Calling all dinosaur film fans, 90s movie buffs, lovers of Jeff Goldblum and everyone who's ever wanted to walk with prehistoric creatures. After spawning five flicks to date, everyone's favourite dino-centric film franchise has become the subject of Brisbane's latest quiz night. Welcome to... Jurassic Park trivia. It's called Jurassic Park trivia, but we're certain that the three original movies and the two Jurassic World films will all rate a mention — and if you know whether there's set to be more dino antics on the big screen, then you're in the right spot. There's no tidbit too obscure for this affectionate (and competitive) ode to the world created on the page by Michael Crichton, then first brought to the cinema by Steven Spielberg. If you know what John Hammond's first attraction was, who was first offered the role that went to Laura Dern and which new kind of dinosaur starts chomping its way through Jurassic World: Forbidden Kingdom, then head along to Mucho Mexicano on Monday, December 10. Taking part is free, there's prizes up for grabs for first, second and third place, and registrations open at 6.30pm — with questions flying from 7pm. Also, you can combine your Jurassic Park knowledge with Mexican eats and margaritas.
As we all know, there ain't no party like a free party. There ain't no party like a free swing dance party, either. To help wrap up this year's Wonderland festival, Brisbane Powerhouse is stepping back in time to the 20s. Yes, the 1920s. Because things were weird and wonderful then, too. With music from all-female jazz ensemble Yas Queen, Swing On In will have you flapping the night away. It also wants you to dress up in your best flapper attire, with prizes on offer. Dig out some pearls and feathers, do the Charleston and dance like it's almost a century ago. And if you need a little sustenance, liquid or otherwise, to go with your merriment, remember to bring your wallet.
It was only a matter of time before Australia's penchant for themed brunches spawned an all-out, fairytale-inspired breakfast feast. And you'll have the chance to partake — and channel your inner Ariel, Mulan or, even, Simba — when a huge (unofficial) Disney-themed bottomless brunch and sing-along party rocks into town for the first time ever. The Magical Brunch will go down on Saturday, April 13 at Victoria Park. Prince, princesses and singing candelabras will sit down to an afternoon high tea feast served "fairytale-style", along with two hours of unlimited mimosas for an extra $25. We're hoping for something similar to Belle's 'Be Our Guest' feast in Beauty and the Beast. Word is there'll be themed entertainment and a Cinderella-worthy dance floor for post-brunch twirling, too. Best dust off the DVD collection and start practising — costumes are definitely encouraged, so you'd best start hunting for your best Elsa gown or Cruella de Vil two-tone wig.
Sunday session: they're two of the finest words in the English language, particularly if you like ending your weekend in style (and forgetting that you have to go back to reality the next day, even just for a few hours). Thanks to Salt Meats Cheese, they're about to be joined by a few more excellent terms: Aperol Spritz jugs, live music and free pizza. From December 2 to March 31, that's what's on the menu from 2pm to 6pm every Sunday at SMC's Gasworks stores. Farewell your few days off with a sip, a bite and some tunes — and don't pay more than $35. Yes, as part of the weekly event, SMC is also serving up spritz jugs for $25 as long as you buy a $10 pizza or a $10 mozzarella plate. Either makes a good choice, but a few slices and plenty of sips go hand in hand. Just pick your favourite from their 14 varieties and settle in for the arvo.
Music lovers and festival fans, get excited: Spilt Milk is back for 2023, hitting up the Gold Coast Sports Precinct on Sunday, November 26. Post Malone leads the lineup, with Dom Dolla and Latto also topping the bill. So, expect to hear everything from 'Sunflower' and 'I Like You' to 'Rhyme Dust' and 'Big Energy'. Tkay Maidza and Aitch also rank among Spilt Milk's impressive 2023 names, with Chris Lake, Dermot Kennedy, Budjerah, Cub Sport, Lastlings, Partiboi69, Ocean Alley, Peach PRC, Royel Otis similarly set to hit the stage. Also, because this fest is also about food, there'll be bites to eat from Chebbo's Burgers, 400 Gradi, Chicken Treat, and the BBQ and Beer Roadshow. Originally only held in Canberra, then expanding to Ballarat, then the Gold Coast and now also Perth in 2023, the multi-city one-dayer has cemented its spot as a must-attend event for a heap of reasons — with this year's lineup clearly one of them. While the Gold Coast's general-release tickets have sold out, pre-loved and VIP tickets are available. [caption id="attachment_851187" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] SPILT MILK 2023 LINEUP: Post Malone Dom Dolla Aitch Budjerah Chris Lake Cub Sport Dermot Kennedy Djanaba Grentperez Jessie Murph Lastlings Latto Lime Cordiale May-A Mincy Ocean Alley Pacific Avenue Partiboi69 Peach PRC Poolclvb Redhook Royel Otis The Buoys The Dreggs Tia Gostelow Tkay Maidza Bill Durry Chutney Friends of Friends Logan Peach Fur WIIGZ Top image: Billy Zammit.
If you live in Brisbane and rum is mentioned, everyone's minds jump to one particular tipple: Bundaberg Rum. But it isn't the only variety of boozy sugar cane juice on offer — not by far. Fancy widening your rum repertoire? Feel like experimenting? Keen to learn more about this molasses-based liquor? Enter Brisbane Rum Revolution, a returning one-day festival that'll have you sipping and tasting not just one rum, or a few, but more than 100 different rums from its hefty menu. Running across two sessions from 11.30am–3pm and 4–7.30pm on Saturday, November 11 at Brisbane Showgrounds (and calling itself Australia's biggest rum festival), the event is playing host to 30-plus rum distilleries. It's also showcasing rums from South America, the Caribbean, the UK and locally, so prepared to be spoiled for choice. That lineup includes brand new tipples, as well as Brisbane Rum Revolution exclusives that you won't find elsewhere. All tastings are included in your $70.14 ticket — and the event also includes live music, pop-up bars and food, as well as cocktails galore. And, of course, saying cheers with a rum in your hand again and again. Fancy sticking around for both sessions? There's a $117.79 ticket for that.
Feel like you've experienced every date option that Brisbane has to offer? Run out of new ways to spend an ace night with your mates? Don't want to celebrate the festive season in the usual manner? If glitz, glamour, drinks, dinner and feeling like you're in a speakeasy several decades ago amount to your idea of a good — and novel — time, then make a beeline to Cloudland's returning Big Band Cabaret. This time, it's Christmas-themed. Taking place in the Valley venue's Rose Room on two Thursdays — from 6.30–9.30pm on November 30 and December 14 — the decadent shindig will have you and your loved one dancing to the Swing Central Big Band featuring Brad Leaver, and lapping up burlesque performances — all while eating your way through a three-course meal and enjoying a three-hour package of beer, wine and sparkling. It has been such a hit on previous occasions that it's no wonder that Cloudland keeps bringing it back back — and twice for this particularly merry occasion. Tickets aren't cheap at $119 per person, but it's certain to liven up your pre-Xmas routine with something you don't enjoy every day.
If there's an occasion to celebrate, W Brisbane's resident bar wants in on the action, theming its high-tea spread around different times of the year. Now that the festive season is upon us, it's switching to an appropriately merry offering. If you like drinking Christmas-themed cocktails while tucking into tiny bites to eat, then add Living Room to your list. On the menu for 2023's Festive High Tea: lamb croquettes with mint, confit garlic and rosemary; not only maple-glazed ham, but maple-glazed ham in a pinwheel paired with spinach and charred pineapple; eggnog and raspberry mousse cake; and pistachio and blood orange tarts. That's an impressive, tastebud-tempting range; however, you'll probably get most excited about the boozy side of things — including a 'Merry and Bright' cocktail made especially for the high tea. This feast will also get you building your own gingerbread house. 'Tis the season, after all. And, for non-alcoholic sips, endless tea and barista-made coffee come with the package. Yes, it's time to chose your pals best in need of a Xmas treat, then make a date — this high tea is on offer from Thursday–Sunday until Sunday, December 31. Price-wise, you have three options. Pay $79 each, and you'll feast your way through the food like you're Santa on Christmas Eve, and enjoy the tea and coffee. Opt for the $99 option to add a cocktail. For $105, you'll also get a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne.
It's about time for her arrival: Christina Aguilera's, that is, with the 'Dirrty', 'Genie in a Bottle', 'What a Girl Wants', 'Lady Marmalade' and 'Beautiful' singer heading Down Under in November for a one-night-only gig. Hitting Australia for the first time since 2007, the singer headlines Victoria's statewide music celebration Always Live, which is returning in 2023 for its second year after a successful debut run in 2022. Aguilera plays Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, November 25, in a show that'll also mark 20 years since her album Stripped. Not in Melbourne? This is a getaway-worthy show, given that it's the only concert she's playing on this Aussie trip. One of pop music's former Mouseketeers, the six-time Grammy-winner leads a bill that spans more than 165 artists at 60-plus events — all in Victoria. In other words, she spearheads a lineup that's designed to get the state's residents hitting up live gigs, and to entice tourists from the rest of the country to make music-filled holiday plans.
Beer halls aren't just for drinking brews, at least where Felons Brewing Co is involved. The Howard Smith Wharves mainstay regularly puts its barrel hall to a range of other uses, whether by hosting movies or markets — or the Seasonal Fruit music festival. On Sunday, December 3 from 3pm, the latter is on the agenda for its summer 2023 edition, with this riverside fest curated by Jet Black Cat Music. Here's one way to start summer: with a sultry lineup of international and local acts taking to the stage over one blazing afternoon. Leading the bill: Allah-Las and Sylvie from the US, Indonesia's Ali, and Pachyman from Puerto Rico — plus Bananagun, Floodlights, Lunar Dirt and Nice Biscuit. And for the sips? Well, you will be in a brewery after all, with Felons' beers on offer. Doors open at 2pm, tickets cost $69.10 for the gig, and you'll pay for your beverages on top.
One of the best things to do in Brisbane right now is to get lost in the Gallery of Modern Art's Fairy Tales exhibition, which is as spellbinding as it sounds. But, sadly, we can't all spend every day inside the showcase until autumn. Also, it closes at night. So after you've ventured into those woods, you might want to hop over the river to Brisbane Quarter to check out how it's getting in on the action. The main attraction, which is free to see: Nearly Midnight by Rachel Burke, with the local artist taking her cues from magical stories. Accordingly, 300 George Street is now temporarily home to a forest of blue and silver tinsel, a tinsel and tulle dress that lights up, and a giant two-metre-high slipper that features more than a million miniature glass tiles. Entranced by the larger-than-life shoe? You can even climb into it to sit (and, yes, take photos). You'll just need to head to podium one before Wednesday, March 27, when everything will disappear like an enchanted pumpkin carriage. As happens whenever Brisbane Quarter embraces a theme, a heap of the site's bars and eateries are also joining in. W Brisbane's Living Room Bar is doing an Ever After high tea from $79, Persone has fairy floss-topped cocktails for $25 and Brisbane Phoenix is pouring Blue Sand boozy sips that are sprinkled with gold sugar dust for $28 — and serving up wagyu with scampi caviar for $128. Phat Boy's pink-hued Will You Marry Me cocktail will set you back $18, and Tenya's yuzu and bergamot liqueur tipple is $25. And over at Meet Tea & Coffee, you can tuck into egg-shaped waffles with cheese, chocolate and sweet red bean paste fillings. Per box, they cost $15 with just one flavour and $18 for two flavours.
Deck your stomach with a delicious banquet and bottomless drinks: that's the tune at Massimo Restaurant and Bar for 12 days. The riverside venue is no stranger to serving up a hefty lunch spread with non-stop beverages, but usually only does so for lunch Friday–Sunday. The festive season is about treating yo'self, though, so it's plating up almost a fortnight's worth of feasts for the occasion. On offer from Thursday, December 21–Tuesday, January 2 for $99 per person is a midday meal that spans raw kingfish, flash-fried calamari, chargrilled lamb with truffle risotto and eggplant parmigiana, as well as sand crab cavatelli, half or a whole chicken (depending on how many people you dine with), and dessert. To wash it all down, you'll also sip your way through two hours of beer, wine and sparkling — putting the "cheers" into seasonal cheer. The caveats: you do need at least two people, the food is for the whole table, and dining on weekends and public holidays comes with a surcharge. You can also level up your lunch to $110, which changes your dishes, and add an extra hour if spending a mere couple wining, dining and getting merry isn't enough. Images: Markus Ravik.
Maybe you jumped on the Saltburn bandwagon early, catching Promising Young Woman filmmaker Emerald Fennell's second feature when it was in cinemas. Perhaps you saw the Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Inisherin)- and Jacob Elordi (Euphoria)-starring thriller when it hit streaming over Christmas. Either way, once you watched the movie, you were probably as obsessed as Oliver Quick is about Felix Catton — and after you've ordered your Jacob Elordi's bathwater candle, you can hit up a party that's all about paying tribute to the instant cult-favourite flick. A series of shindigs is touring Australia, including to Brisbane. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 2, when you'll be heading to The Wickham from 8pm. What does celebrating one of 2023's best movies at a boozy party entail? Dressing like it's Oliver's birthday party, for starters. From there, you'll enjoy a 'Murder on the Dancefloor' sing-along — even though you won't be dancing naked around a mansion — as well as crooning karaoke and hearing 'Mr Brightside', all while sipping Bathtub Brew, Grave Grinding Gulp and Felix's Fangirl Fizz drink specials. If you're keen to add some sparkle to your look while you're there, there'll be a free glitter bar. And the best-dressed attendee at each shindig will win a prize. Tickets start at $21.59.
Winter and comfort foods always go hand in hand, but fans of doughnuts should find the start of the frosty season particularly delicious. Each year, to kick off June, National Doughnut Day arrives. And, when the date hits, free round orbs are often on the menu. In 2023, on Friday, June 2, Donut King will be handing out freebies — and keeping Australians happy with their eponymous blend of sweets and carbs. The chain is known for its hot cinnamon doughnuts, and that's exactly what it'll be giving away at every store Australia-wide. Donut King hasn't advised exactly how many doughnuts are up for grabs, and it is a while-stocks-last affair. That said, the brand is intending to serve up a whole heap of its number-one treat to customers in exchange for zero cash, beginning at 1am AEST — if that's when your local store opens — and running through until 11.59pm AEST. The big caveat, other than the first-in-best-dressed rule: there's a limit of one free hot cinnamon doughnut per person. Also, you do have to hit up a Donut King shop in-person, with the giveaway not available for deliveries. To snag yourself a freebie, folks in Brisbane can make a date everywhere from Indooroopilly and Carindale to Chermside and Mt Gravatt. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Donut King (@donutking_au)
For lovers of art and design, May in Brisbane is a mighty fine time, with both Brisbane Street Art Festival and Brisbane Art Design taking over the River City for 2023. Wherever you head around town, it's likely that one, the other or both will be brightening up the place — and on one night, on Saturday, May 20, they're officially joining forces. With BSAF launching back on Saturday, May 6 and ending on Sunday, May 21, the Brisbane Street Art Festival Felons Party is a closing shindig. From 6pm–12am, the street art-loving fest and BAD will turn Felons Brewing Co's Barrel Hall into a hub for art and music, with entry free. Scribble Slam will be back, too, for another big art battle. This year, Vance and Jasmin Crisp are going head to head — and you can help choose who wins. Among the fun, you'll be sipping the official BSAF 2023 beer while revelling in how creative this city of ours is. Now that's worth saying cheers to again and again. [caption id="attachment_718697" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aimee Catt[/caption]
Lorde is back. After five years away from music, the New Zealand pop sensation returned in 2021 with third studio album Solar Power. And, if you've been hanging out to hear it live, her delayed tour is finally heading our way in March. The Solar Power World Tour was meant to hit in 2022, but was postponed due to New Zealand's COVID-19 situation and border rules at the time. When it makes its way to Brisbane's Riverstage on Wednesday, March 6, fans will still be in for a treat, of course — and three albums worth of Lorde tunes. [caption id="attachment_816623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Come Up Show[/caption] On the Solar Power tour, expect to have plenty of company belting out all the words to 'Ribs' and 'Green Light'. The last time that Australia was treated to Lorde's live set was her headline set at Splendour in the Grass 2018, a full-circle moment for the singer as she returned to the stage of one of her first ever performances as a last-minute replacement for Frank Ocean back in 2013. A year prior, in 2017, Lorde also toured some of Australia's largest and most iconic outdoor venues including the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. Top image: Liliane Callegari via Wikimedia Commons.
For more than six decades, the eastern suburbs of Brisbane have celebrated a red, juicy and delicious fruit. RedFest Strawberry Festival is about more than its eponymous foodstuff; however it's definitely the place to be if you're keen on strawberry sundaes — and strawberries in all kinds of other foods as well. In 2023, RedFest is back. Now it's called RedFest by the Bay, and it's taking place around the Raby Bay Harbour. And if you think that you can eat more strawbs than anyone else, an eating contest forms part of the fun. Want to wander around the Redland Showgrounds dressed as a strawberry? You'll also be in your element. And yes, the word strawberry will be uttered so many times that it'll lose all meaning. Running over two days from Saturday, September 2–Sunday, September 3, the full program also spans general show shenanigans — such as live music, arts and cultural displays, carnival rides, a sideshow alley, show bags and fireworks. Oh, there will be a heap of food other than strawberries, although they can still be your main attraction.
Forget finding a golden ticket — while scoring a free pass to a chocolate factory was everyone's fantasy as a kid (and, let's face it, is still a fantasy now), there are other ways to indulge your Willy Wonka dreams. Cakes as far as the eye can see, classes on how to make them and a dedicated sweet zone aren't just things that floated through your head while you were asleep. They're real, and they're part of the returning International Cake Show at the Royal International Convention Centre. From Friday, April 14–Sunday, April 16, Brisbane's Ekka precinct becomes the sweetest place in the city, so prepare your tastebuds and stomach accordingly. The three-day show will feature a mixing bowl worth of live cake-making and decorating sessions, how-to demonstrations, hands-on classes and a two-day cake sculpture challenge — as well as hosting the Australasian Cake Oscars, the tastiest awards you're ever likely to come across. [caption id="attachment_893571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trina Thomson, Sweet Ruby Artisan Cakes[/caption] Other highlights include 60-plus stalls and shops, which'll help you bake up a storm at home, and plenty of tasty fare to devour. Basically, when you're not learning how to make sweet treats, you'll be eating them. Oh, and you'll be looking at them, too — and not just your regular old desserts. Get ready to scope out a life-sized Bumblebee Transformer made out of sugar cake, and The Lion King as well. Rosie Dummer will whip up a life-sized edible Paddington Bear, and there'll be an attempt to build the world's largest cookie tower. Yes, these are sweets that sugar dreams are made of.
What makes one market stand out from the next? On Saturday, April 15 at Distillery Road Market in Eagleby, a roller disco will do the trick. The site is welcoming in Roller Baes, who'll be offering skate hire for $10 — and hosting a stint of dancing on four wheels to a beat-filled soundtrack. Strap on some skates, grab your date or mate's hand, then get rolling — after browsing 40-plus market stalls, grabbing a bite to eat and listening to live music. The Distillery Road Trucks & Tunes Roller Disco fun starts at 4pm and runs through till 9pm, with time spent rolling around costing $10 entry. Keeping the theme going, there'll also be skate demos. And if it's the shopping you're most interested in, expect locally made wares filling DRM's Market Hall, including beauty products, plants, pet products, homewares and homemade bites to eat. The food and beverage range spans smoked meats from Sugar Creek Smokehouse, Mexican street food by Posadas Cantina, beers from the Burleigh Craft Bar and more — and Eleea, Tractor Pull Band and Mason Rack Band will be taking to the stage. The place to head? Distillery Road, obviously, halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
When December hits, a whole month of eating and drinking to celebrate the merriest time of the year comes with it. So, as Easter approaches, doing the same but with chocolate isn't just understandable — if your sweet tooth loves any excuse for a treat, it's downright mandatory. Trust Cowch Dessert Cocktail Bar to serve up a month-long special menu just for the occasion, too, running from Wednesday, March 8–Monday, April 10 at its Morningside, Chermside, South Bank and Broadbeach venues. On the lineup: five decadent bites to eat, two OTT dessert cocktails and a shake. Whichever you choose, they'll get into the Easter spirit — sometimes with spirits. The chocolate-only dessert offering has been fittingly dubbed House of Chocolate, and includes a golden ticket chocolate bar (aka a chocolate mousse cake made with a crunchy wafer base, then layered with milk chocolate ganache, passionfruit gel, milk chocolate mousse and vanilla cream — and coated in chocolate), loaded brownies (which come topped with white chocolate gelato, fudge sauce, toasted mini marshmallows, brownie bites and crumble, then drizzled with milk and white chocolate) and a nutty gelato dish (featuring milk and white chocolate gelato balls with dark chocolate fudge centres, then dipped in dark chocolate and hazelnuts served with chocolate fudge sauce). Drinks-wise, the white chocolate margarita is made with white chocolate gelato, tequila, crème de cacao and white chocolate ganache, then garnished with a white chocolate and salt rim — and the fudge nut fantasy includes chocolate sorbet, Frangelico, vanilla vodka and fudge sauce, then topped with whipped cream and crushed hazelnuts. Prices vary from $12.99 for the honeycomb crunch shake — which is sans alcohol — through to $19.99.
Is there anything better than a simple cup of tea? If leaves rather than beans comprise your preferred kind of hot beverage, you'll know its pleasures: smelling the wafting aroma, feeling the heat radiating from your cup and tasting the hearty flavour. Most tea-lovers experience all of that several times a day; however, expect to do so a few times more on Saturday, November 26 — it's Brisbane Tea Festival time. This first-ever fest boasts two main components: a workshop program that'll teach you about everything from the basics behind a perfect cuppa to tea-based mocktails, and a tea market. At the latter, you'll wander around The Old Museum in Bowen Hills with your porcelain tasting cup in hand — it's included with every ticket — and sip your way through nearly 30 stalls. Experience the flavours of artisan teas from all around Australia; pick up some homemade tea pots, cups and other teawares; watch tea demonstrations; and grab a bite while learning about which foods pair best with tea — or eating tea-infused snacks. Whatever you spend the day doing, one thing is certain: you'll always have your favourite warm bev on hand. There are two sessions to the festival, but only the 2–6pm session has tickets remaining, which'll set you back $20. The workshops cost extra, as does the bubble tea-drinking contest. And yes, talking tea while drinking tea with people who love tea is firmly a big part of these tea festivities.
Every year, southeast Queensland plays host to the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, which hands out gongs to the year's best films from around the region. There's a star-studded ceremony, which takes place at HOTA, Home of the Arts on Friday, November 11 in 2022, and celebrates movies specifically from the 70 countries and areas within its chosen remit. If you're keen on seeing some of the flicks nominated (and hopefully, some of the winners), there's a cinema program as well. The 2022 film screenings lineup is also gracing HOTA from Wednesday, November 9–Sunday, November 13, and it's well worth a trip down the highway. Kicking things off: the powerful New Zealand drama Muru, a bold, tense and potent response to the country's Tūhoe raids — as starring Cliff Curtis (Reminiscence) in a weighty performance, plus activist Tame Iti as himself. Elsewhere on the bill, there's documentary Delikado, about a David versus Goliath-style quest to save the island of Palawan; South Korean mystery Hommage, featuring Parasite alum Jeong-eun and charting the searching for missing footage from one of the first feature films directed by a South Korean woman; Return to Seoul, following a 25-year-old-returning to the titular city to reconnect with her heritage; Children of the Mist, a doco focused on forced marriage in rural Vietnam; and Joyland, the first Pakistani film to screen at Cannes. And, a must-see: Australia's own Sweet As, an outback-set coming-of-age story written and directed by Indigenous filmmaker Jub Clerc (The Heights) that won an award at this year's Toronto International Film Festival — and stars Shantae Barnes-Cowan (Firebite), Tasma Walton (How to Please a Woman) and Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin).
Here's a job that no one would want: choosing just eight of Martin Scorsese's movies to celebrate. Palace Cinemas have done just that, though. How the chain's team whittled down the iconic auteur's efforts to just that many, we don't know — but Brisbanites can now see the results on the big screen at Palace Barracks. Film buffs, get ready for Scorsese Season — because who needs spring or summer anyway? This retro showcase will run on Friday nights at 6.30pm from Friday, November 4–Friday, December 23, and it's all must-sees all the way. Given that the selection includes the seminal gangster flick Mean Streets and the Joker-influencing The King of Comedy, viewers are in for some Scorsese gold (and yes, Robert De Niro is as much of a feature as the director, with Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Casino screening as well). For those after a slice of Scorsese's later-career flicks — and his collaborations with Leonardo DiCaprio — then The Departed well and truly ticks that box. Rounding out the lineup: concert film The Last Waltz, aka one of the best examples of the genre you'll ever see
For a quarter century, Brisbane's inner west residents have been stocking their pantries from Rosalie Gourmet Market — and folks from further afield have dropped by to do the same thing, too. Perhaps it's the cheese that's tempted you in. Maybe it was the artisan breads and patisserie-level baked goods. You could like perusing its pastas, or picking up its charcuterie-worthy cold meats. Or, perhaps it's the fresh produce that tempts you along. Whichever fits — and it might've been to grab some flowers as well — the Baroona Road favourite has been slinging its wares for a quarter century now. That milestone calls for a celebration, which arrives from 10am–2pm on Saturday, October 29 in the form of a 25th anniversary tasting party. From there, the details are simple. Head along, get tasting, leave with plenty of things to buy in the future. More than 15 suppliers will be doing samples, and there'll also be cake — because it wouldn't be a birthday party without one. Live tunes will provide a soundtrack, too — and one customer will go home with a $250 hamper. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rosalie Gourmet (@rosalie_gourmet)
When the Ekka was cancelled for the second year in a row in 2021, no one got to throw a ball in a clown's mouth. Hopping on rides, seeing fireworks and browsing for showbags were all scrapped, too. That's obviously no fun at all; however, for the farmers who were due to exhibit at Brisbane's annual show, the impact cut far deeper. So, in response, an idea was born: the Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail. It first appeared twice in 2021, encouraging Brisbanites to head south, hop between properties and enjoy local wares. And, although the Ekka occurred in 2022, the trail has returned — including making a third comeback for the year on Sunday, October 30. Fancy throwing a little love towards the Scenic Rim's primary producers? Keen on a day out of town? Farmers in the region will be rolling out the welcome mat from 9am–3pm on. Follow the itineraries and you'll be hitting up the likes of Scenic Rim Mushrooms, Scenic Rim Brewery, Tommerup's Dairy Farm, Bee All Natural Honey, Witches Falls Winery, The Overflow Estate 1895 and Tamborine Mountain Distillery. That's just a taste of the list of producers involved — and if you'd like to get up close to some camels and alpacas while you're in that part of southeast Queensland, or wander around an elderflower farm, that's on the cards, too. The full trail includes 19 stops, many of which are dog-friendly. Also, White's Farm goes big on pumpkins — and this last trail for the year is happening on the day before Halloween. Top images: Markus Ravik.
Another year, another rainbow-filled February and early March. 2023's Sydney Mardi Gras isn't just a usual Mardi Gras, however — it coincides with the Sydney WorldPride, which is the first WorldPride to ever be held in the southern hemisphere. Whether you're making the trip down south to celebrate or partying along from home, it's a big few weeks. And that means that you might need to wind down at a Mardi Gras recovery pool party. The venue: W Brisbane, at the opulent hotel's fourth-level rooftop pool and wet deck area. The reason: adding another shindig to this vibrant time. The setup: DJ-spun pride anthems and spritz cocktails, all from 3–7pm on Sunday, March 12. On the decks, DJ ENN and DJ Dan Murphy will be keeping the vibe pumping. Drinks-wise, everyone receives a Squealing Pig rosé spritz upon arrival — and you'll buy your cocktails and bites to eat from there. Tickets cost $60, and bringing your togs is obviously essential. [caption id="attachment_889814" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marriott International Hotel[/caption]
There's no opera quite like Wagner's Ring Cycle. Totalling 15 hours of brilliance, the lengthy production is being split into four nights of powerful, operatic wonder at QPAC later this year — all ticket packages include tickets to all four parts. Even if you've seen it before, we're sure you've not seen anything like this upcoming rendition, which is brought to Brisbane by Opera Australia. From Friday, December 1– Thursday, December 21, the production from Chinese director Chen Shi-Zheng will bring together performers from here and abroad. The version places Wagner's classic interpretation of Germanic mythology into a futuristic, parallel-universe setting, using digital art to create virtual landscapes. Breathtakingly original, the music is led by French conductor Philippe Auguin, who has headed up The Ring Cycle on numerous occasions. If you're an opera buff or just a fan of fantasy, futurism, timeless tales and truly epic theatre, this is an unmissable cultural event.
If you're all about thinking green, living in a more eco-conscious way and doing your utmost for the planet — as we all should be — then you likely already know about Brisbane's Green Heart Fair. Twice a year, the event takes over a leafy public space to celebrate sustainability in every way that it can. On Friday, February 24–Saturday, February 25, however, the Green Heart event program is doing something different. It isn't hosting one of its 2023 fairs yet, but it is coming to Toowong Village. From 9am–5pm each day, this two-day pop-up will set up sustainability displays, offer advice and hand out free plants. Located on the ground floor near Flight Centre, the pop-up makes its Toowong Village debut with information about living a more eco-friendly life, lowering household bills, building flood resilience at home and reducing emissions, Looking for free plants? They're a popular part of the fairs, and they're available at this pop-up as well. There'll be 1000 native plants on offer on a first-come, first-served basis — so get in quick.
There are two ways that you can spend a Thursday night: wishing it was Friday already, or pretending that it is. The latter is much more fun, clearly, and it's exactly what overwater bar Will & Flow is serving up at its returning weekly Beats and Eats sessions. Here, you'll sit atop the river — on the CBD side, opposite South Bank — and you'll pair pizzas, sparkling, a DJ-spun soundtrack and that killer view. It all kicks off at 4.30pm each week, which is perfectly timed to stop in after work and make an evening of it. On the food menu, multiple types of slices will tempt your tastebuds. Whether you fancy four cheeses, beef brisket, chicken and jalapeños, or prawns and calamari, you can nab a pizza for $19 if you purchase a glass of rosé. Setting the mood, you'll find DJs Nik Conomos, Sarjent, Mister P, Stephen Smith and more on the decks from 5–9pm, depending on the week. Entry is free, but you'll pay for whatever you'd like to eat and drink.
Two quintessential Aussie summertime treats are coming together in delicious harmony — and if you're quick, you can taste-test the clever fusion for free. The gelato maestros at Messina have once again teamed up with celebrated wine label Brown Brothers, this time creating both a limited-edition strawberries and cream moscato, and a gelato flavour inspired by the new wine. The new scoop captures all the same fruity dessert notes of the vino, featuring vanilla clotted cream gelato that's mingled with chunks of strawberry pound cake and layers of strawberry purée. The end result is a cooling, creamy gelato blend that's primed for a balmy summer's day. And, since the gelato itself has no alcohol content, it's a treat everyone can enjoy. But like most Messina creations, this beauty is here for a good time, not a long time. If you're keen to get your mitts on the moscato gelato, you'll find complimentary scoops being handed out at Westfield Carindale only from 12pm on Saturday, February 25. Free tastings of the new wine are also on offer for visitors over the age of 18. Missed out on your freebie? The strawberries and cream moscato gelato will be available to buy from all Messina stores nationwide from Saturday, March 4–Friday, March 10 (or until sold out). Images: Phoebe Powell.
Love is in the air at Victoria Park / Barrambin this February. Movies are screening in the open air, too. On Saturday, February 11, in the lead up to the supposedly most romantic day of the year, the Herston patch of turf is bringing back its outdoor cinema for a Movie Date Night session. Even better: entry is free, with the event starting at 5.30pm. That's when onsite food trucks will be serving, so you will need your wallet for that — or you and your other half can pack your own snacks and drinks, and enjoy a picnic. Movie-wise, Pixar's Up will play from 6.45pm in all of its adorable and heartfelt glory, while The Proposal then hits the screen with its rom-com antics from 8.30pm. And, if your dog likes flicks under the stars, too, you can bring them along — but they need to remain on a leash.
When there's an occasion worth celebrating, Brisbane Quarter lights up. So, now that Lunar New Year is upon us for 2023, the inner-city precinct is doing just that. The CBD spot is marking the Year of the Rabbit with splashes of colour, lion dances and — in great news for your stomach — a few different menu options. Between Friday, January 20–Saturday, January 28, gathering the gang is recommended at Brisbane Phoenix. The restaurant is doing indulgent group feasts across the nine days, including a 12-course version for ten people, complete with lobster, for $2088 in total; another 12-course option for ten, this time with mud crab, for $1688; and an eight-course range for six diners for $1008. Fancy an a la carte selection instead? The eatery's usual will be reduced, but there'll be Lunar New Year specials on offer. Plus, at Persone, drop by from Thursday, January 19–Saturday, January 21 for a LNY addition. On the menu: steamed baby barramundi with soy, ginger and spring onions. Yes, Italian eateries can also get into the Year of the Rabbit spirit.
Easter in Sydney doesn't just mean chocolate, hot cross buns and whatever other sweet treats the city's eateries happen to come up with at this time of year — it also means the Sydney Royal Easter Show. And, while you won't find the latter at El Camino Cantina's Tex-Mex joints in Brisbane, of course, the chain is getting into the spirit of the event nationwide with its returning limited-edition margarita menu, which it has dubbed The Greatest Rita Show in 2024. For its latest batch of creative flavours, El Camino Cantina is serving up cream'n soda, sour lemonade, bubblegum, sour grape cloud, cherry bomb and chilli triple-buttered popcorn versions, too. The six showbag-inspired ritas are on offer from Monday, March 18–Sunday, April 7, in both 15-oz and 24-oz glasses — and they also come with new drunken bears, which are gummy bears infused with tequila and Grand Marnier. If you'd like to pair your sips with tacos, you'll find The Greatest Rita Show food menu on offer as well. Ever had a puffy taco? It's also a fresh limited-time addition, features a puffed-out taco shell, and comes filled with your choice of steak, marinated prawns, brisket, pulled pork and grilled chicken. To round out the bites, banana fritters are your dessert choice. In southeast Queensland, you'll find The Greatest Rita Show tempting your tastebuds at El Camino in Bowen Hills, South Bank and Chermside in Brisbane; Robina and Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast; and Sunshine Plaza on the Sunshine Coast.
Arts festival Bleach* is back for another winter to showcase the Gold Coast in all of its glory. The popular tourist destination's beaches get some love, of course, as do its valleys and the Nerang River. Sun, surf, sand, tree-surrounded sheds, leafy gardens, radiant sights wherever they'll fit, rollerskating musicals, dance parties with waves as a background: they're all on the hefty 2023 program. Marking its 12th year, Bleach*'s latest go-around will run from Thursday, August 3–Sunday, August 13, and it is indeed sizeable. Across that 11-day span, more than 300 artists will unveil their work at 218 performances. That includes the familiar festival focus on specific spots around the city: North Burleigh, for events by the beach; the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, which means that more grassy shows await; Broadbeach, in the new cultural precinct; HOTA, Home of the Arts, the Goldie's go-to year-round; and the Currumbin Valley, where Acoustic Life of Sheds will set up for another year. That said, one of Bleach*'s big events for 2023 will hit the road, because that's what cement mixers do. These ones have been turned into works of art by Gold Coast-based artist Dion Parker, with a convey of eight vehicles adorned with monstrous but playful sights. Yes, they're monster trucks but in a different guise, as inspired Stephen King's horror short story Trucks, and they'll be taking to the streets all throughout the fest's dates. In North Burleigh, the esplanade is again the place to be, starting with the First Light opening service by William Barton and violinist Véronique Serret at 6am on launch day. After that, the Your Local North Burleigh Hub will feature eight hours of live tunes daily, while installations Pulse / Connect and Light Lines are meant to be interacted with — one turning your pulse rate into a vibrant sight at a beachside pyramid, the other shimmering like a kaleidoscope with over 1000 luminous lines. [caption id="attachment_903402" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pekka Makinen[/caption] Then there's Looks Like a Tourist, which pops people in inflatable orange suits, gets them roaming, and wants everyone to consider the impact that its namesake has on scenic spots. Also a highlight: the self-explanatory ten-minute dance parties, again with a stunning backdrop. Over at Broadbeach, expect everything from cabaret and comedy to drag and theatre — and a floating barge concert series, Lebanese cafe with traditional food and music and Studio 54-style queer performance. Social Muscle Club will get you chatting with strangers, while The Pageant riffs on children's beauty pageants, as part of a lineup with more than 20 shows. For Bleach*'s stint at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, Katie Noonan will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Joni Mitchell's Blue, and a free daily afternoon sound and meditation experience will help festival attendees find their bliss. HOTA's contribution to the lineup gives the festival rollerskating music theatre show Roller Coaster, which will take over the venue's outdoor stage, features plenty of action on four wheels and is inspired by true tales. And, it'll also host The Imaginary Aviary, where musicians improvise musical pieces as guided by the architecture of and art at the HOTA Gallery. [caption id="attachment_903403" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Light Vines[/caption] Top image: Jorge Serra.
No matter how you feel about winter in Brisbane — too warm, cold, sunny, unpredictable? — the River City's bars love embracing the frostier side of the season. Our watering holes might be designed around our usually sultry weather, but they still know how to get into the chilly spirit. The latest doing just that: South Bank's Soleil Pool Bar with its Après Soleil menu. No one is going skiing in Brisbane, but you can pretend that you've just come back from hitting the slopes while eating fondue and sipping mulled wine. That's one of Après Soleil's combos for two, or you can bring two more pals and grab a mulled wine pot for four to heat up your insides. Still with group hangs, the pinot noir box comes with a charcuterie platter for four. No matter how many folks you're heading along with, you'll also find loaded Swiss cheese fries; pizzas with bacon bites, onion and creme fraiche; pineapple and jalapeño sour beers from Sea Legs; jugs of Stone & Wood, Heineken and Kirin brews; and Mumm champagne on offer. Wearing a puffer jacket, ugg boots and beanie is optional, but there'll be fires to warm up by, booths near them, faux mink blankets to get cosy under and live entertainment either way. Après Soleil runs until the end of winter at the Rydges venue, which is open Thursday–Sunday.
Head to the Gallery of Modern Art until October and the works of two artists await: eX de Medici and Michael Zavros. The first exhibition is the most extensive retrospective to date on the Canberra-based creative and tattooist, spanning more than 100 works. The second covers 90-plus paintings, sculptures, videos, photos and performances by the Queensland artist. And, for two nights only this winter, they'll backdrop two big parties. Brisbane art lovers know that GOMA's exhibitions aren't simply dazzling to look at, whether pieces by David Lynch, Yayoi Kusama, Patricia Piccinini, Marvel or Chiharu Shiota are filling the venue's walls. For just a couple of evenings each, they usually provide a setting for ace after-dark parties surrounded by all of those creative works. Yes, the gallery's eX de Medici and Michael Zavros showcases are getting the Up Late treatment. Get ready to spend two August nights seeing everything from an original classic 90s Mercedes-Benz SL convertible with water to blood swabs — a large-scale mural depicting the Parthenon in Athens, too, plus musings on fragility, death, greed, power and conflict — while drinking, tapping your toes to DJs and listening to live music. A $42-per-night ticket gets attendees access to both exhibitions, as well as the fun. On the GOMA Up Late lineup: Lisa Mitchell and Banoffee doing the honours on the Friday, August 18, alongside DJ Zed Mero; and Nai Palm and The Riot taking to the stage on Saturday, August 19, plus DJ Neesha. The event's music component will take place on the Maiwar Green and outside GOMA's entrance. As well as art and tunes, there'll be multiple spots to grab a bite and drink around the place, including at the GOMA Bistro, Bodhi Tree Bar, River Room Bar and Bacchus Wine Room. Expect live immersive art experiences and workshops, too — including eX de Medici's temporary tattoo booth, drop-in still-life drawing, and pop-up art and opera with Panayiota Kalatzis — and, as is always the case whenever it's GOMA Up Late time, the kind of gallery visit you can't have via daylight. Images: installation views of Michael Zavros: The Favourite and eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness, Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2023. © Michael Zavros and eX de Medici / Photographs: Joe Ruckli © QAGOMA.
Whatever kind of workout gets your blood pumping and pulse racing, it does your own health and wellness a big favour. Exercise: it's a wonder, and it's always recommended by doctors and health experts for a good reason. Your next stint of getting sweaty could assist others in need, too, however — and you can drop in to bend and stretch all day and night. 24-Hour Pilates for Mental Health makes its case right there in its name. Accordingly, KX in Newstead is hosting pilates classes for 24 hours to raise money for Lifeline's 24/7 support services. The sessions kick off at 7am on Saturday, July 22, and run in 50-minute blocks — with ten-minute breaks between each — all the way through to the next morning. Whether you're keen on the initial class, eager to join in on a Saturday night, wondering about 2am pilates or curious what the last session at 6am on Sunday, July 23 will be like, you've got options. Also, you don't need to be a pilates expert — all sessions are set at the beginner level, and cater to first-timers, casual attendees and seasoned pros alike. You'll pay $39 to head along, 100-percent of which will go to Lifeline. And why that fee? Because that's the average cost to fund one call to the organisation's support lines.
Great news, fans of LGBTQIA+ cinema: Mardi Gras Film Festival organiser Queer Screen is back with its second cinema celebration of 2023. That happens every year, but it's only been recently that the Sydney-based outfit's two fests both stream online — and nationally. So, getting cosy on the couch while watching your way through this year's Queer Screen Film Fest is 100-percent on the agenda between Wednesday, August 23–Sunday, September 3. Whether you're a Sydneysider with too heaving a social calendar to hit the picture palace in-person or you live outside of the Harbour City, a feast of new queer highlights and retrospective standouts awaits. Must-sees include the Berlin-set Drifter; the AIDS in Hollywood-focused Commitment to Life; and Equal the Contest, which follows regional women's Australian rules football team Mount Alexander Falcons in an exploration of the barriers still faced for women and gender-diverse people on the field. Gay, sapphic, and trans and gender-diverse shorts sessions are also streaming. And those retro titles? They span Anchor & Hope, about a trio's complicated relationship; German coming-of-age romance Centre of My World; rom-com Nina's Heavenly Delights, focusing on a woman reuniting with her Indian family in Scotland; and the southern Chile-set The Strong Ones.
Take American cinema's many depictions of suburbia, splice them together, but morph them into a savage musing on America's political landscape between 2016–21. Hello film lovers, you now have one of the most stunning Australian movies of 2023: Hello Dankness. Hailing from Soda Jerk and marking the duo's first feature since TERROR NULLIUS roared across screens in 2018, it's another treasure trove of clips edited together to make a statement. It's "a suburban stoner musical rendered in the form of a cybernetic Greek tragedy" as well, as Soda Jerk themselves have dubbed it. More than 300 film and TV clips get a spin, plus around 250 audio grabs. Among those featured: everything from The Burbs, Wayne's World, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar and The Social Network to American Beauty, Friday, Napoleon Dynamite, This Is the End, Euphoria and PEN15 as well. Hello Dankness also includes Donald Trump's Access Hollywood tape and Kendall Jenner's Pepsi ad, and features songs from Cats, Les Misérables, Annie and The Phantom of the Opera, all across a wild 70 minutes. The film has been doing the festival rounds, enjoying its international premiere at the 2023 Berlinale, winning the Best Narrative Feature Award at this year's Atlanta Film Festival, then hitting Dark Mofo and the Sydney Film Festival. Now, it's Brisbane's turn at the Gallery of Modern Art's Australian Cinematheque on Saturday, July 1. Head by at 1.30pm for a free screening, plus a Q&A session with Soda Jerk in-person. We guarantee that you'll have plenty of questions. We did too — read our interview with Soda Jerk.
Treating yo'self to tastebud-tempting dishes is what winter is all about — and for one entire month, Salt Meats Cheese is serving up a rather appetising menu that'll do the trick. That'd be its Everyday We're Truffling — Truffle Month lineup, with truffles popping up in all kinds of dishes. Yes, that includes truffle cocktails. Before 2022, SMC only celebrated truffles for a week of the year. But, to the delight of your stomach, it expanded the deliciousness across all of July last year — and it's doing the same in 2023. Accordingly, from Saturday, July 1–Monday, July 31, the Italian chain will be adding truffles to crostini, cacio e pepe, lasagne, pizza and porchetta — so that's five Italian staples covered. And, you can add shaved truffles to any a la carte menu item for $9 as well. You'll need something to wash all of the above down with, so truffle margaritas and truffle martinis are also on offer. Or, you could opt for a non-boozy hibiscus cooler. For dessert, there's truffle cheesecake, aka your new favourite type of cheesecake. Everyday We're Truffling is taking place at all SMC venues during its month-long period, which spans Newstead and Surfers Paradise in Queensland, although the menu varies per venue. And if you're wondering why the Italian chain has suddenly gone truffle crazy, it's to celebrate the Australian truffle season — which is as good a reason as any.
When a food-themed day is worth celebrating, it's usually focusing on a dish you'd eat any day (and wish you could tuck into every single day, in fact). World Burger Day is one such occasion, and it's coming in strong for 2023 with free burgs. The catch? You do have to buy a glass of wine, which you'll surely be fine with. If you usually pair your burgers with beer, wine label Greasy Fingers is well-ware. That's one of the reasons that it's behind the giveaway. This drop is made to go well with burgs and whichever other greasy meals happen to tempt your tastebuds, no matter whether you opt for the shiraz, shiraz grenache or chardonnay. [caption id="attachment_902457" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Will Salkeld Photography[/caption] So, buy a glass at Virtue Bar & Eats on the Sunshine Coast and Tropic Vice on the Gold Coast on Sunday, May 28, then get your free burg. That's all there is to it, although you'll need to get in quick. The other key caveat: there are only 100 free burgers available at each venue, so it's a case of first in, first served.
Show a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T and head to the one-night-only Aretha — Love Letter to the Queen of Soul at QPAC's Concert Hall this winter. On Tuesday, June 20, there'll be one big show packed full of the extraordinary star's powerful hits. This special event will showcase Aretha Franklin's wide-ranging vocal talents and her timeless anthems. A diverse multigenerational cast will perform 32 of the Queen's songs, and is guaranteed to have you dancing in your seat and singing along to iconic tunes like 'Respect' and '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman'. The stellar cast includes Montaigne, the ARIA-nominated Emma Donovan, Thndo, Thandi Phoenix and Ursula Yovich. The show is both narrated and directed by Jada Alberts, who weaves in the stories of the artist's public success and personal struggles — which ultimately paved the way for other female and soul artists to make their own mark on the world. This event is a spectacular opportunity to hear of the beginning of Franklin's life. It'll take you from her gospel roots and rising fame all the way to reaching worldwide recognition. Her talents earned her many accolades, including 18 Grammy Awards and the title of Rolling Stone's 'Greatest Singer of All Time'. She's also sold over 75-million records. Images: Cybele Malinowski.
Weekend mornings spent staring at the river are a Brisbane speciality, and there's no shortage of ways to go about it. But only one involves hanging out on Eagle Street, sitting in the sunshine and spending 90 minutes sipping unlimited mimosas over a meze spread: the aptly named Meze & Mimosa. Babylon Garden, the two-tier waterfront bar on the river side of restaurant Babylon that opened earlier in 2023, is the place to head. From Saturday, June 24, it's serving up its new brunch offer from 11am–12.30pm every Saturday and Sunday. You'll pay $70 to tuck into a chef's selection of dishes, all washed down with everyone's favourite cocktail of champagne and orange juice. Dishes include pan-fried haloumi with red grapes, honey and oregano; spiced fried cauliflower with ras el hanout, lemon, black tahini, almonds and parsley; spinach and feta gozleme; and shish tawook, aka woodfired chicken skewers, with kisir, tomato and yoghurt. Also included: those stunning river views, plus live tunes and a cruisy, boozy, tasty way to greet both days of the weekend. Images: Markus Ravik / Steven Woodburn.
The strangest public holiday of the year is upon us, Brisbanites: the Ekka public holiday. August is here, the Royal Queensland Show arrives with it, and we all get a day off to celebrate and eat strawberry sundaes. It's still all a bit odd, though — as smacking a public holiday in the middle of a late-winter week has always proven. No, that isn't a complaint. Yes, if nothing feels ordinary around your Ekka day off, thats understandable. Here's something that'll help you kick things off in style the night before, though: the return of the Hekka Festival to Greaser. Live tunes will hit the Fortitude Bar's garage stage, with the fest starting at 5pm and keeping on keeping on till late. On the bill: The Dandys, LOVELOVELOVE, Cry Baby, Somewhat Strange and Indigo Hue. This year, entry is free, too, if you need any more of an incentive. Images: Anwyn Howarth.
Summer in most places means making the most of the great outdoors, with live tunes, street food and pop-up bars tempting everyone outside. Of course, that's the deal all year round in sunny, sultry, rarely cold Brisbane. So, on Saturday, July 15, Coorparoo Square is making the most of the River City and Sunshine State capital's glorious winter weather by ticking through that list: music, bites, brews and fresh air. From 3–8pm, the first Grooves on the Green will take place. Providing the tunes: Jess Irvine, The Colliflowers, Beth Foad Jazz Quartet and Mr Sax Australia. Food-wise, smoked pulled meat will come courtesy of Beyond the Pale — who'll also be on drinks duty — while wings and barbecue skewers will hail from Kubos Bar & Grill. Naturally, Burrito Bar will remain true to its name. Tickets to head along cost $10, and also help a good cause, with proceeds going to Coorparoo charity Stepping Stone Clubhouse.
2023 marks has been nine years since La Macelleria set up shop in Brisbane, gifting the city's residents with an array of inventive gelato and sorbet flavours. Over that period, it has taught ice cream lovers how to make their own, served up all-you-can-eat sweet treats and expanded its footprint by adding more than a few new shops — and, as it likes to whenever it's birthday time, now it's throwing a big Italian fiesta on Sunday, July 23 to celebrate. To mark the latest huge milestone, La Macelleria will spend a day doing what it does best, but also doing more than that. Gelato will be on the menu, obviously. The venue will be pump out signature flavours such as stracciatella, pistachio, coconut white chocolate and raspberry IPA. Also, it's whipping up prosecco sorbet, with 100 servings on offer 5pm till they've all been snapped up. Why drink your favourite sparkling tipple when you can eat it in frosty form? With the merriment running from 11am, there'll also be Scugnizzi serving up Roman-style pizzas, and Casa Motta stretching mozzarella and burrata live. And, expect gifts — aka giveaways, such as winning a year's supply of gelato or a behind-the-scenes tour of La Macelleria's workshop.
NAIDOC Week festivities at Queensland Museum are a two-for-one affair in 2023. Not only is the South Bank venue marking the occasion, and embracing this year's theme 'for our elders' — it's also farewelling its Connections Across the Coral Sea: A Story of Movement exhibition. How? QM is ticking both boxes with three-day celebration Mangal Bungal: Clever Hands. From Friday, July 7–Sunday, July 9, the museum's cultural events will be by the Dingaal community, which sits at the heart of Connections Across the Coral Sea. The exhibition, which wraps up on Sunday, displays archaeological findings about Papua New Guinea, Torres Strait and the northeast coast of Queensland's seafaring cultures. Here, diving into how people moved across the titular waterway — and how trade occurred — is on the agenda. Attendees can plunge into both scientific evidence and the Dingaal clan's traditional knowledge. Free to attend — although some events do require bookings — the Mangal Bungal: Clever Hands lineup starts with a Welcome to Country on the Friday, complete with traditional dance and didgeridoo performances. Storytelling by elders, including hearing Dreamtime tales firsthand, is on offer on both Friday and Saturday. The On Country planetarium experience over the entire three days will see you surrounded by Dingaal Country's sights and sounds, with the dome-style setup taking participants to Jiigurru (Lizard Island). Also on offer: a drop-in zone dedicated to Dingaal totems, stories and artworks; ceremonial jewellery making with Dingaal women; and a closing ceremony headlined by Dingaal men doing traditional dances. Images: Queensland Museum.
Soaking away the day, your troubles and your worries is Soak Bathhouse's speciality. At the chain's venues in Mermaid Beach and West End, heading in for a dip means seeing your woes dissipate in warm water — at least temporarily. As everyone who has sat in heated H2O knows, there are other few things as calming in life. On Wednesday nights all throughout winter, however, this wellness brand has found a way to ramp up the relaxation even further at its Gold Coast site. From 5–8pm each hump day, to help you forget about your midweek work stresses, Soak Bathhouse is doing Winter Soak & Sound sessions in Mermaid Beach. On offer: a soak, of course, plus calming live music and hot drinks. The event takes its cues from après-skí hot-tub sessions — and, while there's no snow, you will still get the warm water part of the equation, plus acoustic tunes and beverages. Bookings are required, just for a $49 soak session during the three-hour window. Do that and you'll get the Winter Soak & Sound experience thrown in at no extra cost.
Thanks to the success of Beef, the past year has been huge for Ali Wong. It was back in April 2023 that the hit series arrived, getting audiences obsessed and sparking plenty of accolades coming Wong's way. She won Best Actress Emmy, Golden Globe, Film Independent Spirt and Screen Actors Guild awards for playing Amy Lau, who has a carpark altercation with Danny Cho (Steven Yeun, Nope) that neither can let go of — and that changes both of their lives. The last 12 months have also been massive for the American actor and comedian onstage, all thanks to her Ali Wong: Live tour. Wong has been playing to full houses in the US, and also in Paris and London — and Brisbane audiences can see her this winter at two gigs from Monday, July 22–Tuesday, July 23 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. [caption id="attachment_893741" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Cooper/Netflix © 2023[/caption] Behind the microphone, Wong's comedy career dates back almost two decades, including three Netflix stand-up specials: 2016's Baby Cobra, 2018's Hard Knock Wife and 2022's Don Wong. And, as an author, Wong also has 2019's Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life to her name. On-screen, Wong doesn't let go of grudges easily, at least in Beef. In rom-com Always Be My Maybe, she's also been romanced by Keanu Reeves. Tuca & Bertie had her voice an anthropomorphic song thrush, while Big Mouth sent her back to middle school. Beef, on which Wong was also an executive producer, earned just as much love for the show overall — including the Emmy for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series; Golden Globe for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television; Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series under 40 minutes; Film Independent Spirt Award for Best New Scripted Series; and PGA for Outstanding Producer of Limited or Anthology Series Television. [caption id="attachment_946690" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Cooper/Netflix © 2023[/caption]
Is your favourite spirit distilled from juniper berries, plus other botanicals? Does it go ridiculously well with tonic? Then you'll want to be sipping riverside until Sunday, August 27. Howard Smith Wharves is celebrating gin with ample drinks at a festival it's calling HSW Gin Week — and, clearly, there's no prizes for guessing what everyone will be knocking back. There are a few aspects to this end-of-winter festival. First up, the riverside precinct's venues — including Mr Percival's, Felons Brewing Co and Felons Barrel Hall, Ciao Papi, Stanley, Yoko, Greca and Fiume — are all serving up cocktails heroing gin in a variety of ways. Some are going traditional, while others are embracing local drops or varieties with distinctive flavours. If you're keen to taste them all, you've got yourself a gin trail. Fancy hanging out in a gin garden? Head along from 4pm on Friday and 12pm on Saturday and Sunday for sips in leafy surroundings thanks to Fever-Tree, Hendrick's and Archie Rose. Whichever day you choose, live music will also soundtrack your afternoon and evening. And, at Stanley on Sunday, August 27, Ambleside Distillers is also launching its Mandarin Gin Batch 4 on the side deck bar from 12pm. To line your stomach, Louis Tikaram, the restaurant's head chef, is doing a curated menu of snacks designed to go perfectly with the new drop.
