world-class mixology scene will be celebrated in a very big way at a brand-new month-long drinks festival. The inaugural Australian Cocktail Month is set to kick off Saturday, May 1, descending on venues across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide with a diverse lineup of crafty collaborations and exclusive concoctions. Here in Brisbane, 18 venues will help the event make its grand debut, including local favourites Death and Taxes, The Gresham, Cielo and Blackbird. They'll spend the month whipping up creative-charged festival cocktails (and mocktails) using drops from both local brands — think: Mr Black, 2020 Distillery, Feels Botanical and Starward — and international labels like Patrón Tequila, Sailor Jerry Rum and Hendrick's Gin. To get among the best of it, grab a $20 Australian Cocktail Month ticket and enjoy full access to all of the participating venues' cocktail creations. Alcoholic drinks will be priced at $14 a pop, with low-alcohol and booze-free options clocking in at $10. [caption id="attachment_755166" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Death and Taxes[/caption] Top image: The Gresham, by Millie Tang
Since March 2020, Australians haven't been able to take an overseas getaway, with the country's borders closed and international travel banned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In just a few weeks, however, that'll change — with the long-discussed trans-Tasman travel bubble with New Zealand launching at 11.59pm on Sunday, April 18. Today, Tuesday, April 6, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the country has agreed upon conditions for opening up quarantine-free travel with Australia. Yes, that means that Aussies will soon be able to venture further than our own shores. Yes, that word you're looking for is 'finally'. And yes, the quarantine-free travel applies to New Zealanders returning from Australia, too. If this idea sounds familiar, that's because a one-way arrangement has actually been in effect since mid-October 2020, with New Zealanders currently able to visit some Australian states. While the bubble has been paused a few times due to COVID-19 case numbers in NZ, it has remained broadly in place for the past six months. But, despite a reciprocal plan being floated and discussed plenty of times over the past year, Aussies haven't been able to head to NZ in return so far. In mid-March, Prime Minister Ardern advised that the NZ Government was progressing towards a decision on the trans-Tasman bubble. After that revelation, a date of Tuesday, April 6 was given for the official announcement. So now, after all that talk and planning, Aussies now know that they can start genuinely planning NZ getaways — and when they're able to head off — while New Zealanders know when they can take an Aussie holiday, then return without quarantining. Announcing the news, Prime Minister Ardern said that the trans-Tasman bubble is "an important step forward" in the country's COVID response "and represents an arrangement I do not believe we have seen in any other part of the world". Heading to NZ won't quite be the same as it was pre-COVID-19, though, as Prime Minister Ardern also outlined today. "While we absolutely wish to encourage family and friends to reunite and visitors to come and enjoy the hospitality New Zealand is ready and waiting to offer, those undertaking travel on either side of the ditch will do so under the guidance of 'flyer beware'," Prime Minister Ardern said. "People will need to plan for the possibility of travel being disrupted if there is an outbreak," she continued. If you're wondering what that could mean, the NZ Government is implementing a framework for responding to outbreaks in Australia. It will treat Australia as its own region when making decisions on restrictions, "albeit one with the complication of multiple internal borders" Prime Minister Ardern said. So, if an outbreak arises in an Aussie state, there'll be three options. Firstly, if the case is clearly linked to a border worker in a quarantine facility and is well contained, travel will likely continue. If a case isn't linked to the border and the relevant state went into lockdown, NZ would probably pause flights from that state. And, if there are multiple cases of unknown origin in a state, NZ will likely suspend flights for a set period of time. With those three possibilities in mind, travellers from Australia have been told to expect two things. You'll need to follow NZ's guidelines on the ground while you're in the country — and, if an outbreak arises in Australia before you depart, you might have to monitor for symptoms, take a test before departing or isolate upon arrival. Going into managed isolation for up to 14 days might be required "possibly, in some situations," Prime Minister Ardern said. Folks heading from Australia to NZ will be travelling on 'green zone flights', which will only carry passengers who have been in Australia for the last 14 days. The crew on those flights won't have flown on any high-risk routes for a set period of time, too. Among the other requirements, passengers won't be able to travel if they have cold or flu symptoms, will have to wear a mask on the flight and will be asked to download and use the NZ COVID Tracer app while in NZ. You'll also need to provide NZ authorities with comprehensive information on how you can be contacted while in the country — and there'll be random temperature checks upon arrival. Australia's international border still remains shut to most global travel, although a similar travel bubble with Singapore is currently under discussion for a potential July start. If you're keen to start planning your NZ jaunt, we've rounded up some of our favourite glamping sites, wineries, sights and restaurants in NZ over here. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. To find out more about the virus and travel restrictions in New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to watching anything, we're here to help. From the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue for June. NEW STUFF TO WATCH NOW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5RDTPfsLAI DA 5 BLOODS A fiery examination of both the Vietnam War and US race relations, Da 5 Bloods is a Spike Lee film through and through. It nods liberally to its influences, such as Apocalypse Now, but only the acclaimed Do the Right Thing and BlacKkKlansman filmmaker could've made a war movie this affecting, incisive, entertaining and politically astute — especially given its focus on African American men expected to fight and die for the same country that still struggles to treat them equally. Plot-wise, the part combat drama, part heist thriller, part history lesson follows four ex-soldiers (Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis and Isiah Whitlock Jr) who make the trip back to Ho Chi Minh City decades after the conflict. They're searching for buried gold, as well as for the remains of their beloved squad leader (Chadwick Boseman, as seen in flashbacks). In Lee's hands, and with Lindo taking charge as a PTSD-afflicted, MAGA hat-wearing veteran, the results are energetic, passionate, and both intellectually and emotionally stunning. Da 5 Bloods is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEiwpCJqMM0 THE VAST OF NIGHT When strange things start happening in a 50s-era New Mexico small town while most of its residents are attending a school basketball game — unusual lights in the sky, and eerie sounds interrupting both radio broadcasts and phone calls — radio DJ Everett (Jake Horowitz) and phone switchboard operator Fay (Sierra McCormick) decide to investigate. That's the premise behind The Vast of Night, and it couldn't be more simple and straightforward; however this smart and engaging sci-fi film is inventive and compelling from the moment it begins. In terms of its narrative, a few surprises pop up, even for those with a knowledge of history. But it's the movie's strong focus on character and its commanding style that's always riveting. Every shot, every camera movement and, crucially, every single sound contributes to an ambitious and gripping filmmaking debut (and a certain calling card) from first-time feature director Andrew Patterson. The Vast of Night is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWYPlhHbKtM RAMY In Ramy's first season, creator, writer, director and star Ramy Youssef explored the daily life of his on-screen surrogate: Ramy Hassan, a twenty-something New Jersey-based American Muslim of Egyptian heritage. Ramy struggles to reconcile his culture, religion and family's expectations with his own wants, needs and dreams, continually professing his desire to make the right choices while often overtly following questionable paths. In the show's just-released ten-episode second season, the same still rings true — although, this time, Ramy seeks guidance from a new Sheik (Moonlight and Green Book Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali, who's excellent as always) while getting closer to the latter's daughter (MaameYaa Boafo). Youssef won a Golden Globe for his first-season performance earlier this year, and he's just as great in the next batch of episodes; however, it's the show's continual refusal to gloss over, ignore, excuse or accept Ramy's frequent array of self-sabotaging decisions that stands out. The just-released second season of Ramy is available to stream via Stan. The show's first season is also available, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGcJL6TG5cA SNOWPIERCER First, the bad news: Snowpiercer, the series, isn't directed by Bong Joon-ho. Now, the good news: while it isn't as great as Bong's film — because, honestly, how could it be? — it takes the same dystopian concept, heightens the suspense and drama, and serves up a class warfare-fuelled survivalist thriller that also spends its first five episodes unravelling a murder-mystery. Think constant twists, reveals and reversals, cliffhangers at the end of almost every scene, and a 'Murder on the Snowpiercer Express' kind of vibe. Once again, it all takes place on a 1001-car locomotive carrying the last remnants of humanity while constantly circling the frozen earth. Hamilton's Tony Award-winning Daveed Diggs plays an ex-detective who has spent seven years in the tail end of the train, only to be summoned to the upper carriages when bodies start piling up. Also excellent: Jennifer Connelly as the engine's all-seeing, ever-present head of hospitality. The first five episodes of Snowpiercer, the series, are available to stream via Netflix — with new episodes dropping weekly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaMIcuVH83M&feature=emb_logo THE BEACH Whenever Warwick Thornton makes a new project, it demands attention — and the Indigenous Australian filmmaker has never made anything quite like The Beach. The director of Samson & Delilah and Sweet Country turns the camera on himself, chronicling his quest to escape his busy life for an extended soul-searching getaway. With only chickens and wildlife for company, Thornton bunkers down in an electricity-free tin shed in Jilirr, on the Dampier Peninsula on the northwest coast of Western Australia. He fishes, cooks, chats to the chooks, wanders along the shoreline and reflects upon everything that's led him to this point, with this six-part documentary series capturing the ups, downs, sublime sights and epiphany-inspiring moments. Unfurling quietly and patiently in the slow-TV tradition, Thornton's internal journey of discovery makes for both moving and absorbing viewing. Indeed, combined with stunning cinematography (as shot by Thornton's son and Robbie Hood director Dylan River), it just might be the best piece of Australian television you see this year. The Beach is available to stream via SBS On Demand. ONES TO WATCH OUT FOR LATER IN THE MONTH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_ozcr43fP4 WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS First hitting cinemas back in 2014, What We Do in the Shadows is a perfect comedy. It's clever and creative, finds new ways to satirise and deploy familiar tropes, genres and formats, and features a spot-on cast — and, of course, the Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement co-directed, co-written and co-starring movie is also sidesplittingly funny. Thankfully, the film's US TV spinoff also fits the above description. Focusing on a group of vampires living in a Staten Island sharehouse (rather than the original movie's Wellington location), it could never be considered a mere small-screen copy. Instead, it's a lively and captivating addition to the broader What We Do in the Shadows universe, which also includes New Zealand series Wellington Paranormal. Back for a second season (and already renewed for a third, too), the What We Do in the Shadows television show has two specific aces up its sleeves, too: the combined on-screen talents of Matt Berry, Kayvan Novak and Natasia Demetriou as three of the central bloodsuckers, plus the time to delve deeper into their undead world. The second season of What We Do in the Shadows is available to stream via Foxtel Now from Thursday, June 25, with new episodes added weekly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q6Co-nd0lM EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA As music, spandex and glitter fans everywhere know, the Eurovision Song Contest didn't go ahead this year. That's left a sizeable Europop-shaped hole in plenty of hearts; however Netflix's new comedy is here to help. Called Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, the film follows two Icelandic singers who've always wanted to represent their country at the famed sing-off. Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdottir (Rachel McAdams) aren't particularly well-liked in their homeland, but when they're named as the next Eurovision contestants, they're determined to prove that chasing their lifelong dream was worth it. Directed by Wedding Crashers, The Change-Up and The Judge filmmaker David Dobkin, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga looks set to feature plenty of Ferrell's over-the-top antics, as well as icy backdrops and a song called 'Volcano Man'. Also on offer: a fierce rivalry between Fire Saga and fellow competitor Alexander Lemtov (Legion's Dan Evans), and a cast that spans Pierce Brosnan and Demi Lovato. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga will be available to stream via Netflix from Friday, June 26. CULT CLASSICS TO REVISIT AND REDISCOVER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA87ltqFEIQ IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA This May, when It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia was renewed for a 15th season, it made history. When those episodes make it to the screen, the cult US sitcom will become the longest-running live-action comedy series that's ever aired on American television. That mightn't sound all that surprising given the general concept — a group of friends (Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito) try to run their own Irish pub and usually fail at everything they attempt — but It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's dark, nihilistic and irreverent sense of humour is all its own. This is a show that's dedicated most of its episodes to a whole range of taboo topics, after all, while also watching its characters stage a twisted rock opera and make their own version of Lethal Weapon 6. Indeed, when it comes to satirising despicable behaviour and attitudes, It's Always Sunny is on another level. Amazon Prime Video is now streaming the first 13 seasons, which means you now have 144 episodes to binge. The first 13 seasons of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skpu5HaVkOc ALMOST EVERY FAST AND FURIOUS MOVIE It's the big-budget franchise that likes driving speedily and passionately, can't get enough over-the-top car antics and loves filling its frames with a constant onslaught of hectic stunts. It's also the Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez-starring saga that adores family — and Corona-swilling friends who become family — just as much as vehicular mayhem. And, it's ridiculously entertaining. Not every Fast and Furious movie is a winner (2 Fast 2 Furious definitely isn't, for example), but this huge series boasts more than a few high points. Of course, 2020 will no longer see the saga's ninth official film hit cinemas, with F9's release postponed until 2021 due to COVID-19; however you can now marathon the first seven movies on Stan. Come for a Point Break ripoff that swaps surfing for street racing, which is where it all began. Then, stay as everyone from Tyrese Gibson, Gal Gadot, Eva Mendes and Ludacris to Dwayne Johnson, Luke Evans, Jason Statham and Kurt Russell shows up, because of course they do. The Fast and Furious collection — featuring the franchise's first seven movies — is available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw1euaNtuXM SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL'S PAST HITS Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's Sydney Film Festival didn't take place physically. Instead, it moved online, making 33 new films available for cinephiles to stream at home. And, as part of the one-off virtual move, SFF 2020 also features a whole heap of ace movies that have previously screened at the festival — 40 of them in fact, all thanks to a Sydney Film Festival Selects collection on SBS On Demand. It's a best-of lineup, so get ready to revisit Studio Ghibli co-production The Red Turtle, Taika Waititi's Boy, the Greta Gerwig-starring Frances Ha, Aussie comedy That's Not Me and New Zealand's The Breaker Upperers. You can also feast your eyes on Palme d'Or winner The Square, Scandi thriller The Guilty, Turkish drama Mustang and Xavier Dolan's Heartbeats, among other films. And, they're all available to watch for free. The Sydney Film Festival Selects Collection is available to stream via SBS On Demand until Friday, July 10. Top images: Da 5 Bloods via David Lee/Netflix; Ramy via Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu; Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga via Elizabeth Viggiano/Netflix.
Brisbanites, you might currently be hanging out on your home turf, but that doesn't mean that you can't still celebrate this year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The event kicks off on Friday, February 19, and there are plenty of ways to get involved remotely — including checking out the online Mardi Gras Film Festival, and watching this year's parade (which will be taking place at the SCG). You can also get into the spirit of the occasion by heading along to Toombul Shopping Centre's festivities. It's hosting a number of activities, including something that you're likely to see across your social media feeds: a dedicated mirror ball room. Dubbed the 'Selfie Love Crate', this disco ball-adorned space will be shining, glittering and gleaming whenever Toombul is open for the next few weeks. That means that you can head by, step inside and start dancing from 6am–12am right up until Sunday, March 14. It's COVID-safe, too, so you won't have a crowd for company. There's also a love-themed installation in Toombul's upper area, Upstairs, where rainbow hues feature in a big way. At 11am on Saturday, February 20–Sunday, February 21, Rainbow Craft and Story Time is all about diverse tales and activities for families, while Dapple + Waver is hosting drag queen bingo at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 2.
Forests, riverbeds, floating mirrored spheres, a hefty collection of motorbikes: across recent summers, these have all filled Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. Every three years, so does a returning showcase dedicated not to a theme but to the area of the world that the River City is a part of. For more than three decades now, pre-dating GOMA's existence, the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art has contemplated this corner of the globe, the experiences over its vast expanse and the region's talents. The 2024–25 iteration marks the exhibition's 11th run — and if the fact that there'll be more than 500 works doesn't already make it seem like a maze, a labyrinth-esque installation at Queensland Art Gallery will. Thailand's Mit Jai Inn is bringing a maze-like piece to the QAG Watermall, a space that's also seen its fair share of part works — including from Yayoi Kusama and at prior APTs — and featured on-screen in Apples Never Fall. This time, art lovers will spy tunnels, curtains and scrolls, all in an installation that you can step inside. There's your first must-see part of APT11. [caption id="attachment_969545" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dawn Ng / Singapore b.1982 / WATERFALL VIII (still) 2023 / 4K video: 16:9 (landscape) and 9:16 (portrait), 27:06 minutes / Courtesy: The artist and Sullivan+Strumpf / © Dawn Ng.[/caption] Set to display from Saturday, November 30, 2024–Sunday, April 27, 2025 at both GOMA and QAG, the exhibition's full list of 500-plus works hails from over 70 artists and collectives, with more than 200 individuals making a contribution. Among the new commissions, Jasmine Togo-Brisby, Kawita Vatanajyankur, Trương Công Tùng, Paemanu Contemporary Art Collective, 'Aunofo Havea Funaki and the Lepamahanga Women's Group, Mele Kahalepuna Chun and Mai Nguyễn-Long will all provide pieces; however, the list of artists involved goes on from there. Courtesy of 28-artist collective Haus Yuriyal in Papua New Guinea, attendees will check out paintings on fighting shields, sculptures carved from tree ferns and a harvest garden in Queensland Art Gallery's sculpture courtyard. At GOMA, the Long Gallery will feature Tai Moana Tai Tangata, a combination of sculptures and video from Aotearoa's Brett Graham. Plus, Dana Awartani from Saudi Arabia and Palestine will present the floor-based Standing by the Ruins, which uses Islamic geometry and crafting, as well as Arabic ruin poetry, to ponder the impact of war. [caption id="attachment_969549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dana Awartani / Saudi Arabia / Palestine b.1987 / Standing by the ruins (installation view, 'Art Here: Icon. Iconic', Louvre, Abu Dhabi) 2022/ Courtesy: The artist / © Dana Awartani.[/caption] Dawn Ng's multi-channel video featuring frozen pigment melting; Yeung Tong Lung's portraits of daily Hong Kong life; Kikik Kollektive musing on a serpent deity; film programs exploring the careers of Tsai Ming-liang (Days), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (the Oscar-winning Drive My Car) and Kamila Andini (Yuni): they're all also on the lineup. Fingers crossed that the Tsai Ming-liang survey includes his stunning first virtual-reality effort The Deserted. The full roster of APT10 participants spans artists from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Iran, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Timor‑Leste, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hawaii, South Korea, Mongolia, Indonesia, Tonga, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Solomon Islands, The Philippines, Samoa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vanuatu, Cambodia, the US and more. [caption id="attachment_969551" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brett Graham / Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Tainui / Aotearoa New Zealand b.1967 / Maungārongo ki te Whenua, Maungārongo ki te Tangata 2020 / Wood, synthetic polymer paint and graphite / 320 x 800 x 320cm / Courtesy: The artist and Neil Pardington / © Brett Graham and Neil Pardington / Photograph: Neil Pardington.[/caption] "As we work towards presenting an exhibition of key works acquired by QAGOMA through the thirty-year Asia Pacific Triennial series at the V&A Museum, London in early 2026, we have reflected closely on the significant cultural impact of the Triennial regionally and globally," said QAGOMA Director Chris Saines, announcing this year's lineup. "As with previous Triennials, the 11th chapter will be presented throughout both QAG and GOMA and include works produced across vast geographies and cultural contexts, offering audiences a multiplicity of experiences, perspectives and diverse approaches to both contemporary and community-based customary art practices," Saines continued, "Over the past three years our specialist curatorial team, led by Curatorial Manager, Asian and Pacific Art Tarun Nagesh, have shown an unrelenting commitment to on-the ground, in-country research in order to select artists who reflect a diverse and authentic cross-section of the region's artistic production." [caption id="attachment_969550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kikik Kollektive artist Marrz Capanang paints a collaborative mural in IIoilo City, Central Philippines, 2022 / © Kikik Kollektive / Photograph: Kristine Buenavista[/caption] [caption id="attachment_969547" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarker Protick / Bangladesh b.1986 / 'লীন, Of River and Lost lands' (detail) 2011–ongoing / Inkjet print on paper / 50.8 x 76.2cm / Courtesy: The artist and Shrine Empire, Delhi / © Sarker Protick.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_969548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] D Harding / Bidjara, Ghungalu and Garingbal people / Australia b.1982 / Wool blankets (installation view, 'We Breathe Together', Bergen Kunstall, Norway) 2021–22 / Wool felt, pigment, gum arabic / Courtesy: The artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane / © D Harding / Photograph: Thor Brødreskift.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_969546" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rithika Merchant / India b.1986 / Temporal Structures 2023 / Gouache, watercolour and ink on paper / 105 x 150cm / Courtesy: The artist and TARQ, Mumbai / © Rithika Merchant[/caption] Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art's 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT11) will run from Saturday, November 30, 2024–Sunday, April 27, 2025. For more information, head to the GOMA website. Top image: United States b.1995 / The Machine Ghost in the Human Shell (from the 'Cyber Labour' series) 2024 / Performative hologram projections with AI / Installed dimensions variable / Commissioned for the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial / Courtesy: The artist and Nova Contemporary / © Kawita Vatanyankur.
It's time for class, again. After the first season proved a huge hit, and the second as well, Netflix is bringing Heartbreak High back for season three. Then, it's time to graduate. While the revival of the beloved Australian series from 1994–99 has been renewed for a third run, the streaming platform has also announced that the next batch of episodes will be the show's farewell. "She never got the letter — but now we get to see what happens next! Renewing Heartbreak High for its final season is a major point of pride for us at Netflix," said Netflix Director of Content ANZ Que Minh Luu, announcing the news. "It has been a joy to work with the utterly cooked creative minds behind our favourite Aussie YA show and to bring our stories, our culture and our in-jokes to all the fans here at home and throughout the world. See you at muck up day." Since releasing in April 2024, Heartbreak High's second season has spent plenty of time in Netflix's charts, debuting at number one in Australia — of course — and spending three weeks in the streamer's top ten for English television shows globally. The first season was also a massive smash with audiences, and with awards bodies, turning the series into an International Emmy-, AACTA- and Logie-winner. The third season, still to be shot in Sydney, will take the gang to their last year at Hartley High. What awaits Amerie (Ayesha Madon, Love Me), Harper (Asher Yasbincek, How to Please a Woman), Darren (screen first-timer James Majoos), Quinni (Chloe Hayden, Spooky Files), Ca$h (Will McDonald, Blaze), Malakai (Thomas Weatherall, RFDS), Spider (Bryn Chapman Parish, Mr Inbetween), Ant (Brodie Townsend, Significant Others), Sasha (Gemma Chua-Tran, Mustangs FC) and Missy (fellow newcomer Sherry-Lee Watson) — as well as teachers Woodsy (Rachel House, Our Flag Means Death) and Jojo (Chika Ikogwe, The Tourist) — hasn't yet been revealed. Also not yet announced: when Heartbreak High will drop its swansong season, so there's no date to add to your diary yet. In season two, the show not only dived back into high-school chaos, but followed a love triangle, a school captain race, clashing curriculum strands, quests for redemption, new romances, a mystery, plus the impact of new students and staff — including pupils Rowan (Sam Rechner, The Fabelmans) and Zoe (Kartanya Maynard, Deadloch), and Head of PE Timothy Voss (Angus Sampson, Bump). It was in 2020 that Netflix initially announced that it was bringing Heartbreak High back — and yes, it sure is a 2020s take on the Aussie show, spanning everything from friendship fights, yelling about vaginas from the top of a building and throwing dildos at walls through to consent, crime, drugs and police brutality. The original Heartbreak High was a massive deal, and was filled with now-familiar faces, such as Alex Dimitriades, a pre-Home and Away Ada Nicodemou, and Avengers: Endgame and Mystery Road's Callan Mulvey as Drazic. It painted a multicultural picture of Australia that was unlike anything else on TV at the time. And, for its six-year run across two Aussie networks, the Sydney-shot show was must-see television — not bad for a series that started as a spinoff to the Claudia Karvan- and Alex Dimitriades-starring 1993 movie The Heartbreak Kid, too. There's obviously no trailer for Heartbreak High season three yet, but check out the trailer for second season below: Heartbreak High streams via Netflix. Season three doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Read our reviews of season one and season two. Images: Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024.
