Get up close and personal to one of the world's most famous fairy tales, but don't expect it to play out the way you expect. You don't take on Snow White and call it a gripping reimagining without shaking things up — and in this case, it's the boundaries between good and evil. In La Boite Theatre Company and Opera Queensland's take on the Brothers Grimm's tale, showing at this year's Brisbane Festival, four musicians and four singer/actors do more than just ask magic mirrors about their appearance; they sing everything from opera to rock, and find the sensual heart inside an enduring classic. Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to the dark side of the story we go. And no, this version definitely isn't for kids.
Fish Lane's Town Square is putting its patch of pavement to good use, with markets now popping up in the South Brisbane spot. While bars and eateries line the laneway, and festivals have taken it over as well, Fish Lane only started hosting its own stalls back in 2021 — and in 2022, it's again giving you a chance to browse and buy locally made art, ceramics and other goods. Taking place on Sunday, May 29 and Sunday, October 16, the markets close down the road between Hope and Grey streets, and go big on showcasing local independent makers and designers. On offer: wares spanning everything from fashion, plants and jewellery to natural skincare and accessories for your dog as well. Obviously, you can also bring your four-legged friend with you as you browse the stalls. Food-wise, Fish Lane's existing cafes and eateries will keep you feed and caffeinated, so you can add a visit to Cups on Melbourne or Lune Croissanterie to your itinerary. For lunch, the likes of Julius, Southside, La Lune Wine Co, Chu The Phat, Big Roddy's and Grassfed will all be tempting your tastebuds The Fish Lane Markets run from 9am–1pm. If you haven't been to the precinct's Town Square yet, head for the rail bridge — you'll find it underneath. Updated September 26.
Always wanted to do something creative? Know what it's like to struggle to pursue your passion — and know that, if you had a dollar for every time that someone encouraged you to get a "real job", you'd be rather rich? A life of artistry isn't always lucrative, and that can shape both the pieces crafted and the exhibitions curated. As UQ Art Museum's latest showcase demonstrates, each can benefit from a giving impulse. At Philanthropists and Collections from March 11 to June 4, the age-old arrangement of patronage in the arts is placed in the spotlight. In fact, without it, the show wouldn't happen. As the exhibition offers a selective survey of works generously donated to the gallery, think of it as a statement of gratitude as well as a starting point for further conversation. Indeed, whether you're happy perusing the pieces on display or eager to engage on a broader chat on the subject, both are on the agenda. All art should make you think, but this should make you ponder not just what's in front of you, but how it got there. Image: Margaret Preston (1875–1963) Native flowers c.1935 hand-coloured woodcut on paper image 43.0 x 38.0 cm; sheet 54.0 x 46.4 cm Collection of The University of Queensland. Gift of Miss Mary Corkery, 1945. © Margaret Preston/Licensed by Viscopy, 2017. Photo: Carl Warner
Look what Australia's massive demand for Eras Tour tickets made Taylor Swift do: add extra shows to her next trip Down Under. After two rounds of presales for the singer-songwriter's February 2024 concerts in Melbourne and Sydney, and before general sales even start, the 'We Are Never Getting Back Together', 'Shake It Off' and 'Bad Blood' musician has announced an extra gig in both cities. If you've been struggling to nab a seat so far, and also stressing about the next ticket release on Friday, June 30, this enchanted news — which comes due to "historically unprecedented demand" — means that there'll be a heap more on offer. Tickets for both new dates will also go on sale on Friday, June 30. Good luck in the queue, Swifties. [caption id="attachment_907314" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] The additional shows come at the end of her stints in both cities, so Swift will now play MCG in Melbourne across Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18, then head north to hit the stage across at Sydney's Accor Stadium from Friday, February 23–Monday, February 26. At all gigs, she'll have Sabrina Carpenter in support. That blank space in your calendar that you were hoping to fill with Swift working through her entire career so far, playing tracks from each of her studio albums in a three-hour, 44-song, ten-act spectacular? You now have more chances to do so. [caption id="attachment_906254" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Sadly, Swift hasn't added concerts in any other cities across Australia. And, this is apparently it, with Frontier, the touring company that's bringing the star our way, advising that "no further dates will be added for the Australian tour". The Eras Tour kicked off in March in the US, where it's still playing. Swift will also head to Mexico, Argentina and Brazil in 2023 — and Japan, Singapore, France, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Poland and Australia until August 2024. [caption id="attachment_906252" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] This'll be Swift's first tour Down Under since 2018, when she brought her Reputation shows to not only Sydney and Melbourne, but Brisbane and Perth, too. Thanks to the extra dates now, she'll become the first artist since Madonna in 1993 to perform three concerts at the MCG — and the first-ever artist to play four concerts at Accor Stadium. It's no wonder that the Victorian Government declared her Melbourne stint a major event so that anti-scalping legislation would apply to tickets. TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR AUSTRALIAN DATES 2024: Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18 — Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Friday, February 23–Monday, February 26 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Taylor Swift will bring The Eras Tour to Australia in February 2024. General ticket sales for the Melbourne shows start at 10am AEST on Friday, June 30, with the Sydney shows on sale at 2pm AEST on Friday, June 30. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons
Almost a week after reimplementing at-home and public gathering caps in the Greater Brisbane area in response to a cluster of cases linked to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre in Wacol, the Queensland Government has today, Friday, August 28, announced that the new rules will be extended down to the Gold Coast. While folks living in the Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay and Redlands local government areas are already only allowed to have ten people inside their homes and at meetups outside of the house, that'll expand to everywhere between Brisbane and the Goldie — including all of the Gold Coast — from 8am on Saturday, August 29. Yes, that means that house parties and mass hangouts both indoors and outside are off the cards on the coast, and your weekend plans might now change. For gatherings at home, you can have a maximum of ten people in your house — which includes people who don't normally live with you and residents. For gatherings in public, the maximum number of people that can be in one group is ten, including you and other members of your household. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1299137064122773504 Restrictions currently in place in hospitals, aged care facilities and disability accommodation facilities in Greater Brisbane — restricting visitors, and requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including face masks and gloves to treat all patients and residents — will also extend to the Gold Coast. Like the Greater Brisbane area, however, venues and events that have put in place COVID-Safe Industry Plans can keep operating as they presently are — which spans cafes, restaurants, clubs, pubs, weddings and funerals. Revealing the latest Goldie developments, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also announced a related piece of news: that this year's Schoolies celebrations have been cancelled. In a Twitter statement, the Premier explained that "the Chief Health Officer has designated mass gatherings over several days of Schoolies a high risk event. That means organised events like concerts won't proceed". Because Schoolies doesn't just take place on the Goldie, Queensland will also specifically implement a statewide ten-person in-residence gathering cap throughout the event's usual period. So, between Saturday, November 21–Friday, December 11, no matter where in the Sunshine State you live — and even if you're staying at a holiday unit — you won't be able to have more than ten people in one residence. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1299125461553872897 Across the rest of Queensland — everywhere outside of the Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay and Redlands local government areas at present, and the Gold Coast from 8am tomorrow — residents are also subject to limits. As introduced last week, folks in these areas can only have 30 visitors over to their homes, and can only gather in groups of 30 in public areas. The latest changes come as Queensland announced three new confirmed COVID-19 cases today. As always, even with increased restrictions on gatherings, the usual advice applies. Queenslanders should maintain social distancing and hygiene measures, stay home where possible, and get tested at the first sign of even the most minor of coronavirus symptoms. For more information about southeast Queensland's COVID-19 gathering restrictions — including on the Gold Coast from 8am on Saturday, August 29 — or about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, visit the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
There's never a bad time to enjoy a Cantonese meal with cracking river views at Stanley, the Howard Smith Wharves restaurant that pairs the two in fine style. That said, stopping by to celebrate Lunar New Year is obviously recommended. To mark the Year of the Rabbit, chef Louis Tikram is adding special dishes to the menu — and for two nights only. Exactly what you'll be able to tuck into hasn't been revealed but, based on how delicious Stanley's regular spread is, your tastebuds won't be disappointed. The LNY specials will be available alongside the usual a la carte and banquet offerings, too — which spans everything from Moreton Bay bug spring rolls and Peking duck pancakes to kung pao cauliflower and salt and pepper squid — so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. You'll need to make a date for either Saturday, January 21 or Sunday, January 22, with seatings from 5pm each evening. And there'll also be lion dances on both nights — at 6.30pm and 8.30pm.
One of Brisbane's venues is going green this autumn, celebrating a big pop-culture phenomenon that's still getting plenty of affection two decades after it first hit. Yes, after all this time, everyone still loves animated favourite Shrek. So, Kickons is hosting the ultimate Shrek party for adults: another Shrek Rave. Missed out on 2022's version? Here's your second chance to rediscover why it really isn't easy being an ogre — all while listening to a Shrek DJ set, and joining in on a Smash Mouth sing-along. Still remember the words to the band's version of 'I'm a Believer'? Of course you do, and you have the song stuck in your head right now. Also part of the fun: Shrek-themed drink specials including Shrek Juice, Donkey Drank and Farquaad Fizz; free green glow sticks; an all-green dress code (obviously); a free green glitter bar; and a prize for best Shrek-inspired outfit. Here, all that glitters is indeed gold — and green — with the party happening from 9pm on Friday, March 24. Tickets start from $21.75 per person.
If you live in Brisbane you have probably heard (or even seen) Jeremy Neale. He is a man about town in the sense that he is everywhere at once — and this is a good thing. If there was a competition for 'Mr. Brisbane', he'd probably be the only nominee and the 'sure-thing' winner. You may have seen Jeremy on stage, singing or shredding (or drumming) in one of his many bands; you may have seen him on YouTube, dreamily crooning and punching bad-guys in his video clips; you may have seen him at Black Bear Lodge where he is slinging you drinks; you may have seen him behind the decks at many jaunts around Brisbane, when he DJs under the moniker Bris Springsteen. I hope you get my point; he is everywhere — but for good reason. He is a supremely talented individual and a super nice guy. Jeremy Neale is the frontman for 12-piece garage-rock hydra Velociraptor, but he is quickly gaining notoriety for his solo material, earning high rotation on Triple J with songs called 'Swing Left', 'Darlin'', 'A Love Affair To Keep You There' and 'In Stranger Times'. He's played around the country and earned thousands of adoring fans, each one with a story about he was really nice to them and gave them a high-five. Jeremy is going on tour with equally talented men The John Steel Singers this month. We asked Jeremy about his tour, his music and his love of Brisbane. G'day Jeremy! How has the past year been for you? Pretty crazy, right? Scientifically speaking with outdated pop culture colloquialism I guess you could say it was cray cray. You're a super busy guy. How do you find time for all your projects and still manage to live? To be honest, last year I didn't really. I butchered myself to get stuff done. Smashed a bunch of work to pay for music and then music took up all of my spare time. It was kind of like working two full-time jobs at the same time, I guess. I didn't really get my personal life in order but like any good coming-of-age movie I learned some valuable lessons and this year I'm looking after myself a bit better, eating well, exercising, y'know? Those kinds of things. I started doing yoga again, playing basketball and indoor soccer and watching TV every so often. Normal stuff that's helping me get out of my head and into the world again. You're touring with the John Steel Singers. What do you like about them and what do you think makes them a great band? They're legendary dudes. They've got that band of brothers-style camaraderie that I think any good band needs to have. They're clearly intertwined in each others lives outside of just music. It's beautiful. Their tunes are great too. The evolution between Tangalooma and Everything's a Thread has just been incredible too. What you've got now is a release that is a true artistic statement. For me personally, the new album took a couple of listens to get into but it's a truly magical album and well worth your time. What can people expect from the Jeremy Neale tour extravaganza? If some heinous aggressive dance type bro challenges you to a breakdance fight out the front of the venue, you better let them know that I've done nothing but watch the film clip to Run DMC vs Jason Nevins 'It's Like That' for the last week so I've got your back and I'm ready. Other than that — there'll be some music. Some guest appearances from Jeremy Neale starring as himself; myself and the band playing the songs as good as on the recordings but with this sweet live vibe. The stage banter of a young John Candy. No candy though, I don't really eat sugar. I guess it's cool if you want to though and I could probably buy some if there's a corner store nearby. Tell us about what else you have in store for us this year? This year is a mighty year. It seems Tiger Beams is no more, but everything else that I'm an active writer in seems to be making some exciting plans. There will be a new Velociraptor single out in a few weeks with an album coming out in July. I've been recording a bunch of new stuff with Teen Sensations as well. As for the solo guise after the tour with The John Steel Singers, I'll be heading to play a festival in Wollongong, touring with Loon Lake, hitting up the UK for The Great Escape and subsequent international touring. Come October you should also see the first single from my new generation of club banger tracks too which is what I'm most excited about. You DJ under the moniker Bris Springsteen so you must have a bit of hometown pride. What do you like about Brisbane as a city? I think it's just the right size — complete with a very supportive music scene. The weather rules and there's enough good people to live a life that has meaning (if in this instance we are stating that an important testament to the value of life is making meaningful relationships with those you share the world with. Which I am in fact stating in this instance is an important aspect). There's a bunch of cool stuff you can do and we have a man-made beach in the city. Total victory. Brisbane is a land of opportunity if you apply yourself. When you are in town, where do you like to eat, drink and hang out? A lot of the new places I end up venturing to are either through playing or DJing. My staple hangouts are Black Bear Lodge and Alhambra Lounge. As far as smaller bars go I really enjoy Shady Palms in Stones Corner and Jungle and The End in West End. My favourite restaurant is still Halim's in Rosalie. Who are some other Brisbane musicians that you think are doing great things for the local scene? WOODBOOT are an exciting band. Roku Music are an exciting band. Occults are an exciting band. Rolls Bayce are an exciting band. The Good Sports, also an exciting band. I'm super keen to see what Go Violets will do next. I wish Johnny & The Fembots were still playing shows. As for individuals. Andre Johansson-Walder - the kid can play but he's also just a top bloke who knows how to record bands like a pro boss. And there would be a bunch more but it's 2:40am I'm one sleepy dog, so my recall isn't great and nobody is posting on Facebook at the moment to trigger my memory. We've got a great scene of musicians, writers, venue operators, promotors and all round participants so rest assured, there's a bunch of legendary people doing legendary things right at this very moment. And maybe they're sleeping at this particular moment but they're merely charging their batteries for the most triumphant things to come. Jeremy Neale and The John Steel Singers are playing two shows this week, both at Black Bear Lodge. More info here.
You don't need binoculars or a deerstalker cap to be a sleuth. If you're keen to investigate new cases at the press of a few buttons, all you really need is a stacked streaming queue. TV mysteries and dramas are full of whodunnits, after all. And, while they're filled with on-screen folks trying to get to the bottom of many a thorny predicament, they're also all perfect for letting viewers play armchair detective at home. Perhaps you're excellent at spotting tiny foreshadowing details? Maybe you have a great feel for television's twists and turns? Or, you could just love escaping into a series, lapping up all the minutiae and seeing if you can pick what's going to happen next? Whichever category fits, we've paired up with streaming platform Binge to take care of your next five viewing picks. They'll have you puzzling along as you're watching — including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
At the beginning of 2012, when the world discovered that Channing Tatum was starring in a movie about male strippers — and that it was based on his own experiences working in the field — everyone was a little sceptical. Which was understandable. Magic Mike boasts a great director in Steven Soderbergh, and a cast that also includes Matthew Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Olivia Munn, Riley Keough and peak McConnaissance-era Matthew McConaughey, but, on paper, it was hardly a sure thing. Of course, once the film hit the screens, it was a hit. More than that — it was a smart and sensitive look at men chasing the American Dream by taking off their clothes. Sequel Magic Mike XXL, which released in 2015, not only repeated the feat but added more depth, and Tatum successfully turned what could've been a forgettable chapter of his pre-fame life into a successful big-screen franchise. Actually, he's turned it into a stage and screen franchise. Yes, Magic Mike was always going to go back to where it all began. In Las Vegas, London and Berlin, Magic Mike Live has been letting real-life male dancers strip up a storm for eager audiences. Not to be confused with Magic Mike the Musical — because that's something that's also happening — the "immersive" dance show is coming to Australia in 2020. When its Aussie leg was first announced last year, the show was set to debut in Melbourne in May 2020; however, then the pandemic hit. After delaying those dates, Magic Mike Live will now unleash its stuff in Sydney from Thursday, December 17. It'll then head to Melbourne from Tuesday, June 8, 2021, with Brisbane and Perth seasons set to follow at yet-to-be-revealed dates. In each city, Magic Mike Live will steam up a 600-seat spiegeltent called The Arcadia. It's the world's largest spiegeltent, because clearly this kind of show has plenty of fans. This is the first time that the performance will be held in the pop-up two-storey spot, which comes with 360-degree views of the stage, a glass lobby, custom bars, a mini food hall, and a lounge area both inside and out. And while it's blazing a trail venue-wise, on the stage, the Aussie show will combine elements of the Magic Mike Live's three other international productions. While Tatum came up with the idea for Magic Mike Live and co-directs the show, the Step Up, 21 Jump Street, Logan Lucky and Kingsman: The Golden Circle star isn't actually one of the performers. Instead, a cast of 20 — including 15 male dancers — will showcase a combination of, dance, comedy and acrobatics. Continuing her role from the films, stage show co-director and choreographer Alison Faulk is behind the sultry moves, drawing upon a career spent working with Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Missy Elliott, P!NK, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin. It probably goes without saying, but if you're already thinking about buying Magic Mike Live tickets, expect to have plenty of hens parties for company. MAGIC MIKE LIVE AUSTRALIAN TOUR Sydney — Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, from Thursday, December 17, 2020 Melbourne — Birrarung Mar, from Tuesday, June 8, 2021 Brisbane — TBC Perth — TBC Magic Mike Live tours Australia from Thursday, December 17, 2020, when it kicks off its shows in Sydney. It'll then hit Melbourne from Tuesday, June 8, 2021, with Brisbane and Perth seasons set to follow at yet-to-be-revealed dates. For more information, or to buy tickets for the Sydney leg, the website. Top image: Jerry Metellus.
If you find yourself thinking back on Law & Order re-runs, Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs or Heath Ledger's turn as the Joker in The Dark Knight, you're probably thinking about one particular type of scene. There's an art to a good on-screen interrogation — to seeing characters verbally spar back and forth, as one probes for answers and the other tries to avoid their questions — that's riveting when it's done well. It's also hilarious when it's done comedically (see Brooklyn Nine-Nine); however, nothing beats a grim, serious, eyes-blazing, nostril-flaring confrontation between a suspected criminal and a savvy detective who are both confined to the same small room. Netflix, in its seemingly never-ending quest to turn every single possible idea into highly binge-able streaming content, is taking this concept and running with it in its new anthology crime series Criminal. Love interrogations, but not so fussed about all the stuff around them? Then you'll want to glue your peepers to this newcomer when it arrives later in the year, because it's all about heated chats in police interview suites. In fact, that's all it's about. The streaming platform is keeping most of the details quiet for now, although the show will tell a dozen different tales across just as many 45-minute episodes — spending three episodes each focusing on cases in France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom. Criminal will also unfurl its tense arguments with some considerable star power, with David Tennant and Agent Carter's Hayley Atwell among the UK cast. You might also recognise Laurence Anyways' Nathalie Baye and The Unknown Girl's Jérémie Renier in the French instalments, plus Phoenix's Nina Hoss in the German episodes. Behind the scenes, the claustrophobic, cat-and-mouse-style program also boasts a heap of talent, which'll again vary from country to country. Killing Eve writer George Kay and She's Out Of My League director Jim Field Smith will oversee the whole thing, and take care of the British chapters, while The Returned and Spiral helmer Frederic Mermoud, Downfall's Oliver Hirschbiegel and Dark Impulse's Mariano Barroso will do the honours in France, Germany and Spain respectively. While Netflix hasn't released a proper teaser or trailer yet, it has unveiled a cast announcement video which doubles as a foreboding look at things to come: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L82Gx5wrPVs Criminal will drop on Netflix later this year — we'll update you with further details, including an exact release date, as they come to hand. Via Deadline.
It doesn't snow in Brisbane. Sometimes, if it gets cold enough, the skies can whiten around the Granite Belt; however, that isn't Brissie. For six days in Fortitude Valley, however, you will be able to surround yourself with the best thing that winter has to offer without leaving the city — and there'll be 50 tonnes of the stuff, in fact. Yes, all that snow will be real. You'll find it at The Prince Consort as part of the venue's Snow Week, and it'll be falling from the sky from Tuesday, June 28–Sunday, July 3. The Wickham Street spot is turning into a winter wonderland, because it's that time of year. And, it's hosting a heap of snow-themed festivities to help you make the most of the event. Fancy a round of Snow (Drag) Queen Bingo? Have an ugly sweater you'd like to bust out at a party dedicated to terrible woollen wares? Fancy pretending you're at a ski resort? They're all options throughout the week. So is attending a shindig dedicated to Canada, to celebrate Canada Day — poutine included. Also on offer: nooks to get cosy in, art installations, live performers and DJs, and special food menus to suit the occasion. Rugging up is recommended, obviously.
Brisbane's favourite ramen joint just keeps expanding, with Taro's adding another new store to its growing noodle soup empire. If you're a fan of slurping, live on the southside and don't want to venture further than Stones Corner, you're in luck — its hearty, brothy bowls are now available at the inner-south precinct. Located on Old Cleveland Road opposite the Stones Corner Hotel, Taro's new site serves up the usual menu, which includes its thick, tasty tonkotsu ramen in multiple varieties, its popular vegan version, and plenty of snacks, such as karaage, gyoza, takoyaki and lotus root chips. You can also serve yourself as much takana (spicy, pickled mustard leaves) as you like, because no ramen meal is complete without it. And for those dining with at least one friend, you can opt for shabu shabu, cooking your own pork belly slices, vegetables and tofu at your table. At present, Taro's Stones Corner is a BYO affair — and there's no fee if you're drinking beer or another ready-to-drink type of booze, with corkage of $4 per person kicking in for wine and sake. This is only the case until the venue receives its liquor licence — then, you'll be able to sip from its range of Japanese booze. Taro's devotees will have noticed that it has been a busy year for the popular chain. Chef and owner Taro Akimoto relaunched his Edward Street space in the CBD as temporary vegan-only eatery back in April. And, although it closed at the end of May, Akimoto has mentioned he might reopen another vegan spot in the future. Actually, it's been a busy few years for Akimoto — with Stones Corner joining Taro's in Queen Street in the CBD, Racecourse Road at Ascot and Melbourne Street at South Brisbane. Find Taro's Ramen at 16 Old Cleveland Road, Stones Corner, open from 11.30am–3pm and 5.30pm–9pm daily. Top images: Anwyn Howarth.
It's the election promise Queenslanders fond of an evening out had been hoping wouldn't come true. When the state's Labor Government came to power in 2015, they vowed to combat alcohol-fuelled violence, and to change legislation surrounding the service of booze to do so. In the early hours of this morning — the time Brisbanites will no longer be able to order drinks or enter bars, fittingly — the amended laws were passed through. Most of us want to put an end to anti-social behaviour, but unless you're eager to cut your partying short long before you currently have to, the latest developments bear only bad news. From July 2016, last drinks will be served at 2am — or 3am, if you're hanging out in a designated entertainment precinct. Shots will be banned after midnight, regardless of what you're consuming. And, if you're knocking back a few beverages at home, you'd best grab your supplies before 10pm, because any new bottle-os won't be able to trade past then. That's just the beginning, with new lockout times coming into effect on February 1, 2017. Patrons won't be able to re-enter pubs and clubs after 1am, which is a whole two hours earlier than existing restrictions. Casinos will be exempt, so expect the Treasury — or the new Queens Wharf precinct, once it is up and running — to become the most popular place in the city for late-night revelry. Queensland's tough changes come at a time when the concept of alcohol-related curfews continues to be in the spotlight around the country. Sydneysiders keep coming out in force to show their opposition, with another Keep Sydney Open Rally planned for Sunday, February 21. In Melbourne, a trial of 2am lockouts proved unsuccessful back in 2008, causing Victoria to abandon the idea since. Looks like Brisbane residents now have yet another reason to flock down south.
What Maisie Knew is an adaptation of the classic Henry James novella of the same name. Set in modern-day New York, it tells the story of Maisie (Onata Aprile), a seven-year old girl caught in the middle of a game of custody one-upmanship between her divorced parents, rock star Susanna (Julianne Moore) and art dealer Beale (Steve Coogan). Through Maisie's point of view, we see her parents resort to increasingly immature measures for full custody, as Maisie somehow manages to stay calm amongst all the chaos going on around her. Some more positive parental influence comes via Susanna and Beale's new partners, Lincoln (Alexander Skarsgard) and Margo (Joanna Vanderham). (In fact, the True Blood hottie and child star Onata have such a genuine bond it will hit your ovaries hard.) Brought to you by the producers of The Kids Are All Right, What Maisie Knew is touted as "an enchanting drama that explores the tangled complexity and often humorous aspects of contemporary relationships and family life." To celebrate the release of What Maisie Knew on August 22, Madman Entertainment and Papillionaire are giving one lucky reader the chance to get in touch with their inner seven-year-old, on The Sommer, a stylish, fully custom, Boston red, single-speed bicycle with basket, valued at $553, as well as a double in-season pass to see What Maisie Knew. Ten runners up will also receive double passes to the film. To be in the running, all you need to do is email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Two days. One sprawling venue. No animal products in sight. That's what's on the agenda when the Brisbane Vegan Expo hits up the Brisbane Showgrounds across Saturday, September 17–Sunday, September 18 — returning for its second time after proving quite the drawcard in its first 2019 outing. If adding more plant-based options to your diet gets your tastebuds salivating, then you'll be in the right spot. If you're keen to only purchase cruelty-free wares, you will be too. The 2022 lineup includes a hefty list of options — coconut soft serve from I Should Coco, vegan doughnuts from OMG Decadent Donuts, meat-less burgers from Grassfed and Netherworld's food spread all included. From vegan chips to plant-only pizzas, the list goes on, spanning clothing, skincare, healthcare and household goods as well. In addition to food, other goodies to purchase and a range of cooking demonstrations, Brisbane Vegan Expo will also feature an array of guest speakers — and showcase vegan charities. [caption id="attachment_704811" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Grassfed[/caption] Top image: OMG Decadent Donuts. Updated September 9, 2022.
While it's been a long time between drinks for international tours here in Australia, overseas artists are beginning to pencil in dates for Australian shows next year. With our vaccination rate on the rise, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison announcing a roadmap towards opening up our borders, 2022 tours are beginning to feel a little more possible. So far, Lorde has locked in February and March dates off the back of her just-dropped album Solar Power, and Splendour in the Grass is shooting for a return next July with three international headliners on the cards. One of those headliners is US hip-hop and fashion trailblazer Tyler, The Creator who has now revealed plans for his own headline tour around Australia and New Zealand in 2022. Tyler, The Creator has announced a set of tour dates alongside his appearance at Splendour's 20th-anniversary festival to support the release of his latest album Call Me If You Get Lost. Australian and New Zealand fans can catch the genre-bending album, which features collaborations with the likes of DJ Drama, Lil Wayne and Pharrell Williams, performed alongside back-catalogue hits from Tyler at four dates throughout July and August. The tour will kick off at Auckland's Spark Arena on Friday, July 22, before heading across the ditch to land at Perth's RAC Arena on Tuesday, July 26. This will be followed by performances at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on Friday, July 29 and Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday, August 2. Accompanying the hip-hop favourite on tour will be R'n'B singer-songwriter and frequent Tyler, The Creator collaborator Kali Uchis. The last time Tyler graced Australian shores was for a series of festival appearances over New Years 2020/21, hitting up the likes of Beyond the Valley and Field Day. The upcoming 2022 arena tour will, however, mark Tyler, The Creator's first set of headline shows down under in over eight years. [caption id="attachment_823366" align="alignnone" width="2556"] Luis 'Panch' Perez[/caption] TYLER, THE CREATOR — CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST TOUR Friday, July 22 – Spark Arena, Auckland Tuesday, July 26 – RAC Arena, Perth Friday, July 29 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Tuesday, August 2 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Tickets for the Call Me If You Get Lost Tour will be available to Frontier Members from Tuesday, August 31. General public sales will open on Thursday, September 2. Find more details at Frontier Touring's website. Top image by demxx
Stanthorpe is known to celebrate its apples and grapes, hosting an entire festival that's all about the two kind of fruit. But they aren't the only types of only fresh produce that the town, and the Granite Belt region, is famous for. So, that's where the Stanthorpe Berry Festival comes in. Returning for 2023 on Saturday, November 18 at Weerona Park, this sure-to-be-colourful events adores berries in all their forms — but especially strawberries, raspberries and blueberries grown locally. Yes, you know what you'll be eating (and plenty of it), including strawberry ice cream. The festival also features berry food stalls, boutique markets, chefs hitting the stage, a competition to find the best strawberry or mixed berry jam, and a scones and jam eating food-eating contest. Or, you can get sipping thanks to the region's wineries and brewers, meet berry farmers, listen to live tunes and take part in a berry-themed dress up.
Australia is no stranger to alcohol subscription services. Signing up to get some top-notch gin or vino delivered regularly to your door turned out to be a pretty popular move last year, after all. But none have taken the concept quite as far as booze retailer Craft Cartel Liquor, which has just unveiled a new subscription that'll send you out an actual craft beer vending machine, followed by a year's worth of refills. Yep, if you thought you had it bad for boutique beer, the El Patron subscription is here to put your obsession to shame. Members will first score themselves a customised vending machine, which'll be delivered to their door. Then, Craft Cartel will refill it with quality independent Aussie brews every three months during your annual subscription, including favourites from the likes of Brisbane's Ballistic Beer Co, Jetty Road on the Mornington Peninsula and Newcastle's Foghorn Brewing. Of course, with up to 400 beers delivered each quarter, this is much more than a solo mission — it's designed to, say, level-up your entire office's after-work drinks game, or offer a crafty addition to your local sports club's beer offering. Just as with the $499 monster-sized 100 Beer Case that Craft Cartel released before Christmas last year, this latest offering doesn't come cheap. In fact, you'll have to rustle up a cool $10,000 a year to afford the annual membership. We hope you have a decently sized work crew or group of beer-loving mates to split that cost with. There are also only four — yes, four — of the vending machine subscriptions on offer, so if you do have the dosh, you'll want to move quick. That $10,000 outlay will get you a few extra perks as well, including a beer pong table, private tastings and tours at a bunch of your local breweries, access to Craft Cartel's premium concierge service, various brewery bar tabs and ten membership welcome packs valued at $2000 a pop. If that all sounds a little much for the bank account, Craft Cartel is also releasing a trio of other new beer club memberships, starting from a far more manageable $20 per month. However, spots for these are very limited, too. Pre-sale for all four memberships — including El Patron — kicks off at 11am this Friday, April 16, with sales open to the general public at 11am on Monday, April 19. To learn more about Craft Cartel Liquor's new memberships — and to sign up for the pre-sale period — head to the company's website.
Ever wonder where beautiful art is created? These little behind-the-scenes peeks into the places in which classic artworks are born fascinate us, home to some of the most stunning and influential artworks of our time. Gustav Klimt's studio - Vienna, Austria Salvador Dali in Port Lligat, Spain. Francis Bacon's studio - London, England. Paul Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence, France Frida Kahlo's Studio - Mexico City, Mexico Norman Rockwell in Stockbridge, Massachusetts Andy Warhol in New York Pablo Picasso in the French Riviera. Joan Miró's studio in Palma de Mallorca, Spain Jackson Pollock's studio in East Hampton, New York.
As it did for the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Haiti, Chili and New Zealand, Google has developed Person Finder for Japan in the aftermath of the catastrophic tsunami and earthquake. Person Finder is an online search tool to help people locate the whereabouts of family members, loved ones and friends that have been caught in the natural disaster. The site has two options: "I'm looking for someone," or "I have information about someone." Those looking for an information on the status of another person can type in a name and receive updates once information about that person is logged in the system. Those who wish to let others know they are safe or have information about the safety of others can type that information into the system for searchers to access. Currently the database holds information on the status of almost 200,000 victims, but is still growing rapidly each day as people gain access to the internet and more people are located.
The names Sonny Day and Biddy Maroney sound more like superheroes than commercial illustrators, but with their forces joined they become webuyyourkids. Kirstie Sequitin talks to Sonny ahead of their appearance at Semi-Permanent Brisbane. Have you had any negative reactions to the name webuyyourkids? Um, a few. If we had thought more about this before we started we probably would have called our selves something else. I think we get more raised eyebrows and "Sorry, did you say webuyyourkids? " than anything. It's always funny calling up a company up and them asking where you are calling from. What would you call yourselves otherwise? "Fishfingers" could work? How do you come up with concepts for each piece? In particular, the Best Coast print with the skateboarding legs coming out of the head of a cat and Washington's 'Clementine' video... Good question, there's always an idea or something that comes to mind when we first start on an image. With Best Coast, we knew they loved cats so we started there. The skateboarding legs are female and that just seemed like a natural theme there. And we were just trying something new with composition. Most images come together quite naturally. Clementine was just a simple graphic that popped into my head listening to the song and we just filled it out and built it up with references to the dead miner's daughter from the traditional Clementine song. I guess we're lucky it never feels like we have to go looking to hard for ideas or concepts - they usually just reveal themselves when you are considering the band / music / product / company you're working for and the brief you've been given. Who or what's been inspiring you and Biddy lately and how does it come through in your work? Loads of people, I think we are really into a lot of Japanese psychedelic stuff from the 60s and 70s at the moment and I think that's showing up in the work we are making. Tadanori Yokoo, Keiichi Tanaami are probably the most well known. Peter Max and other designers from the late 60s as well. I think that we are trying to simplify the work that we make too - Enzo Mari is an Italian designer from the 50s Biddy recently stumbled across doing a Google and he's great. I think the influence of all these artists' colour palettes and their approach to simple shapes and strange compositions is very apparent in our work. Your work is so multi-faceted, what's your favourite and least favourite medium or aspect of each medium to work with? Sonny - I love drawing in pen and pencil - I only work in mediums I like so can't list any I don't. Biddy - I do everything on the computer, so - Photoshop! Gig posters and animations are the most fun jobs we do. You've got some pretty high-profile clients - Tourism Victoria, Qantas, St Jerome's Laneway Festival, amongst others - how did you catch your big break? Many jobs have come through our agency the Jacky Winter Group - they are constantly working to bring their illustrators work. And the rest is through someone seeing and liking a job we've already done, or us having worked previously with that client before. For example Laneway Festival came to us after seeing our Popfrenzy posters. The Qantas job came to us as we'd worked with the designer previously when we did the Dungog Film Festival poster. We got the Dungog job because the client wanted a picture of a cow and they liked the cow/bull we drew in the Clementine video.... You'll be sharing your pearls of wisdom at Semi-Permanent next Friday, but can you share the one imperative piece of information that every creative should know before they start their career? Do stuff for yourself, make work for yourself and try to have fun. Don't stay up too late. Drink lots of water. That's about six things isn't it? Finally, why is your Nine Lives exhibition called John Carpenter? I don't think I've even seen any of the Halloween movies... It's called John Carpenter because we've made a series of work that are based on some of his classic movies from the 70s and 80s. I wanted to make some images in reaction to those films, and this seemed like a good time to do it. Sonny and Biddy will be talking as part of the Semi-Permanent conference at the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre this Friday. Image credit: Les Savy Fav screen print (2011) by webuyyourkids
In the low-budget prison drama Rise, an innocent young man is sentenced to six years in jail after being falsely accused of rape. It's a troubling tale inspired by the real life experiences of first time writer/director Mack Lindon, who himself was incarcerated for more than 18 months before being completely exonerated on appeal. Lindon's lingering sense of outrage is palpable throughout the film, and justifiably so. At the same time, it's difficult not to feel uncomfortable with the way that his screenplay, intentionally or not, plays into false myths about sexual assault. For the record, I have nothing but sympathy for Mack Lindon. Ultimately though, a film has to exist separately from the events on which it is based. To that end, Rise totally fails to acknowledge the fact that, in a vast majority of rape cases, the accused party actually did it. It's perfectly reasonable for Lindon to want to publicly reaffirm his innocence. Yet by dramatising his story for the screen, he has ended up perpetuating the commonly held belief that phony rape complaints occur more frequently than they do. Gone Girl copped flack for a similar issue, admittedly, but there you could argue it was part of a broader social critique. No such defence can be mounted here. Even without the dodgy gender politics, however, Rise is fairly atrocious. Once in lock-up, Lindon's onscreen surrogate Will (Nathan Wilson) learns to navigate prison life, doing his best to stay out of trouble, and eventually bonding with a number of inmates. These secondary characters hold some dramatic promise, particularly hardened criminal Jimmy Cove (Martin Sacks). But the dialogue, though earnest, sounds painfully forced, and frequently lapses into melodrama. When one inmate tells Will he's been in prison "in here" while placing his hand on his head, there's little you can do to suppress a snigger. The self-righteous Christian overtones don't exactly help matters, either. Lindon attempts to inject some additional gravitas via his directorial choices, including an angst-ridden soundtrack and a handful of instances of "arty" slow-motion. Sadly, it's all pretty cringeworthy, particularly when you take into account the movie's strange tonal imbalance that neuters any stabs at dramatic weight. While Will languishes in prison, his bumbling lawyer attempts to recruit the services of Queen's Council Julie Nile (Erin Connor), in a strange comic subplot has no place in such a (supposedly) serious film. That said, it's not nearly as bad as the unintentional comedy of the climax, a contrived courtroom scene with the most ludicrous 'eureka!' moment since the finale of Legally Blonde. At the end of the day, Lindon obviously had some things that he needed to get off his chest. If nothing else, Rise is clearly an intensely personal story, and under the circumstances, perhaps its questionable content can be partially forgiven. But it's a lot harder to overlook the film's basic technical ineptitude. If Lindon has any desire to keep making movies, there's a lot he needs to learn. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Jiq2NTjut8c
Christmas is one of those things people either love or hate. Love Actually, the Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley and Emma Thompson-starring festive flick, is too. Both have been known to cause arguments — and that's bound to prove the case at Wonderland's returning hit Love/Hate Actually. Actually, the entire event is based on a disagreement between pals and creative collaborators. Amy couldn't be more enthusiastic about the movie; Natalie feels the opposite. As part of their show between Thursday, November 22 and Sunday, November 25, you'll hear their opposing sides and then you'll take part of a vote. Expect to leave airing your own affection for, or grievances about, the film in question.
Chris Flynn has accomplished much in his career. He has written (as of now) two novels; one of which, named A Tiger in Eden, was shortlisted for the 2013 Commonwealth Book Prize. The Irish-born writer moved to Australia in 1999, and has had work featured in numerous publications such as The Paris Review, The Big Issue, The Age and Meanjin. His newest novel, The Glass Kingdom, is reportedly a wickedly inventive look into the lives of a pair of never-do-well carnival workers and their attempts to turn their salt of the earth jobs into a high-earning, meth-dealing operation. Sounds pretty interesting, huh? If you are curious to know more, Chris Flynn will be having a chat with 4ZZZ’ Sky Kirkham at Avid Reader Bookshop. In addition to this much anticipated conversation, several new writers will be introduced. Salon is a regular event sponsored by Arts Queensland; each event allows keen readers to sit in on one-on-one conversations with notable authors. Bookings are essential as space is limited. Secure your spot through the Avid Reader website.
Another week, another round of free rides for bus patrons. Yes, it's becoming a common occurrence. Brisbane's bus drivers are still fighting for better conditions, and they're still not getting anywhere — so they're going to help the city's commuters get to their destinations for free. The city's buses aren't fleeing from the roads this time, but they will be refusing to collect fares once again. If catching a bus is on the cards between Wednesday, August 9 and Friday, August 11, then your trip may very well cost you nothing. As happened on July 27 and August 4, some drivers won't be taking your money or checking that you're using your Go Card. The key word there is some, of course, so hopping on board without a method of payment in your wallet isn't recommended. The latest stint marks the fourth consecutive week of industrial action as part of a continuing campaign by the RTBU's Queensland Branch for safer buses, a fair wage increase and modern rostering practices. Image: Andrew Thomas via Flickr.
Although just one of many talent photographers being showcases monthly at the Queensland Centre for Photography, the images portrayed by local photographer, Emma Leslie, are something to behold. Her exhibition, Nocturnes, is a great series dedicated to portraying time and place captured on film as opposed to digital imagery. The emphasis on using imperfect technology to create stunning visual displays are a cornerstone of Emma’s work, and it looks like it has paid of handsomely for the up and coming photographer, sculptor and jewellery maker.
Sure, you’ve seen plenty of films before — but have you smelled one? Well, here’s your chance. The inimitable Odorama experience sends all kinds of scents towards willing nostrils, and it’s coming to Sydney's Golden Age Cinema. The film to smell above all others? Why, it’s John Waters’ Polyester, of course! The cult film to end all cult films, and one intended to be as picturesque as it is pungent, Polyester is the ultimate scratch 'n' sniff movie. When it was released in cinemas in 1981, audiences were famously given numbered Odorama cards to scratch at specific moments, unleashing a wave of odours — some pleasant, some not so. The full bouquet of Polyester features smells ranging from dirty shoes to pizza to new car. Starring the one and only Divine, the film offers a frenzied tale to match its fun gimmick, delving into the anarchic lives of the Fishpaw family. Francine’s world is falling apart, and trouble just keeps on coming. Her husband, Elmer (David Samson), is a polyester-clad pornographer having an affair with his secretary (Mink Stole). Her daughter, Lu-Lu (Mary Garlington), is pregnant by her delinquent boyfriend, Bo-Bo (Stiv Bators). Her glue-sniffing son, Dexter (Ken King), could possibly be the sought-after ‘Baltimore foot stomper’. Francine’s sole ray of sunshine comes in the form a Corvette-driving suitor, the dashing Todd Tomorrow (Tab Hunter). Since 1981's screenings of Polyster, Odorama has had few outings, so this is an very rare treat. Seeing and smelling Polyester takes cinema to another level. Steel your senses for a trip to the movies like no other. Warning: this may not suit those with weak stomachs. Polyster screens at the Golden Age Cinema on Friday, November 7, at 9pm. For more information, visit the Golden Age website.
Live music is a uniting experience. In few areas do strangers willingly gather close together in an enclosed space for so long, so regularly. On paper, live shows seem like a bizarre, church-like, ritualistic endeavour and, to some, music is a religion – so it seems fitting that live music lovers should have a place to worship. 4ZZZ and some select, enthusiastic sponsors have decided to celebrate all things live music by dedicating seven days to song in its most impactful form. Brisbane Live Music Week, running from the March 23-29 will incorporate numerous events showcasing some of the best music in town as well as some peripheral activities that are sure to be just as thrilling. From trivia nights to live radio streams, 4ZZZ have put on an incredible itinerary of activities celebrating music of all genres alongside sponsors such as QMusic and APRA/AMCOS, who are hosting networking events for musicians to rub shoulders with those in the ‘biz. Don’t forger the music though; venues all over Brisbane are getting on board to celebrate Live Music Week, so if you are up for a quasi-religious experience, try some music. Check out the Brisbane Live Music Week website for a full list of events.
Want to serenade your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, but can’t carry a tune? Let Brisbane’s buskers do it for you while you enjoy the show — or several, and then several more. On the annual day dedicated to love, the Cultural Precinct will become a love-in for all things artistic and musical. At Valentine’s Busk, there’ll be singing, dancing, comedy and magic, across eight stages from the Gallery of Modern Art right across South Bank. There’ll also be an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest busk. Of course, there’s more — and we don’t just mean the activities on offer at the nearby Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the State Library, and the Queensland Museum, all linking in with their current programs. On the street is where the action is, whether checking out the city’s best buskers all afternoon, or enjoying a free, all-ages concert by The Basics once the sun goes down.
First, it was bowling bars. Then, it was a boozy mini-golf establishment set up in a former church. Now, playing arcade games and guzzling a few pints is on the agenda at Brisbane's latest watering hole. We know, we know — plenty of pubs have pinball machines (Morningside's Death Valley even has a Ghostbusters one), but this one is taking the concept to the next level. That's obviously Netherworld's aim, as we first reported back in October — and with a name like that, the Fortitude Valley joint clearly wants you to lurk in a dark space and forget all about life outside. It's due to open on January 7 in the spot on the corner of Brunswick Street and St Paul's Terrace, aka that place that everything from the Shamrock to the Step Inn has called home over the years. Get your button-mashing fingers ready, because Netherworld will unleash almost 40 vintage arcade and pinball machines, 100 board games, and a selection of classic consoles upon Brissie's eager game players, with titles ranging from the '70s till present day. Expect all the games you know and love, plus plenty of surprises, including Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Twilight Zone, Daytona, Galaga and Space Invaders. And if that's not exciting enough for you, the video game theme-playing five-piece band that is Boss Fight will be play an appropriate set from 8pm on opening night to get things started. Forget Timezone (RIP, by the way) — this is the kind of place your teenaged self dreamt about. And forget Mana Bar too, which tried the same feat but didn't stand the test of time. With the folks behind Milton's favourite dive bar The Scratch at the helm, this one should be a keeper. Plus, Netherworld isn't just an arcade and a bar — it's also a diner. Players gotta eat, of course. Because spending your time trying to be the next king of Donkey Kong in a place filled with gaming relics from decades gone by is enough to make you work up an appetite, the delightfully named Hellmouth Diner will feature foods and flavours from American and Japanese cuisine, while drinks-wise prepare to knock back draft beer, cider, housemade soda, boozy 'loaded soda', wine, spirits and cocktails. Find Netherworld at 186 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley from January 7. Check out their website, Facebook page and Instagram for more info.
If you've already covered your dining table with jigsaw puzzles, spent hours live streaming koalas and are looking for something else to do with your house mate, why don't you organise a night of friendly competition and whip out some board games. Helping you do just that is Australia's newest subscription service. The Board Game Box, as it has fittingly been dubbed, delivers a new board game to your door each month. You can sign up for one ($20), three ($60), six ($120) or 12 ($220) months, with a $12.20 shipping fee. There's no word on exactly what games you'll be sent each month, but it's promising that boxes will contain "latest releases, as well as the classics board games" and images hint to the likes of Monopoly and chess. Board games not your thing? The same company also offers subscription puzzle boxes, Lego boxes and soap boxes. Check out all of the options over here. If you're sick of being on your screen — sliding down endless Twitter holes and glued to live streams — this may be the perfect antidote. If you can't get enough of your screen, however, check out our round up of the best virtual events. You can sign up to The Board Game Box over here.
While we may not envy the Spanish economy at the moment, it is hard not to covet their history of great architecture and innovative design. And that envy is sure to continue with the recent completion of the Metropol Parasol, not only the world's largest wooden structure but also one of the most beautiful. Designed by Berlin-based architecture Juergen Mayer H, the inspiration for the building came from a 2004 design competition brief which aimed to provide the people of Seville with an architectural heart and a distinctly urban space for the 21st century. The design also had to take into account some recently unearthed ancient roman ruins in the ground beneath. Mayer's winning structure does all of this, as well as housing a market place, a restaurant, walkways and panoramic views of the city, becoming a mecca for locals and architectural buffs alike. New technology was integral in both the design and production processes. The light sculptural curves and flow of the building were largely influenced by digital technology, while the interconnecting wooden panels used to create this effect are held together by a new — and one would imagine — some very strong glue. Marrying aesthetics and functionality, the Metropol Parasol has provided the city of Seville with a new focal point. And some much needed shade.
In the 'so bad it's good' genre of movies, one stands out, and that's Machete. The 2010 film — famously based on one of the fake trailers in Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's Grindhouse — was really, bang-on good, going beyond pastiche or send-up to create a modern Mexploitation film that was bags of fun. And since it's all so knowingly B-grade, it's completely fine — excellent, really — for it to spiral out to a sequel, Machete Kills. A further sequel is in the works, too: Machete Kills Again... In Space. Bless you, absurdist self-referential geeks of Hollywood. Machete Kills returns to the story of our laconic, near-immortal ex-federale Machete as he crusades for justice along the Mexico-US border. Lifelong character actor Danny Trejo is again backed up by a WTF cast of celebrities, including Charlie Sheen (or Carlos Estevez, as the credits introduce him) as the president of the United States, Jessica Alba, Sofia Vergara, Vanessa Hudgens, Amber Heard, Alexa Vega, Antonio Banderas, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mel Gibson and Lady Gaga. Expect one, two or all of them to die in comic and elaborate ways. Machete Kills is in cinemas on October 24, and thanks to Icon Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
When June 2023 arrives at Sydney's Capitol Theatre, expect three words to echo with enthusiasm: "be our guest". The Harbour City venue will be home to quite the coup, courtesy of the Australian premiere season of Disney's Beauty and the Beast musical, which is heading Down Under as a newly reimagined and redesigned production. From Wednesday, June 14, the huge show will bring a tale as old as time to Australia to liven up winter — and it marks the latest in a growing line of Disney hits to come our way. Frozen the Musical has done the rounds over the past few years, while the musical version of Mary Poppins has also started floating around the nation. This new Beauty and the Beast first made its way to the stage in the UK in 2021, and reworks the original show that premiered in the US in the 90s — adapting Disney's hit 1991 animated movie musical, of course. Fans can expect the same Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated score courtesy of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice, including all the beloved tunes such as 'Be Our Guest' and 'Beauty and the Beast'. It also comes with new dance arrangements by David Chase, and with original choreographer Matt West revisiting his work. Who'll star in the local version and whether it'll tour to other Aussie cities hasn't yet been revealed either — but if you're now planning a trip to Sydney's Capitol Theatre next June, whether or not you live in the city, that's understandable. So is crossing your fingers for Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide seasons afterwards. Images: Johan Persson.
Somewhere on the timeline of illustration history, the humble comic spread from the sweaty palms of pre-teens and into mainstream and indie media. Film companies pumped millions into realising childhood dreams, while pretty girls with black hair revealed that they were also fluent in the secret language of frames, inks and lettering. Comic books, graphic novels, manga — these galaxies amid the universe of illustrated words had successfully wooed the zeitgeist. Now, Graphic, in its second year celebrating comic books and related cultural media, will show Sydney just how much we need those 'funnies'. Legendary comic artist and writer Robert Crumb headlines the 2011 festival at Sydney Opera House. Responsible for deconstructing the American comic book and revolutionising the form forever, his sexual, shocking and acid inspired illustrations include famous cartoon characters like Fritz the Cat and Keep on Truckin'. To win one of five double passes to see Robert Crumb, simply subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email us hello@concreteplayground.com.au by 5pm on Friday, July 15. https://youtube.com/watch?v=FlT4QZchxQw
Few dining experiences compare to a traditional omakase, where highly trained Japanese chefs decide what to serve diners and make their food right in front of them. It's a gastronomical performance like no other. And Chef Kimura, one of the best omakase chefs in the world, has left his Tokyo restaurant (which has received two Michelin-stars five years in a row) to bring his particular take on the experience — specifically, jukusei-sushi (aged sushi) — to Australia. This November, the hospo heavyweight — and third-generation sushi chef — will be taking over the kitchens at Sydney's 20-seat Sushi E (on Saturday, November 5) and Byron Bay hot spot Raes on Wategos (on Tuesday, November 8 and Wednesday, November 9). Getting a table at his restaurant in Japan is renowned for being almost impossible, so you'll want to nab a seat at one of these dining experiences, stat. At the table, diners will taste dishes that don't often hit plates Down Under. Much of this is thanks to the chef's deft knife abilities — which took him nearly a decade to perfect — his pursuit of premium ingredients and the pure love and dedication he has for his craft. Experimenting with great abandon, Chef Kimura (successfully) sought to cook a path in which he could honour his pedigree and create an unexpected and pioneering culinary experience. What's needed to attain the skill of jukusei-sushi? Enough patience, determination and intuition to put most to shame. More complex than simply knowing how long to age each fish for — 12 days for mehikari, for example — it's learning what to do with each species' unique traits. Few can do what Chef Kimura does, as well as he does it. It's these details that makes this an unmissable dining opportunity for any foodies out there. Not only will you devour these extra-special morsels, you'll see each plated up as your esteemed chef talks to you directly about his produce and techniques. So, secure a ticket and get ready to marvel at a master at work. Chef Kimura will take up residence at Sushi E on Saturday, November 5, across five sittings. Further north, he will be hitting the kitchen at Raes on Wategos for four sittings across Tuesday, November 8 and Wednesday, November 9.
Whether it's opening a sprawling art museum, taking over a 400-year-old castle, turning old oil tanks into a digital waterfall, bringing waves of light to Melbourne or planning its first permanent European site, Teamlab's digital installations are never less than impressive. The term definitely applies to the interdisciplinary collective's latest venture, too. And if you find its work soothing, those feelings are bound to kick in with gusto when you're wandering around historic ruins and getting steamy in a sauna. In its latest dazzling permanent attraction, Teamlab has paired up with Japan's Mifuneyama Rakuen Park. If that sounds familiar, that's because the two have collaborated before. From July–November each year, an installation called Teamlab: A Forest Where Gods Live transforms the site into an interactive playground; however, if you'd like to check out the collective's wonders in the same area throughout the rest of the year, now you can. This time around, Teamlab has specifically joined forces with Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel Rakan Bath — so you can head to the latter, then check out the former's works (or vice versa). It's calling the new venture Teamlab: Ruins and Heritage: Rinkan Spa and Tea Ceremony, and describes it as an "art and sauna experience within history and the forest", even though its projections within the tree-lined part of the site are only on offer for five months of the year. No matter when you head by — when international travel resumes, of course — you'll be able to head to Mifuneyama Rakuen Takeo's bath house ruins to see Teamlab efforts. Glowing, colour-changing lanterns have been on display since the new attraction opened in November 2020, and digital flowers have been blooming over the bathhouse walls since December. Visitors can also watch flowers, people and water particles dance across huge megaliths, and feel like they're wandering through a place where time has stopped in the process. Or, you can check out butterflies fluttering through underground ruins. There's also a tea house, Mifuneyama Rakuen Park's usual features — including carvings thought to date back 1300 years, Japan's seventh-largest tree and the stone gate to a castle — plus the spa facilities. Normally, some of these sites are only available to hotel guests; however, Teamlab is selling combo tickets to let patrons enjoy them as part of the new venture. To check out all of the above, you'll need to head to Kyushu, the third largest and most southern of Japan's islands. And, when you're next able to make overseas travel plans, you'll want to book your visit to Teamlab: Ruins and Heritage: Rinkan Spa and Tea Ceremony in advance. That's sound advice for every Teamlab venue anyway, but capacity for the Rakan Bath sessions is limited to ten men and ten women at a time. Teamlab: Ruins and Heritage: Rinkan Spa and Tea Ceremony is permanently on display at Mifuneyama Rakuen. Takeo City, Kyushu, Japan. For more information, visit the exhibition website. Images: teamLab.
Clearing out your wardrobe, sifting through your old clothing and making a pile to give to a new home rank among life's necessary but often overlooked tasks. It's also an easy process to get just partway through — pulling unloved shirts off their hangers and bagging up a heap of your old outfits to donate to charity, but then letting said bag sit in your hallway for months and months. Sound familiar? If you have the enthusiasm to gift your pre-loved clothing to a new home, but never quite get around to dropping off your old pieces for whatever reason, then you might be interested in The Iconic's new donation scheme. Called Giving Made Easy, it's an extension of the online retailer's free returns mechanism. Just print out a pre-paid shipping label from the company's website, pop it on a box or satchel filled with clothes that you're never going to wear again, then take it to an Australia Post box or office. Obviously, it still involves you actually moving your pile of unwanted clothes out of your house — but even if you never manage to make it to a Salvation Army or St Vincent's store or bin, you're never too far away from a post box. Once posted, your old threads will be sent to the Salvos to sell in their 330 shops across the country, which raise money to assist folks dealing with homelessness, addiction, domestic violence and emergency situations. To nab a label, you will need to have an active account with The Iconic. Once you've done that and printed out the label, you can stick it on any box or satchel you choose. And if you're a customer with one of the company's delivery satchels in your possession after your last order, you can also use that to send in your pre-loved pieces. The initiative is part of The Iconic's efforts to help reduce textile waste, with around 6000 kilograms of fabric and clothing ending up in Aussie landfill every ten minutes. As always when you're donating pre-worn clothes, pieces will need to be in good condition. If you'd happily give it to a friend as it is, then it's okay to give it to the Salvos. The charity is accepting dresses, tops, t-shirts, singlets, skirts, pants, shorts, jeans, coats, jackets, jumpsuits, playsuits, sweats, hoodies, jumpers, cardigans, suits, blazers, shirts, polos and activewear, as well as footwear and shoes. Used underwear, socks and hosiery won't be taken, nor anything that's damaged. To find out more about The Iconic's Giving Made Easy scheme — or to download a pre-paid shipping label — visit the online retailer's website. Top image: The Iconic.
There'll be no need to grab snacks before the latest screen-to-stage musical production. As fans of the '90s cult classic well and truly know, Empire Records is certain to give you a sugar high anyway. The beloved flick is heading to Broadway, which means someone is going to be following in Renée Zellweger's footsteps and belting out the Coyote Shivers track 'Sugar High' while standing on a record store rooftop. Expect someone else to sing "oh Rexy, you're so sexy" too, as the tale of a struggling music shop, its motley crew of employees and the washed-up former star making an in-store appearance makes the leap to another format. Rolling Stone is reporting that the movie's original screenwriter, Carol Heikkinen, is adapting her own script, with the show working towards a 2020 premiere date. No word yet who'll be taking on the characters first played by Zellweger, Liv Tyler, Robin Tunney, Rory Cochrane, Ethan Embry and Aussie actor Anthony LaPaglia, rocking out to what's certain to be an ace '90s soundtrack and wearing some top retro fashions. Empire Records joins a long list of films making the jump to the theatre of late, including La La Land, The Devil Wears Prada, Amelie and Moulin Rouge! And, of course, the newest production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which is heading to Australia in 2019. Via Rolling Stone.
Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White needs little introduction – his epic career has seen him work with the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal at renowned restaurants across the world. But the latest project from the Michelin-starred chef isn't in the kitchen, but in the form of an app that allows customers to score meals at some of the city's best restaurants at discounted prices. Launching in Melbourne this month, EatClub is a new platform that allows restaurants to offer real-time discounts to customers at specifically slow or off-peak periods So if a restaurant doesn't have many covers for dinner, they can put up four tables and offer, say, 30 percent off to EatClub users that book those tables before 7.30pm. When you open the app, you're shown a selection of nearby restaurants with live deals on a map or in a list. You can then browse the restaurant's interior, peruse the different deals on offer and even check out the menu before you redeem the deal. It's a first in, best dressed system, so if you see something you want to jump on, best be quick – once a deal has been redeemed, it disappears from the app. The technology was co-founded by Matt Cantelo, Ben Tyler and Pan Koutlaki (ex-CEO of Foodora) who worked alongside Pierre White. The idea is that it'll encourage people to eat out more on a whim, an activity that has declined noticeably since delivery apps like UberEATS and Deliveroo have risen in popularity. More than 130 Melbourne restaurants are on board so far, including +39 Pizzeria, Mr Scruffs, Papa Goose and Babu Ji. Arguably the most exciting part of the app is that twice a day, at a random time, one restaurant will offer a 100 percent off deal for a single table. The first person to snatch up this daily deal will be able to dine for free, which is as good a reason to give it a go as any. EatClub has only launched in Melbourne so far, but there's talk of the app launching in Sydney very soon. To download EatClub, visit the Apple App Store or head to Google Play.
It seems like laneways are the location du jour of the present. Brisbane may be slightly lacking in artsy laneways when compared to the likes of Melbourne and Sydney, but The Alleyway Project is proving we can step up and show our fellow cities we're ready to challenge their creative laneway titles. Happening this week is not a bar opening, or a suddenly free reservation at the coolest restaurant in town. Let’s just say it’s a little more theatrical. For two nights, Fortitude Valley’s Winn Lane will be transformed into a laneway version of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, well almost. Roll out the milk crates and settle in amongst the raw concrete and ghetto graffiti to hear stories inspired by nights out in, you guessed it, the Valley. Four of Brisbane’s best playwrights, Daniel Evans, Dan Maloney, Eloise Maree and Maxine Mellor have come together under the direction of theatre buff Kat Henry to present four stories that are just as uneasy as they are a little too familiar. Played out by your favourite Brisbane actors, The Alleyway Project is the first performance from The Alleyway Collective as part of this years highly anticipated, Anywhere Theatre Festival. A night sure to bring back memories of previous drunken experiences, you will also receive a complimentary drink with your ticket purchase to help you begin the reminiscing.
Thanks to everything that the last few years have served up, 2019 seems like a lifetime ago. So, waiting for anything since that innocent pre-pandemic time feels like waiting forever. On the top of the list: the next movie by Korean director Bong Joon-ho, after Parasite became the film of 2019. It won almost everything that it could, such as the Palme d'Or at Cannes, the Sydney Film Festival Prize and four Oscars. Thanks to the latter, it became the first film in a language other than English to win Best Picture. The acclaimed filmmaker's next feature is Mickey 17, and it's been in the works for a while. It even dropped an initial teaser trailer at the end of 2022. Back then, the Robert Pattinson (The Batman)-starring flick was targeting a March 2024 release date. Now, however, it won't be hitting the big screen until 2025. Earlier in 2024, Warner Bros took the film off its slate for the year, but it's only now that it has been given a firm new date with picture palaces, as per The Hollywood Reporter. In the US, it will release on Friday, January 31, 2025 — so if Australia and New Zealand get it day-and-date with America, it'll arrive here on Thursday, January 30. Of course, any new Bong Joon-ho movie is biding your time for, as his impressive cinematic resume attests. He's also the filmmaker behind stunning crime procedural Memories of Murder, creature feature The Host, dystopian thriller Snowpiercer and the offbeat Okja, after all. And on his new feature, at least as far as the first sneak peek makes plain, he's embracing sci-fi intrigue. [caption id="attachment_844763" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Batman[/caption] Directed, scripted and produced by Bong, Mickey 17 looks set to mark his third movie mostly in English after Snowpiercer and Okja, with Pattinson leading a cast that also includes Steven Yeun (Beef), Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody), Toni Collette (Mafia Mamma) and Mark Ruffalo (Poor Things). Story-wise, it adapts Edward Ashton's book Mickey 7 — and no, why the title has added ten to its number isn't revealed in the debut trailer. The novel follows an 'expendable' being sent to colonise an ice world, who doesn't want to let his replacement take his place. On the page, the lead character is the seventh clone trying to fend off the eighth, but Bong has clearly upped that to the 17th version of his lead character. [caption id="attachment_706462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] High Life[/caption] Science-fiction fans will spot that the premise alone gives off big Moon, Sunshine and Voyagers vibes — and brings High Life, RPatz's last exceptional sci-fi flick, to mind. That said, Bong isn't a filmmaker to follow in anyone else's footsteps. How he makes this concept his own will be a treat to see. Mickey 17 will be a return for Pattinson, too, given that he hasn't been seen on-screen since his debut turn as Bruce Wayne — although he could be heard in the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron, adding a movie by another iconic director to his filmography. Check out the first trailer for Mickey 17 below: Mickey 17 now has a Friday, January 31, 2025 release date in the US — we'll update you with local details when they're announced. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
Sunnybank is renowned city-wide as the hub for authentic Asian cuisine, and like any authentic food hub, everyone has their opinions about the best place to eat. It can be overwhelming to try and pick just one restaurant with so many options before you, but thankfully now you won’t have to. The Sunnybank $2 Food Trail is back again this winter, on June 20 from 2–8pm with free entry. There are 30 vendors participating, offering $2 tasting plates so you can try it all and never have to suffer from FOMO again. There’s food on offer from China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan as well as live music and lion dancers. Now that winter has finally arrived, the food trail is the perfect place to get your hands on warm dumpling soups and spicy stir-fries. The SunnyBank $2 Food Trail is on June 20, 2.00pm-8.00pm at the Sunnybank Plaza.
With sea levels expected to rise at least 80 centimetres by the end of the century, scientists, architects and designers have been looking at ways to adapt. The nation of Kiribati, which lies just two metres above the ocean, has confirmed plans to buy land from Fiji and is even considering the purchase of a man-made island. In the Netherlands, architectural firm Waterstudio, founded by Koen Olthuis, is committed to "developing solutions to the problems posed by urbanisation and climate change". They've been coming up with large-scale floating projects, including a Sea Tree, an Ocean Flower in The Maldives and a Floating Boulevard in Antwerp. Now, construction is set to start on the world's first floating apartment block, known as The Citadel. Sixty luxury units, covering two acres of water and built on a concrete caisson, will comprise the project. They'll be constructed on a polder — a low-lying section of land that usually floods during heavy rain — of which there are 3500 in Holland. The usual Dutch practice is to drain them, in order to protect nearby buildings. However, The Citadel will take rising and falling water in its stride, floating accordingly. Each apartment will have its own garden terrace and lake views. Boat docks, a car park and a floating road (providing connectivity to dry land) are also part of the plan. Energy efficiency will be achieved via greenhouses and by taking advantage of the cooling potential of water. It's expected that, eventually, the construction of more floating buildings will see The Citadel become part of a buoyant town. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4nQ2ENphg00 Via Gizmag.
Come 2026, almost a decade will have passed since Qantas proposed changing the way that Australians travel to two of the world's biggest cities — and most-popular holiday destinations — from the east coast. That plan: Project Sunrise, the initiative that's making non-stop flights from Sydney to London and New York a reality. It was first announced in 2017, ran trial flights in 2019 and has undergone delays since, including moving a 2025 start date to mid-2026. With its launch date now just two years away, Qantas is speeding ahead with the lengthy journeys, which'll join the Perth-to-London flights that began in 2018. (From Western Australia, the carrier also boasts straight-to-Rome routes, and just implemented Perth-to-Paris legs as well.) If spending all of that time on a plane sounds like it'll be an experience — the aircrafts are capable of staying in the air for up to 22 hours — the airline understands. Indeed, part of the Project Sunrise development process has been dedicated to ensuring that passenger wellbeing doesn't suffer, and also working out how to combat jetlag. Here's one solution, or at least a tactic to help: Qantas has revealed that its 238-person Project Sunrise A350-1000 planes will feature cabin lighting inspired by the Australian landscape, which will cycle through phases to help travellers adapt to the ultra long-haul voyage — and to the time zone when they disembark. The airline has been making the most of Hamburg's Airbus Customer Definition Centre, using a mockup of the A350 cabin to test lighting patterns and sequences, after the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre conducted research during the Project Sunrise test runs on the inflight experience and reducing jetlag. Those learnings noted that some light spectrums work better to get circadian rhythms adapting. Cue plenty more testing, resulting in 12 lighting scenes for Project Sunrise's trips. Among them: using a broad-spectrum glow enriched with blue hues as an awake setting, which can also be softened; cycling through the tones of the sunset as it turns into a moonlit night, complete with clouds, to get travellers ready to go to sleep; and replicating an Aussie sunrise, starting at the front of the aircraft and rolling out to the back, when it's time to greet either London or NYC. Boarding, taxiing, take-off, sleep, landing and disembarking also have their own lighting modes. The planes will feature wellbeing zones that'll sport the colours of a daytime sky, clouds and all, when the flight is in its daytime setting. The same space will move to moonlight and water rippling during the journey's evening phase. And for those flush with cash, the enclosed first-class suites will let passengers fully customise their own lighting. As advised back in 2023, those wellbeing zones on the stopover-free hauls will sit between the 140-seat economy and 40-seat premium economy cabins. Inside, stretch handles and an exercise program guided via screens will get you active, while refreshments will be on offer at the hydration station. As for the cabins themselves, every seat will have free wifi, USB-C charging ports and also wireless charging and bluetooth connectivity so that you can use your own headphones — and, they'll feature in good news for your body, Qantas' most-generous seat pitches yet, plus ergonomic leg and foot rests. Qantas' direct flights from Sydney to London and Sydney to New York are set to take to the air in mid-2026. For more information, head to the Qantas website.
They topped Triple J's Hottest 100 in 2002. They've featured Dave Grohl on drums. Their third studio album Songs for the Death is one of the all-time-great 00s records. They're Queens of the Stone Age, of course, and now they're bringing their latest tour Down Under in 2024, with the band heading our way for the first time in six years. The Josh Homme-fronted group's The End Is Nero tour is their first trip to Australasia since 2018, and comes after their eighth album In Times New Roman... released in June 2023. Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore are giving their latest shows an apocalyptic theme, which fans can look forward to seeing in Brisbane from Sunday, February 25–Monday, February 26. [caption id="attachment_923130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andreas Neumann[/caption] Concertgoers can look forward to a setlist that steps through QOTSA's 27-year history, including their Hottest 100 winner 'No One Knows', plus everything from 'Go with the Flow' and 'Make It Wit Chu' to 'Emotion Sickness' and 'The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret'. In support at the Fortitude Music Hall: Pond and Gut Health. Queens of the Stone Age formed in Seattle in 1996 after Homme's prior band Kyuss split up, is linked to the Palm Desert music scene and have seven Grammy nominations to their name. Despite the long gap since their last trip Down Under, they're no strangers to playing Australia, including a joint tour with Nine Inch Nails back in 2014. Top image: Wünderbrot via Wikimedia Commons
Some like it fancy. Their dining, their threads, their lifestyle. Quality craft, premium ingredients, considered processes — all key elements when producing the finer things that make life delicious and wonderful. Come Sunday, September 4, dads, father figures or your favourite leading legend can bask in a whole day set aside to celebrate all that they are. And, if that person likes to lean fancy, we've got your back with a top-notch roundup of luxe presents they're sure to love. First up? A smooth sip. DELICIOUS AND WONDERFUL WHISKY A terrific bottle of booze is a reliable winner when it comes to gifting for the 18+ crowd. And if a timeless Scotch whisky is their thing, Glenmorangie's full range should be your first port of call. The award-winning distillery produces a stunning range of whiskies in the Scottish Highlands (and the country's tallest copper stills). So, if your father figure is after a smooth sip, reap the goods of our legwork. Keeping it classic? You want The Original, the elevated yet mellow drop that's aged for 10 years in bourbon casks. Opting for something out-there? You're looking for The Lasanta, the attempt at bottling the "magic of a sunset" according to Glenmorangie's director of whisky creation, Dr Bill Lumsden. And if your dad deserves the top of the shelf, you're after the extremely rare — and extremely good — 18 Years Old. The lauded drop spends 15 years in American oak casks, then another three in Olorosso sherry. Good things take time, so trust this is brilliant. Glenmorangie, price varies FRESH KICKS Sneaker cred is important in the world of dads. So, regardless of how fashion-forward he seems, a little refresh to the wardrobe will never go astray. Playing into the luxe-streetwear trend is this green and white pair of Golden Goose Ball Stars. Paying homage to the eighties — and delivering a healthy dose of nostalgia — these Italian-made premium kicks are cool, effortless and set to be on regular rotation. Golden Goose, $830 LUSH LOUNGING Whether he gets his laps in or regularly enjoys a dip in the salty sea, having a luxurious towel around you really heightens the aquatic experience. Baina's Roman Pool Towel — made from 100% organic cotton in Portugal — hits the mark in both quality and style. A checkerboard of tabac and noir is both timeless and timely as far as trends go, making it a piece Dad'll use for years. Verdict: a truly solid gift. Slowe, $110 STAND-OUT SKIN SAVIOURS The largest organ in the body needs to be cared for with utmost importance. And when it comes to gifting-appropriate grooming options, you can't do much better than Aesop. The Parsley Seed Extended Anti-Oxidant Skin Care Kit is ideal for self-care novices and aficionados alike. Open this up and you discover six hardworking products: cleansing oil and toner, instantly hydrating serum and treatment, an eye cream and a masque — all tastefully packaged in Aesop's signature apothecary style. If your dad is always in the sun, out and about in city air or looking to brighten their face, present them with this — gold star guaranteed. Aesop, $360 HEIGHTENED HIGHBALLS Any drop that's worth drinking is worth pouring straight into a fancy — and deliciously different — glass. The sparkle of a highball housed in calm waves of viridescent glass will take happy hour up a notch, and Fazeek's designs are the ultimate way to get there. Specifically, The Wave Highballs in green (though, there's clear and pink, too). These stylish vessels are all hand-blown and come in sets of two — perfect for cheers-ing your pa. Fazeek, $99 for set of two FLASHY FURNITURE Your dad is a design-head who likes to make a statement? The Arnold Circus Stool — or side table or giant vase (if flipped on its head) — in red/orange is big, bright and will be a magnet for decor-related compliments. Expertly crafted from 100% recycled polythene plastic by the stand-out design talent Martino Gamper, each piece is wonderfully unique. Just imagine those green glass Fazeek highballs resting on top. Makers' Mrkt, $230 LUXE THREADS You can't go wrong with linen, and there'll be no shade thrown if you decided to nab this wardrobe essential for yourself instead. Rag & Bone do what they do so well: easy-breezy style, classic tailoring, designs that last. This Long-Sleeve Beach Shirt is a winner no matter who you're shopping for — regardless of personal style. Incu, $330 SMOKY SCENTS A hard-hitting present is a piece that someone covets but is reluctant to purchase themselves. Fragrance often finds itself in this category, though once you've made a scent your signature, there's no turning back. Cue the scentsmiths over at Roemy. Designed and made in Australia, cruelty free and long-wearing, they've got a stellar lineup of fragrances ready and waiting. Our rec? Forest. Crisp yet warm and reminiscent of sun after a sudden downpour. Plus, each bottle comes with a sample, so you can test drive an option for next year. Roemy, $239 Happy gifting this Father's Day, and if you're still scratching your head, you can't go past a bottle of Glenmorangie's delicious and wonderful whisky. Top image: Mark Babin, Unsplash
Dark days might've descended upon Brisbane's film festival scene with the cancellation of the city's major government-funded fest, however, everything remains sunny on the Gold Coast, naturally. In fact, the Gold Coast Film Festival celebrates its 15th year in 2017, showcasing 32 features between April 19 and 30, and screening everywhere from a boat to the beach to a brewery. Kicking off with Kiwi romp Pork Pie, watching Emma Watson jump into tech thriller territory in The Circle, seeing The Castle's Stephen Curry turn Hounds of Love serial killer: they're just some of the movie treats in store during GCFF's 12-day run. And if they're not enough to inspire a road trip down south to sit in a cinema, here's five other flicks you should put on your must-see list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGH-zJ9_uFs XX Horror anthologies are almost as common as horror movie characters making bad decisions. Yep, you've seen plenty of both before. XX stands out for a groundbreaking reason: it's the first horror anthology solely written and directed by female filmmakers. About time, you're probably thinking — and you're right — however there's more to this scarefest then showcasing the fright-inducing skills of four talented ladies. One story jumps into creature feature terrain, another finds the evil side of raising a child. And, the film also includes the directorial debut of Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQmXT3JC7v0 A QUIET PASSION Goodbye Miranda Hobbes, hello Emily Dickinson — worlds away from her time on Sex and the City, Cynthia Nixon is at her absolute best in poet-focused biopic A Quiet Passion. Indeed, she so convincingly steps into the shoes of the reclusive 19th century slinger of lyrical words, becoming mesmerised by her commanding performance is a foregone conclusion. The feature also marks the latest effort from Sunset Song filmmaker Terence Davies, who has been carving quite a considerable niche in making movies about norm-defying women. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3xlBtNvmas MY LIFE AS A COURGETTE In years to come, we'll all look back at this year's animated film category at the Oscars and wonder why My Life as a Courgette (also known as My Life as a Zucchini) didn't win. The Swiss-French claymation effort engages, entertains and amuses — and boasts more feeling in its dollops of plasticine than many movies with flesh-and-blood actors. Directed by illustrator Claude Barras and co-written by Girlhood's Céline Sciamma, it tells the tale of an orphaned boy finding his way in the world in a new care facility. As beautiful in its emotions as it is in its imagery, it's nothing short of an animated triumph. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAAx7XWAzpM THE HAPPIEST DAY IN THE LIFE OF OLLI MAKI As far as famous boxers are concerned, Finnish fighter Olli Mäki didn't become a worldwide household name. As this warm-hearted recreation of his 1962 world championship bout shows, however, there's a reason for that. A gorgeously shot black-and-white boxing flick that's also a love story, The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki charms from start to finish, wowing critics when it premiered at last year's Cannes Film Festival and continuing to do so as it jumps around the international festival circuit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo_Dk2CCdN0 EVENT ZERO Local thrills will bring this year's GCFF to a close — if you've ever wondered what 24 would look like if it was set in Australia, Event Zero has the answer. The film steps into a scenario where Sydney is under attack from terrorists, a deadly virus is seeping through the population, cops try to chase down the culprits and politicians squabble about how to best use the situation to their advantage. It's directed by producer and editor turned writer and helmer Enzo Tedeschi, who also wrote the very effective low-budget horror The Tunnel back in 2011. Keen for more GCFF recommendations? The list doesn't stop there. Check out our thoughts on Hounds of Love from the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, Alliance Francaise French Film Festival highlight Planetarium, and playful Chilean poetry biopic Neruda from the Cine Latino Film Festival, as well as our review of claustrophobic Egyptian revolution effort Clash. The Gold Coast Film Festival runs from April 19 to 30 at The Arts Centre Gold Coast and other venues on the Gold Coast. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
