Often, the most resonant stories — the ones that feel truly universal, too — are the most specific. They're the ones that use creative artforms, be it movies, books or theatre, like an empathy machine. Audiences get deeply engaged in someone else's tale and experiences, fictional or otherwise, and feel for their ups and downs. While you're doing just that, you also glean similarities with your own life, even if it couldn't be more different to what you're seeing or reading. The above springs to mind with The Almighty Sometimes, which Queensland Theatre is staging between Saturday, August 13–Saturday, September 3. Mental health, turning 18 and parenting are all in the spotlight in this acclaimed play by Australian talent Kendall Feaver — and while your life might've taken different twists and turns than the play's protagonist Anna's does, you'll obviously be able to relate. Coming to Bille Brown Theatre after hit runs in Sydney and the UK, The Almighty Sometimes follows Anna (played by Melissa Kahraman) as she hits the birthday that every teen counts down to, and starts wondering what the future holds. Does her medication help or thwart her dreams? Should she go to university and pursue writing as a career? How will her mother Renée (Rachel Gordon) cope? Anna navigates the above, and having a boyfriend and thinking about leaving home as well. In the process, Feaver's play finds plenty to explore — thoughtfully, entertainingly and sensitively — with 2014 Queensland Premier's Drama Award-winner Daniel Evans in the director's chair. Images: Brett Boardman.
What's better than hitting the pub while your dog stays at home? Taking them with you, of course. And what's better than simply going to one pooch-friendly bar? Hitting up not just one or two, but three in a single outing. Forget regular old pub crawls — The Prince Consort's Four-Legged Pub Crawl from 11am on Sunday, August 28 takes you hopping between three Fortitude Valley bars with your cute pup. Unsurprisingly, it starts off at the 230 Wickham Street venue itself, which is celebrating Pawgust all across the month. Obviously, that's just your first stop. From there, it's time to walk the dog — down to Stone & Wood's Brisbane brewery, and then a little further over to The Triffid. Brews await at each venue, with the crawl a pay-as-you-drink affair. Entry is free, but registrations in advance are required. And, if your pooch could use a bath at the end of it, there'll be a dog-washing station at The Triffid.
Swap your own four walls for some of Brisbane's most famous places: for a few days each year, that's what Brisbane Open House offers. Taking architecture fans, folks keen to explore another side of Brisbane and just anyone who likes to peek behind closed doors on behind-the-scenes tours of the city, the event notched up ten years back in 2019. Now, it's returning in 2022 for the first time since hitting that milestone, and expanding its showcase of Brissie's buildings, structures and precincts across two big weekends. If you've always liked to peer beyond the surface, then this is the event for you — because seeing past Brisbane's famous facades, and even stepping through nooks and crannies that aren't usually open to the public, is on the agenda here. After a couple of years spent at home more often than not, Brisbane Open House might just feel particularly enticing when it hosts its first-ever Villages of Brisbane day on Sunday, August 21, then holds its main two-day program across Saturday, August 27–Sunday, August 28. If you're keen on the first part, it's taking over Sandgate with a lineup of talks and walking tours. Attendees will hear about the history of the seaside spot, and also obviously go for a wander through its heritage-listed buildings. Among the places getting in on the action: Full Moon Hotel, Sacred Heart Church, Shorncliffe Railway Station, Sandgate Museum and Sandgate Town Hall. Over the main part of the fest, there's a focus on precincts — a new initiative for this year's Brisbane Open House. Fish Lane in South Brisbane is in the spotlight, which means making the most of the arts precinct that stretches through to South Bank, covering everything from museums and galleries through to restaurants and boutiques. Elsewhere, you can make a date with a hefty range of locations, and see them like you've never seen them before. In the CBD, that includes Anzac Square, Brisbane City Hall, Museum of Brisbane, Howard Smith Wharves, Parliament House, Queensland University of Technology, Roma Street Fire Station and Roma Street Parkland. Hitting up the Spring Hill heritage tours, which include the Old Windmill and service reservoirs, is always popular. Other sites welcoming folks in include performance venues such as the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Woolloongabba's revamped Princess Theatre, The Tivoli and The Fortitude Music Hall. And, depending on what kinds of spaces you're interested in taking a gander at, the Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane Cruise Ship Terminal, Fort Lytton, Government House and Masonic Memorial Centre are also on the list. So are the Port of Brisbane, Southbank Parklands, State Library of Queensland, Shingle Inn, The University of Queensland, Victoria Park, Wolston Farmhouse and Wivenhoe Dam, too. In total, around 40 venues are taking part — some letting you mosey at your own leisure, others hosting guided tours. Top images: Port of Brisbane by Kim Williams, Government House Fernberg and Old Windmill Tower by Paul Knie.
Bastille Day is upon us for another year, which means that partying like you're in France is well and truly on the agenda — even if you're still in Brisbane. One such place to head, albeit from Saturday, July 16–Sunday, July 17 rather than the actual occasion itself: CBD riverside precinct Howard Smith Wharves. For two days, Brisbanites eager to kick back by the water, have a bite to eat, knock back a few drinks and celebrate all things French can hit up the spot's sprawling lawn. That's where you'll find plenty of food, wine and music to get you into the Parisian spirit, plus that firmly Brissie river view. Sweet and savoury crêpes will be on the menu, as well as truffles and cheese — and mussels and frites as well. To drink, get ready to sip champagne, French martinis and oh-so-much vino. Estampa and Gypsy Cats will provide the live tunes, alongside an array of roving artists. Entry to the Bastille Day at HSW festivities is free, but you'll be paying for whatever you eat and drink.
Satay lovers have been paying attention to South Bank's Ma Pa Me this year, with the eatery doing bottomless satay evenings throughout 2022. Fancy vegan dishes instead? Head along on Wednesday, October 12 and Saturday, October 15, because the Little Stanley Street spot is dedicating two days to $40 animal product-free banquets. What you'll be eating: a 90-minute vegan feast menu featuring tempura eggplant, yellow curry, nasi goreng and more. Other dishes include Indonesian-style spring rolls with peanut sauce, wok-tossed edamame and gado gado, as well as steamed rice. On the Wednesday, the deal is running for dinner from 5pm onwards. On the Saturday, late lunches are also on offer from 3pm. Drinks aren't included in the price, so factor that into your budget. Also, the banquets are designed to be shared, and is ideal for groups of four and more — but if it's just you and a date/mate, or there's three of you, that works as well.
Back in 2018, Gang of Youths announced its very own music festival, taking over Brisbane's Riverstage with the likes of Luca Brasi, Thelma Plum and Jack River. Four years and a whole new album cycle on, the band is returning with A More Perfect Union part two, taking over a new Queensland venue and expanding to a new state much further afield. Following a stopover in Tasmania, the festival will head to Queensland's Sandstone Point Hotel in Moreton Bay on Saturday, August 20. Each date for the festival has a unique lineup personally curated by Gang of Youths, both headlined by the band, of course. Moreton Bay's edition will feature sets from Matt Corby, Middle Kids, Budjerah, Blessed, Becca Hatch and Romero. If you can't make it to the festival, the band will be touring their latest record angel in realtime and new EP immolation tape across the country in August, popping up in Adelaide, Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne. Tickets are $131, with a variety of VIP packages available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9QsAO4BU28 Image: Sergey Osipov.
When you're eager to sink a few beers and also hit up more than one bar, a pub crawl is the solution to your troubles. When you're keen to sip all the wine in multiple surroundings, too, Brisbane has a wine walk for the occasion. Fancy splitting up a four-course dinner over four different venues as well? That's now a reality also. Meet The Dinner Crawl, which'll get you feasting your way through four Fortitude Valley venues in one night — eating a different dish and sipping a different drink at each one. The event stems from the folks behind La Costa, which is one of the eateries of the itinerary. First, however, you'll kick off the Thursday, August 11 dinner at 6pm at La Valle with a grazing board of cured meats, cheese and crackers over wine — aka how all good meals should start. From there, La Costa comes next, doing entrees — you can choose between lamb pappardelle or wild mushroom risotto — and spritzes. And, for the main, you're headed to Evita for either a sirloin with papas fritas or berenjena gratinada, paired with a glass of pinot noir. Finally, for dessert, things are going up — to Cielo Rooftop. That's where ricotta cannoli awaits, plus cocktails and rooftop views. Tickets cost $115 per person, and booking ASAP is recommended.
Sinking beers, mashing buttons: now that's a winning combo. It's the whole reason that pubs have long had pinball machines and arcade games. It's why bars wholly dedicated to boozy pinball and arcade gaming exist, and seem to keep popping up. And it's why BrewDog's riverside Brisbane brewery will play host to more than 60 pinball machines and 40 classic arcade games this July. The occasion: the Australian Kong Off V and Pinball Championships. That's what on at BrewDog DogTap at Murarrie from Friday, July 15–Sunday, July 24. There are multiple parts to it, but whether you're keen to play or to watch others attempt impressive feats — or you're just a fan of the documentary The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters — you'll want to head on down. Watching is an option every day — and so is entering the competitions, as long as there are tickets available. Across Saturday, July 16–Sunday, July 17, the Australian Kong Off V will take place. No, there's no prizes for guessing which game is being played. Keen to press buttons yourself, but just casually? From Monday, July 18–Wednesday, July 20, at night, you can score unlimited gaming for $10. Then, on Friday, July 22, the Australian Women's Pinball Championship will be held — followed by the Brisbane Pinball Masters from Saturday, July 23–Sunday, July 24. The Brisbane Pinball and Arcade Collective and Netherworld are running the fun, but BrewDog is doing a special beer for the event, naturally. Called Unleash the Beast, it's a German style helles.
We've all spent more time inside than usual over the past few years. In the process, we've all been looking at our furniture far more often than we usually would. So, if you've been rocked by the urge to redecorate, rearrange and reorganise of late, that's hardly surprising — those well-loved cushions, that old couch or your overflowing shelves could probably do with sprucing up. If IKEA is your furniture go-to, then its mid-year clearance sale is here to help, too — offering discounts of up to 50 percent off on some items. Whether you're in need of something big like a bed, chair or desk, or you're eager to fill your walls and surfaces with frames and vases, you'll find slashed prices on a heap of products. The sale runs until Sunday, July 10 — and, for Brisbanites, you have multiple options if you're eager to start buying. Head into the Logan or North Lakes stores; browse online, then opt for click-and-collect; or do all your perusing and purchasing on the company's website, before waiting for delivery. Getting in quickly is always recommended, given how popular IKEA's sales are — and the fact that all of the chain's discounted wares are available while stocks last. And if you're wondering how cheap is cheap, plates and bowls start at $1, oh-so-many plant pots and fake plants come in at under $10, there's a set of mirrors for $15, and nifty storage tables cost $20 — and that's just the beginning.
For a couple of years now, Queensland Vegan Markets has been popping up around town to take care of your cruelty-free shopping and eating. Sometimes, it heads north, setting up a berth at Toombul until the floods, and then moving to Portside. Sometimes, it ventures south instead — which is where the South Brisbane Twilight Vegan Markets come in. Once a month, you can browse, buy and grab a bite as the sun sets at Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, all on a Friday night. For the rest of 2022, that involves heading along from 5–9pm on Friday, October 7, Friday, November 4 and Friday, December 2. On the plant-based menu: usually everything from burgers, nachos, pizza and pasta to coconut ice cream sundaes, doughnuts, cupcakes, fudge, brownies and almond croissants. Entry is free, as is parking. You will need to pay for a game of mini golf if that takes your fancy — because there are three different courses at the showgrounds. And, the market is dog-friendly — although not on the greens.
Some festivals serve up all the ice cream you can dream of. Others focus on music, on-stage feats or kicking back in a beer garden. Scoop! covers all of the above — and taking a dip in a lake too — across a busy three days between Friday, January 15–Sunday, January 17. There'll be frosty sweet treats, served in a dedicated Ice Cream Alley by more than 30 vendors such as Ungermann Brothers, La Macelleria Gelateria, Coco Whip and Doughluxe. Keep an eye out for the latter — it'll be doing ice cream-filled doughnuts. There'll also be live contemporary circus performances by Circa, Company 2, Hoopla Clique and Flipside Circus. The Gold Coast Mermaids Synchronised Swimming Club and drag glam squad the Thicc Shake Crew will be on the lineup as well. Feeling like a swim? You can hop in Lake Evandale onsite, too, although you're advised to bring sunscreen and something to float upon. Want a rush? There'll also be sideshow rides By evening, attendees can aso enjoy live tunes, cold brews, and combos of ice cream and booze — all as part of a $28 ticket. You need to pick your time slot, however, spanning 10am–1.30pm and 2–5.30pm daily, plus 6–9.30pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Feeling like treating yo'self? For $120, you can go all out and opt for the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience, which includes a five-course ice cream-inspired degustation, covering both sweet and savoury dishes — with alcoholic beverages. [caption id="attachment_793073" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Gollings[/caption]
Sometimes the shape changes, in length or width. Sometimes the colour does, too. And, there are many, many ways that it can be served. But everyone generally knows what the humble sausage looks like — even though it's quite the versatile dish. Snags come in all kinds of flavours, and plenty of them will be thrown onto plenty of grills at South Bank across the weekend of Saturday, November 7–Sunday, November 8. The inner-city spot is hosting a Sausage and Beer Fest, after all, which'll take your tastebuds on a tour of different snags from around the world. Brooklyn Depot will be cooking up pork and cheese kranskies with pickled chilli, while Hop & Pickle will be opting for British-style cumberland sausages. Fritzenberger has picked buffalo chicken sausages with blue cheese, Tippler's Tap is sizzling up Chicago sausages with American mustard, and The Charming Squire is going with wild boar and kangaroo snags. From Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, prepare to tuck into a pork and fennel variety — of sausage, not pasta — and at Tai Tai, it's doing Taiwanese pork and rice sausages. There's also soujouk sausages from Shysh and makanek Lebanese sausages from Baba Ganouj. Your $30 ticket includes a sampler snag pack featuring three of the above sausages, plus chips and slaw. You can spend an extra $9 for a flight of three brews to go with it, or buy your drinks as you go. If all of this chat about snags is making you hungry (understandably), getting in quickly is recommended, as only 300 tickets are available for each two-hour session on the Little Stanley Street southern lawn — at 11am, 2pm and 5pm each day.
The 90s were great. That shouldn't be a controversial opinion. Whether you lived through them or have spent the last couple of decades wishing you did — aka binging on 90s pop culture — this shindig will indulge your retro urges. Drinks, tunes, fashion: expect all of the above at the No Scrubs: 90s and Early 00s Boxing Day Party from 9pm on Saturday, December 26. Of course, it's up to you to make sure the clothing side of thing is covered, and to get into the spirit of the party. If you want to use Mariah Carey as a style icon, it'd be fitting. Expect to unleash your inner Spice Girl and Backstreet Boy too. TLC, Destiny's Child, Savage Garden, Usher, Blink-182, No Doubt — we'd keep listing artists, but you all know what you're getting yourselves into. The ticketed party will be held outdoors at The Brightside, in the car park. And, yes, dance floors are back in action — so prepare to make like the 90s and bust a move. Image: The Brightside.
On most days of the year, a Brisbanite can wander into a Fortitude Valley venue and listen to live tunes. In most years, too, the inner city suburb celebrates that fact in a huge way — and after taking a break from its usual form in 2019, that festival is back in full swing in 2020. Running from Thursday, November 19–Sunday, November 22, this year's Valley Fiesta is hitting up 14 locations with oh-so-much live music, all focusing on homegrown acts. Get ready to hop between Black Bear Lodge, The Brightside and its outdoor area, The Fortitude Music Hall, Greaser and Ivory Tusk. You'll also be heading to O'Skulligans, The Royal George Hotel and Ric's, The Sound Garden, Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar, The Tivoli, The Triffid, Woolly Mammoth and The Zoo. Prices vary and tickets for each event are sold separately — and, obviously, it'll be a COVID-19-safe affair with the applicable capacity restrictions. As for who you'll be listening to, only the first round of acts has been announced so far. But get ready to check out Concrete Surfers, Jaguar Jonze, Kate Miller-Heidke, Robert Forster, Screamfeeder, Seja, Tired Lion, WAAX, The Cairos and DZ Deathrays doing a DJ set, among a heap of other names. Top image: Fortitude Music Hall, Sam Charlton
There's only one way to mark World Vegan Day, which falls on Sunday, November 1. Take all animal products off the menu, then start eating — whether you enjoy a plant-based diet every day, or you're doing so to specifically celebrate the occasion. At Upstairs at Toombul, it's helping Brisbanites feast their way through vegetable-heavy dishes by hosting a vegan food trail. From 11am, eight of the northside precinct's eateries are getting in on the action, with dishes costing between $2–5 each. At Jackpot Dining, you can tuck into deep-fried tofu, vegetable noodles and vegetable fried rice, all for $5 a pop. Over at Phat Elephant, it's green curry time, again for a crisp $5 note. Little Red Dumpling is doing vegan steamed dumplings, too, also for the same price. And if you need a snack of popcorn just because, it'll cost you $2 from BCC Cinemas. At Hello Harry, you can choose between two kinds of sliders, nabbing two for $5. Dapple + Waver is doing vegan sliders as well, and for the same cost. And if you'd prefer Italian, you can pick between a smoked beetroot pizza at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq and a margherita pizzetta at Il Gancio. The latter is also whipping up polenta chips — and, yes, they cost $5 too.
It has been a couple of years since Brisbane's Metre Market transformed into The Market Folk, and since the latter started holding regular markets at Coorparoo Square, too. It still knows how to celebrate Christmas, though — or to help you get ready for the most festive day of the year, to be specific. Head along from 9am–1pm on Sunday, December 20 to get your last-minute shopping done, and even find yourself a few nifty gifts. More than 40 stalls will be showcasing everything from fashion and food to arts, homewares and design items. There'll also be skincare, accessories and eco products as well. Yes, even if you're looking for a present for a particularly hard-to-buy-for friend, you're likely to find something. This is a Christmas market, so a few seasonal activities are also on the bill. That includes carolling, naturally, plus a Christmas selfie wall and a bauble decorating workshop for kids.
Trying new wines can be a stressful pursuit. There are just so many vinos to choose from, hailing from such a wide array of wineries, that it's hard to know where to start. Fresh Blood simplifies that process for you — by doing the choosing for you. That means that you can sit back, take whichever glass comes your way and get sipping. It's no wonder that the concept was a hit in London, or that it is now making its Australian debut. Kicking off in Brisbane on Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17, Fresh Blood's first Aussie event will focus on 16 emerging local winemakers — with Saturday's session dedicated to eight South Australian producers and Sunday's showing the love to eight of their Victorian counterparts. Wondering what you'll be knocking back? From SA, Ada, Geyer, Moorak and VHS rank among the labels. From Victoria, Analog, Cre, Little Brunswick and Livewire are on the bill. As a bonus, whichever day you choose to head along, you'll also taste a few drops from two imported producers — with more than 60 wines on offer across the two days. With the event taking place at Siffredi's and Zero Fox, you'll snack on bites to eat from the two restaurants as well. You've gotta line that stomach, after all, including with spaghetti and Campari soft serve. Tickets cost $69 per day, which covers entry at 12pm, a take-home tasting glass, 30-plus wines to sip and snacks. It all runs until 4pm, and only 100 tickets are available each day — so getting in quickly is recommended.
UPDATE, April 4, 2020: Brittany Runs a Marathon is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. Everyone has a friend who goes on a fitness kick, then won't stop talking about it. Suddenly your brunch dates are scheduled around training sessions and optimal heart rates come up in every conversation. That isn't Brittany Forgler (Jillian Bell). The New Yorker barely has the energy to start exercising, and she certainly doesn't want to keep nattering on about it. And while Brittany Runs a Marathon focuses on the avid partygoer's highly out-of-character wellness campaign, the feel-good comedy actually sports a similar attitude — because as enormous a feat as attempting to run a marathon is, it's only one part of Brittany's life. Basing his debut feature on his best friend, playwright-turned-filmmaker Paul Downs Colaizzo spends plenty of time cheering Brittany's efforts. Flags are waved and encouragement is yelled — by her new running pals Catherine (Michaela Watkins) and Seth (Micah Stock) and, metaphorically, by the movie itself. But while the story plays out largely as every underdog sports flick has trained audiences to expect, there's a deeper, darker core to this upbeat and amusing affair. Come for a wry spin on all the usual training montages, keep watching as Brittany progresses from groaning through a slow jog around the block to willingly skipping boozing for exercise, then stay for a perceptive exploration of the tough marathon that is finding self-acceptance. Indeed, late in this likeable movie, there's a scene that sums up the film's true focus — and it makes for purposefully uneasy viewing. Seething with pain and devastation, it has nothing to do with running through the streets. At a birthday party for her sister's (Kate Arrington) husband (Lil Rel Howery), Brittany starts talking to a couple. They appear mismatched, she's had a few drinks, and so she asks an awkward, inappropriate question. It doesn't go down well, but it's clear that Brittany isn't trying to judge or be cruel to those around her. Rather, by pondering aloud how a man she deems attractive could love a woman with a fuller figure, she's voicing the harsh mindset that she has always directed internally. Charting Brittany's attempts to improve her health on medical orders, and then to put one foot after the other during New York's 42-kilometre endurance test, Brittany Runs a Marathon dives into its protagonist's damaging opinion of herself. The film is filled with humour — and many, many running scenes — but, primarily, it's the cinematic manifestation of the idea that to help yourself, you actually have to like yourself . For too long, Brittany has been the funny sidekick. She constantly cracks jokes at her own expense, whether at work, on dates, or with the doctor she's trying to convince to prescribe her Adderall. She's also fantastic at self-sabotage, as her fledgling romance with fellow underachieving twenty-something Jern (Utkarsh Ambudkar) shows. Those habits are hard to break, so Brittany Runs a Marathon confronts Brittany's flagging self-esteem one sweaty step at a time. It's a beauty and wellness industry cliché — the type trotted out to sell soap, as Brittany skewers — but loving the skin you're in is hard. It's also tricky to convey on-screen in an authentic fashion (and no, instant makeovers where someone removes their glasses to reveal they're really a bombshell don't count). Brittany Runs a Marathon turns the task into a physical slog, with viewers witnessing every grimace and struggle, then feeling the exhilaration when its reluctant protagonist gets comfortable pounding the pavement — and, of course, when she does what the title tells us she's going to do. There's a reason that writer/director Colaizzo is happy to spoil the outcome in the movie's moniker, after all: running the New York marathon isn't the film's only point. As astute as it proves in exploring Brittany's battle with her inner demons and millennial malaise in general, Brittany Runs a Marathon has its star to thank for striking such an affecting chord. A scene-stealer in 22 Jump Street, Rough Night and Workaholics, Bell puts her heart, soul and gift for witty quips into this thoughtful and funny movie — and ensures that every step that Brittany takes, both in the right and wrong directions, feels genuine. That sensation sets this crowd-pleaser apart from other recent comedies about women trying to gain confidence in their own shoes, such as Amy Schumer-starring misfire I Feel Pretty. Nothing here is calculated, cynical, exaggerated or muddled; rather, it's relatable, realistic and even inspirational. Forget running — sure, you might leave the cinema eager to jog a marathon yourself, but being kinder to yourself is the bigger achievement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsHlvgTG1iI
Earlier this year, VEND Marketplace added a new space dedicated to plants. Its mission: to help you fill your home with all types of greenery. And to help you do just that, it's hosting a huge sale. Welcome to the Greenhouse, as the area is aptly known. The place where gardeners' dreams come true, it's upping the ante from 8am on Saturday, November 2. That's when the 250-square-metre indoor garden will be slinging its green babies at a special one-day event — and yes, there'll be succulents, cacti, indoor plants, hanging plants, outdoor plants, pots and more. Plenty of plants will be on sale for less than $12, and there'll also be juice, smoothies, tea, coffee, beer and wine to drink. Plus, if you can find a hidden jungle animal, you'll nab yourself a free piece of greenery. Image: VEND Marketplace.
Unless you're a real grinch, your end-of-year viewing probably features plenty of red, white, snow, presents, eggnog and Santa. Elf, Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas — you get the idea. Sure, you've seen Will Ferrell take on the festive season before. And, you've seen Macaulay Culkin take on a pair of robbers too. But if you haven't seen them on a 44-metre-long outdoor screen, have you really seen them? Big Screen on the Green, Brisbane's mammoth movie-viewing option, is getting into the spirit of the season with a heap of festive flicks. From Monday, December 16 until Thursday, December 19, it'll project something merry every night. All of the above titles are featured, plus The Polar Express too. The best part, other than the sack full of nostalgia? Entry is via gold coin donation, so it's a very cheap night at the movies. If you register in advance you'll also get a free frozen Fanta — or you can upgrade to a heap of packages from $10, which includes boozy beverage and a popcorn. The $55 option for two comes with prawns, a charcuterie platter, mini cakes and fruit, while the $85 ramps up the decadent feast, including a soft Christmas meringue. You can also rent picnic blankets for $12 and bean bags for $8. Doors open at 5.30pm each night, with the films starting at 7pm.
Festival season is upon us, and at the Pig 'n' Whistle Brunswick Street, that means a day of brews and barbecue. On Saturday, November 15, the Fortitude Valley pub is playing host to its second Bubbles & Barrels Beer Festival — and in news that'll brighten what's already bound to be a sunny day, entry is free. Held in the venue's beer garden from 12–6pm, the event will bring together a heap of breweries and even more beverages, with the likes of Young Henrys, Brick Lane, Stone & Wood, Balter, Little Creatures, James Squire, Four Pines, Sea Legs and more on hand to serve up their finest yeasty brews. There'll also be spritzes available, should you need something to break up the beer. And food-wise, you can opt for a smokey share platter or stick with the watering hole's regular menu. While entry won't cost you anything, you do still need to register for a ticket. You can also purchase five drinks tokens in advance for $40, which you can use for brews on the day. Image: Pig 'n' Whistle Brunswick Street.
When it comes to variety, fusion and inventive takes on Cantonese cuisine, Brisbane isn't short on options, including at George Street's Donna Chang. But sometimes you just want an old-school meal — the kind that starts with prawn crackers, finishes with deep-fried ice cream and would've been a staple three decades ago (and was probably one of your childhood favourites from the local Chinese restaurant). That's what Back to the 1980s is about, with Donna Chang going retro for a four-course dinner. From 6pm on Wednesday, October 9, the CBD spot will be slinging plenty of classics, such as quail and peanut san choy bao, Sichuan salt and pepper calamari, and sesame prawn toast with truffle kewpie. You'll also be able to tuck into lemon chicken and sizzling black bean beef — and it wouldn't be complete without a special fried rice, of course. Tickets cost $88 per person, with head chef Jason Margaritis looking to the past in his menu — but not in its taste.
Remember those childhood days sat in front of the television, watching your beloved Disney flicks over and over? Of course you do. While you were binging on The Lion King or The Little Mermaid on repeat, you probably weren't thinking about your future adult self partying to 'Hakuna Matata' or 'Under the Sea' — but Ivory Tusk is about to blow your inner kid's mind. From Beauty and The Beast to Aladdin to Frozen, if it's a piece of music from a Disney flick, you'll likely hear it on Saturday, January 11. The soundtrack will also span a heap of Disney TV shows and their stars, plus hits by former Mouseketeers. Think Hilary Duff, The Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera — and back on the movie front, High School Musical obviously. Kicking off at 9pm, this Disney Party will get you dancing to your Disney faves and belting out many a tune while you do so. Tickets range from $13–20, and are on sale now.
How long did Charles Boyle spend dreaming of Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago's wedding? What did Rosa Diaz do before she was a cop? Who keeps swooping in and taking the Nine-Nine crew's cases? Which one is Scully and which is Hitchcock? And which one of the latter duo has a twin? If you can answer all of the above — and name Captain Holt's dog, Terry's kids, Gina's dance troupe and Jake's favourite movie — then you're set for this trivia night. Yes, it's all about the hit cop sitcom we all know and love. You know, the one that was cancelled and then resurrected in the space of 36 hours, and is not only thankfully coming back for a seventh season, but has been renewed for an eighth season before its next one even airs. We'd keep asking Brooklyn Nine-Nine questions and dropping tidbits, but we'll save some for the big night. Every time evenings dedicated to B99 hits town, places are snapped up faster than Terry can snap open a tub of yoghurt. This time, you need to contact Ivory Tusk to book a place for its B99 trivia night, and then Wednesday, December 18 can be your night to shine (that can also be the title of your sex tape if you'd like). It all starts at 6pm, and entry is free. Bring your wallet for burgs, obviously, plus food. If all this sounds rather noice, get in quick as spots are limited.
The 90s were great. That shouldn't be a controversial opinion. Whether you lived through them or have spent the last couple of decades wishing you did — aka binging on 90s pop culture — The Foundry's Christmas shindig will indulge both your retro and your festive urges. Drinks, tunes, fashion: expect all of the above at the No Scrubs: 90s and Early 00s Xmas Party from 11.30pm on Saturday, December 21. Of course, it's up to you to make sure the clothing side of things is covered, and to get into the spirit of the season. If you want to use Mariah Carey as a style icon, it'd be fitting. Expect Mimi's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' to get a whirl, obviously, but expect to unleash your inner Spice Girl and Backstreet Boy too. TLC, Destiny's Child, Savage Garden, Usher, Blink-182, No Doubt — we'd keep listing artists, but you all know what you're getting yourselves into. Entry costs $10 on the door, with the fun running through until 3am.
First published 172 years ago, Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre just keeps haunting readers — and audiences and creatives. As well as inspiring many a night thumbing through the novel's pages, the gothic classic has sparked many an inventive stage and screen adaptation. They include all the obvious, faithful interpretations, plus 1940s horror films and even the book behind one of Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thrillers. At QPAC until Saturday, November 9, the latest version of Jane Eyre is playing out in the Cremorne Theatre under the guidance of Shake & Stir. If you liked the theatre company's take on Dracula, then you'll want to see them take on another beloved story in their own way — complete with original music not only written by The Superjesus' Sarah McLeod, but performed live on stage during the play. Starring Shake & Stir's co-artistic director Nelle Lee as Jane, the production delves into a moody coming-of-age tale as the orphaned titular character tries to fight against the social constraints of the time and find her way in the world. Securing a job at Thornfield Hall, she's drawn to its resident, Edward Rochester — a bond that causes plenty of secrets to spill out into the open.
On Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17, Enoggera Reservoir won't just be Brisbane's oldest reservoir. As part of Open Actions, the Mt Nebo Road spot will become an immersive art playground. If you've ever wanted to explore the site, interact with creative installations, and engage with nature, water and the location's splendour, this is your chance. Open Actions will feature six new artworks created by Aishla Manning, Anthony Baker, Aurora Christie, Guyala Bayles, Joella Warkill, Keemon Williams, Kylie Spear, and Primitive Motion (Sandra Selig and Leighton Craig), all of which are in dialogue with their unique spot. Some will involve cement mixers filled with rushing water, others will feature dingos guarding the dam, and yet another will unveil a mini-waterslide for giant ice cubes. You can also take a bushwalk with poets, listen to multi-sensory soundtrack and attend an album release. When you're not directly engaging with the above pieces, you can also chill out on the lawn — on furniture and under a canopy designed by local design studio Five Mile Radius. Attendance is free, with Open Actions running from 10am–6pm on both days.
Whether you were born in Brisbane, spent your childhood here or came to our sunny town at a later age, every local knows the city's music history. We're the place that gave Australia, and the world, bands such as Powderfinger, Regurgitator, Savage Garden and The Grates — and we're so proud of it that the Museum of Brisbane is currently holding an exhibition on the topic. Think you know more than the average Brisbanite about our sonic past? Willing to put your knowledge to the test? Fancy battling it out against other music-loving locals at the very showcase dedicated to the subject? As part of the High Rotation exhibition, MoB is throwing a Bris Must Be The Place trivia night. It's a little like a pub trivia night, as well as your favourite music quiz TV shows, complete with a few high-profile guests. Kellie Lloyd (Screamfeeder), Aimon Clarke (The Creases) and Jeremy Neale (Velociraptor) are on hosting duty, there are prizes to be won, and it all takes place from 6.30pm on Thursday, November 14. Entry costs $25 per person, up to $150 for a table of six. In this town finding a heap of mates that know Brissie's music history inside out shouldn't be difficult. Image: Dylan Evans.
There's never a bad time for a spritz, but they go down awfully well in spring and summer. And there's never a bad time to enjoy a refreshing cocktail while sitting by the river, either — but it's a particularly pleasant way to spend a few hours when the weather is warmer. With all of the above in mind, Eagle Street Pier's Riverbar and Kitchen is spritzing up November by dedicating the entire month to the obvious drink. Ten different types will be on the menu, ranging from old favourites to more inventive concoctions. They'll be made with everything from Pimm's to scotch to gin, and feature ginger beer, cola and orange, elderflower, strawberry and tropical flavours. Feeling thirsty? Head on in between Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 30 to drink your way through the Holy Spritz lineup. In great news for folks who are taking it easy, booze-wise, there's also a five-beverage mocktail menu so you can enjoy all of the flavours (and fun) without the alcohol.
Open up your eager eyes, Brisbanites: the Mr. Brightside Ball is back. The third annual event promises one killer party — and we'll all be doing just fine for one huge night. This year's shindig isn't in the place you'd expect, though. Last year, the event moved its fun to a bar that doesn't share its name with the song in question — and this year, it's doing the same. Of course, The Foundry is now stranger to big blowouts (or excuses to get dressed up and dance to your favourite tunes, for that matter). Put on your best ball or cocktail threads, head to Wickham Street once the clock strikes 11.30pm on Saturday, December 7, and prepare for a celebration of The Killers and their indie brethren. Tickets cost $12.25, and can be booked in advance. Destiny is calling you to the kind of night out that's certain to feature more than a few sing-alongs — and no sick lullabies to swim through. Extra points if you manage to recreate the band's look from the 'Mr. Brightside' video. And by extra points, we mean bragging rights, of course.
Operatic voices and acrobatic contortions rarely go hand in hand. When tenors and sopranos are belting out their booming best, you don't often see circus stars getting physical on the stage. And, you definitely don't usually witness folks from the two artforms teaming up to bring a Greek myth to life. Thanks to a collaboration between Opera Queensland and Circa, that's what Orpheus and Eurydice offers. Eight acrobats will leap and bound as only they can, while counter tenor Owen Willetts and soprano Natalie Christie Peluso will sing — and the end result promises quite the spectacular show. Love contemporary circus and always been intrigued about opera? Adore the latter but never really engaged with the former? Whichever description suits you (and even if you're a newcomer to both), prepare for a winning combo. Running from Thursday, October 24 to Saturday, November 9 at the QPAC Playhouse, Orpheus and Eurydice tells the tale of the god of music, his beloved bride, and the journey he must take into the underworld to save her. It dates back to ancient history, and his quest comes with a twist: if he takes her home, he can't look into her eyes. As well as opera and circus, the production will feature video as well — because this genre mash-up just keeps going. Image: Iñaki Zaldua.
Unlimited seafood is worth clearing an afternoon for. Unlimited mussels — well, that's worth a road trip as well. On Sunday, November 24, prepare to mosey on down to Miami Marketta on the Gold Coast, because that's where you'll find as many molluscs as you can devour over the course of three hours. The venue's returning All-You-Can-Eat Mussel Festival will unleash a horde of fresh-cooked mussels from 12–3pm, with as many as you can eat all included in the $35 ticket price. Munch your way through four different kinds: mussels with white wine, garlic and lemon; Asian chilli tomato-flavoured mussels; mussels with seafood velouté and mussels with apple cider. Because the festival is happening when Miami Marketta is usually closed, mussels will be the main attraction. Of course, if you're heading to an event serving them up on an all-you-can basis, then you're already primed — not to mention hungry, naturally.
Trekking across Middle-Earth is a big job. Trying to keep a precious ring safe from an evil lord is too. There's much that's massive about The Lord of the Rings: The Return the King, Peter Jackson's third screen adaptation of f J. R. R. Tolkien's beloved novels, particularly the more than four-hour-long extended version. So you'll want to revisit it on a particularly huge screen — one that measures 44 metres long, perhaps? Set up in the middle of Eagle Farm Racecourse, the aptly named Big Screen on the Green is that giant screen. It hosts films regularly, and from 7pm on Friday, November 15, it'll bring hobbits, elves, wizards and more to its sizeable expanse. When it screened The Fellowship of the Ring last year September, the session sold out, so consider yourself warned. Tickets cost $15, which gets you a spot on the public lawn — or you can spend $25 and get a large popcorn as well, plus your choice of wine, sparkling, house beer or a non-boozy beverage. You can't BYO food or drinks, but there'll be more available to purchase. Or if you'd like a picnic, bring a pal and nab a $60 gourmet hamper package for two, which includes charcuterie, a cheese platter and breads. You can also rent picnic blankets for $12 and bean bags for $8. Image: Big Screen on the Green.
If your Sunday isn't complete without munching on barbecued meat — or vegetables, haloumi and vegan alternatives — then Hello Gorgeous' new end-of-weekend deal might just tempt your tastebuds. From 1pm, the Newstead spot is serving up a bottomless array of all of the above for $25. In its former guise, the space at 32A Chester Street was known to encourage hefty appetites — and now Hello Gorgeous is doing the same, but with something other than dessert. If you're keen on a few beverages to wash it all down, you can purchase them as you go. Food-wise, the meat and seafood menu includes beef cheeks, spiced jerk chicken, gourmet sausages, prawns and cuttlefish. Vegetarians can tuck into vegetable skewers and haloumi skewers, while vegans can feast on vegan skewers, vegan sausages and other vegan non-meat products. As for sides, everyone can enjoy two salads, gluten-free rolls and housemade sauces, with fries available to purchase.
"Show me what you got!" someone will yell at Shady Palms after 6.30pm on Thursday, November 21. Don't worry, armaheadon isn't here — but you will want to get schwifty. The tune Rick and Morty came up with to appease song-loving aliens and save the earth is bound to come up. It's a Rick and Morty trivia night, after all. Channelling your inner Rick is recommended if you want to slay your trivia foes — and, like Rick, that probably means drinking a few sangrias as well. While you're living it up like an eccentric scientist and his constantly distressed teenage grandson, answering questions and showing your Rick-tastic knowledge, Man vs Bear will be overseeing the fun. (And, helping you forget that while the fourth season of the series has finally dropped in America, an Australian release date is nowhere to be found as yet.) Naturally, if your response to every trivia question is "nobody belongs anywhere, nothing exists on purpose, everybody's gonna die," we're guessing it'll probably be accepted. Donning some brown pants and a white lab coat is optional. Be there, or be Jerry.
It's easy to make, it tastes great and it's incredibly versatile. Garfield loves it, too. We'd keep listing reasons that the humble lasagne is one of the best Italian meals there is, but we're certain that we don't need to convince you. Here's another anyway, though: it's a great go-to when Tuesday rolls around, you have the almost-mid-week blues, you definitely don't want to cook, and you want to tuck into something both hearty and delicious. Salt Meats Cheese clearly feels the same, because it regularly dedicates a whole night to the Italian staple. And, it's next doing just that on Tuesday, January 14. Three types will be on the menu, so taste your way through the trio for $24. You will need to book in advance, given that folks sure do love this dish. SMC's Lasagna Affair is only happening at select venues — so you'll want to make a date with the chain's Newstead and Surfer's Paradise locations from 5pm. Updated January 4.
Ever since Freddie Mercury teamed up with Brian May and company back in the 70s, Queen has never been out of fashion. Thanks to Bohemian Rhapsody, however, the band has been roaring up the charts again. You could call it a kind of magic. You could say that their songs must go on. Either way, if you're happy to let the British group keep rocking you — and you need something to fill the void until the remaining band members tour Australia next year — then head along to The Brightside on Friday, September 6. Been feeling a crazy little thing called love for Freddie and his bandmates? Eager to celebrate Mercury's birthday, albeit a day later? Then you'll be in the right spot. And if your approach to the group's music is "I want it all!", that's what you'll hear at Mamma Mia — Let Me Go. And well as ABBA songs, too, because why not? The one-night event will break free from 9pm, so get ready to unleash your inner dancing queen and thank everyone for the music. Here we go again, indeed. If you're wondering how much money, money, money it'll set you back, tickets cost $13.98 — and buying in advance is recommended, because it's likely to sell out. Because it's a hard life, DJs will spin both band's tunes, and you and your fellow champions and super troupers will take a chance on dancing and singing along. You'll be able to say 'gimme, gimme, gimme' to other tracks from huge artists of the 70s and 80s, too. Basically, prepare to step back in time — and if you miss out, you'll feel a little under pressure.
There's still time to nab tickets to this year's Broken Heel Festival, which takes over the historic mining town of Broken Hill for a weekend of drag, divas and disco from September 13–15. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in this annual tribute to the iconic Australian film Priscilla Queen of the Desert by celebrating the movie's anniversary with a blowout party — that rocks for three days straight. Drag queens and kings from around the country will come together for a lineup of cabaret performances, comedy, opera and live music. Highlights include an opening night party featuring a Michael Griffiths' Kylie tribute band, plus a Priscilla-inspired party on Saturday. You can also join the locals along the main strip for the annual Drag Street Parade. An openair, interactive screening of the film will take place on the Sunday night, too.
Every year, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre becomes a culinary, boozy wonderland for three jam-packed days. An alley dedicated to cheese, wine almost as far as the eye can see, an array of food and beverage stalls serving up samples — yep, it's a reality. That's the Good Food and Wine Show in a nutshell, with 2019's event hitting the city from Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27. If you've been before, you'll be eager to head along again. Basically, it's the Ekka of food and wine, just without the rides, the flu and the goldfish. 2019's event will also boast an extra attraction: the show's first truffle trail. The likes of Truffle Melbourne, Great Southern Truffles and La Truffiere will be on hand, serving everything from truffled duck and truffle-infused burgers to truffle honey and truffle salted butter — and making truffle lovers incredibly happy. Early bird tickets start at $25, although you can pay up to $130 for the VIP treatment, which comes with a special lounge area, a light lunch designed by Matt Moran and a heap of freebies. Some of the workshops and masterclasses also cost extra; however if you're just keen to wander and enjoy samples, don't worry — that's all included in the regular admission. A word from the wise: you'll be eating and drinking all day, but do make sure you have a light breakfast beforehand. Lining the stomach is always a good idea, and you'll thank us later.
It's been over a year since Munich Brauhaus opened at South Bank, and the two-level Bavarian bierhaus doesn't shy away from a party. Come Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, the brews, bratwurst and butter-filled pretzels will be flowing on Stanley Street — and so will a huge Oktoberfest shindig. From 11am on Saturday, it'll be a day full of German-themed fun. The whole joint will be swept up in the Oktoberfest excitement, with a street parade weaving its way around the parklands from 1pm. Expect traditional slap dancers, live music, yodelling, stein-holding challenges and a hot dog-eating contest, too, as well as not one, not two, but three ceremonial keg taps. Prefer to head by on Sunday? There's no parade that day, but the party will still be underway, complete with games, challenges, beers and food. If you want to match your merriment with a feast, there'll also be two three-course set-menu options available — one for $79, which includes Bavarian dishes, a one-litre stein of beer and a schnapps shot, plus a limited-edition Oktoberfest showbag; and another for $45 that goes heavy on shredded sausage salad, corned beef brisket with new potatoes, and a dessert made from smashed pancakes, butterscotch and almonds. And, when the weekend revelry comes to an end, Oktoberfest will still be making its presence known at Brauhaus until Sunday, October 27.
Get set to jump up, jump up and get down, just go ahead and jump, or get jumpin' jumpin from Monday, September 23 to Sunday, October 6. Whichever jump-themed song you now have stuck in your head, it's definitely appropriate. We are talking about a pop-up inflatable theme park, after all. Returning for another school holidays and setting up shop at Wests Mitchelton Football Club, The Inflatable Factory is fun for kids and kidults alike, boasting quite the range of blow-up bouncy attractions. On-site you'll find a 12-metre-high slide, a Zorb ball ramp and a 20-metre-long wild west obstacle course — plus a bubble soccer arena, and more. Tickets cost $19 for as much jumping around as you can fit into two hours — which, let's face it, is probably just about the right amount of time to bounce, leap, bound and flip out. If you do want to stay longer, you can purchase an extra hour for $7. There's also coffee and snacks available as well.
Whenever Four Pillars releases a new gin, it's always cause for celebration — whether it's Bloody Shiraz time, the festive season or the company is dropping a fresh tipple just because. When the brand takes over a whole bar for a night, that's clearly reason enough for a party. And that's just what's happening on Friday, August 23. Enjoy your after-work, end-of-week tipple at The Boom Boom Room, and you'll be treated to a one-off range of inventive gin cocktails. The beverages come courtesy of Four Pillars' James Irvine — the outfit's creative director of gin drinks, because, yes, that's a real job title. Teaming up with the venue's own Joseph Chisholm, he'll be whipping up concoctions you won't get to taste on any other date. Head along, spend an evening sipping drinks underground and say cheers to all of the above. Entry is free, but places are limited, so reserving a table for this boozy night is recommended — you can do so by contacting the venue.
Trying to battle dark magical forces is a big job. Being the Boy Who Lived is too. There's much that's massive about Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first cinematic adaptation of JK Rowling's first enchanting novel, so you'll want to revisit it on a particularly huge screen — one that measures 44 metres long, perhaps? Set up in the middle of Eagle Farm Racecourse, the aptly named Big Screen on the Green is that giant screen. It hosts films regularly, and from 7pm on Friday, September 27 (with gates open from 5.30pm), it'll bringing this wondrous first trip to Hogwarts to its sizeable expanse. Tickets cost $15, which gets you a spot on the public lawn — or you can spend $25 and get a large popcorn as well, plus your choice of wine, sparkling, house beer or a non-boozy beverage. You can't BYO food or drinks, but there'll be more available to purchase, including classic movie snacks, Harry Potter-inspired cocktails and butterbeer. Feeling like splashing out? If you'd like a picnic, bring a pal and nab a $60 gourmet hamper package for two, which includes charcuterie, a cheese platter and breads. Or, go all out with the 'Start of Term Feast' for $75 per person — complete with butterbeer, a Harry Potter-themed buffet dinner (think Hagrid's shepherd's pie, yuckiest garden sprouts, Aunt Petunia's trifle and green snot jelly, among other dishes), and your own house scarf to take home afterwards. Image: Big Screen on the Green.
On any given day at Netherworld, absolutely anything could pop up — and on Saturday, September 28, that something is a vegan bake sale. Running from 10am–12pm, this once-off feast of cakes, cookies, scones and the like will serve up all of the tastiness and none of the animal products, with the venue's in-house Hellmouth Diner leading the charge. Like your baked goods of the savoury variety? You'll find those on offer. Substituting vegetables into recipes is one of the joys of vegan baking, after all. So is stuffing tarts and pies with them, too. And if you happen to possess the sweetest of teeth — or just need something on that end of the taste spectrum after a big Friday night out — you'll obviously be catered for. Any event at Netherworld usually comes with two added bonuses as well: games and brews. Indulge in both while you're munching on muffins, and you're in for a good morning.
Say cheers to the end of the week by heading on down to Fortitude Valley's Barbara. From 5–7pm on Friday, September 27, the Warner Street watering hole will be feeling particularly frothy — not only by chatting about brews, or by sipping them, but by serving up free tastes. The venue is calling the event a Barbara Bar Shout, should you still be wondering what's in store. It's all there in the name, and it's a semi-regular shindig. Not only does the bar enlist the fine folks who spend their life making beers to drop by and talk about their tipples, but its guests will be giving everyone in the attendance a few thirst-quenching samples. This time around, Barbara is teaming up with the crew at Mountain Goat Beer, so that's who'll be doing the shouting. If you mosey along, you can do the drinking — and entry is free.
Dutch Courage Officers' Mess might be known for slinging plenty of gin, but the Fortitude Valley bar also knows a few important boozy truths. Sometimes, your favourite watering hole is closed. Sometimes, you don't really feel like hitting the club. Sometimes, you just want to kick back on the couch with a cocktail (or several) in your hand. To help, the bar puts on regular masterclasses — teaching you the tricks of its trade and serving you up a few beverages in the process. And the September class sure does have a buzz about it. Yes, it's all about making espresso martinis. From 3.30–5pm on Saturday, September 21, you'll discover how to whip up a classic espresso martini, plus Dutch Courage's own variation: the Cradle Snatcher, which features butter vodka, agave and a Nutella rim. Learn, make, drink — that's all on the agenda as part of your $42 ticket, as is an energetic start to your Saturday shenanigans. Bookings are essential.
Hitting the city with not just a bang, but with a whole heap of banging tunes, this year's Brisbane Festival launches with one hell of a house party. No, you're not destined for the suburbs. Instead, The Tivoli will echo with the sounds of 90s house music, with Groove Terminator leading the charge, GT will perform his famous retro 'House 5 DJ' mix — but he'll have company, too. This show isn't called The Church of House for nothing. Singers from the Gospo Collective and Brisbane's Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts will form a gospel choir, while guest vocalists and other DJs will join in. The party kicks off at 8pm on Friday, September 8 and dressing up to suit the occasion is heartily encouraged. This is a whole different kind of worship.
Forget 12 days of Christmas. Yes, it's a Christmas carol that you now have stuck in your head, as well as a religious festive season — but 12 Pies of Christmas sounds much more fun, doesn't it? That's what Wandering Cooks and Pie Hole are adding to this year's merriment, and to your stomach. Even better? There's free tastings. Drop on between 5pm and 10pm on Wednesday, December 12 for a pie-tastic time, with The Pie Hole whipping up the 12 varieties they consider the most festive and delicious, and Wandering Cooks hosting the whole shindig. We know, we know, you're there for the pies. Once you've sampled them, you can also buy whole slices or preorder your own for Christmas. Flavour-wise, your tastebuds will be dancing and a-leaping, with the likes of butterscotch caramel popcorn pie, eggnog chess pie, gingerbread pie, negroni pie, mangoes and cream pie, cherry pie and vegan candy cane peppermint pie on offer. We'd keep listing them, but we should leave you a few surprises.
Nazi. Zombies. Those two words alone were probably enough to secure the support of executive producer J.J. Abrams and have him green-light Overlord, the new horror/war flick by Australian director Julius Avery (Son of a Gun). Set on the eve of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, the film sees a small troupe of American soldiers parachute into France tasked with destroying a Nazi radar station, only for them to discover a series of sinister, zombie-crafting experiments taking place deep beneath the facility's walls. In terms of the premise, gamers will immediately recognise similarities to both the Wolfenstein and Call of Duty franchises (the latter literally had a title called WWII Nazi Zombies – The Darkest Shore). At times the film tracks so closely to these games both in style and story that you expect the Xbox logo to appear on screen instead of the Paramount one. To the film's credit, though, for every example of borrowed content or tired cliche, Overlord surprises you with nifty subversions of horror-genre tropes and delights in its consistent, sumptuous cinematography. Much of the film's success actually lies in its pacing, and it's a testament to screenwriters Billy Ray and Mark L. Smith that they're willing to be so patient with their eventual zombie reveal. Indeed, it's so long before the first encounter with the undead that the film's trailer borders on misleading and deceptive marketing. Just like the shark in Jaws, we see the monsters in Overlord only after we've seen clues to their existence and their horrific, destructive power. And when at last they do arrive, the wait is (mostly) justified. Immensely strong and grotesquely twisted with sharpened bones protruding through burnt or shredded flesh, the fiends look and feel appropriately terrifying. If there's a complaint to be made, it's that – once revealed – they're deployed far too sparingly. Intentional or not, it's the mortal Nazis and not their flesh-eating compatriots who feel the most sinister in Overlord, and since the peril in the zombie genre traditionally comes from their unstoppable swarm dimension, removing that dynamic feels like a significant misstep. Overlord's characters aren't much for groundbreaking, coming straight from the stock WWII movie playbook. On the Allied side there's wise-cracking Italian-American Tibbet (John Magaro), timid war photographer Chase (Iain De Caestecker), grizzled loner Ford (Wyatt Russell) and pure-of-heart rookie Boyce (Jovan Adepo). On the Axis side, we're given an unapologetically evil commander named Wafner (Pilou Asbaek) who, to his credit, goes all-out in the performance. Also in the mix is French actress Mathilde Ollivier as Chloe, a civilian from the nearby town who helps hide the Americans from the Nazis and whose work is probably the film's standout. Given the film spends so much time in the company of these characters, it's disappointing that it rarely evolves their personalities or digs into their back stories. Still, the performances are above average for a B-movie, and while the film sometimes feels as though it's being pulled between two very different genres, it still has enough going for it to be worth your time and your money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USPd0vX2sdc
El Camino Cantina has arrived in Brisbane, and it's giving the people what we want. If you're heading to a Tex-Mex bar and eatery, then you want plenty of tacos — and, ideally, you want them cheap. Enter the newcomer's first $2 Taco Party, which is exactly what it sounds like. It's also running all day on Wednesday, December 5. Stop by for a bite while the doors are open, and you can tuck into a highly affordable feed in Bowen Hills' latest addition, with nine different types of taco available. They're not your regular flavours either. Even if you think that there's no such thing as a bad taco, you can treat your tastebuds here. Fancy a cheeseburger taco? Beer-battered barramundi? Coffee-spiced smoked pork belly? They're all on the menu. Because this is a party, El Camino will also be pumping 80s, 90s and 00s tunes — and if you'd like a beverage, the regular range of margaritas, cocktails, wines and beers are on offer. Consider this a PSA: the venue has eight slushie machines, so you might want to sip something semi-frozen. Images: El Camino Cantina and Tom Ferguson.
