Eight years after premiering her Music for Dogs piece at the Sydney Opera House, artist and musician Laurie Anderson is heading back to Australia to stage another Concert for Dogs — a gig that doesn't just let humans bring their four-legged friends along, but serves up melodies, frequencies and riffs have been composed specifically for pooches. Taking place on Sunday, June 24 at the Gold Coast's Home of the Arts, the 20-minute show combines low-decibel violin, vocals, keyboards and electronic sounds into a symphony certain to get puppers' tails wagging. Only held a handful of times before — including in Sydney, in New York's Times Square and in Brighton, England — the free event is open to all doggos, although they must play nicely with others and be kept on a leash. For both hounds and humans alike, the concert will be followed by Anderson's Heart of a Dog, her astonishing documentary tribute to her own furry BFF — and to all of dog kind. Anderson is in the country for a number of shows, including a virtual reality experience and a sonic installation at Dark Mofo. On the Gold Coast, she'll become HOTA's artist-in-residence from June 20–24, premiering new music pieces (including Songs from the Bardo, which uses texts from the Tibetan Book of the Dead), presenting multimedia work The Language of the Future, and chatting about stories and language in All the Things I Lost in the Flood.
It's round, crispy and a little tangy — and it's a great alternative to chips or wedges. And, on June 22, it's the food in the spotlight. The date does mark National Onion Ring Day, after all. If you need an excuse to devour as many onion rings as your stomach desires, then consider this it. That's what food-based days are all about, right? On this occasion, the Jubilee Hotel is getting into the swing of things with a Friday night party dedicated to the humble onion sliver. Yes, onion rings will be on the menu. So will a wheel of onion, whatever that happens to be, and a gum station — because if you're eating onion rings all evening, then your breath isn't going to smell minty fresh. There'll also be live music, a longer-than-usual happy hour and movies projected on the pub's projection screens. No word yet about whether The Onion Movie will be one of them.
Even when winter is in full swing, having a picnic is one of the best things you can do in Brisbane. The sun is usually out, the grass is typically quite the shade of green and we've got plenty of parks just begging for you to visit. Combine all of the above with a historic site, food trucks and jazz and you have Newstead House's Sunday by the River. A new one-off gathering from the folks at the Food Truck Collective, it'll take over the venue's stunning lawn from 11am on Sunday, July 1. Sunday by the River is the chilled kind of daytime hangout we all need every now and then (or maybe even more often), so bring your best picnic blanket, your mates, and some cash for something to eat, and let the event take care of the rest. There'll be live jazz tunes to set the mood; food from King of the Wings, Micasa, Rolls Pho Mi and more; and beers from Newstead Brewing Co. And, because a Sunday picnic is for everyone, doggos are welcome.
Like commemorating the birth and life of famous figures? Like multicultural festivities that shed a light on diversity and harmony? If so, it's party time. Brisbane's annual Buddha Birthday Festival is back for its 22nd year at South Bank — and yes, it is the biggest annual celebration of its kind in the world. The 2018 program certainly aims to prove that claim once again, courtesy of three jam-packed days of tree blessing, candle lighting, lion dances, dragon boat regattas, origami, calligraphy, fireworks and more. In fact, there's so much on the agenda that your best bet might be to head to South Brisbane and settle in for the long haul. 200,000 people are expected to do the same — and with more than 400 performers and 180 events on offer, you can't blame them. The festival isn't just about watching other people strut their stuff, though. With international food markets serving up culinary delights, tea ceremonies keeping you hydrated, meditation sessions taking care of your mental bliss and more than 2500 red lanterns on display, this isn't just a feast of entertainment; it's a complete mind and body experience as well.
In bringing one of their latest productions to the stage, La Boîte didn't simply take their pick of modern and classic theatre greats, or commission an veteran or emerging talent to write something new. When you're tackling subjects as topical as the refugee experience and the plight of people seeking asylum, you delve deeper. So, they collaborated with refugee resettlement agency MDA Ltd to use the real stories of folks in those situations. In The Village, their tales are told verbatim. A hit during its premiere season in 2017, the production is back for another run until May 5, taking over the La Boite Studio — and the end result promises more than your usual piece of entertainment. Thanks to those who've shared their journeys, much more, in fact. Viewers will watch and listen, of course, but The Village has been dubbed "an interactive performance experience" because it immerses everyone right in the thick of the narrative. It's designed to celebrate Australia's cultural diversity and showcase the strength of people who made this country their new home in trying circumstances. Serving an educational purpose as well, expect to find students in the audience — but this is the kind of performance that everyone should attend.
All manner of shows, concerts, plays, dance pieces and more come to life at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre — and now the history of all of those performances, and of the state's performing arts history in general, will too. Displaying in QPAC's Tony Gould Gallery, Show and Tell unearths a range of objects and artefacts from shows gone by, as selected from the QPAC Museum's 70,000-strong collection. Expect costumes and photographs, plus posters and programs, all chronicling the greats that have taken to the stage across Queensland over the years. Some pieces date back nearly a century. As well as delving into history, the exhibition aims to shed light on the behind-the-scenes action that goes into putting on a show. "A performance someone sees on stage is a fleeting moment that is the culmination of vast preparation, not only by the performer, but by networks of writers and composers, directors, designers and costumiers, scenery builders, makeup artists, staging technicians, theatre managers, photographers and producers," explains QPAC Exhibitions Manager Maria Cleary. Show and Tell is free, and displays across two periods: from May 1 to June 16, and again from July 10 to September 1.
It's official: low and slow barbecuing has become Brisbane's favourite style of food preparation. In fact, there's a festival to prove it. Come June 30 and July 1, the Victoria Park sporting fields will be engulfed in the kind of smoky, spicy taste sensations that can only come from taking your time to lock in as much goodness as possible. Following on from sold-out fests between 2015 and 2017, the fourth annual Brisbane BBQ Festival will once again see a convoy of food trucks, burger joints and more converge upon Herston to prove their culinary patience. They'll be starting up their ovens long before their doors open, and you'll get to devour the long-simmering rewards. Between sampling from the likes of That BBQ Joint, Ze Qickle and How We Rolls — and Sydney's Parrilla Argenchino, Get in the Q and Rangers Texas BBQ too, just to name a few — you'll also watch teams of professionals battle it out to be crowned the low and slow champions, all while scoring free samples of their creations. Or, sip frosty bevs at pop-up bars, learn new skills at masterclasses and workshops, and browse the marketplace for barbecue-related products to help you whip up a storm at home. There's also a chilli eating contest and a mechanical bull rodeo contest, and the ultimate live music barbecue soundtrack, too.
Combining the savage and the sublime, On Body and Soul enters a slaughterhouse to tell an unconventional love story. Here, animals become meat for humans to consume, while people become animals to live out their deepest fantasies. The first part is literal, as depicted in stark abattoir scenes that don't shy away from blood and butchering, and might make carnivores think twice about their eating habits. The second part doesn't really involve the movie's characters turning into actual critters, but to the film's star-crossed protagonists, their animal transformation might as well be real. Human resources manager Endre (Géza Morcsányi) and new hygiene inspector Maria (Alexandra Borbély) work at the facility in question, with chopped-up cattle an ordinary aspect of their everyday routines. Both are unfazed about the gory nature of their workplace, although neither are particularly happy in general, gravitating towards each other because they're each a little lost and more than a little lonely. During the day, their conversations are polite and restrained, but loaded with unspoken emotions. By night, it's another matter entirely. In their own beds and their own apartments, they both dream of deers running around a snowy forest, doing what deers do. More than that, they dream that their respective deers are frolicking together in a shared dreamscape. Everyone has had the experience of waking from their slumber feeling like they've just lived another life. Everyone has felt a bond with someone else that they couldn't quite explain. Everyone has felt detached from reality and much more at home in their own head. Combine all of the above, and that's still just the beginning of On Body and Soul's surreal, slow-building romance — the relatable starting point for a weird and wonderful exploration of what it means to be human. If the narrative had appeared to writer-director Ildikó Enyedi in her own dreams, that wouldn't be a surprise, but her blend of beauty and brutality burrows deep into weighty existential matters. Forget androids pondering electric sheep (sorry Blade Runner); this thoughtful movie wants to know if mankind can ever truly get a reprieve from our unforgiving world, or if becoming animals in our dreams is the closest we'll come to real happiness. The questions keep flowing, seeping into the audience's mind like a well-deployed Laura Marling track, although Enyedi is refreshingly unconcerned with serving up answers. Furthermore, her on-screen lovers are just as uninterested in finding them. While a contrived development takes Endre and Maria from colleagues to something more in their waking life, there's nothing convenient or artificial about their yearning to belong — or about the performances that breathe life into these restless souls. Quiet and unflashy yet nonetheless compelling, first-timer Morcsányi and the more experienced Borbély achieve what every actor strives for, offering a window into their characters' inner worlds. Of course, the film's entire premise does exactly that in its dreamy deer sequences, but its stars are crucial in making the fantastical concept work. If this moody, musing movie belongs to anyone, however, it's Enyedi. Nearly three decades after nabbing the Cannes Film Festival's Golden Camera award for her first feature, she has scooped up a spate of shiny trophies for On Body and Soul, and it's easy to see why. The winner of the 2017 Berlinale Golden Bear and the Sydney Film Prize, as well as a nominee at this year's Oscars, Enyedi's latest feature mightn't suit everyone's tastes, but it's an immersive, distinctive deep dive into familiar basic themes — love, life and loneliness — that looks and feels like it couldn't have been conjured up by anyone else. Pay particular attention to the director's exacting images, with every splash of blood, frosty field and clinical workspace making a statement both visually and emotionally. The way the film contrasts the horrors of slaughter with the serenity of nature, and uses them both as metaphors for life's difficult extremes, might all seem obvious on paper. And yet it couldn't be more affecting or arresting on the screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoQAm-E85bY&feature=youtu.be
For its latest excuse to eat, drink and be merry, the Treasury Casino is taking inspiration from Europe. Over one cheese and wine-filled evening, the CBD hotspot will be serving up the best dairy and vino that the continent has to offer — and given Europe's reputation on both fronts, it's certain to deliver. Yep, between 5pm and 8pm on June 15, your tastebuds will think they've ventured to the other side of the world, thanks to a lineup of wares from Tuscany, Paris and more. Your wallet, however, will thank you — sip and sample away for three hours for $49 per person, which is definitely cheaper than an overseas trip. Serving up Gris, Grigio, Fume, Prosecco, Syrah, Chianti and real Champagne, plus reggiano parmigiano, triple cream brie and gorgonzola, the tastiness tastiness takes place in the Treasury's courtyard, so expect a starry backdrop and some live music as well. And if you're feeling extra peckish, there'll be olives, chargrilled vegetables, arancini, assorted dips, artisan breads and tiny profiteroles too — or, you could just dive deep into as much cheese as you can.
Since opening back in 2017, Super Combo has boasted all the right moves when it comes to making burgers — and the Street Fighter-themed burg joint has the super-sized Spinning Piledriver, all-veggie Yoga Flame and the smokey-flavoured Hadoken on its menu to prove it. When it comes to marking National Burger Day, it's following through in the same fashion. Why show your love for meat (or a vegetarian alternative) between two pieces of bread for just one 24-hour period when you can extend the deliciousness? Sure, loving burgers is an all day, everyday obsession, but Super Combo are diving deep into their passion between May 25 and June 1. And for you, the burg connoisseur that you are, the King Street store's celebration comes cheap. For $8 across the eight days, you can pick up any burger on the menu. If you're instantly thinking about grabbing two, that's completely understandable. Or, pair your Beet Down, Electric Thunder or Sonic Boom with a super shake — the salted caramel and pretzel really goes include real pretzels.
Some lights burn bright but fast. Rainer Werner Fassbinder's was one of them. The German filmmaker made 39 films — including six television movies and series — and four video productions during his 17-year career. And, because he clearly wasn't busy enough, he also directed 24 stage plays and four radio plays, and managed to act, shoot, compose, design, edit and produce, and work as a theatre manager. Phew. If his life hadn't been cut short by a drug overdose at the age of 37, who knows what else he would've made — or how much lazier he would've made everyone else feel. Alas, that's not how things turned out for the provocative, prodigious, prolific, probing writer/director, but 35 years after his death, his immense body of work lives on. In the first major retrospective of Fassbinder's output in Australia, the Gallery of Modern Art is dedicating two separate months to the New German Cinema pioneer, and for free. After the first part ran in late 2017, the program is back again from June 1 to July 4. Highlights include a restored version of his iconic post-war drama The Marriage of Maria Braun, sci-fi series World on a Wire, and his final effort, Querelle — plus documentary Fassbinder: To Love Without Demand, which takes the form of a personal cine-essay about the director. Or, catch Fassbinder's final screen appearance in Kamikaze '89, as — as the program describes — "an alcoholic, leopard-print wearing rogue detective in retro-futuristic Germany".
Remember when Saturday mornings were all about cartoons, cereal and not having a care in the world? Netherworld does. At the Fortitude Valley bar, you're never too old to kick back in their arcade room for some serious kidulting — or to start the day just like you did when you were a kid, but with beer. That's what their latest regular event, Saturday Morning Cartoons, is all about (in case the name didn't already give that away). And they won't just be playing any old cartoons. While their selection changes with each outing, the May 12 event will be saying cowabunga to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for two hours. Pair your nostalgia with a milk-filled bowl of cereal and a frosty brew, both of which are included in the $10 entry price. Wearing your pjs is fine — in fact, you'll get an extra treat if you do. And if you have a hankering for a pizza lunch afterwards, that's obviously completely understandable.
Can't make it down south for the Sydney Writers Festival? Counting down until Brisbane's own writers fest comes around later this year? There's one thing that's cheaper than a plane fare and quicker than simply waiting: Brisbane Powerhouse's Sydney Writers Festival Livestream. While the full fest isn't being beamed into the New Farm venue, seven sessions across May 5 and 6 will be streamed live on the Turbine Platform. And attendees can also ask questions, which'll be sent directly to the Sydney stage. The Live & Local lineup includes sessions on a range of topics, whether you want to catch a chat about the interplay between technology and power, or ponder economic disparity — or just settle in all day Saturday and until lunchtime on Sunday. Specific highlights include a panel on women in technology, bestselling author Johann Hari presenting a talk on depression and anxiety, and Annabel Crabb's BooKwiz featuring ABC 7.30 anchor Leigh Sales, ABC radio's Richard Fidler and RocKwiz host Julia Zemiro.
All good things come to an end, and that includes much-loved and short-lived watering holes, sadly. Yes, New Farm's Deathproof is shutting up shop on April 28 — and it's throwing one last big blowout that very night. It's a party right on through until the very last minute, really; however the big closing celebration will take place on on the last evening of trade. Drink, devour a burger, be merry and maybe even pick up a piece of the bar to take home with you. The Deathproof gang is currently selling off bits and pieces via Instagram, and there's bound to be stuff left on the night. And while this is farewell to the Brunswick Street space, it mightn't be farewell forever, so don't go crying over spilled whiskey. Popping up anywhere and everywhere is part of artist and owner Steen Jones's future plans for Deathproof's future, so keep your eyes peeled. Image: Deathproof / Declan Roache.
Tibet is the type of place everyone wants to visit — and the kind of destination few of us will actually make it to. Don't worry, the Festival of Tibet offers up the next best thing. It'll either help ease the pain of not jumping on a plane, or make you book a ticket overseas as soon as you can. Learning how to practice meditation, paint, cook, do yoga and make sand mandalas, all Tibetan-style, will do that of course. And there's more where that came from. For the tenth year running, the event celebrates the resilience and optimism of a people and culture under threat through a showcase of the country's way of life. That includes the panel The Story of Us, which asks three young Tibetan activists to tell their tales, plus the festival exhibition by Tibetan artist Karma Phuntsok. Or, head along to the Mystical Tibet Concert, which includes a very special guest: Jetsun Pema la, sister of the Dalai Lama and an UNESCO medal winning educational reformer. Image: Festival of Tibet.
If there's one thing Brisbanites like, it's watching Studio Ghibli films. Understandably, a whole heap of cinemas around town have been happy to obliged, hosting their own events dedicated to the Japanese animation house. The Elizabeth Picture Theatre joined in last year, and it was such a hit that the venue is brought the film festival back for two more seasons. Now, it's bringing the whole thing back in 2019 as well. Screening twice a week from the end of February until August — on Thursday evenings at 6.30pm and Sunday afternoons at 4pm, to be specific — fans will get yet another chance to catch Studio Ghibli's gorgeous features on the big screen. Yes, you should make like a moving castle to see Howl's Moving Castle this time. And yes, you'll feel like you've been Spirited Away once again. Other highlights include Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbour Totoro, Grave of Fireflies, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Whisper of the Heart and Porco Rosso— plus the more recent Ponyo, When Marnie Was There and The Wind Rises as well. If you've missed these films in their limited cinema runs or fest appearances in the past, consider this your chance to catch up (and at only $12 per session). Updated May 13.
La Boite's latest production takes inspiration from a classic comedy that was first performed more than 2400 years ago. That said, Claire Christian's Lysa and The Freeborn Dames couldn't be more relevant today. Her first mainstage work for the company, the acclaimed playwright has fashioned her new work as a response to Aristophanes' Lysistrata — the famous Greek effort about women withholding sex to bring an end to the Pelopponnesian war. In Christian's modern-day tale, 19-year-old Lysa King returns from a trip filled with change and anger, only to find the spirit of the women's marches haven't made it to her tiny home town. So, she decides to protest on a night that'll make people take notice — but when they don't, she's trapped inside the local footy club. Described as speaking to "the very specific moment in history we are in right now" by La Boite's artistic director Todd MacDonald, the end result stars Barbara Lowing, Roxanne McDonald and Hsiao-Ling Tang. It's a comic, glitter-filled account of female politics, as well as a call to anyone who wants to see the world change but hasn't gotten involved — and the world-premiere production plays La Boite's Roundhouse Theatre from July 21 to August 11.
Not content with slinging pizza and gelato until the end of September, West End's new laneway is adding more edible delights to its short-term offering. As well as boasting a Salt Meats Cheese and Gelato Messina pop-up — and serving up the former's all-you-can-eat vegan pizza feast every Thursday — the aptly named SMC Laneway in the West Village precinct is now home to a weekend providore market. Each and every Saturday and Sunday the end of September, the market's rustic stalls will sell everything from truffles to jams to artisan honey, plus spreads, relishes, olive oil, nut butters, cheese and cured meats as well. Unsurprisingly, fresh pasta and fresh bread will also feature — and if you don't go home with your next few meals planned out, you're doing it wrong. The market runs from 9am–2pm, and if you're keen for a nibble while you're there, Salt Meats Cheese have both breakfast and lunch taken care of.
Food-themed days are threatening to become the culinary equivalent of the boy who cried wolf: so many manufactured eating occasions, only so much stomach space. Still, no matter how frequently they seem to pop up, there's one thing that always grabs attention. Boy oh boy do we all love freebies. Perhaps that's why Brisbane's pop culture pun-loving poultry slingers are celebrating International Wings Day by giving the people what they love. Yes, Lord of the Wings is handing out free chook pieces once again. On Sunday, July 29 between midday and 3pm, the chain's Carindale and Indooroopilly stores will be serving up free three-packs of traditional wings with buffalo sauce, with one pack available per person. The free wings are available in store — and anyone rushing along to get theirs will also live entertainment turning the place into a party. Last year, apparently 27,500 wings were served, so it's bound to be popular.
Whisky lovers, rejoice — we've just found your next 80 drops and perhaps even more. The Queensland Whisky Expo doesn't just serve up a few drams or ten or several dozen, after all. It reaches for the 100 mark and comes mighty close. A two-day event, the expo is split into two sessions, although both offer attendees the same thing. You'll taste as many whiskies as you can, you'll nab your own whisky glass just for that purpose, and you'll even get a free pen so that you can take notes about all of your favourites. We know, we know, free pens aren't exciting at all — but there is more than whisky on the menu, including a meal to line your stomach and chats with informative whisky experts. It all takes place from 6–9pm on Friday, July 20 and 1–4pm on Saturday, July 21, with the expo taking over the Brisbane Club. Tickets cost $99, and prepare to leave with plenty of new varieties on your must-drink list.
There's plenty that's great about public holidays — sleeping in, lazing about and making the most of not having to go to work all included. Still, as ace as getting a whole day off always proves, the night before is just as exciting. After all, it's an evening when you can do whatever you feel like and not have to worry about your alarm going off hours later. Enter the Ekka public holiday, and Sesh and the City with it. One is the annual midweek occasion that's designed to get Brisbanites to head to the showgrounds. The other is Brisbane's newest music festival. The latter takes place on the evening before the former, turning The Brightside into a one-night festival from 6pm on Tuesday, August 14. On the bill are Heaps Good Friends, Shag Rock, Seaside, Sometime Sonny and The Bonnie Doons, plus Guava Lava and Hope D — and a heap of Mountain Goat Beer. Tickets cost $34.70; however, we all know what doesn't cost a thing: the buzz of catching seven ace Aussie acts on a Tuesday night, free from guilt about the next morning. Image: Shag Rock.
How much gelato can you eat? No, that's not a trick question. Last year, Brisbane's annual celebration of all things Italian put the city's ice cream munching abilities to the test with a gelato eating competition — and it's on the agenda again in 2018. That's just one of the events that Festitalia attendees can expect— and just one of the inclusions that'll get your stomach rumbling as well. Fancy seeing how many cannolis you can feast on? There's also a contest for that. Eager to watch some pizza acrobatics? If that doesn't sounds like a great way to work up an appetite, then nothing does While plenty of other Italian-themed festivities pop up across the year, this is the only official shindig hosted by the Italian Consulate in Brisbane and the Italian Embassy in Canberra. On Sunday, October 14, they'll fill Newmarket's Spencer Park with artists, entertainers, dancers, singers and performers — and food experiences, of course, so prepare for Italian bubbles, espresso and gnocchi, too. UPDATE OCTOBER 13: Due to wet weather during the week and across the weekend, Festitalia has been cancelled for 2018. Anyone that who bought tickets in advance will receive an email from QTIX in the coming days regarding a refund. For more information, visit the festival's website.
Every year, when October rolls around, watching horror movies is on everyone's agenda. 'Tis the season for bumps, jumps, screams, creepy celluloid dreams and getting scared while sitting in a cinema, after all. But there are halloween marathons, and then there are Halloween halloween marathons. No, we didn't accidentally repeat a word in the last sentence. At Palace Centro, it's spooktacular time — and the James Street cinema is dedicating an entire night to the frightening film series that John Carpenter started 40 years ago. Expect the writer/director/composer's famous piano-filled score to echo throughout the building as Michael Myers dons his mask, grabs a knife, bursts through wardrobes, stalks babysitters and terrifies his hometown of Haddonfield, all on the titular occasion. And, expect Jamie Lee Curtis to cement her credentials as the ultimate big-screen scream queen. From the iconic first film — one of the best horror flicks ever made — to the not-so-iconic late 90s and early 00s sequels, all eight original Halloween movies will screen from 7pm on Saturday, October 27. The Halloween onslaught couldn't be better timed, and not only due to the date, with the all-new ninth film in the franchise hitting cinemas everywhere just a week earlier.
After displaying her work at the Gallery of Modern Art's 8th Asia Pacific Triennial in 2015 and 2016, then heading back for the 21st Biennale of Sydney earlier this year, Korean artist Haegue Yang returns to Australia once again — this time, with her first institutional solo show. With Triple Vita Nestings, her crafted sculptures fill Fortitude Valley's Institute of Modern Art, evoking mythical and allegorical creatures. Also on offer is the artist's use of multi-sensory environments, figurative forms and voiceover to explore the biographies of real figures, in an exhibition that's all about exploring multiple extremes. Concrete versus abstract, industrially produced versus handmade, real-life versus imagined stories — they're all a part of this showcase, which displays works made across more than a decade of Yang's career. Curated by Aileen Burns and Johan Lundh, the exhibition is open until August 30 within IMA's regular opening hours of 11am–6pm Tuesday to Saturday. Image: Haegue Yang, Installation view: 21st Biennale of Sydney: 'SUPERPOSITION: Equilibrium & Engagement', Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2018. Also in view: 'Umbra Creatures by Rockhole' (2017–2018) and 'Lethal Love' (2008/2018). Photo: Studio Haegue Yang.
From time to time, Jocelyn's Provisions jumps ship. Not content with selling sweet and savoury treats from its usual James Street base, Brisbane's favourite bread, cake, pastries and provisions providers occasionally spread the love around town. Its latest pop-up doesn't quite fall into that category, however. If you're fond of the amazing array of edible items that the store bakes up and you're in the same place that it usually is, then you'd best head across the road. Until mid-September, expect scrumptious wares aplenty at Jocelyn's temporary digs at on the other side of James Street, aka its new home away from home while its regular base gets a makeover. Whether you're keen on a caramel, pear and pecan cake, chocolate swirl cheesecake or trusty lemon tart — to name a just a few items from their menu — it's the stuff food lover's dreams are made of. Feasting on all of the above until the big day is completely understandable — and to be expected, really — but Jocelyn's Provisions will be slinging extra special one-offs wares each week during its trip across the road. To find out just what their treat of the week is, drop on by from Monday to Friday between 8am–5pm, Saturday from 7am–4pm and Sunday from 9am–3pm.
It's that time, Brisbanites — time to discard your woolly winter wares, embrace the sunshine and have brunch in beer gardens. We're well aware that you can basically do that all year round in our fair city; however when spring and Valley Fiesta roll around, you might as well celebrate the occasion in the appropriate fashion. The Osbourne Hotel's Spring Brunch is definitely approaching the first day of the season with the right spirit, with the Fortitude Valley venue rolling out quite the shindig from 10.30am–12.30pm on Saturday, September 1. For $39, attendees can choose from a range of luxe dishes, and pair them with bottomless mimosas and bloody marys. Yes, the drinks part of the event is unlimited, so prepare to sip your way to a merry spring morning. Food-wise, options include from truffle scrambled eggs, waffles with berries, a smoked salmon and poached egg bagel, maple-smoked bacon and haloumi on sourdough, an acai bowl and good ol' smashed avo. All that's left is to adhere to the dress code: bright whites, befitting the bright season.
Partying like it is 1999 (or anytime after 1989 and before 2000, in fact) has almost become a weekly occurrence in Brisbane, courtesy of all manner of themed club nights. Not all retro music evenings are created equal, however. At No Diggity at Black Bear Lodge, you'll be doing more than rocking a tie-dyed t-shirt. That outfit choice is completely acceptable, of course, as is mixing two-decade-old trends by throwing a flannelette shirt on over the top. Looking the part and standing around saying "wow, remember how things used to be?" isn't the main attraction here though, even if prizes are up for grabs; grooving to the music of the era, including one-hit wonders and enduring classics, is. That's what DJ Black Amex, Mumgenes and Dean Joseph will be spinning from 9pm until late on Saturday, August 18 — and yes, we're pretty sure that the Blackstreet track that gives the shindig its name will be given a whirl. Yep, it's not just a song that Chet Faker covered, and it won't be the only vintage track that'll get you in the 90s mood.
A good film festival gives attendees a little of everything, and that's certainly the case at the returning Korean Film Festival in Australia. For its ninth year, the touring event jumps from the warmth of opening night's Little Forest, to the thrills of Golden Slumber, to the drama of Champion. The first tells the kind-hearted tale of a woman leaving city life behind to head back to her small home town, the second serves up a Korean take on media sensationalism, and the third is about a former top-notch arm wrestler. They're three of the four titles on the lineup for 2018's Brisbane leg of the festival, which comes to the Elizabeth Picture Theatre on Wednesday, August 15 and Thursday, August 16. And while it's a smaller run than the fest's longer programs down south, it's all about quality over quantity. Closing out KOFFIA's Queensland stay is What a Man Wants, giving the fest its slice a comedy. Relationship woes spark both tension and laughs as a womaniser is forced to cope with losing his wife — all while employing a new housekeeper, who happens to be the new object of his unhappily married brother-in-law's affections.
If Flowstate charged for entry — which, during its first year, it doesn't — then the space's latest offering would be a three-for-one deal. Head along between Tuesday, August 21 and Sunday, August 26, and a trio of creative endeavours awaits, spanning dance, science and poetry. With Liesel Zink's Inter, which plays at 7.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday and at 5pm on Sunday, dance and spoken word combine. It's a piece that's all about people working together — and, if you've been to Flowstate over the past few months, you might've seen it in development. Planets, the latest work by Michael Smith and Andy Bates, asks you to join in. You'll not only spy light emanating from illuminated spheres, but touch it, watch it change and follow the actions led by a contemporary dancer as you do both. It takes place at 6.40pm from Tuesday to Saturday, and then after Inter on Sunday. Finally, Cities of Cloud and Wire is an installation of projections from Jason Nelson and Alinta Krauth. Expect the space to come to life with a new digital skin that'll provide quite the eye candy. Image: Fenlan Chuang.
The northern British city of Sheffield has given the music world many gifts, but for the last decade, one band has sat at the top at the heap. The Arctic Monkeys got toes tapping with the fastest selling debut album in UK chart history, and kept oozing out indie-rock tunes across four more albums. You own their records. You saw their shows. If you lived in Brisbane last time they came to town, you were probably there when the PA system stopped working but Alex Turner kept singing. Now, you can head to The Foundry for an evening dedicated to loving everyone's favourite Yorkshire group. With the band fresh from releasing their first new album in five years, consider it a wholehearted celebration of everything the Arctic Monkeys have ever done. It all takes place from 9pm on Saturday, August 4, so prepare to look good on the dance floor. Taking the group's advice, snapping out of your everyday life and putting on your dancing shoes for a piledriver waltz or two of is recommended, because the bulk of their tracks will get a spin over the course of the evening. And if you need a palette cleanser between servings, they'll also be playing other indie and British tunes amidst all the Arctic Monkeys love, spanning everything from The Strokes, Phoenix and Blur to Bloc Party, David Bowie and MGMT.
Once, not that long ago, Brisbanites still had to drive to either Noosa or Surfers Paradise for their Betty's Burgers fix. Thankfully, that hasn't been the case for a glorious 12 months. So, to mark a year since Betty's brought its burgs to Brissie, its Chermside store is giving away free classic burgers. To grab an Angus beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion cheese and Betty's special sauce between a bread roll, head to Chermside Shopping Centre's upstairs outdoor restaurant area on Wednesday, August 1 — and just make sure you're one of the first 100 people. That's how many freebies the joint will be slinging, because the early bird catches the free burg. And if you're wondering, the store opens at 11am, with one burger available per person until the allocation has been exhausted. As well as serving up burgers, obviously, Betty's will be living up the other part of its name — Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co — by launching a new birthday-themed concrete. It's only available for a week, and it's made with vanilla sponge, vanilla custard, Oreo, waffle, sprinkles and vanilla cream. You'll have to pay for it, but your tastebuds are probably fine with that.
Does your favourite tipple make you want to break out in song? Whatever you just answered, the popularity of drunken karaoke attests otherwise. And, so does Mother's Ruin: A Cabaret About Gin — which tells you what it's about and why it should grab your attention right there in its moniker. On Brisbane Festival's lineup across September 18–22, this ode to everyone's favourite juniper spirits will turn La Boite's Roundhouse Theatre into a gin joint, all thanks to performers Maeve Marsden, Libby Wood and Jeremy Brennan, plus the folks at Milke. Discover just where gin has been in a musical show that doubles as a boozy history lesson, all to tunes by Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone, Martha Wainwright, Tom Waits, The Pretenders, Sia and Jessie J.
You've danced the night away to 'Good Luck', 'Do Your Thing' and 'Romeo'. Every time you hear it, you can't get 'Where's Your Head At' out of of your head — or the monkeys from the song's music video. But when it comes to electronic music duo Basement Jaxx, we're guessing there's one thing you haven't done. If you've never seen the British act play live with an orchestra, here's your chance. On Thursday, April 18, Basement Jaxx Vs The Metropolitan Orchestra will take over the QPAC Concert Hall for a night of reimagined bangers. Expect all of the group's floor-filling hits, but expect them to sound rather different. And, as well as sharing the stage with Sydney's The Metropolitan Orchestra, Basement Jaxx will also have singers Vula and Sharlene Hector pumping out vocals.
If you're dedicated to avoiding meat and animal products, then you probably became an instant regular at Brisbane Vegan Markets when they first popped up a couple of years back. And, when they made the jump from monthly to twice-monthly thanks to their twilight version, you probably doubled up your shipping trips. That won't change in 2019, with Brisbane Vegan Markets returning with its regular gathering dedicated to animal-free wares. Celebrating ethical eating choices is the name of the game, and in the best way that anyone can: bringing together all of the stalls selling all of the vegan products. Whatever type of cruelty-free food you're after, there's a very good chance you'll find it here — on the second Sunday of each month from 9am to 3pm, and again on the fourth Sunday from 12pm to 8pm. Stallholders change each time, but attendees can expect guilt-free grab bites from a rotating range that has previously included I Should Coco, Tibetan Momo, Kings Indian Fusion, Fire & Dough, Tapioca Traders, Organic Frog Doughnuts, Chai Cart, Vegan Van, Vurger, Green Street Foods, Flour of Life and Popcorn Downunder — and they're just some of the traders setting up shop. Plus, there'll be clothing and cosmetics on offer too, and live music as well.
There's Sunday sessions, and then there's Sunday sessions. As varied as your state of mind on the last day of the weekend, some call for boozy brunches, others for chilled evenings — and as Sunday Hot Club is happy to demonstrate, some just need a relaxed bit of jazz. That's what is all about: hanging out, soaking in great sounds, and enjoying some cheese and wine. Each week, a new lineup of musicians takes to the stage, each offering up the soundtrack to your cruisy arvo. Making an ace shindig even better, there's also cheeseboards on offer, plus whatever's cooking in the Wandering Cooks cafe and multiple onsite kitchen, as well as wine and craft beers on tap. Fabuleux! Now settled into its new home after moving to South Brisbane late last year, the music kicks off at 3pm each week. Arriving early to score a good seat is recommended — and you'll pay your $10 entry at the door. Keep an eye on the event's Facebook page for the weekly lineup.
It has been two years since Ballistic Beer Co started serving up its yeasty goodness to Brisbanite's brew-loving masses, and that means two things. Yes, time really does fly when you're sinking — and making — cold ones. Also, the brewery is celebrating the occasion in style and throwing a huge shindig. While the beer company has two locations across the city, this one is happening at its home base in Salisbury. Anyone hankering for a beverage will find the brewery's usual tasty tipples on offer from 1pm on February 2, so prepare to settle in for a relaxed Saturday afternoon. In between sips, there'll be live music and other activities to keep all attendees occupied (even those too young for a brew). Plus, because a hard-earned thirst needs a chilled drink and a hungry stomach needs something to line it with, expect a heap of food trucks as well.
Pool party season keeps on keeping on at W Brisbane, with the opulent hotel nudging everyone into the water with another huge shindig in their fourth-level rooftop pool and wet deck area. At the latest of the venue's Summer Crush Pool Parties, you'll take a dip, sip drinks and dance the afternoon and evening away, all with a massive view over the river towards Mt Coot-tha. And, given Saturday, February 16 is just two days past Valentine's Day, there'll be a romance theme while you're making full use of that gorgeous vantage. When you're not admiring the scenery or plunging into the pool, you'll listen to tunes spun by Riki Lee and a yet-to-be-announced headliner. You'll also knock back refreshing cocktails while feasting on a summer barbecue. Tickets cost $25 online in advance and $35 at the door, which includes a Chandon 'S' cocktail on arrival — and as for the rest of the food and drink spread, it's a pay-as-you-go affair. The fun starts at 3pm, runs through until 11.30pm, and bringing your togs is obviously essential.
It has been a 118 years since L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was first published, and 79 since The Wizard of Oz hit cinema screens. Both huge hits, they were both at the forefront of a pop culture trend that's still going strong today — that is, everyone loves wizards. There's Gandalf, Merlin, Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter, of course. And Conan the Barbarian's Akiro, Monty Python and the Holy Grail's Tim the Enchanter and The Princess Bride's Miracle Max, too. Whichever one you're fond of, you can show your love at the Netherworld Generic Wizard Party from 6.30pm on Monday, September 10. It started out as a paid shindig to celebrate everyone's favourite boy who lived, then changed its focus to avoid copyright infringement — so now it's free and it's about all kinds of wizards, including those penned by JK Rowling. Themed drinks will be on offer, as well as Netherworld's usual array of games and a costume prize too. If you want to win something for your outfit, take note: it's for the worst dressed, rather than the best.
Flexibility and yoga go hand-in-hand; however this sky-high session takes that pairing to a new level. Actually, to several new levels — and around a revolving loop as well — courtesy of a free 12-minute class in one of the Wheel of Brisbane's gondolas. For the first time, you'll peer down on Brisbane as you do your best downward dog pose, all under the guidance of TV presenter and health coach Rachael Finch. She'll guide you through a brisk stretching, breathing and meditation session as part of her role as a Westin Hotels ambassador, who are behind the free exercise classes. Consider it the chain's big hello before their The Westin Brisbane opens in Mary Street in November. Sessions run from Monday, September 17 to Friday, September 21 — and all you have to do is show up at the Wheel of Brisbane ticket booth at South Bank, say the words "Westin let's rise", and then step into the hotel's gondola. And, while rising to such great heights usually attracts a fee, this spin won't cost you a cent.
At The Foundry on Saturday, September 29, Brisbanites aren't going to sit in silence. They're not going to stand or dance in silence, either. Instead, everyone will be following in the footsteps of Aussie music legend John Farnham and letting their voices ring out. We're all someone's daughters or sons, after all. From 9pm, the Wickham Street venue is dedicating the evening to power ballads — and while karaoke isn't on the agenda, you just know that everyone in attendance will sing along. That's what happens 'You're the Voice' starts cranking through the stereo, or Daryl Braithwaite's 'Horses', or anything by Celine Dion or Meatloaf. Or Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart', Foreigner's 'I Want to Know What Love Is' or Starship's 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now'. We could keep listing artists and tracks, but you get the picture. Unsurprisingly, the night will have a very 70s, 80s and 90s feel. Entry is free, and the first ten people through the door will receive a gift — other than the gift of power ballads, that is.
The love of melted dairy between two slices of toasted bread truly knows no bounds. And why should it? Whatever ingredients you prefer, and whichever extra fillings you add in as well, it's the kind of warm, creamy, hearty comfort food no one ever gets sick of. Brisbane's dedicated melted cheese haven understands this undeniable truth, with Melt Brothers slinging grilled toasties in the CBD since 2016 and at Garden City since 2017. And, to mark a year at its southside spot, it's giving everyone what we love. At Melt Brothers' Garden City First Birthday Celebration on Saturday, September 22, free grilled cheese toasties will be falling from the heavens. Well, actually they'll be handed out over the counter between 10am and midday to anyone who has liked their Facebook page and followed them on Instagram, but the basic concept of giving away free cheese toasties remains. The triple cheese-laden Mouse Trap will be on the menu, filled as it is with mozzarella, aged cheddar and parmesan. Arriving early is recommended, as it's a one-free-sandwich-per-person type of deal. If you can't make it until after midday, the entire menu will be available at 10 percent off for the rest of the day.
Combine art classes with alcohol, and unbridled creativity is the end result — and so is Brisbane's current art trend. That's not Artworld Studio Gallery's style, however. The Norman park spot knows that the way to a good drawing isn't just through some liquid inspiration, but through a meal. Running every Tuesday night from 6.30pm, Artworld's Dine and Draw workshops combine lessons with dinner, all for $40. That means you don't need to worry about finding something quick and easy to scoff down before you pick up a pencil, or let your hungry stomach rumble its way through the session. If you'd like to attend each week, you'll sketch a different still life in each class, and go through areas such as composition, form and shape, nature, and drawing from the masters. All materials are supplied, so you really just need to show up and whip up your best — although bookings are essential.
So far in 2018, Joaquin Phoenix has played a down-to-earth Jesus in Mary Magdalene and a hammer-wielding hitman in You Were Never Really Here. At present, the always-fascinating actor is filming his first comic book movie, stepping into the shoes of the Joker. Although it mightn't initially seem like it, his role in Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot falls somewhere in the middle of all three. Here, he plays a man who's reaching out to the masses in a chaotic, often confrontational, sometimes self-sabotaging manner, while realising the importance of connecting more intimately. A biopic of Portland cartoonist John Callahan, the movie's title comes not only from the artist's memoir, but from one of his sketched pieces: a black-and-white drawing depicting three cowboys on horseback, all standing next to an empty wheelchair. As the caption notes, it swiftly dawns on the crusading posse that the chair's occupant can't have strayed very far. Typically self-deprecating, the picture speaks volumes about Callahan and his ability to see humour in even the most unlikely and difficult of situations. As Gus Van Sant's unconventional film shows, Callahan is making light of his own reality, both as a quadriplegic tragically paralysed at the age of 21 after a drunken car accident, and as a cartoonist who frequently courted controversy with his irreverent work. Portrayed as outwardly carefree but inwardly tormented by the reliably stellar Phoenix, Callahan takes quite the journey in Van Sant's movie. As the film's moniker makes plain, he's often venturing emotionally rather than physically — stuck in a hospital bed, and later in the wheelchair that he hates. Before his accident at the hands of an inebriated pal (Jack Black), Callahan liked a drink more than anything else in the world, with alcohol his only real motivation to get out of bed each day. Afterwards, he struggles to accept his injury and confront his addiction, seeking help from his sponsor (a bearded Jonah Hill, who is similarly excellent) and his physical therapist (Rooney Mara). He also finds solace in cartooning, turning his new hobby into a nearly three-decade career with his local newspaper. Callahan passed away in 2010, and if the above description of his life sounds eventful but straightforward, seeing it onscreen dispels that notion. Attempting to capture its protagonist not just in story but also in style, Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot also takes quite the journey. Reteaming with Phoenix 23 years after the pair collaborated on To Die For, Van Sant jumps back and forth between different aspects of Callahan's experiences. The filmmaker unravels wisdom, conflict and harsh truths in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, which give the film a loose structure, and he doesn't necessarily focus on the details that audiences might expect. The result is a sincere yet never sentimental movie that endeavours to provide a sense of its subject — including his careening, freewheeling ways — rather than adhere to the standard biographical format. That said, for all of its apparent desire to capture Callahan's essence, Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot proves intriguing but not always completely compelling. The film's restlessness clearly reflects the internal state of its protagonist, as it's designed to, yet it also comes across as somewhat awkward and superficial. Van Sant seems like he desperately wants to show rather than tell, but even with his almost erratic approach to conveying Callahan's tale, it never feels as though he's delving as deeply as he could be. And while the veteran writer-director assembles an impressive cast that also includes Carrie Brownstein, Udo Kier, Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and singer Beth Ditto, everyone except Phoenix and Hill is sorely wasted — and not in the fashion that Callahan would've once preferred. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5BeQ2hkVzo
Cheese is always on the menu at Salt Meats Cheese, as its name suggests. Oozing on top of pizza, sprinkled over pasta, on platters with cured meat and homemade chutney — they're just some of the dairy choices. Or, you could combine a few of the above at the Gasworks restaurant's Cheese Feast. Held regularly, with the next event happening midday on Saturday, June 29, the eatery will turn your weekend into cheese heaven. On the menu: a selection of cheeses, meats, seasonal fruits and focaccia to share, followed by baked brie, dry fruits and jams. After that, each person can choose their own pizza or pasta, and then everyone gets a mascarpone tiramisu della casa for dessert. For the food side of things, it'll set you back $39 — and if you'd like to add bottomless wine, you can do so for an extra $29. That gets you an unlimited selection of Italian red, white and prosecco drops. Updated June 27.
No one really looks forward to the end of the weekend — but come Sunday, March 24, you just might. Calibre Craft Beer Trading Co, Saccharomyces Beer Cafe and a heap of their friends want you to wind down before the working week starts with great brews and food. If it's beverages you're after, then prepare to start sipping your way through tipples from Slipstream, Brouhaha, 3 Ravens, BentSpoke Killer Sprocket, Willie Smith's Cider Makers and more. There'll also be cocktails too, should you need to break up your beer consumption. And if you've worked up quite a hunger, house-made ramen and smoked meats will have your lunch and dinner sorted. Taking over the lane between Hope and Merrivale streets, it's a good ol' fashioned block party, which may be little more than an excuse to hang out, chat, eat and drink; however you won't hear us complaining. Entry to the event is free, which is how you make something great even better. Just remember to bring some cash for whatever you want to put in your stomach. Image: Cole Bennetts.
It's been five years since Robert Rodriguez turned in Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, and a full decade since James Cameron directed Avatar. Now, though, they've teamed up to create Alita: Battle Angel, a $200+ million sci-fi blockbuster based on Yukito Kishiro's iconic 90s cyberpunk manga of the same name. Set-up wise, it's a very familiar tale. We're deep into the future (2563, to be exact), and the world continues to reel from The Fall, aka the war to end all wars. Earth's remaining cities are massively overcrowded slums resembling the favelas of modern-day Sao Paulo, whilst high above them floats Zalem — the luxurious haven for the super wealthy and elite. In that sense, Alita is alota like 2013's Elysium and the recent Netflix series Altered Carbon, although for a refreshing change the inhabitants of the lower city aren't presented as weary, ravenous scum fighting one another for every last consumable. There's even a blue sky, regular sunlight, fresh fruit and delicious chocolate. Sure, there are the usual scavengers and rogues of various forms, but for the most part the community is exactly that — a harmonious, multicultural confederacy of peoples just trying to eek out a new life for themselves in the post-Fall world. The hero, too, enters the story with a very familiar backstory. Alita, a damaged cyborg rescued from the trash piles of Zalem, has no memory of her past. When push comes to literal shove, however, she discovers she's possessed of extraordinary martial arts abilities and highly lethal tendencies. In other words, Jason Bourne with robot limbs. Very quickly, Alita's childlike naivety gives way to a revenge-fuelled blood lust as she seeks out those who would do her (and her loved ones) harm. Gradually, too, the memories of her previous life (and mission) begin to resurface, setting her upon a seemingly-inevitable path towards Nova, the mysterious entity pulling all the strings from high above in Zalem. Portrayed by a digitally-enhanced Rosa Salazar, Alita is literally a wide-eyed wonder to behold. The special effects wizadry of Cameron's team has rendered her believable enough to not be distracting, yet different enough to do justice to the story's sci-fi legacy. Indeed, the majority of the film's characters carry some form of technological enhancement, ranging from simple mechanical arms to fully-fledged mech suits, most notably those 'worn' by the cyborg assassin Grewishka (a terrific Jackie Earle Haley). The myriad enhancements are gleefully displayed by Rodriguez during several scenes of motorball, a violent and frenetic sport that feels like the bastard offspring of NASCAR, Quidditch and roller derby. Basically, picture Mario Kart, but instead of spinning your opponent out with a banana, you rip their face off with a chainsaw. In supporting roles, Christoph Waltz delivers the best and most nuanced performance as Ido, the kindly surgeon who discovers, repairs and cares for Alita. Less convincing are Jennifer Connelly as Chiren, Ido's ex-wife, and Mahershala Ali as Vector, the kingpin of motorball. Keean Johnson, who'd comfortably double for a young Colin Farrell, plays the part of Alita's would-be love interest Hugo, however their dialogue (and indeed almost all of the film's dialogue) feels punishingly awkward and unnatural. Only Ido and Alita achieve a believably tender relationship, helped by the fact that they also have the film's only fleshed out backstories. Lack of originality notwithstanding, Alita: Battle Angel still delivers an engaging experience thanks to Rodriguez's nimble and full-throttle direction. The film's fight scenes are its strongest asset, with Alita's balletic combat offering the perfect counterpoint to her opponents' brute force. She's a terrific heroine to get behind — surefooted in her abilities, noble in her intentions and charming in her wisecracking. Whilst a sequel hasn't been confirmed, the film's ending all but demands one, and with a little more work on the scripting front, it could easily deliver a white-knuckled gangbuster of a sci-fi franchise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7pYhpJaJW8
Four years ago, legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Fleetwood Mac toured Australia with Christine McVie, who'd just rejoined the band after a 16-year absence. This year, when the British-American group tours the country, the lineup will look a little different. Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, John McVie and Christine McVie will be joined on stage in August by Crowded House frontman Neil Finn and Mike Campbell, from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with Lindsey Buckingham controversially axed from the band early last year. Despite the switch-up — it's not the band's first personnel change, and probably won't be its last — the band will be performing all its biggest hits, from 'Dreams' to 'The Chain' and 'Go Your Own Way'. The six will visit both the west and east coast, with three shows at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on August 20, 22 and 24. Fleetwood Mac is one of the world's best-selling bands, selling in excess of 100 million albums worldwide, with the album Rumours one of the best-selling of all time. The band's Aussie tour follows its 50-show tour of the US.
It has been a couple of months since Paper Snax Zine Hub set up shop in West End's Outer Space, and it's doing more than celebrating printing and making creative reading materials. Come Sunday, March 10, it's also getting into the film screening game, launching a monthly movie night — and the flicks are free, too. With the series getting underway so close to International Women's Day, the movie magic kicks off with The Punk Singer, the excellent 2013 documentary about Bikini Kill, Le Tigre and The Julie Ruin's Kathleen Hanna. Come and stay for the insights, the interviews, the soundtrack, the archival footage and the history of the riot grrrl movement, as the fiercely feminist Hanna lays it all bare. Grab a seat by 6pm, peruse the Paper Snax zine library and meet the folks behind the whole thing, too — all before watching a movie that, as well as celebrating music, celebrates zine culture as well. And while Paper Snax hasn't revealed what'll be next on its playlist, make a standing date for a free night at the movies.
If Leslie Knope has taught us anything — and, the former Deputy Director of Pawnee, Indiana's Parks and Recreation Department turned City Councillor has taught us many, many, things — it's that Galentine's Day is the best day of the year. And while February 13 has long been and gone, Wednesday, November 28 might turn out to be just great thanks to Blute's Bar's Parks & Rec trivia night. Here's hoping that the joint is firing up a few waffle irons in celebration. It's bound to be just as exciting as the time Leslie met Joe Biden. Or when Ben Wyatt invented The Cones of Dunshire. Or any occasion where Ron Swanson drank Lagavulin whisky. If you were to ask Chris Traeger, he'd likely say that answering trivia questions is literally his favourite thing to do. Andy Dwyer would probably sing a version of "Candle in the Wind" about it, and April Ludgate would either stand in the corner and glare, or try to convince you that she's a witch. As for Donna Meagle, she's too busy live-tweeting the Death Canoe film series. If you know all of the above like you know that breakfast food is the best kind of food, then you'd better show your love for one of the best sitcoms ever made — and yes, there'll be prizes. Maybe you'll win all of the bacon and eggs that Brisbane has. If you lose, maybe you'll have to change your name to Jerry/Garry/Larry/Terry. Either way, it all kicks off at 7pm, with arriving early to nab a table recommended.
By now, you'd think that Welcome to Bowen Hills has held every party and festival imaginable. It's only been open for less than a year, but the food truck precinct isn't shy when it comes to throwing a shindig. Amazingly, there are some types of gatherings that it hasn't yet hosted — although, come Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11, it can no longer say that about tacos and tequila. Two days. Plenty of meat and salad in hard and soft tortillas, and a whole heap of agave-based spirits to go with it. That's what's on the agenda at the venue's aptly named Taco and Tequila Party, with a heap of meals-on-wheels purveyors getting into the swing of things. Open during WtBH's usual operating hours across the weekend, the food will be served up by Paco's Tacos, La Parrilla, Koma Sliders, Mr Burger Brisbane, Little Havana Food Truck, Mr Burger and Harry's Pizza. As for booze, the cocktails will be heavy with Patrón tequila.
