Heralding from Argentina, the enigmatic Juana Molina makes her Brisbane Festival debut in 2014 for a one-night-only performance guaranteed to dazzle. Described as "Spanish-sung folktronica", Molina's performances are as unique as they are playful; full to the brim with experimentation and honest passion in song. Continuing soundscapes full of surprises, never dull or anticipated. Some have attempted to pigeonhole Molina, tried to fit her into a niche genre or have compared her to other songstresses such as Beth Orton or Bjork while trying to describe her sound; one of the most admirable characteristics of Juana is her very selfness, her unique sensibilities and authentic original sound. Juana Molina is appearing in the Spielgeltent as part of Brisbane Festival 2015. Check out our wrap up of the ten best things to see at this year's festival over here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UC2lFttTOIM
McDonald's has been serving up Big Macs and soft serve cones to Australians for 50 years, and it's been celebrating that fact throughout 2021. That's why the chain gave our tastebuds a Birthday McFlurry earlier this year, among other specials — and now the fast food giant is one-upping that limited-edition treat with a new Caramilk McFlurry. Macca's is no stranger to one-off McFlurry flavours, of course. So, you've probably tried both the good (apple pie) and the bad (bubblegum) varieties before. But Caramilk dessert mashups always take things up a few notches. That's why you've probably already sipped Caramilk cocktails, and eaten the Caramilk dessert jaffles and Caramilk Krispy Kreme doughnuts — and why you've now mentally scheduled in a date with a Caramilk McFlurry (or several). Obviously, this new sweet treat's ingredients are immensely straightforward. We all know what a McFlurry is. We all know what Caramilk is. Combine the two and voila! When it comes to this cult-favourite caramelised white chocolate, there's absolutely no need to overcomplicate things. You'll find the Caramilk McFlurry on the menu at all Australian Macca's outlets from Wednesday, October 13 — and for delivery, too. That said, it really is a limited-edition special, so it's only on offer while stocks last. McDonald's Caramilk McFlurries are available in stores Australia-wide from Wednesday, October 13 while stocks last.
If going to a theme park by day is your idea of fun and excitement, then prepare to experience your favourite pastime notched up a few levels. At Screamworld, you won't just visit Dreamworld by night, but enter a version of the famous destination overrun with zombies. Yes, the park's nine thrill rides — yes, nine — aren't the only things that will be giving your lungs a workout. Prepare to yell on the WipeOut, Giant Drop, Tower of Terror II, BuzzSaw, Cyclone, The Claw, Pandamonium, Motocoaster and TailSpin, of course. Then prepare to unleash a blood-curdling squeal as you walk through scare attraction Zombie Evilution. There, you'll wander through the town of Kevil Hill, which just happens to be teeming with undead nasties. For those less fond of such horrors, Screamworld also offers an illuminating laser show spectacular, plus music for you to dance the night away to. Yes, there really is something for everyone.
Ballet is one of those things I think every girl (and every second boy) starts when they’re little but only a few continue on once it gets hard. Luckily for us, the Queensland Ballet Company appears to have rounded up everyone who kept at it and bundled them all into their annual International Gala. This year as well as having all the homegrown talent on display, the company has hired Dutch choreographer Nils Christe to create a brand new program sure to thrill and astound fans. Of course, as usual the Artistic Director François Klaus has written an entire score that perfectly accompanies the night. There will also be guest dancers from China, Berlin, England and Singapore. Plus, you know, really pretty outfits. So if you always dreamed of being a ballet dancer, or, on the opposite end of the scale, you’re not the greatest fan of the genre, the International Gala is a great way to be introduced to what ballet can be like when it’s done well.
Brisbane's busy market scene loves an occasion. Mother's Day markets, winter markets, Christmas in July markets, spring markets, festive markets, Halloween markets — this city has seen them all, including in 2022, and will continue to do so. Accordingly, it should come as zero surprise that Christmas markets are a massive thing around town, including at Redcliffe's regular excuse to get shopping by the sea. Indeed, only the Redcliffe Christmas Twilight Market will take you browsing and buying by the Redcliffe jetty. Fancy a merry theme and an ace waterside location? That's on offer from 4–9pm on Saturday, December 10. Also on the bill: a whole Christmas wonderland set up, complete with fireworks, a sideshow alley, festive-appropriate decorations all over the place, and music and live entertainment to fit the mood. And, a heap of food stalls serving up bites to eat, and drinks, also to suit the theme. Entry is free, but you'll want your wallet for all that browsing and buying — there's usually hundreds of stalls to peruse. And yes, dressing up is welcome for this wander along Redcliffe Parade till 9pm.
Breakups do strange things to people. They have the ability to make the dumpee think that no-one in the history of humanity has ever been in a similar situation and no-one could possibly fathom the immense heartache that is being experienced. Directed by Claire Christian and Ari Palani, Escape from the Breakup Forest is a comedy that encapsulates that gut-wrenching feeling through the story of Josh. Emma, his first love, leaves him, and as a result his entire world shrinks to revolve around the sadness he feels. Refusing to leave the house, Josh battles with his anger and reduces himself to eating meals of cereal on his floor. Luckily for Josh, Curly, a hand puppet and somewhat counsellor, helps him to escape from Breakup Forest and to move on from Emma. Staring Steve Pirie, Ell Sachs and Dan Stewart, this play is a comedy about getting over yourself and realising that, as your mother has probably told you, the world does not revolve around you.
Once upon a time, an inner city coffee snob was on her way to visit family in the suburbs south of the Brisbane river. During her journey, a cute shop front on Holland Road caught her eye. Filled with vintage recycled furniture, fresh flowers and enough reading material to satisfy her magazine addiction it was the waft of freshly baked strawberry and apple muffins which lured her in. Two cups of perfectly brewed soy flat whites and a ham and cheese toasted croissant later, this little snob may have just fallen in love with Stomp Espresso, the name of this bright and cheery cafe. Moral of the story: never judge a suburb by it's fast food chains and mega malls, for a charming little cafe in the midst of all this adversity may just win your heart (and your stomach).
Written, directed by and starring Dax Shepard (Ashton Kutcher's wingman on MTV's Punk'd), Hit & Run is a romantic action-comedy that'll make you laugh just by watching dreadlocked Bradley Cooper as crazed gang member Alex Dmitri. Unable to escape their past, former getaway driver Charlie Bronson (Dax Shepard) jeopardizes his witness protection identity in order to get his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) to an important job interview. However, things don't go according to plan. Hit & Run is in cinemas from September 6. Concrete Playground has 10 double passes to giveaway to see Hit & Run. For a chance to win, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Perpetually moody rockers Sonic Youth are selling some of their vintage equipment and gear in order to raise money for Shelter Box USA, a charity devoted to responding "instantly to natural and manmade disasters by delivering boxes of aid to those who are in most need." The band has already put several items up for sale on eBay with more expected to come in the next few days. For those interested there is a xylophone that was used in the recording of Daydream Nation's 'Kissability', a 1970s Rhythm Ace Drum Machine, a very odd looking glockenspiel, an array of guitar road weary guitar cases complete with band stickers and even a custom-made mixer that was built for the band and used on stage by bass guitarist and vocalist Kim Gordon. So far the best buy looks like the xylophone, which is by far the cheapest item going for just $50. But then again it is hard to go past a vintage 1970s drum machine. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rK9QkjXm0I8
It's just a jump to the left. And then a detour down to the Schonell Theatre for an evening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Floor Show. Prepare for a debaucherous night courtesy of Dr. Frank N. Furter, as you marvel at vintage Susan Sarandon, and wish like hell you had legs like Tim Curry. Oh, and as any Rocky Horror fan worth their fishnets knows, the only way to see this Science Fiction Double Feature is decked out in full raucous regalia. Audience participation is actively encouraged, including dancing in the aisles, and the accompanying floor show comes courtesy of performance troop, Cards 4 Sorrow. Saucy good fun - bookings are essential. Image: 20th Century Fox.
UPDATE, December 24, 2020: The Lodge is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. When a horror movie takes its title from a house, home, cabin or other structure, nothing good will happen within those walls. Indeed, when a film boasts a name like The Cabin in the Woods, The Last House on the Left or The Orphanage, it starts creeping people out — or at least evoking a considerable sense of foreboding — long before the first frames even roll. Unsurprisingly, The Lodge fits the mould perfectly. There's a lodge, naturally. It's in the middle of nowhere, of course, and it's further isolated by the expanse of ice and snow that surrounds it for miles. Inside, strange things happen, too. But don't go thinking that Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala's (Goodnight Mommy) slow-burning psychological thriller just sticks to an easy formula. Before taking viewers to the feature's eponymous abode, the writer/director team visit two other houses: the home of journalist Richard (Richard Armitage), where kids Aidan (Jaeden Martell) and Mia (Lia McHugh) are being dropped off for the weekend; and that of his estranged wife Laura (Alicia Silverstone), who he's just told that he wants a divorce. Neither place particularly sparkles with joy, especially after Laura reacts to her marital breakdown — and the fact that Richard is planning to wed his younger girlfriend Grace (Riley Keough) within months — in a far more drastic fashion than just exclaiming "as if!". Afterwards, Aidan and Mia aren't thrilled about their new stepmother-to-be either, or the fact that she'll be joining them and their dad at the family lodge over Christmas. They're especially suspicious given that Grace isn't just the new woman in their father's life but, as a child, was the only survivor of a doomsday cult's suicide pact — which Richard literally wrote the book on. It's not hard to guess what happens next: they all go to the lodge, unease spreads and, after Richard heads back to the city to work for a few days, the situation explodes between Aidan, Mia and Grace. And while that may seem like as stock-standard a horror storyline (or family drama plot) as holidaying in a remote cabin, Franz and Fiala know how to mould even the most straightforward setup into something distinctive, chilling and disturbing. Their secret weapon: ambiguity. It's what made the aunt-and-nephew team's first feature, unsettling Austrian creepfest Goodnight Mommy, work such a charm as well. When The Lodge's central trio all awake to find a blizzard settling in, the power and water cut off, and all their food and warm clothes gone, there are a couple of perfectly reasonable explanations — but the possibility that something more sinister could be afoot also feels just as plausible. Cue a perturbing film that doesn't just ooze uncertainty, but embraces it, dwells in it and splashes it across the screen at every turn. That applies to the characters as well as to the audience, with mistrust and paranoia sparking plenty of questions on-screen and off. Grace wonders if Aidan and Mia are messing with her, the kids ponder whether their future stepmum's horrific past might be seeping into their present, and they all eventually suspect bigger, stranger causes. And, intimating that more than one answer might apply, Franz, Fiala and their co-writer Sergio Casci keep absolutely everyone guessing. Also adding another layer of queries: the movie's frequent, lingering glimpses at Mia's astonishingly detailed doll's house, which is filled with miniature versions of the exact same sights and scenes playing out in the lodge. If said doll's house reminds you of Hereditary and its disquieting diorama, that's understandable. They're made by different filmmakers, and The Lodge was in the works long before Hereditary premiered and became an instant cult horror hit, but the two films are kindred spirits. There's no limit on tragedy-fuelled explorations of family tensions, grief and distressing occurrences, after all — and no limit on atmospheric explorations of all of the above, either. Indeed, seeing how Franz and Fiala twist these familiar elements into something unique ranks among The Lodge's highlights. Mood-driven filmmakers, they ratchet up the eeriness with skill and style, firmly taking the film in its own direction. That said, for all its pinpoint-effective ambiguity, needling sights and sounds, and agitating ambience, The Lodge might've still proven generic. It could've just come across as a routine mashup of Goodnight Mommy and Hereditary, too, albeit an assured and eye-catching one. That's if it didn't have Keough at its core — and her impact in this supremely well-crafted film cannot be underestimated. As a horror device, uncertainty only works if audiences genuinely believe that multiple outcomes could be possible, which is the case here thanks to Keough's rattling performance. In her bone-chilling stare and gut-wrenching screams, Grace is a clear trauma victim. In her jittery behaviour, she's also a source of immense stress and apprehension for Aidan and Mia. Viewers never quite know whether to be frightened of Grace or to be frightened with Grace, with the Mad Max: Fury Road, American Honey and Logan Lucky actor selling both options. Serving up a nerve-shattering onslaught of psychological thrills, The Lodge leans into that anxiety-sparking uncertainty as far as it can go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN4E-NV2bpo
UPDATE, November 25, 2020: The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, SBS On Demand, Google Play and YouTube Movies. Has there ever been a filmmaker more suited to a story than Terry Gilliam and Don Quixote? In trying to get his adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes' 16th-century novel off the ground for three decades, the Monty Python alum shares many a trait with the literary hero — they're both dreamers driven to persevere, and to see the world as they choose, regardless of the factors stacked against them. Given that Gilliam's The Man Who Killed Don Quixote has been in and out of production since 1989, the odds were rarely in the film's favour. Given that he turned a past failed shoot into making-of documentary Lost in La Mancha, it seemed like this movie would never come to fruition. But Gilliam kept toiling as funding came and went, and cast members too. Everyone from Johnny Depp, Ewan McGregor and Jack O'Connell to Jean Rochefort, Robert Duvall, Michael Palin and John Hurt have been attached to the project at various points. Starring Adam Driver and Jonathan Pryce, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote now definitely exists, as if Gilliam willed it into being with the sheer force of his undying dedication. If you still feel like you need to see the film with your own two eyes to believe that it has finally been unleashed onto the world, that's perfectly understandable. Awaiting in this comic adventure is an obvious passion project — the clear product of a single-minded talent with a specific vision, boundless enthusiasm and the willingness to devote a big chunk of his life to a particular cause. It's also gleefully anarchic, a missive on both making and being transformed by movies, and a romantic ode to the unflinching combination of fantasy and fortitude. A straightforward version of the tale, this isn't. Instead, Gilliam steeps his filmmaker protagonist, Toby Grisoni (Driver), in several layers of Don Quixote connections. (If you're wondering how much humour the writer-director brings to the movie, he co-wrote the screenplay with his Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas scribe Tony Grisoni, who, yes, has an immensely similar name to The Man Who Killed Don Quixote's main character.) In Spain shooting a Quixote-themed commercial and sleeping with his boss' (Stellan Skarsgård) wife (Olga Kurylenko), Toby is reminded of his last visit to La Mancha, when he made a black-and-white version of the classic story for his student film. Alas, journeying down memory lane, and reuniting with shoemaker-turned-leading man Javier (Pryce), has repercussions. As Toby discovers, Javier has spent the past decade or so thinking that he really is the chivalrous knight. Spying the director's familiar face doesn't snap him out of it; rather, he believes that Toby is his squire and sidekick Sancho Panza. When Pryce's Javier bellows "you think you can hide from me?" while immersing Toby in his fanciful quest, it doubles as The Man Who Killed Don Quixote's statement of intent. This flick spent so many years eluding audiences, and now it's determined not only to exist, but to go forth and prosper on its own terms. Go forth, Gilliam does — with the feverish inventiveness that made his early greats such as Brazil and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen such delights, and with a sense of spectacle and occasion to go with it. But there's no mistaking that the filmmaker has much in common with the movie's cynical on-screen filmmaker, too. He knows the reality of his chosen business, and how difficult and convoluted it can be. He also knows what's at stake when you don't follow your dreams. Perhaps that's why The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is so joyous, even when it's ambling about and feeling more than a little shambolic in sections. The film is the product of a guiding hand who's pursuing his passion, is aware of the costs and challenges, and knows that anything worth having is worth working and fighting for. More than that, he's decided that the fruits of his sacrifice and labour are worth sharing as well. As a result, every frame, whether rollicking across dusty plains or literally tilting at windmills, is infused with a can-do, must-do, never-say-die attitude. And while they mightn't have been the director's original choices, Driver and Pryce's intensely committed performances possess the same spirit. After spending so long lost in La Mancha, Gilliam has found his way out, and he's in great company. The twist: even when this loony labour of love proves unsurprisingly indulgent, audiences will still want to get lost in the madcap epic along with him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pf17xRtthc
If you're one to track down wholesome treats on Instagram — particularly sweet bites of the vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free variety — then you've probably come across Ines Scholtes's feed. But sharing an image of an aesthetically advanced dish is one thing — whipping them up everyday and selling them in a cafe is quite another. But with Mylk + Ko, Scholtes is setting out to do just that. The New Farm cafe opens its doors on Sunday, February 5, and aims to bring the aspiring pastry chef-turned-lawyer-turned cafe owner's nourishing, dietary requirement-friendly fare to the hungry Merthyr Road masses. That includes caramel slices, cookies, cakes and more in a significant range of raw, vegan and gluten-free varieties. Snickers mousse, anyone? How about Nutella cake, or raw peanut butter and jelly cheesecake? Red velvet waffles? "You should be able to nourish your body and make your tastebuds dance at the same time," says Scholtes of Mylk + Ko's menu, which also features its namesake mylkshakes, using almond and soy milk, plus other non-dairy alternatives. Allpress coffees, smoothies and fresh cold-pressed juices help round out the selection, making the cafe a daytime pit-stop dream for anyone after something indulgent but healthy. Plus, consider Mylk + Ko's initial offerings just the beginning of a broader range of all-round goodness. In the future, Scholtes plans to add cooking classes and talks to the eatery's array of delights, plus something to satisfy sweet cravings when evening hits: a nighttime dessert bar. Mylk + Ko opens on Sunday, February 5 at 1/148 Merthyr Road, New Farm. Keep an eye on their website and Instagram feed for further details.
When it's summertime and the weather is fine, W Brisbane puts its poolside area to work hosting shindigs with a splash. Now that the frosty seasons is definitely upon Brissie, however, it's going in the opposite direction. At Winter Reloaded at Wet Deck, rugging up, getting cosy, eating stomach-warming bites and knocking back toasty cocktails are all on the agenda — and making the most of an après-ski pop-up, too. Pretend you're in the Swiss Alps without leaving Brisbane, with ski gondolas, firepits and wintry decor all part of the fun. To hang out in one of the gondolas, though, you'll need to book in for a VIP experience. It costs $89 per person, requires between two and four people and will get you your own gondola for 90 minutes. And, it includes gruyere fondue, plus Veuve Clicquot Brut with spoons of yuzu and orange caviar. Otherwise, you can simply stop by until Wednesday, August 31, get comfy under knit blankets and on cushions, and make your way through the menu. As well as that fondue, which comes with sourdough, chorizo and broccolini dippers, there's also prawn and chorizo paella, lamb shepherd's pie, slow-cooked brisket cheeseburgers, lobster mac 'n' cheese, and baked brie with caramelised onions and pistachios, pickled figs and baguette crisps. Drinks-wise, opt for a pumpkin spice cocktail made with rye whiskey, pumpkin, pineapple, five spice, egg whites and toasted marshmallow — or a miso old fashioned made with whisky, sake, miso, shitake mushroom, soy milk, seaweed and narutomaki. There's also a French-spiked chocolate chaud, which takes a Valrhona hot chocolate topped with hazelnut orgeat foam, and adds Hennessy cognac and Frangelico. Entry to the ski lodge-style experience is free — other than that aforementioned VIP package — and you'll pay as you sip and eat.
Stuart Ringholt is an artist that specialises in a few bizarre forms of creation. In addition to his ‘conventional’ work (sculpture, video, collages), Ringholt also enjoys interactive performance art, where the line between artist and audience blurs. His participatory approach to art sets him apart from many artists of his generation. Utilising guided tours of his own work, Ringholt engages his audience in workshops and performances aimed at evoking emotion. His latest exhibition, Kraft, includes two ambitious works, 'Untitled (Clock)' and 'Club Purple'. Each work reportedly is shown with a selection of recent videos and drawings to provide context. The works were made to hopefully elicit emotional responses such as embarrassment and fear while prodding thoughtfully at insecurities. Members of the public are welcome to attend the opening night preview of the exhibition at 5pm on Saturday, August 9. Stuart Ringholt will be on hand to conduct one of his famous Anger Workshops. Kraft will be running until September 20. Be sure to check it out while you can.
2014 has been a massive year for Sonic Masala. Originally started as a humble local music blog, Sonic Masala has slowly become a reputable and respected presence in the ever expanding music blog community. For a while now Sonic Masala have been hosting live shows around Brisbane with some of the coolest bands around and have even started their own record label; releasing some critically acclaimed albums this year from Roku Music and Tape/Off. Sonic Masala Fest is the biggest and most ambitious project from the blogging team to date, with heaps of local and interstate bands set to perform at Greenslopes bowls club this Saturday. If you are fan of local music you cannot pass up an opportunity to attend. The line-up is massive, seriously. Check this out: TURNPIKE ROKU MUSIC (Pictured) NARROW LANDS TAPE/OFF SPARTAK GAZAR STRIPS THE STEADY AS SHE GOES COBWEBBS SEAPLANE THE STRESS OF LEISURE BRAINBEAU BARGE WAAOI TINY MIGRANTS ANDREW TUTTLE GHOST NOTES PALE EARTH NANA VIGILANTE EL MOTEL SECRET BIRDS BOSS FIGHT + MYSTERY GUESTS... Tickets are $10 on the door. What great value for money!
Rhys Lee is a colourful artist in the most exciting way. Planes and shapes leap from the canvas, lines engage the eyes and the mind. Ethereal, transcendental subjects are mysterious yet familiar, abstract in appearance yet welcoming in a way no other artist can achieve. The works of Lee are very much to do with psychology than you might realise. They trick, refocus and absorb within the mind, forcing a second look upon subjects that are usually considered outside the societal norms yet are key components of the human condition. For Lee’s works, the significance lies not in the subject that is constructed on the plane but the process of construction itself. He lets his instincts and whims guide him; what you see is by chance, an unveiled image that was somehow guided from subconscious to physical expression. Whether his art is an attempt to cover darker meaning, or is an intriguing invitation to the deeper unknown, that is for you to decide.
Oktoberfest is in the haus! It's Brisbane's version of the German beer fest, and it's as close as you can get to the real thing without stepping out of your hinterhorf! Brisbane Oktoberfest is back at the RNA Turniergelände (show grounds) for another year of schnitzels, beer and zeitgeists galore. The origins of Oktoberfest date back to 1810, and rules from back then still apply today - like that only beer brewed in Munich can be consumed, and everyone has to wear long socks and suspenders (loljokes). Us dirty thieves have recycled the event's premise and have made it our own, although not as long, but still with a hear, hear! to all things German. There'll be plenty of Schweinebraten (roast pork), Würstl (sausages) and Brezn (pretzels), not to mention the ridiculous amount of classic German beers to go around. Also a crowd favourite is the Miss Oktoberfest competition, with the title going to the candidate that can wear the traditional dress (dirndl) with pride, be strong enough to carry numerous steins, can master new German skills quickly and who knows the most about Oktoberfest and Germany. Similarly, the Bavarian Strongman contest is a test of the true German man within (hint, there's keg rolling and a bucket race involved). Even if you don't like the taste of beer, the spirit of Brisbane's Oktoberfest is calling you to its doppelganger event for two weekends (7-9th and 14-16th). I promise it won't be shizenhousen!
When it comes to eating dessert in Brisbane, it's worth remembering two things — particularly if you're partial to hefty helpings of frozen dairy products. Firstly, there's never a bad time for ice cream or gelato. Secondly, you can never have too much ice cream or gelato. Indeed, it was the city's insatiable appetite for frosty, creamy goodness that helped La Macelleria expand its dessert-slinging footprint to four stores, and now it's upping the ante with its best invention yet. Behold: All-You-Can-Eat Gelato day, taking place from 12–5pm on Sunday, October 27 to mark the chain's first year in Coorparoo. $15 gets you as much deliciousness as you can handle — in cups and cones only — so we'd suggest blocking out plenty of time. As well as just generally feasting your way through its usual flavours, it'll have five newbies only available on the day: maple pecan pie, coconut white chocolate and lime, saffron cream with dark rum and pistachios, and lemon lime and bitters, plus an Earl Grey and yuzu sorbet. Tickets are limited to 300 people this time around, so getting in quickly is recommended.
In 2013, 300 people danced to Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights' in a field — and in 2023, the idea is back and bigger than ever. Yes, The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is happening in Brisbane again from 2pm on Saturday, July 29. Yes, everyone should be dressed as Kate Bush, complete with a red dress, red stockings and black belt (men, that means you as well). On the day, a clowder (that's the collective noun for Kate Bushes, just FYI) will descend upon Milton and copy Bush's swaying, kicky dance in unison just for the pure joy of it. Support for this weird and wonderful outing has been widespread, and Kate Bush fans from around the world have been inspired to create events in their home cities. So get your gear together (dressmakers are usually flooded with orders for the day) and ready yourself to roll and fall in green, out on the wily, windy moors of Frew Park. If you need an incentive — other than the event itself, of course — it's now 45 years since the song was first released. Also, this year's celebration of all things Kate Bush is taking place on the British musician's birthday. Running up that hill beforehand (whichever hill you like) isn't compulsory, but it feels fitting. And yes, when it comes to Kate Bush worship, she sang it best herself: don't give up.
We didn't think it was possible, but West End is about to get more colourful. The vibrant inner city suburb, known for its eccentric charm and character, will host the West End Street Art Festival on Sunday, October 22. West End will be transformed by some of Brisbane's most talented street artists with large-scale murals, over 200 market stalls to explore, live music and a live painting exhibition. By joining the festivities, not only will you be surrounded by the best arts and culture Brisbane has to offer, but you will also be contributing to an extremely worthy cause. The festival aims to raise $10,000 for Orange Sky Laundry to support their work in preventing youth homelessness.
Putting yourself in someone else's shoes is what empathy is all about. Wondering how a stranger's life plays out is one of the most common ways to kick your imagination into gear. Combine the two with artist Fiona Tan and an exploration of the concept of representation — both how we choose to portray ourselves to the world, and the way that we perceive others — and you have the video work Nellie. Exhibiting at the Institute of Modern Art from April 1 to 29, Nellie focuses on Cornelia van Rijn, a real-life figure largely overlooked by history. She was the daughter of seventeenth century painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, and moved to Batavia — which is now Jakarta — when she was 15. The rest of her tale, well, through a combination of film and photography, as well as research and storytelling, that's where Tan's piece comes in.
Got a hankering for hot cinnamon doughnuts? The colder weather will do that. Luckily, you can get your hands on a free sweet treat in the coming days, as Donut King is giving away free hot cinnamon doughnuts for National Donut Day on Friday, June 6. There's no catch to speak of — all it takes to score a free doughnut is to head along to your nearest participating Donut King store on the day. There are over 200 locations nationwide, so finding a store filled with tantalising sugary aromas shouldn't be too hard. "The magic of our hot and fresh cinnamon doughnuts bouncing along the conveyor belt and landing in a delicious carousel of sweet cinnamon is the moment we seek to share with our loyal fans every day," says Raquel Hine, Marketing Manager at Donut King. As for what else Donut King is getting up to for National Donut Day, check out the 'Hot Cinni Hotel' — a limited-time collaboration between Donut King and Ovolo Hotels. Taking over suites and several spaces at Ovolo Woolloomooloo in Sydney, expect cinnamon-coloured walls, spice-led cocktails and doughnut-inspired bites for guests and visitors alike.
Everyone has a favourite kind of cocktail — and if yours is the good ol' trusty tipple that is the old fashioned, November is your time to shine. Every year, Woodford Reserve hosts Old Fashioned Week, which is about putting the brand's booze to work in a classic concoction. In 2023, it runs from Saturday, November 4–Saturday, November 18. Hailing from the alcohol label and showcasing one specific type of drink, the fest is popping up at more than 40 bars across Australia, including nine in southeast Queensland. Even better: there's a complimentary Woodford Reserve old fashioned up for grabs for everyone. To claim your sip, you will need to head to the event's website, enter your details, then activate your voucher when you're in one of the participating watering holes. Your places to hit up: The Press Club, The Jubilee and Caxton Hotel in Brisbane, as well as Boston Shaker on the Sunshine Coast — and The Roosevelt Lounge, Loose Moose, Bine, Hideaway and Den Divine on the Gold Coast. And, of course, whether you're drinking your free beverage or not, old fashioneds are firmly on the menu.
Fitz (Jason Priestly), a devilishly handsome low-life of a used car salesman, is missing something. After years of womanising and substance abusing, he's on the hunt for his long-lost conscience. Fitz just didn't think he'd find him sitting at the office desk opposite his. Never much concerned with ending his sleazy ways, Fitz has a change of heart when, during a test-drive he is sure will secure him 'Employee of the Month' status, he crashes. The accident unleashes something with Fitz, a twinge of guilt and emotion we didn't know he had, that comes embodied in his conscience-turned-business partner, Larry (Ernie Grunwald). Now forced to face Larry each and every day, Fitz must (unwillingly) reexamine his dodgy ways. The hilarious pair and their bickering antics lend a humourous twist to this black comedy of a 'buddy' TV series. To win one of four Season One Call Me Fitz DVDs, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=MKEZS6DoX3E
If you ask me, there is nothing at all to fault about the 90s. Back in the days when you could catch The Fresh Prince, Saved by the Bell and The Secret World of Alex Mac on Nickelodeon every afternoon, you could get around in a pair of jeans that didn't cost you your bank account and you would actually pay for CDs to play in your discman. Health Ledger was still alive, Macaulay Culkin wasn't all coked up and Justin Timberlake wasn't trying to spam the genres. It was a good decade, best spent riding bikes or figuring out cheats on Nintendo games, not lurking Facebook and reblogging memes on Tumblr. It’s time we all got together to appreciate the good things that decade gave us. This Thursday is your chance to get nostalgic and up in the 90s grill. Childhood 4 Change is a 90s party committing to two good deeds - it gives you the excuse to dress up as you long lost 90s hero whilst also raising funds for the Oaktree Foundation’s Ba Futuru Project in East Timor. Don’t be clueless. Head out to Limes Hotel this Thursday for discounted drinks and a night of the nineties.
Fans of Tom Cruise, actors doing their own stunts and impressive action setpieces, prepare to take a trip to the cinema. If you've seen a Mission: Impossible film over the past two decades (or the television series before that), you know what to expect. In fact, if you've watched any of the previous installments, you've essentially already seen this one as well. A different writer/director takes the helm this time around, and a fresh foe threatens the Impossible Mission Force. Yet it still feels like a case of new movie, same ol' stuff. Cruise's super spy Ethan Hunt is hot on the trail of a shadowy, multinational organisation called the Syndicate, chasing a cluster of seemingly unrelated disasters, and hopping from London to Vienna to Casablanca and back again trying to track them down. There's more to Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, of course — including an unhappy CIA boss (Alec Baldwin) intent on closing the IMF; the Syndicate's ever-crafty, always-one-step-ahead head honcho (Sean Harris); and the intriguing Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), who could be either friend or foe. Hunt's trusty colleagues Benji (Simon Pegg), Brandt (Jeremy Renner) and Luther (Ving Rhames) help out, particularly after he goes rogue. But the details don't really matter. They're simply the filler that joins the film's standoffs, heists and fist fights together. That's not to say that filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie, reteaming with Cruise after directing Jack Reacher and writing the scripts for both Valkyrie and Edge of Tomorrow, doesn't craft an engaging-enough and unexpectedly lighthearted feature. It's just all too obvious that he's adhering to a tried-and-tested formula, leaving everything else — the characters, especially, as well as the dialogue — feeling a little too thin. That Baldwin both seems like he's reprising 30 Rock's Jack Donaghy and is forced to claim that "Hunt is the living manifestation of destiny" with a straight face provides the perfect example. Thankfully, what the Mission: Impossible franchise does often (and over and over again), it does well. Zipping through the slick mechanics of a never-really-impossible mission proves as well-handled as ever, notably in opera-set and underwater sequences that are sure to become the film's calling cards. Exuding an energy and urgency that the rest of the movie is lacking, the choreography of the action and the camerawork that captures it is in top form. The same can also be said for the returning cast, including the almost instantly shirtless Cruise, all playing to their strengths even if they are saddled with one-note roles. When Ghost Protocol arrived in cinemas in 2011 after a five-year gap in the series, its pace, smarts and thrills both surprised and impressed — and while none of those stand out in Rogue Nation, the feature does have one trick up its sleeve other than its spectacle. That would be Swedish actress Ferguson, last seen in Hercules, and the welcome addition that the film sorely needs. In an effort that's largely going through the motions, she is certainly not. Enjoying her time on screen is easy; finding anything more than been-there, done-that antics otherwise — now, that's your mission, should you choose to accept it.
Yabun — which means "music to a beat" in the Gadigal language — is an annual festival featuring a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent. Held each year on January 26 in Camperdown, Sydney, on Gadigal Land, the festival consists of Corroboree, performances from First Nations musicians, a marketplace, discussions and speeches. After two COVID-impacted years, the festival is returning to its regular programming in Victoria Park. The musical lineup features a mix of up-and-coming and longstanding songwriters and performers. Heading up the musicians are Tia Gostelow, Aodhan, Denni and DRMNGNOW, who will be joined by Robert K Champion, Kyarna Rose and Matty Walker. In addition to the live music, there'll be traditional cultural performances, panel discussions and heaps of activities for adults and kids alike. There will also be a bunch of art, design and activist stalls for you to peruse. If you can't make it down, you can also watch via a live stream on the festival's website or tune into the yearly broadcast of the festival on Koori Radio 93.7fm. It all kicks off at 10am and will run until 10pm.
Flowstate, South Bank's new temporary creative precinct, isn't just adding another artistic space to the inner-city — for its first year of operation, the venue is hosting all of its shows for free. That means that you officially have no excuse not to stop by. But more than that, it means Brisbanites can access a heap of inventive performances that they mightn't otherwise see. Take Mixed Reality, for example. It's not your usual production — in fact, you probably haven't come across anything like it. Painting in virtual reality isn't the kind of thing you see every day, after all. Nor is watching sculptor Briony Law paint in 3D while a drone replicates exactly what she's doing. A work in progress, the piece will be presented to audiences on Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16 with sessions between 6pm and 9pm. If you'd like to hear more about this unique effort, head by on the second night, with a Q&A taking place at 7.30pm.
If you live in Brisbane and you were born from 1997 onwards, you've never known life in the River City without the Valley Fiesta. Twenty-six years back, Fortitude Valley put on a big celebration of live tunes in the inner city, starting an event that's still going strong in 2023. Sure, last year's fest marked a milestone, hitting a quarter century — but every Valley Fiesta is always a huge party. This time around, Valley Fiesta will run for two days across Friday, November 3–Saturday, November 4, once again getting Fortitude Valley echoing with music. As always, the QMusic-produced lineup spans a whole heap of musicians to see, plenty of stages around both the Valley and Bowen Hills, a food fiesta and a bar trail. Leading the music bill: Mallrat, Mildlife and Hatchie, all as part of an entirely free program, and also on a lineup that's been curated by the team at The Tivoli. Skeleten, Miss Kaninna, First Beige and Party Dozen will join them, as will Selve, Middle Name Dance Band and JayBird Byrne — and also Ixaras, Kuzco, Taitu'uga and Lucy Korts. If you're keen on DJ-spun tracks, the roster of talent also features names programmed by Quivr. So, that's where David Versace, Eljae, Greer and Hol Hibbo come in, plus Jake Amy, Jimmy Ellis, Kodos and Moths to a Flame. Rounding out the list so far: Nejmere, Quiet Storm DJs, Ryzen Shine and Squidgenini. As it did in 2022, King Street will host the King Street Food Fiesta on the Friday night to get this year's Valley Fiesta started. Expect a culinary fest featuring the precinct's eatery and soundtracked by two stages of live tunes. Bringing the fun to the Winn and Bakery laneways is the Hidden Lanes Bar Trail, highlighting venues in each stretch and featuring DJs. Then there's the part of the program called The After Parties, which is exactly what it sounds like in spots around the Valley until late. VALLEY FIESTA 2023 LINEUP: Mallrat Mildlife Hatchie Skeleten Miss Kaninna First Beige Party Dozen Selve Middle Name Dance Band JayBird Byrne Ixaras Kuzco Taitu'uga Lucy Korts DJ lineup: David Versace Eljae Greer Hol Hibbo Jake Amy Jimmy Ellis Kodos Moths to a Flame Nejmere Quiet Storm DJs Ryzen Shine Squidgenini + with more acts to be announced Valley Fiesta 2023 takes place from Friday, November 3–Saturday, November 4. For further information and to buy tickets, head to the Brisbane City Council website. Images: Dave Kan.
Every year, when spring hits Toowoomba, the regional city becomes the brightest place in southeast Queensland. Blooms blossom, greenery sprouts and flora reaches towards the sun — that's right, it's Carnival of Flowers time. Running from Friday, September 18–Sunday, September 27 at a variety of Toowoomba locations — including Laurel Bank Park and the Botanic Gardens of Queens Park — the annual event showcases all of the gorgeous florets, growths and gardens around town. On the agenda: everything from park tours to kaleidoscopic arrays of tulips, petunias and poppies. In total, more than 170,000 blossoming bulbs and seedlings have been planted, so this huge — and free — carnival won't be short on natural splendour. Outdoor dwellers can also expect live music in flower-filled parks, food trucks slinging bites to eat, a food trail showcasing more than 60 local eateries and a ferris wheel with a blooming great view, while pub, dinner, art and architecture-focused walks are also on offer. Celebrating its 71st year, the carnival features an illuminated night garden, too, which'll be on display for its entire ten-day run. Yes, that means there's no bad time to visit — and you might want to make the trek more than once. Indeed, when it comes to scenic spring sights, there's no prettier place to be. And, given it takes less than two hours to head up the mountain from Brisbane, it's perfect for a weekend day trip. Make a playlist, take a picnic and there's your Saturday or Sunday sorted. Naturally, this year's event will be adhering to COVID-19 requirements — so expect some social distancing with your bouquets. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
Sometimes, it's easy to overlook the practical, logistical side of international art exhibitions. Before all those paintings, sculptures and pieces can travel to our shores, they have to be packed and shipped — and it is hardly a quick or cheap endeavour. Artists Simon Goldin and Jakob Senneby, aka Goldin+Senneby, have come up with an innovative solution to this predicament for their Brisbane showcase. Rather than bring their retrospective Standard Length of a Miracle to Australia, they're presenting bootlegs and replicas of their original work. It's an intriguing way of dealing with the problem, as well as one that fits in perfectly with their penchant for probing late capitalism. And, the end result comes complete with a few additions when it displays at the Institute of Modern Art from November 18 to March 10, with the duo getting a little help from their friends. As well as the main attractions, SLOAM also includes Camila Marambio and Amaara Raheem's Meth(odology) Lab for the first week of the exhibition. Further, Headless will feature Goldin+Senneby spokesperson Angus Cameron in conversation with Mary Graham, while Acid Money, Malin Nilsson's magic demonstration, will bring the showcase to a close. Image: Goldin+Senneby, "Headless. From the Public Record" with Angus Cameron (economic geographer), K.D. (fictional author), Kim Einarsson (curator/writer), Anna Heymowska (set designer), Marcus Lindeen (director), Eva Rexed (actor). Installation view: Index, Stockholm, 2009.
Bangarra Dance Theatre is celebrating its 25th anniversary with another masterful fusion of storytelling and contemporary dance. Building on one of the earliest collaborations between Aboriginal people and the new settlers, Patyegarang traces the relationship between a spirited young indigenous woman and an English astronomer. It's a little bit like Australia's own Pocahontas adaptation but with cutting edge choreography. As the colonial fleet arrived on Eora country in the late eighteenth century, Patyegarang befriended Lieutenant William Dawes and in a courageous display of trust, began teaching him her local language. Lifted from the pages of Dawes' notebooks and modelled into an endearing portrait of friendship and cultural exchange, this production encourages a more nuanced understanding of 'first contact.' It also enlivens the legacy of Patyegarang as a striking visionary and educator. Assured by the experienced hand (or foot) of artistic director Stephen Page, along with a deeply moving soundscape by David Page, this is Bangarra's first full-length Sydney story. Imbued with a spirit of optimism and collaboration, Patyegarang promises an electric tribute to our first people, excavating an overlooked historical tale and providing an opportunity to reflect on Australia's future as a new nation.
Long before Toombul and Nundah were regular old north Brisbane suburbs, they were home to a commercial pineapple farm. So, when it comes to picking a food to celebrate for a three-day festival, Toombul's recently opened upstairs dining precinct had a pretty easy choice on its hands. From Friday, January 31–Sunday, February 2, Upstairs at Toombul is hosting Pineapple Palooza. If you don't like the tropical fruit, stay away. If you love it — even on pizza — then get ready for a heap of pineapple dishes from the venue's eateries. On the food menu: sweet and sour pork and chicken served out of hollowed-out pineapples, pineapple burgers, chocolate pizzas with pineapple, fondue with pineapple, and pineapple and prawn salad. As for drinks, you can sip pineapple-topped pina coladas and other pineapple-filled cocktails, plus pineapple iced tea, pineapple frappes and pineapple soda water. Everywhere from Archie Brothers Cirque Electrique and Max Brenner to Little Red Dumpling and Jackpot Noodles are getting involved, plus Hello Harry, Espresso Max and Dapple + Weaver, too. There'll also be pineapple-themed photo opportunities around the place, should you want to snap some pics for social media — and a pineapple planter pot workshop as well.
SNOOOOOOOOOP! I could end this article right here and that could actually be enough to make people go to Summafieldayze. That's right, the S n double oh p D oh double gee is in the hizzle, right off the shizzle on the Gold Kizzle aka Snoop Dogg is playing the Gold Coast next week and you actually need to be there. Alongside the big Doggy Dogg is a number of surprisingly good acts, despite Summafieldayze being deemed as a sort of write-off festival that no one is usually interested in. Well! You can change your tune now, because Justice, Pendulum, the Scissor Sisters (who put on one helluva good show) and Calvin Harris will be on the GC pumping out the tunes on Monday, and did I mention that Grand Master Flash of “It's like a jungle sometimes; it makes me wonder how I keep from going under” (The Message) fame will be there? He will. The whole day is situated at Doug Jennings Park which is close to the beach and close to the after parties, which are sure to go off. This line up doesn't come along very often so if you have some spare Christmas money lying around and some days off next week, then why not? SNOOOOOOOOOP!
Board games are something I have a love-hate relationship with. If I’m in a good mood, which usually occurs by me winning, I adore them - if however I’m at the bottom end of the scorecard, I generally don’t find them as fun. Fortunately for everyone else in the world, the majority of people who like board games are mature adults and can handle a little loss without sulking. Brisbane’s cohort of these mellow folks congregate once a month in King George Square to play whatever takes their fancy, and now you are invited. The evenings are bring-your-own board game, meaning the night’s playing options are as vast as the world’s collection of board games is. What better opportunity to make friends and learn a new game? On the other hand, if you are one for an audience or you love novelty-sized items, never fear as Brisbane City Council also provide super sized board games of classic games for your disposal - which is enough incentive to make me not care if I lose. The cost of the night is also free, making it a perfect opportunity to get out of the house and do something a little bit different. Grab a coffee and your favourite game, and let the fun begin!
If you're a fan of wine, you live in Brisbane and you're always up for an excuse to sample plenty of tipples, then you probably know that the Treasury Casino regularly wraps up the working week with wine and cheese shindigs. But who says you can only sip multiple kinds of vino when the weekend is here? Not World of Wine at the Treasury Hotel. From 6–8pm on Monday, September 19 — with entry from 5.45pm — the CBD spot will be pouring tastings and making the beginning of the week more bearable, all thanks to plenty of plonk. How much wine, you ask? More than 90 vino producers will be serving up 500 drops. On the featured list: tipples from Brokenwood, Chaffey Bros, Heggies Vineyard, Jansz Tasmania, Jim Barry and La Vieille Ferme — and from Mt Difficulty, Pewsey Vale, Vasse Felix, Wirra Wirra, Yalumba, Antinori, Ata Rangi and Bleasdale as well. The lineup goes on, spanning Bodegas Valdemar, Dandelion Vineyards, Domaine Faiveley, Freycinet Vineyard, Hay Shed Hill, Langmeil Winery and more. Tickets cost $55 per person, which includes sampling vino, a tasting glass to keep, and a selection of breads, oils and other bites to line your stomach. And if you've never been to the Treasury Hotel before, entry is via Queens Park.
I think Bansky put it best when he said ‘some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place.’ Where would we be without our vandals? Looking at boring city walls and buildings all day? No way, they have better ideas. You don’t have to travel around Brisbane to see the work of our graffiti greats though. A few of them have been working on some art that’s a little more law abiding. To coincide with the National Gallery of Australia’s Space Invaders exhibition at The University of Queensland art Museum, The Edwina Corlette Gallery gives us Super Heroes. The exhibition features recognisable favorites including Anthony Lister, Georg Whelan, Nails, HaHa, Vexta and more, all who have migrated from the streets to canvas in order to make your personal space a better looking place. A great opportunity to invest in some iconic street art and support local artists.
About an hour south of Brisbane, you'll find Tamborine National Park. Part of the Gold Coast hinterland, this eight-kilometre mountain plateau is home to countless waterfalls, gorges, heritage-listed sites and a botanical garden — plus, plenty of native wildlife. The best way to experience it is on foot, with a number of tracks between one and five kilometres available, which you can find here. If, however, you're looking for all the reward without the effort, there are a couple of lookouts that you can directly to and marvel at the epic views across the Scenic Rim and Great Dividing Ranges. Images: Tourism and Events Queensland
We’ve all seen a little bit of Cirque du Soleil at one point or another – for some reason it’s incredibly difficult to avoid. My experience with it involves a ten year old version of myself veging out with my Dad on the couch and watching the colourful acrobatics play out on TV, then attempting to replicate their routines on the living room “stage” (note: I definitely do not recommend doing this, especially if you are unfit/not flexible/clumsy). Even now, ten years later, watching Cirque du Soleil doesn’t fail to inspire awe and amazement in me - though I’ve stifled my dreams of joining them on the high wire. Who knows, though, my acrobatic hopes may be rekindled when I see the antics of Saltimbanco play out in real life. Fellow aspiring acrobats, pencil this in your diary: for a limited season, one of the Cirque’s most loved shows, Saltimbanco, is arriving in Brisbane. It’s the perfect occasion to see the eclectic performance in the flesh, but personally I’m going to pick up some new moves.
West Village is already one of the greenest parts of West End, and now it's letting you take some plants home with you. No, you can't raid the precinct's garden — but you can browse the stalls at the spot's returning Plant Market. Looking for something leafy to sit on your window sill? A statement plant for your back deck? Terrariums and kokedamas to place (and hang) wherever fits? Then you're headed to the right place. Keen on ceramics to spice up your shelves? Succulents and cacti, because they brighten up any space? Good ol' fashioned flowers, just because? Again, you'll find them here. The long list of participants includes All the Green Things, Harris Farm Markets, Elle's Balcony Garden, Billeta Ceramics Succulent Mummas, Makers of Something Special, Luvia Designs and Craft Chino. The market will also include workshops, as well as live tunes. Just head on down to the free event from 10am–2pm on Sunday, August 28 — and if you have some plants at home that don't quite suit, you can bring them along to the onsite greenery adoption centre. It works the other way, too, so you can pick up a plant that someone else didn't want and take it home with you for free.
The Lego Ninjago Movie is the third Lego-based feature in a franchise that shows no signs of slowing down. It's also the first to take place entirely within an original Lego trademarked setting – the city of 'Ninjago' – and for its first half-hour feels like little more than an extended, big-budgeted commercial. Indeed, with the appearance of each new character, don't be surprised to see kids jumping out of their seats and pointing at the screen with gleeful recognition Still, while the film does its job as a marketing exercise from the get go, in terms of plot it takes a while longer to find its feet. Every day the evil Lord Garmadon (Justin Theroux) launches attacks upon the city from his evil villain volcano, and every day he's repelled by the colourful school-kids-cum-ninjas, the leader of whom is secretly Garmadon's own son Lloyd (Dave Franco). It's only once the lad's secret identity is revealed that the story shifts gears into something of a father/son reconciliation story – and while that's pretty familiar territory for the Lego franchise, it also provides the best material for the remainder of Ninjago. As with The Lego Movie and Lego Batman, this third movie utilises remarkable technology wherein almost everything on screen is assembled from computer-generated Lego pieces. Like the previous films, too, Ninjago is very self-aware, particularly regarding the Lego-ness of things like the absence of fingers and the way a Lego head can become stuck in the base of a Lego foot. It's these little flourishes that immediately feel familiar to anyone who's played with the toys before and, especially for adults, spark a pleasing nostalgia-based smile whenever they arise. The characters themselves, however, are noticeably less nuanced this time around, with only Lord Garmadon (played as a none-too-subtle parody of Donald Trump), Lloyd and Master Wu (Jackie Chan) offering any semblance of depth. The other five ninjas do provoke the occasional laugh but seem well below the calibre of the actors voicing them (Kumail Nanjiani, Zach Woods, Michael Peña, Abbi Jacobson and Fred Armisen). And yes, for those playing at home, you did count that correctly: six heroic ninjas, five of them male, which raises the age-old LEGO question: "uh...where are all the girls at?" It's a problem with which Lego is all too familiar. An internal review conducted by the company in 2008 revealed the damning statistic that 90% of its sales were directed towards boys rather than girls. Lego's response was to launch Lego Friends in 2012 – a toy line specifically intended for girls. Pretty smart move as it happens, with the company's annual profits shooting up by around 15 percent ever since. It's therefore both surprising and extremely disappointing that that same approach isn't being seen in the films. The Lego Movie's most kick-arse character was Elizabeth Banks' Wyldstyle, yet she was the only notable female in an otherwise male-driven story whose live action component centred upon a father/son bonding experience. Lego Batman, too, included only one notable female character in Rosario Dawson's Batgirl, and focused on the relationship between Bruce Wayne and the orphan boy Dick Grayson. Now we have Lego Ninjago, which not only suffers from a dearth of female characters but again deals largely with the father/son relationship between Garmadon and his estranged kid Lloyd. The only bright light in this situation is the announcement that The Lego Movie sequel will focus specifically on gender issues and the way boys and girls play with the toys in different ways. Solid fun for the kids and amusing enough to keep adults interested, whilst The Lego Ninjago Movie is the weakest entry in the franchise, it's still entertaining enough to satisfy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJBS1ogEVHE
What starts with a 6am First Nations ceremony on the beach, sending smoke spiralling into the sky as the sun rises? What fills 11 days from there with everything from free opera in the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens and thousands of cardboard boxes on North Burleigh's Esplanade to Kate Miller-Heidke singing while you picnic and eavesdropping on phone calls? That'd be the Gold Coast's Bleach* Festival, which is returning from Thursday, August 11–Sunday, August 21 after a pandemic-affected couple of years — with a huge lineup, naturally. In 2022, this arts fest will feature 233 artists, 94 performances and 36 events — which is plenty of reasons to head along. Bleach* focuses its program around four hubs: North Burleigh, for events by the beach; the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, which means that grassy shows await; Miami, with its hefty lineup of hospitality venues, including Miami Marketta; and Mudgeeraba, bringing the hinterland into the fun. But they're not the only places that the festival is headed, with HOTA, Home of the Arts and Burleigh Brewing also welcoming in the the event's program. Among the events that North Burleigh will be hosting, there's First Light, that opening kickoff event; interactive virtual reality experience VOLO: Dreams of Flight, which is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's flying machines; all the cardboard thanks to the aforementioned We Built This City; and The Nightline, which seats you at an old telephone to listen to switchboard calls. Or, there's Feast at Bleach*, featuring a three-course meal heroing native flavours by Quandamooka chef Kieron Anderson — and Unsettle, which sees Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people respond to the cultural landscape via public art, film, theatre, visual art, music and dance. [caption id="attachment_859849" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Home Grown Opera, Art Work Agency[/caption] Over at the gardens, Opera Queensland's Home Grown Opera will echo among the greenery for three nights, while Miller-Heidke will do the honours on one afternoon. Miami will host Mi Amor Miami, with the suburb's bars, breweries and distilleries pairing live performances with drinks; Roller Coaster, which includes strapping on your own stakes and taking part; and Bliss, a blend of performance art and electronic music. The list goes on — and, over at Burleigh Brewing, Back to Back Theatre's Radial will mix video art, dance, music and fashion. As for Mudgeeraba, that's where Acoustic Life of Sheds will set up — in four different sheds. Four artists will set up in one location each, and attendees will travel between them to head vocals by Christine Johnston, Karl S Williams on piano, percussion by Michael Askill and Loni Fitzpatrick on the harp. Back at North Burleigh, Bleach* will also feature six groups of artists-in-residence both prior to and during the fest: Lenine Bourke and Nathan Stoneham, Lawrence English, Rising Tide Artists, Liesel Zink, Lisa Smith and Emily Grace Taylor. They'll premiere new works during the event's second week — and you can watch them in action beforehand, too. [caption id="attachment_786592" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Art Work Agency[/caption] Top image: Radial, Jorge Serra.
January might be in full swing and the memories of your summer holiday may be fading, but that doesn't mean you have to stop celebrating — and saying cheers to the new year. Your latest excuse comes courtesy of Pint Palooza, The Osbourne Hotel's new five-day beer festival, which is serving up brews and more from Saturday, January 22–Wednesday, January 26. A constant across the whole event: beer, obviously, with Young Henry's doing the honours at a pop-up bar at the Fortitude Valley venue. You'll be able to sip the brewery's tins, play games and even win prizes, all while listening to tunes. The fest kicks off with two Hottest 100 countdowns — music and the Gabs Hottest 100 Craft Beer Countdown — with the lineup also spanning live performances from 4–8pm on the Sunday afternoon, DJs from 9pm on the Tuesday, drag queen bingo and an 80s-themed glow party. Entry is free, but contacting the venue in advance to book a table is recommended.
“Australia’s clown prince of polyester”, Bob Downe, is coming back to Brisbane to melody his way through his latest solo show, 20 Golden Greats. This show has proved a hit through Edinburgh, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide thanks to its plethora of pop, disco and rock hits. Downe promises that there “won’t be a single song you haven’t heard”. The nightly performances offer a cabaret-style menu to add an extra dimension to your experience, information on which can be found here. The familiar face of Bob Downe is the creation of journalist, comedian and actor Mark Trevorrow. He’s demonstrated his talents on ABC local radio, our own Kath & Kim, as well as adding a host of critically-acclaimed stage shows to his name. For fans of the stage, screen and those who love to sing, put your night in the theatrical hands of Bob Downe.
As anyone who has made use of the in-flight booze menu will tell you, beers tend to taste better at high altitude. But before you go quitting your day job and cashing in all your frequent flyer points, let's consider a more accessible and cash-friendly approach. We can't get you on the next flight out of Brisbane, but we can suggest a rooftop bar for your next night out — sure, they won't get you 35,000 feet in the sky, but it will take you up a couple of storeys at least. Brisbane's got a steady cohort of rooftops currently jostling for attention, so with the help of Heineken, we've rounded up the five best picks for a sky-high night out with friends.
The latest venture from the folks behind West End's Morning After, Yolk is bringing a heap of tasty dishes to the other side of the river. Expect a menu that plays with the egg theme — and chicken, naturally — plus plenty of coffee, too. The cafe only has six egg-based items on its all-day menu, and you can count on them to deliver the good every day of the week. Coffee is by Five Senses and there's a small section of juices on the menu, too.
If you're a fan of rockabilly and hot rods, there's a good chance you'll already be aquainted with Rocklea's annual Greazefest. For the unacquainted, Greazefest Kustom Kulture Festival is a celebration of all things 50s-era; hot rod cars, pin-ups, vintage bikes, rockabilly musicians, and tattoos. In its 12th year, the left-of-centre festival has become a key date on grease-lovers calendars. This year there'll be California's James Intveld (Johnny Depp's singing voice in Cry Baby) and Tennessee's Jason Lee Wilson, who are very well-known in rockabilly circles here and abroad. To add pack to the punch, the highlight of the Greazefest weekend is the Hot Rod Show on Sunday, as well as the retro and vintage Fashion Show at noon, plus the Kustom Art Show. It'll be like a combination of Grease (the movie) and The Outsiders! Oh yeah! Even if pin-up chicks and muscle cars aren't your type of thing, you can at least guarantee you will be entertained by the sweet greaser hairstyles and the sure to be large amount of tattooed ladies and gents. Image Credit: Matt Black
The past few weeks have taken folks in the Greater Brisbane area on a bit of a rollercoaster ride. The past 13 months have, too, but Brisbanites have just been through a snap three-day lockdown right before Easter, and lived with increased restrictions over the past few weeks. But, come Thursday, April 15, a heap of current rules and caps will ease. When the region came out of lockdown a fortnight ago, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk foreshadowed that the new restrictions would be in place for two weeks; however, as the stay-at-home conditions did, the current rules will now be easing a little early. Instead of lifting at midday on April 15, they'll stop at 6am. Accordingly, you'll be able to do a number of things that've been off limits recently — including having up to 100 people over to your house, which is an increase from 30. And, you'll be able to gather outside without any restrictions, although music festivals will have to have a COVID-19-safe plan in place. Stadiums, theatres and cinemas are going back to 100-percent capacity as well, so expect to have plenty of company next time you see a movie, a gig, a show or the footy. That specifically applies to ticketed venues. Visitors can see loved ones at hospitals, and aged and disability care facilities again, too. Also returning: standing up to eat and drink in bars, pubs and clubs, something we didn't know we'd ever miss until we weren't allowed to do it. And, dancing is back, both indoors and outdoors — and at venues and weddings alike. Before 2020 hit, who knew that being permitted to make shapes would be news? https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1382107083324084225 Mask rules are changing as well, with covering your face no longer required unless you're at an airport or you're flying. The Queensland Government still advises that folks should carry a mask with them, though, to use in crowded places when you're not able to social distance. The new eased rules will apply statewide, and the usual requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms still apply — as they have since March last year. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1382107089640726529 Announcing the news today, Wednesday, April 14, Premier Palaszczuk said that "it has not been easy over these past two weeks" but the easing of restrictions could be brought forward based upon the government's health advice and the lack of recent community transmission following the most recent outbreak. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
When it comes to taking to the streets, spraying some paint around and stencilling up a storm, Banksy isn't the only artist worth celebrating. In fact, street art is thriving in Brisbane — so much so that there's now a returning festival dedicated to it. That'd be the Brisbane Street Art Festival, which unleashes its fourth iteration around the city from Saturday, May 4 to Sunday, May 19. If you're wondering just what it involves, let us throw a few numbers and details your way: 46 large-scale murals will pop up around town, all from Australian and international artists, including 27 prominent female street artists. They'll take over 16 different spots, too. And, the two-week fest will also include music, several showcases, talks and workshops. The full rundown includes a launch party in a riverside brewery, scribble slam sessions, live tunes, an aerosol masterclass, an exhibition about climate change and a street art cycling tour — plus art in places as varied as the Valley Mall, Howard Smith Wharves, West Village, the Wharf Street Tunnel, and many a street around the city, too. If that all sounds rad — and it really does — then you have no excuse not to take part. Images: Aimee Catt. Artists: Gus Eagleton / Drapl and Treazy Updated April 8.
