If there's one thing that the current trend towards immersive art installations is particularly great for — other than all those snaps in your Instagram feed — it's helping us all pretend we're somewhere out of the ordinary. Feel like stepping into a famous artwork or strolling past life-sized desserts? There's a pop-up for both. Fancy getting wintry, even though Brisbane in summer is obviously anything but? Glacial Glow has you covered. Given that it's currently on display at Westfield Carindale, it'll also make you forget you're just in a suburban shopping centre. The eye-catching walk-through installation creates an arctic world using visuals, sounds and light. While that might all sound standard, scenic artist Christopher Williams — who has worked on blockbuster films such as Aquaman, Thor: Ragnarok and Godzilla vs Kong — is behind it. He's used his cinema-tested techniques to create glowing glaciers and art caves, so you won't just be enjoying the frosty look; you'll also be benefiting from movie magic IRL. Glacial Glow is set up across a 500-metre space on level one of Westfield Carindale, and the winter wonderland is currently selling tickets through until Monday, February 28. It's an all-ages-friendly pop-up, so expect plenty of company. Also, because it uses ultra-violet lighting, you're encouraged to wear brightly coloured or white clothing when you make the trip — and then you'll glow, too.
For three months, Salt Meats Cheese is bringing its Italian fare to the other side of the inner-city — and, for the first month, it'll have Gelato Messina for company. From Tuesday, July 3, the two new-ish arrivals to Brisbane are teaming up for a pop-up at West End's West Village. Yes, that means you'll be feasting on epic pizza and dessert combinations. SMC's laneway stint will run until the end of September, serving up breakfast and lunch every day of the week, plus dinner from Wednesday to Sunday — so, if you're keen on truffle pizza, cheese wheel pasta and Nutella mud cake, this is where you'll want to head. It'll also be brewing up espresso and lattes every morning, as well as setting up a boutique container bar curated by Sydney mixologists Archie Rose. Unsurprisingly, espresso martinis will be on the menu. As for Messina, come 5pm Fridays and midday on the weekend, the ice cream fiends will be whipping up mini gelato cakes and decadent hot chocolates. The latter just might get your tastebuds salivating; called a Bombe Choc Alaska, it comes complete with dulce de leche gelato toasted marshmallows.
Sound art may be on the fringes of the exhibition world, but Liquid Architecture is one Australian organisation dedicated to creating spaces and sonic encounters that bring the ideas and innovation of the medium to a contemporary art environment. Over two evenings, LA2015 Brisbane sees the organisation take over the Institute of Modern Art with a program of sonic exploration that critically examines the meaning and place of sound itself. The participating artists use home-made synthesisers, opera, folk music and psychic tests — to name but a few of the diverse methodologies encountered — in response to the organisation’s broader 2015 themes of capitalist surrealism, feminist methodologies and sonic warfare. Their work asks questions about contemporary life and technology, the social implications of capitalist ideology and the pervasiveness of state-corporate eavesdropping. LA2015 Brisbane runs from 5pm to 9pm on 3 and 4 October at the IMA. Image: Richard Dawson, Google Dreaming
Whether chasing some pre-party fridge replenishment, or avoiding that midweek bottle shop run once safely ensconced on your couch, the quest for booze has officially got a whole lot easier, now that 30-minute alcohol delivery service Jimmy Brings has landed in Brisbane. The company's already popular in its launch city of Sydney, and more recently in Melbourne. It has become a go-to for its carefully curated range of wine, beer and spirits, and its ability to bundle delicious beverages to your doorstep in under half an hour, before 10.30pm on any given night. Now, Jimmy Brings has thankfully headed north, launching in Brisbane across 29 suburbs. Places like New Farm, Paddington, West End, Greenslopes and Milton are among the first to enjoy access, with plans to expand to even more suburbs in the near future. The service is now delivering to a whopping 286 suburbs across Australia. Jimmy Brings is now servicing 29 suburbs across Brisbane. To see if yours is included, head to the website.
Christmas markets are always excellent for those of us who tend to leave gift purchasing until the last minute — and, thankfully, Etsy is setting up their markets all over Australia in the second last weekend of November. Etsy Made Local is a grassroots initiative that celebrates crafters, collectors and artisans in local communities, and provides them with the opportunity to sell their creations both online and in a physical space. So whether you're on the hunt for handmade wares or vintage goods, these guys have got you covered. The markets will be held in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Because each market focuses on the best local talent, each market will be filled with different stallholders and unique creations. Supporting creative small businesses and scoring a killer Christmas gift is a win for everyone involved, so head to the Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday, November 19 and get your festive shopping done early, for once.
Last-minute shopping, over-indulging at celebratory shindigs, and pretending not to be annoyed about receiving another pair of socks: they're all a part of every Christmas. For kids and adults alike, so is many a seasonal-themed movie. If it has Santa or Christmas in the title, it's optimal viewing at this time of year. The folks at South Bank certainly think so, and have thrown together their yearly Christmas Cinema Series brimming with merriment. These free films aren't just for families. Any Yuletide movie held under Brisbane's starry skies and by the water at River Quay Green at this summery time of the season is perfect for, well, everyone. Pack a picnic and enjoy double features every night from Friday, December 14 to Sunday, December 23. The familiar but still festive and fun lineup includes everything fromthe 80s stylings of Gremlins to the classic treat that is Miracle on 34th Street. That's not all, with Elf, The Polar Express, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone and more among a positively jovial and jolly selection of childhood classics gracing the waterside big screen.
Remember when you were 8 years old, snuggled up in front of the telebox, with a bowl popcorn in your lap, witnessing the death of Little Foot’s mother on the Land Before Time (sorry) for the first time? Remember the warmth of the blanket, the salty aromas of the room, and the borderline maternal relationship between the screen and yourself? Well those day’s aren’t dead, and new kids on the block, Found, are showing why with their upcoming movie night. Now if Found had decided to project Kangaroo Jack, Norbit or Spiderman 3 for their first film night, we writers at Concrete Playground would be faced with a real pain, and would probably have to implement 1940s propaganda strategies in order to sell it. Fortunately though, they’ve opted for Pulp Fiction, which needs only this hyperlink to remind us why it’s the crème de la crème of cult films. But wait, there’s more! Found are stripping all of the original music from the film, and replacing it with live music – CRAZY! Check out the bands who are covering it here and be sure to rock up and along with blankey.
In the 1970s, recently de-closeted lawyer Paul (Garret Dillahunt) meets drag club singer Rudy (Alan Cumming), and the two hit it off immediately. Their relationship is both complicated and strengthened when Rudy discovers his drug-addict neighbour has a neglected son with Down's syndrome, and takes it upon himself to care for the kid. Before any of them know what's happened, a family unit has instantly formed, and the three must fight prejudices to stay together. Any Day Now has the vague whiff of being based on a true story, and does purport to have been inspired by true events, but press notes refuse to go into any detail about what this true story might have been. It's a important to note this, because tales that claim to be "inspired by true events" receive a cache of good will, as outrageous plot contrivances are forgiven under the assumption that it must have really happened. Without a grasp of what the original true life tale might have been, the series of coincidences in this film are a little harder to swallow. We can accept that life is stranger than fiction, but only when the fiction draws us in with the sort of verisimilitude that shocks us with its authenticity. Some films feel like real life; others simply feel like films. Any Day Now, for all its excellent intentions, feels like a film. Cumming chews up the scenery as the improbably accented Rudy, whose Joan Rivers-esque comebacks to every single utterance thrust in his direction makes him feel like a nightclub routine, as opposed to someone who occasionally performs a nightclub routine. It's a shame, because these unlikely quips undo the solid emotional work Cumming puts in as the prospective adopted father. Rudy's instant connection to Marco would feel too rushed if it wasn't for the frankly superb work by Isaac Leyva, the teenager with Down's syndrome. Marco is quiet and nonresponsive for a long period of the film, suggesting that the drama will come from the more experienced actors having emotions at him. But Leyva is called upon to do some pretty heavy work, selling us on tears of joy in one scene and tears of sadness in another. It's hard to watch him and not feel the overwhelming compulsion to adopt him yourself. Ultimately, Any Day Now suffers from its artifice. Too many things happen too easily, and for us to be convinced by the situation, the film would have been served by reducing the manipulation. As a weepy and capitalised Important Tale, the film is very good and some moments stir up emotion, but it isn't the film it should be, failing to hit the heights it is so earnestly aiming for. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7ghwGOuuNy0
Ever since El Camino Cantina arrived in town, the eatery's little patch of Bowen Hills has basically become a constant party. When a place boasts eight slushie machines pumping out frozen margaritas, that's completely understandable. When it serves up cheap tacos every week, well, who doesn't want to keep on celebrating? On Sunday, February 3, the Tex-Mex joint is upping the ante — this time, it's slinging free snacks and pumping a retro soundtrack. Drop by by from 4pm to enjoy a spread of chicken wings, tacos, jalapeno poppers and other bites, all without spending a cent. Then, hit the dance floor to make some shapes to 90s and 00s tunes. To head along to this afternoon party, you will need to join El Camino Cantina's Amigos club; however that's free as well. There'll also be a giant piñata waiting for you to take a swing, plus cocktails to wet your whistle.
If Christmas rolls around, and you don't dress up your doggo in its festive finest and take it to see Santa, is it really Christmas? Felons Brewing Co thinks not. Not content with being Brissie's only riverside brewery, this new source of beers with a view is also giving the city's ale-sipping, Christmas-loving pooch owners exactly what they want: the chance to get their pet's portrait taken with the jolliest of figures. Between 3–5pm on both Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16, the red-suited wonder known as Father Christmas will be outside Felons waiting to get snapped with your adorable four-legged friend. That's it, it's sorted: everyone you know is getting copies of the cute shot in their stocking. Best start looking for the best frames to go with them. The photos are free, although there is one caveat: they're for canines only. No kids, and no adults who think they're kids either. If you fall into the latter category, you can always treat yourself to a cold one afterwards.
This time last year, the Brisbane Street Art Festival was in full swing, with creative folks brightening up the Queensland capital with their artistic work. While the fest ranks among the many, many events changing their plans in 2020, you can still watch street art come to life before your eyes this weekend — via a two-day live stream. Teaming up with Brisbane art space Superordinary, BSAF is unleashing 19 artists on the building. Naturally, they'll be painting up a storm. Every inch of the space will be transformed, and everyone can see it happen. That doesn't just cover street art-loving Brisbanites, either, because online streams are handy that way. The weekend-long event runs across Saturday, May 16–Sunday, May 17, with the action streamed via Twitch. As well as oh-so-much painting, there's also interviews, Q&As and roving performances — all while social distancing. https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneStreetArt/photos/a.10150176402908346/10158102825878346/?type=3&theater Top image: Gus Eagleton.
You wander into The Johnson, head to a room, and everything seems normal — that's what people at hotels, after all. But if you're doing so between September 12–15 as part of Brisbane Festival, then you're not there to stay. Rather, you're seeing a show. Yes, as well as hitting up venues all around the city, this year's fest includes a one-man show in a Spring Hill hotel room.Created and performed by Wiradjuri man Joel Bray, it's called Biladurang, with the title meaning platypus. As you're trapped in the room with Joel, you'll watch him dance, act, wonder why he's there and loosely relay a dreamtime story. Image: Pippa Samaya.
From the folks that brought Brisbane audiences Speed: The Movie, the Play and Titanic: The Movie, the Play comes Let Them Eat Cake. Yep, if they can recreate one of Keanu's finest cinema moments on an actual bus, then they can toy with French history — and take inspiration from a very famous phrase — in a cooking school. And, they can do all of that while actually letting the audience eat cake. There's no shortage of food otherwise, but hey, why not? As part of the 2017 Anywhere Theatre Festival, Act/React Theatre will get farcical will food at The Golden Pig Cooking School, and serve up delicious baked goods cooked on-site. If you've always wanted a show and a snack — and some powdered wig-wearing entertainment — all in one, you'll be in the right spot. Plus, if your stomach keeps grumbling, you can always sign yourself up for one of The Golden Pig's classes — when it's not standing in for The Palace of Versailles, that is. Their lineup includes South American fare, pizza and pasta essentials, French bistro, scrumptious salads, and bread making. And, yes, cake decorating, to keep on theme.
Eating ice cream and helping those in need: it's a situation where everyone wins. It's also exactly what's on the agenda at the Strawberry Sundae Fundraiser for Farmers on Wednesday, September 26. Buy a frozen dessert and the proceeds will go to strawberry growers. Of course, you won't get any old ice cream. You'll get one of Brisbane's beloved strawberry sundaes — the type that are usually only available once a year at the Ekka. The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation is whipping up another batch for one day only, to assist strawberry farmers doing it tough in the wake of the needle contamination scare. They're buying the strawberries from local growers as well. You'll be able to grab your $5 sundae and do your part across a huge 12-hour period, with the event running from 6.30m–6.30pm at King George Square. You'll be able to grab several sundaes across the day if you really feel like it. The organisers are hoping to sell a whopping 10,000 ice creams — and ABC Brisbane will be broadcasting live for the entire period, too.
Inspired by a true and almost timeless love story and adapted for contemporary stages, Holding the Man is a tale of love and loss that manages to communicate all of the nuances of modern relationships, transcending gender and sexuality boundaries all at once. Timothy Conigrave's memoir of his own relationship in the mid-'70s was transformed for the stage by Tommy Murphy and has since been performed in London’s West End as well as enjoying sell-out seasons across Australia. The production is finally back in Brisbane for a limited season at La Boite, so make sure you jump on tickets early before they sell out again. This is sure to be a magical story, addressing separation, temptation, heartache and devotion.
What do you do when wild weather hits, Brisbanites? Watch the radar to see just when and where it'll strike? Stay glued to your couch? Come up with a new festival of contemporary dance? We're guessing only two folks can claim the latter, although everyone can enjoy the end result. Yes, things are about to get stormy on the stage instead of in the sky (although, given that it's summer, the latter is still likely to happen too). From February 18 to 25, SUPERCELL: Festival of Contemporary Dance Brisbane will take over the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, as co-founded and curated by Kate Usher and Glyn Roberts. The fresh venture celebrates Queensland's place in the dance world by bringing together local and international artists, performances, workshops and conversations. Highlights include a five-woman piece from Switzerland's Simone Truong; a triple bill by Australia's Bridget Fiske and the UK's Joseph Lau; dancers from China, Indonesia and around Australia; and a three-day workshop with Gold Coast outfit The Farm. SUPERCELL: Festival of Contemporary Dance Brisbane runs from February 18 to 25 at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. For more information, visit the festival website.
Almost glowing in hue and tasting like sunshine in a liqueur, limoncello is one of Italy's many culinary gifts to the world. It's also a drink to while away an afternoon with. Fancy spending a spring Sunday in Brisbane sipping, eating Italian snacks and enjoying a DJ-spun soundtrack? Make a date with Allonda. On Sunday, November 19, the Newstead restaurant is throwing a laneway party to mark the arrival of limoncello in a can. The shindig itself is the first piece of good news — and if you like grab-and-go convenience or the potential for a refund for recycling, or you're just a general fan of drinks in tins, you'll clearly have another reason to celebrate. Running from 12–5pm and costing $95.55 to attend, this cruisy way to spend a Sunday afternoon includes a zesty limoncello upon arrival as part of your ticket, plus a food menu curated by Head Chef Sam Todd. If you're keen for more beverages, you can then hit up the cash bar. Canapé-style cacio e pepe will be among the culinary options, while the drinks hail from Solbevi, which is launching its new 250-millilitre tins Down Under — ready for citrusy summer sips. Don't expect too much company, either, with tickets limited to 75 people.
The world was only lucky enough to receive 20 episodes of the surrealist wonder that is The Mighty Boosh, but, like a talking moon and drinking Baileys from a shoe, it made an impact. If you know what we're talking about, then break out your best blazer with elbow patches and make like a part-man, part-fish to The Brightside at 7pm on April 27. With more flair than Noel Fielding's wardrobe, and more attitude than Julian Barratt's disaffected gaze, Man vs Bear is taking on the cult British show by doing what they do best — asking trivia questions, waiting for your answers, and handing out prizes. To be honest, wondering just what themed rewards could possibly be on offer is a huge drawcard. It promises to be the kind of night where anything could happen. And, the kind of journey through space and time as well. As always, entry is free but registering for The Mighty Boosh Trivia Night in advance is highly recommended.
It's always a good thing when the little festival that could gets a leg up on the big 'uns. In this case, Harvest Festival has fully pwned the competitors by sneaking an amazing lineup in before the summer festival season gets too messy and expensive. Harvest says, “fuck ya” to the regular indie music festival mould that says you need to sprawl big names across a few days and use filler acts to make up the rest of the timetable gaps. Seriously, everyone is buggered by the end of a three-day festival and just really want a lie down. Harvest knows we are a lazy bunch and has devised a simple plan to knock us all out in one go: bring Portishead back to Australia after a 14 year absence, throw in TV On The Radio, add in some Flaming Lips (who absolutely blew everyone's minds at Splendour in 2009) and chuck in The National, Bright Eyes, Mogwai, The Holidays and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Big Day Out can eat on that massive lineup and swallow the bitter Harvest pill. This one-day festival may have a program with under 25 bands, but it's exactly that no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point idea that will make it successful. Tickets are still available to The Gathering (as it prefers to be called), so make no mistake – you are going to be disappointed if you miss it.
Remember when Best Coast came to Brisbane and there was an uproar because Beth was wearing something from Supre? God, I know right, it was totes a hipster faux pas fo sho! I wasn’t even there and I knew about it. Anyway, she wouldn’t have had that problem if she’d come at this time of year – and why? The answer is simple: QUT’s Fashion graduates. They’ve spent the past few months holed up in studio, cutting patterns, pick-unpicking, shooting lookbooks and more to tie up the ends of their graduate collection… and the results are glorious. This year’s graduates have influences as widespread as the chaotic streets of India to colonial Africa. The graduate shows run over four nights, with each graduate designer showing six pieces from their collection. By the time ol’ Bratty B comes back to Brisbane for the Big Day Out (unintentional alliteration there), these dudes will have made it big, and she’ll finally be able to find something better than a $10 stretch skirt to wear on stage.
Despite also serving up everything from all-day breakfast to ice cream sandwiches, we still think that fries are the best thing about Lord of the Fries. It's right there in the name, after all. The chain's chips are particularly tasty — as made with Australian potatoes and cooked in a cottonseed sunflower oil blend. There is one thing better than Lord of the Fries' titular dish, however. That'd be free fries from the chip-loving establishment. And on Tuesday, July 13, the vegan fast food joint is giving away just that. Free. Fries. Yes, really. To snag free fries on Tuesday, you'll need to head to your chosen store — Brisbanites can flock to Fortitude Valley, or to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast — between 1–2pm, and you'll be gifted a serving of shoestring deliciousness. You don't even have to purchase any vego nuggets to redeem them. There is a limit of one freebie per person, though, so take that into consideration if you're feeling particularly peckish. You'll get your choice of classic sauces, too. And if you're wondering why, that's because it's National Fry Day. Of course it is.
Breaking down barriers and blasting stereotypes — it all happens with irreverent energy in Blak Electric. Weaving together drama, dance and song, this work from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts is all about the Indigenous experience in urban Brisbane. Plus it has the added benefit of sharing and celebrating the skills of the school's latest cohort of students. The performance focuses on three young people, each with different connections to their country and culture, and each faced with different obstacles in working out what it means to be an Indigenous Australian in 2014. Director Stephen Lloyd Helper crafts a cheeky and contemplative piece about connection, culture and reconciliation, with the theme of land as a focal point. Featuring more than 40 performers on stage, as well as a live band, Blak Electric tells a story, honours tradition, and showcases the next generation of talent. Image: Dylan Evans.
If there was ever an event tailor-made for those with limited attention spans, it's Short + Sweet Festival. You know that feeling you get when you're 15 minutes into something that you're not all that into? Well, you won't find that here. In the fest's 2016 Brisbane run over July 14 to 16 and 21 to 23, more than 30 new works will take to the stage across four strands of theatre and cabaret. Yes, that sounds like a lot, but there's a twist. Each and every different performance spans a maximum of 10 minutes. Everything from improvised conversations and odes to puberty to physical explorations of attachment and film noir-themed burlesque features among the heaving program of bite-sized theatre delights, with south-east Queensland's best and brightest eager to showcase their condensed skills. Of course, they're not just offering up a sample of their talents for the fun of it; they're also hoping you'll vote to send them through to the Short + Sweet gala finals on August 26.
The Brisbane International Film Festival is expected to be postponed for 2014 ahead of a Screen Queensland board meeting this Friday. The Australian report this bad news comes as a result of the G20 summit due to be held at the same time in November — one more in a long list of ways in which politicians are messing with our arts these days. Just as Sydney Film Festival gears up for its opening, and the Melbourne International Film Festival organises a lineup ahead of its program launch in July, it has been reported that BIFF is suffering huge internal rifts that may prove fatal. Not only is it facing the troubles posed by the G20 summit, BIFF also has an extremely limited staff (including no sponsorship or marketing), and Screen Queensland are reportedly questioning their involvement entirely. While the other major cities' festivals are run by independent bodies with festival directors such as Nashen Moodley and Michelle Carey, BIFF has been overseen by representatives from Screen Queensland. Both the Sydney and Melbourne festivals are merely supported by their state-governed film bodies, not managed by them. In light of these difficulties, it's been suggested that the Asia Pacific Screen Awards could absorb BIFF in future years. Overall, the future of the event is still not clear. More details will undoubtedly emerge after Screen Queensland meet to discuss it on Friday. But either way, the outlook doesn't look great. Via The Australian. Photos: Matt Warrell.
The eyes of the sporting world are turning towards the Gold Coast, with the Queensland city hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games. That's great news if you're a fan of athletes and nations vying for glory — and, while it might not initially seem like it, it's great news for arts and culture lovers too. As well as the expected competitive endeavours, the event will also feature a huge multi-arts festival, called Festival 2018. First announced last year, Festival 2018 mightn't boast the most exciting name, but it does promise a plethora of exciting programming across 12 days. Taking place from April 4 to 15, the fest will feature more than 1000 arts and cultural experiences, complete with 1440 artists from 50 countries, and including 35 world premieres and 15 Australian premieres. Highlights include the inflatable labyrinth that is Arboria, which will take over Broadbeach's Kurrawa Park; plus Circa's world-first take on The Rite of Spring, but in circus form; and Dancenorth's 360-degree dance performance Surge. Elsewhere, Yothu Yindi and The Treaty Project will kick off the music offerings, while an evening of African tunes will mark what would've been Nelson Mandela's 100th year, and Courtney Act will host a celebration of LGBTQI pride. Also on the bill is the Gold Coast's own Amy Shark; the all-female Electric Lady, bringing together Aussie female-fronted acts; Hot Dub Time Machine 's latest stint; the seven-metre-wide, floating moon sculpture that is Museum of the Moon; and Holoscenes, the performance artwork which comes to Australia for the first time after wowing crowds in New York City's Times Square. Or, attendees can take part in a participatory dance performance featuring hundreds of people; and sing karaoke as they've never experienced it before — via a field of microphones on Surfers Paradise beach. Other standouts include a Champagne party, an extensive food program at Helensvale's NightQuarter, a silent disco tour, a seaside meditation zone and open-air short film screenings showcasing talent from across the Commonwealth. As previously announced, Kate Miller-Heidke, The Jungle Giants and Mau Power will also feature, as part of a lineup of art, music, theatre, dance and more spanning from from Coomera to Coolangatta. To deliver the massive event, The Festival has joined forces with the existing Bleach* Festival — and will also include satellite events held across the state. For Brisbanites not heading to the Goldie, that includes free music from Regurgitator, The Preatures, Bob Evans, Kev Carmody, Cheap Fakes, Airling, Major Leagues and more at South Bank's Cultural Centre Forecourt, a screening of Warwick Thornton's Aussie flag-focused doco We Don't Need a Map and the return of La Boite's refugee production The Village. Image: Dancenorth, Amber Haines
In need of some new procrastination material? Well, you're in luck. Google image search 'Banff' and spend a few minutes (or half an hour) taking in the gorgeous pictures of snow-capped mountains, aqua water and towering pines. It's impossible to not daydream about holidaying somewhere far-flung and exciting while ogling these picture-perfect views, as we're sure you'll agree. Thankfully, from April 11 to 15, you'll have the opportunity to slip into this magical world without ever leaving Brisbane. Brisbane Powerhouse is once again hosting Banff Mountain Film Festival's 2016 tour — the event's latest stopover, after beginning back in 1976. Its stunning cinematography attracts film buffs and adventurers alike making the festival popular across the world today. Every November, hundreds of films enter the competition with the cream of the crop chosen to entertain and amaze festival goers. Some of the featured flicks battled it out in categories including Best Film on Mountain Sport, Best Film on Mountain Environment, Best Film on Mountain Culture, Best Film on Exploration and Adventure, People's Choice Award and more.
It’s time to fire up your barbecues and perfect your spice rub recipe, because the big boys are in town — and they're about to show you how it's done. The Yaks Barbecue Festival is about come to Melbourne for the second year, and Sydney for the first time. The one-day event will feature free classes and demonstrations, more barbecued meat than you can poke a skewer at, live entertainment and, of course, the great barbecue cook-off. The cook-off is sanctioned by the too-legit-to-quit Kansas City Barbeque Society, and the winner will go on to compete at the world championships in the U.S., as well receive as a sweet cash prize and — most importantly — unrivalled barbecue glory. And just because you're not able to attend the festival doesn't mean you can't learn a thing or two — we spoke to festival director Matt Vitale about getting into the craft, the different styles of American barbecue, and got all the pro tips on how to barbecue like a boss. MEET THE EXPERT: MATT VITALE Matt had always been an avid backyard barbecue cook, and a few years ago he decided to try his luck at the big time by entering a barbecue competition for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Matt teamed up with his wife and they won — sending them to the World Championships of barbecuing, held at the Jack Daniel’s distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee. "It was an amazing experience, and unexpected," he says. "I met a bunch of great people from the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), which is the largest organisation of barbecue enthusiasts in the world, and the organising body for this sport — it is a sport in the States.” The KCBS wanted to sanction a contest to Australia, and with Matt's assistance the first Yaks Barbecue Festival was brought to Melbourne. Now, it's back for a second year, with the festival also being held in Sydney for the first time. THE FOUR TYPES OF AMERICAN BARBECUE According to Matt, there are four different regional styles of barbecue in the U.S. Texas barbecue is mostly beef-focussed; the rubs are a lot simpler, mostly salt and pepper, with not much sauce that is usually served on the side. In Memphis, they generally favour a dry rub on their ribs, and again sauce is usually on the side. North and South Carolina have more of a focus on pork where the sauce is more vinegary with a bit of chili thrown in for good measure. But it's Kansas City, Matt says, that takes the best elements from all of the regions. "They're really well known for their beef brisket and burnt ends, which are these cubes of meat taken from the point end of the brisket. They’re also known for their ribs with rich, tomato, sticky sauce, which I think a lot of people really associate American barbecue with. That’s what Kansas City barbecue is really famous for.” [caption id="attachment_555155" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Dollar Photo Club[/caption] HOW TO COOK THE PERFECT BBQ CHOOK Kansas-style barbecue may be well known for their trademark tomato-based sauce, but sometimes it's worth knowing how to perfect the basics before you go slathering on a sticky sauce left, right and centre. One never-fail barbecue recipe that Matt is happy to divulge is his cherrywood-smoked chicken. "Smoked chicken is an achievable dish to do," he says. "A lot of these things you need to cook for a long period of time, but chicken you can get done in a couple of hours." So how do we recreate this magic for ourselves? First, grab a split chicken from a good butcher or poultry and game supplier, as getting it split makes it easier to cook. You're going to need a smoker for this recipe — a very worthy investment if you're serious about your meat. Fire it up to a bit over 100 degrees celsius, and put some wood chunks in there. Matt recommends cherrywood because it's easily available in Australia. Cook the chook for about an hour and a half breast-side down, then turn it over, baste it with olive oil, and leave it for another 30 minutes. Unlike beef brisket, which can take 10-12 hours, this takes a little over two hours and you're ready to eat. Matt recommends pairing this with fresh vegetables cooked over charcoal, such as charred corn, sliced eggplant and asparagus, as they get nice and caramelised. Drink of choice? Beer, of course — either a Fat Yak or a Lazy Yak goes perfectly with any barbecue. PRO TIPS FOR BBQ NOOBS While a lot of Australians love to consume barbecued goods, not all of us are as talented at making it as we are eating it. Matt recommends starting with a solid fuel BBQ to get the most out of your meat. "Gas BBQs are great, but there's so much more that you can do on a solid fuel BBQ. Cooking with wood and charcoal, you'll always get a better result.” Another piece of advice Matt leaves us with is to not be afraid to just give it a go: “sometimes you’ll get it right, other times you’ll get it wrong, but the more you practice, the more you'll get it right." The Yaks Barbecue Festival is happening in Sydney this Saturday, January 30 and Melbourne on Saturday, February 6. For more information, check out the event. Top image: Dollar Photo Club
The over-the-top brunch extravaganza that is Melbourne's Boozy Brunch is set to hit Brisbane with an inaugural party at Eagle Street's Blackbird Bar & Grill on September 24. The hospitality company launched in 2014 and brings together high-end fashion brands, DJs, live acts and, of course, brunch food and booze for these luxury "social outing" events. Boozy Brunch Brisbane will include runway shows featuring Sass & Bide, Australian DJs and a Chambord pop up bar. The event comes at an especially high-end price of $175, which includes three courses and three hours of drinks. Mistwood Gin, Cider Lab and Chandon are among the alcohol sponsors, though, so you can definitely expect the good stuff. While we have no doubt it will be a glamorous affair, the event seems to be much more about the entertainment than the actual brunch — and is more of an excuse to see and be seen rather than just enjoy some bubbly with friends. The price is particularly steep at $175, (especially given that it could buy drink-filled brunches for a whole table filled with you and your mates elsewhere — just saying). Tickets are limited, and can be purchased via Blackbird.
Roll up, roll up, it's show time — and not just in the obvious spot. The Ekka isn't the only place for games and fun in August, and it's not even the only place in and around Fortitude Valley, with Netherworld arcade game bar upping the ante for nearly two weeks of the month. From Tuesday, August 6 to Sunday, August 18, the St Paul's Terrace hangout is hosting its very own Netherworld Sideshow, combining the usual offerings with a few extra special inclusions. Expect their existing array of tables, machines and consoles, plus added carnival games, guest machines, fairy floss — and even creepy clowns. We'll let you decide if that last one is a good or a bad thing. The on-site cafe, aka the Hellmouth Diner, will also be cranking out carnival-style fare, so your stomach can get in on the action as well. And, you'll also be able to buy Netherworld showbags filled with merchandise and goodies. Plus, we're guessing you have a better chance of avoiding getting the flu here.
When we take that first sip of our barista-brewed coffee on a workday morning, a lot of us can't actually imagine living without coffee. But what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately, this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day, but on Friday, August 4, you can help your fellow Aussies out simply by buying a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its seventh year running. This year over 500 cafes will aim to raise more than last year's total of $160,523. So how does it work? From every coffee purchased on August 7 at a participating cafe around Australia, $1 will be donated towards local projects. So if your go-to local isn't participating, shake things up for a day and head to one that is. Prefer a hot chocolate? You can also donate at the counter. Simply by aiming for a bighearted cafe, you'll be helping some of our country's most in-need humans, so treat yourself to a third or fourth coffee guilt-free. There are a heap of cafes participating across the country, but some include: SYDNEY The Grounds of Alexandria The Boathouse Bills Artificer Coffee Tea and Me Single O Three Blue Ducks Brewtown Newtown Daisy's Milkbar MELBOURNE Seven Seeds Assembly Proud Mary Top Paddock Tivoli Road Bakery Dr Morse Barry Axil Earl Sensory Lab BRISBANE Felix for Goodness Campos Mylk and Co Grinders Dovetail on Overend
Megan Washington redefines the act of wearing your heart on your sleeve. The Melburnian artist is performing for one night only at The Zoo as part of an intimate national mini-tour kicked off in Melbourne and finishing up right here in Brisbane. Crediting her time in London for reigniting the ol' songwriting flame, Washington will be promoting her first singles in two years, the recently released 'Who Are You' and 'Limitless', as well as snippets from her upcoming new album There There (due September). The 28-year-old's shows have a rep for selling out fast, so get in quick if you want to catch the multi award-winning artist belting out her heartfelt, brutally honest tunes. Since winning triple j's unearthed competition way back in 2008, Washington has gained a truly loyal following and massive critical acclaim thanks to her witty, sometimes acerbic lyrics sweetened by upbeat, compulsive, play-me-over-and-over pop. Her 2010 debut album I Believe You Liar was a colossal hit and casually went multi-platinum. Next month sees the release of her highly anticipated, second full-length album, with longtime Washington fans super curious to see how her recent collaboration with bigwig producer Samuel Dixon (think Sia, think Adele) has influenced her style. https://youtube.com/watch?v=R8LsswiDj_o
A Sydney lad and a Brisbane gent meet in a Berlin bar, email plotting begins and a master plan is born: a double A-side cassingle and an east coast tour featuring two of Australia’s finest singer/songwriters. Richard Cuthbert and Edward Guglielmino have paired up in the name of music and nostalgia. Don't worry, you're not the only one who is puzzled by the release format. A cassette? Fortunately, there will be a download code included with the purchase for those who are not harbouring a working boom box or similar on which to play it. The rationale behind the dated release format harks back to the birth of the artists’ love of music, and the anticipation that mounts when waiting to hear your favourite song. They hope to recreate that feeling for their fans, and to offer a time capsule of a keepsake featuring songs you should be excited about. Head along to the Brisbane leg at Black Bear Lodge to finally hear what all the fuss is about.
Because the crew at The Brightside don't do things by halves, things are getting mighty festive on Warner Street on December 23. And so you know that they're serious, they're decking the place out in classic Christmas style: like your folks' lounge room. Of course, your parents won't have DJs playing 2017's greatest hits, or Christmas-themed beverages (we're assuming). And, you're probably not going to want to hang out drinking at your childhood house until 3am on the night before the night before Christmas. If you're a member, the fun will start early too, from 8pm — like arriving before the rest of the rellies rock up. Otherwise, drop by from 9pm for a Christmas shindig that won't include embarrassing uncles or awkward family photos.
When I was at uni, every time I told someone in those awkward get-to-know-you tutes that I was from Redcliffe, I was met with shock. Sure, it made it into the top 10 most bogan towns in Australia, and it has a dense elderly population, but there's no straying from the fact we have a sweet beach lifestyle and our local shopping centre has a vicious taxi line to envy a Saturday night in the valley. All jokes aside, the 62nd Annual Redcliffe Show is back for the first 3 days of July and while it's no Ekka, it's a chance for you to visit and possibly love the place so many people have tainted (including me haha). What's in store? Uhh, monster fireworks! There's also showbags, rides and a petting zoo. It's almost like a real show! Most exciting of all for me (and perhaps you?) is the Xmas in July celebration. Screw the KGS Winter Festival, there's a bloody snow slide in the 'Cliffe, yo. Don't be dissuaded by what you've heard about my hometown, the Redcliffe Show is actually going to be fun. You even have to travel on the Southern Hemisphere's longest bridge to get there (hey, I'll try anything). It's on all weekend at the Redcliffe Showgrounds, -whispers- snow slide.
Disorderly, trashy and a little dysfunctional, the Briefs boys bring to the stage their ballsy new show, Briefs: The Second Coming. The all-male, all vaudeville, all-trash brat-pack are locked into six performances at the Brisbane Powerhouse, each set to unleash 'the second coming' of this innovatively cheeky, creative team. This small, all-male, glitter doused troupe return to the their humble Brisbane roots in a show described as, “show stopping, pants dropping burlesque”. The show combines entertaining circus skills with ballsy takes on class, race and sexuality. Be prepared for the abundance of a wigs, briefs, feathers and incredible costumes that transform these boylesque stars into neon-shaded, alt-drag performers. In true La Clique-style variety and satire, Briefs: The Second Coming, is a banging burlesque performance with bite – be warned though, this performance definitely isn't suitable for anyone under 16.
Just in time for Christmas, Nine Lives Gallery is putting on a special show stocking-chock-full of the gallery’s most favourite artists. The exhibition will include works from Hollie Martin, Justin Lee Williams, Erin Forsyth, Mia Taninaka, and Hannah Smith – all specially sized and priced to be perfect under the Christmas tree. Small Town is the final show for the year from the Valley’s best-loved gallery. Tucked away on Winn Street between The Flamingo Café and The Outpost, punters can pretty much get all their Christmas shopping done in one pleasant, easy, mall-rage-free trip! The show runs right up until Christmas Eve.
Between Saturday, January 19 and Monday, January 28, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is hosting a sales event of most peculiar stock. Strange things they are, full of pages, rampant with words and with covers of the most beautiful colours. You can't charge them, they don't run out of battery, their brightness is unalterable, and they won't smash when you drop them and have them lost forever. Lifeline Bookfest is back for another round of vintage bargains and startling ranges of everything from Australian Women's Weekly Cookbooks to a bit of cheeky erotica. If you're been before, you'll know there are warehouse quantities of books for sale – your grade five diary is probably hidden under a copy of Shantaram, and you'll come across at least three copies of Cooking with Days of Our Lives. Prices range from cents to the big bucks — bring a trolley and your glasses and absorb yourself in books. Bookfest runs from 7.30am–6pm on its opening day, from 8.30am–9pm on Friday, January 25, and from 8.30am–6pm every other day throughout its run.
Milton might be the unofficial beer capital of Brisbane, but in the shadow of the giant XXXX factory and just up the road from Newstead Brewing Co, another type of tipple is fermenting. That'd be rum, courtesy of new Castlemaine Street watering hole The Malecón. As well as serving up plenty of it thanks to the 100-plus bottles lining its walls, the craft spirit and cocktail bar also turns sugarcane byproducts into booze onsite. "We're the only microdistillery in inner-city Brisbane," says manager Jim O'Sullivan of the intimate venue, which is owned by The Bearded Chap's Luke Swenson with Kettle & Tin's Aaron Boardman and Jason Harrison. The Malecón isn't pumping out its own alcoholic concoctions just yet; however, rum-lovers can expect to drop by for a few custom spirits from around late May, pending the appropriate approvals. At present, patrons will be greeted by 105 different types of rum on the bar's shelves — showcasing international varieties, types that you don't always see in Australia and brands that are hard to find — but eventually that number will get closer to 150 or even 200. Rum cocktails are also on offer, think daiquiris, piña coladas, the Malecón Treacle (with rum, some more rum and apple) and the Malecón Zombie (a house rum-blend with citrus, passionfruit, pineapple, orgeat spice and grenadine). And, a small selection of beer and wine is available as well. What visitors won't find on the menu is something to eat, with this a beverage-only establishment. That said, you can order UberEats to the venue, and regular Sunday-afternoon special events will bring food trucks to The Malecón's door. Overall, it's the kind of place that folks can head to dressed up to the nines on a Saturday night or drop by mid-week for a few drinks over a live jazz soundtrack. That relaxed atmosphere is by design, with The Malecón aiming to give Brisbane a cruisy, boozy hangout dedicated to a spirit that doesn't always get its time to shine. As for the name, it comes from an seven-kilometre esplanade, roadway and seawall in Havana. If you saw last year's The Fate and the Furious, you would've spotted it, actually. "The guys took inspiration from Havana in terms of the decor and vibe," explains O'Sullivan, which can be seen in its Cuban-style old world-style furnishings, filling out a space that can fit 100 people standing but better caters to 65 to 70. "But primarily we're a craft spirit and cocktail bar with a microdistillery attached." The Malecón is at 1/47 Castlemaine Street, Milton, and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 3pm to midnight. Visit the bar's website and Facebook page for further details. Images: Grace Smith
It has been a big week for The Doughnut Bar. They not only opened their brand new permanent digs in the Wintergarden, but made us rethink everything we ever knew about ice cream. Who knew that cold, creamy goodness doesn't just come in scoops, but in scrolls? Not ones to rest on their laurels, they're keeping the fun going with an afternoon that's certain to please both your taste buds and your wallets. Whether you've tried their new frosty creations several times over the last few days, or are still coming to terms with the concept, you're going to want to stop by their store between 3pm and 6pm on March 3. Three words: free ice cream. Zip, zilch, nada, nothing: that's how much your tub of handmade deliciousness will cost you. The generous gesture marks Doughnut Bar's first birthday, because that's how one of Brisbane's favourite purveyors of sweet treats celebrates a whole year of filling our stomachs with yumminess. New ice cream flavours will be unveiled for the occasion, should you want to try Doritos, matcha, Nutella, Cadbury chocolate, salted caramel, vanilla bean, Milo malt, strawberry Quik, real banana and peanut butter ice cream concoctions. Or, design your own using everything from Tim Tam dust and candy bacon to mini M&Ms and musk sticks. Plus, there's doughnuts, of course — aka their original claim to fame. Find The Doughnut Bar at Shop K3 in the Wintergarden, 185 Queen Street, Brisbane. For more information, visit their website and Facebook page.
Everyone has tried their hand at a still-life drawing or painting. It's an art-class mainstay, whether you only did the subject at school, you're a keen student of all things creative or you consider yourself an artist. But still-life pieces aren't just about bowls of fruit — or bouquets of flowers — as Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art is exploring until Sunday, February 19, 2023. A free exhibition, Still Life Now contemplates the still-life tradition, its evolution and its reflections on existence. Given that it's a practise mostly focused on inanimate objects, the types of items pushed to the fore in still-life pieces say plenty about the times, society, the thinking of the period, and cultural and political issues. That's what you'll ponder while perusing this thoughtful showcase. Still Life Now also throws some love towards memento mori and the vanitas still life, both of ruminate upon death, its inevitability and how fleeting life is in their own ways. Art lovers can expect an array of paintings, sculptures and time-based media, too — and, to keep the train of thought going, there's also a free film program, Still Lives, showing on Sundays during the exhibition. Images: Installation views of 'Still Life Now', Gallery of Modern Art, 2022, including works by Marc Quinn, Damien Hirst, Kozo Miyoshi, Shirana Shahbazi, Justine Cooper and Deborah Kelly / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © The artists / Photograph: Chloë Callistemon © QAGOMA.
It's not often we're told our public transport costs are going to decrease. In fact, this will be the first time it has ever happened in Queensland at all. From November 3 this year, the state government will use its $30 million savings from the abolished carbon tax to drop the cost of all trains, buses and ferries by five per cent. The decision to drop public transport costs comes as a result of a government survey of 22,000 people. When asked whether they would prefer the money to fund fare cuts or create additional services, 74 per cent of participants opted for the cuts. With the changes in place peak Zone 1 travel will cost $3.35 instead of $3.53, and off-peak will be $2.69 from $2.83. However those with long commutes will see the biggest savings. Those regularly travelling from the Gold Coast to Brisbane's CBD will save nearly $300 per year. "Under the LNP, families now have more money in their back pocket, compared to Labor's record of ongoing 15 per cent fare hikes," Premier Campbell Newman told the ABC. The new prices will be frozen for the entirety of 2015, but some remain sceptical of the sustainability of the changes. The state Opposition claim the LNP plan to privatise the public transport network in the long term and ultimately commuters will be suffering much worse. Similar concerns have been echoed by those in public transport advocacy groups. While we're a big fan of cheaper public transport, it's also important to remember where that money came from. Following the repeal of the carbon tax, 30,000 people are currently marching the city streets for new action on climate change, and the UN Climate Summit is about to go ahead in New York without Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Will we still get cheap trains if the tracks warp from global warming? With the new prices to go ahead from November 3, here's how our major cities full-priced fares compare: Brisbane GoCard Zone 1: $3.35 peak, $2.69 off-peak Zone 2: $3.93 peak, $3.15 off-peak Melbourne Myki 2 hour Zone 1: $3.58 2 hour Zone 2: $2.48 2 hour Zone 1 and 2: $6.06 Sydney Opal Zone 1: $3.30 peak, $2.31 off-peak Zone 2: $4.10 peak, $2.87 off-peak Via Brisbane Times and ABC. Photo credits: AlanFisher Imagery and wiccked via photopin cc
UPDATE, NOVEMBER 25: Four Pillars Christmas (Gin) Revue will no longer be heading to Brisbane in 2019. As gin lovers may (or maybe don't) know, Four Pillars has been hosting a Christmas (Gin) Revue for the last couple of years. For one giddy night in 2017 and 2018, Four Pillars aficionados — and newbies — drank in the festive season with an extravaganza of gin-inspired madness, from comedy, dancing and sing-alongs to gin tastings, cocktails and canapés. Well, folks, it's back in 2019 — and this time, for the first time, it's coming to Brisbane. Taking over Brooklyn Standard from 6.30pm on Thursday, November 28, the Four Pillars Christmas (Gin) Revue 2019 will feature Maeve Marsden and Liz Wood, the duo behind gin cabaret Mother's Ruin. Four Pillars' own Stu and Cam will also hit the stage, with their shenanigans spanning slapstick, power ballads and gin nerd-ism. In between soaking up the action, you'll be sipping on Four Pillars' finest gins of 2019, transformed into cocktails by master mixologist Jimmy Irvine, and feasting on canapés. Your $250 ticket also includes a doggy bag, packed with a 700mL bottle of the 2019 Australian Christmas Gin, a jar of marmalade, a set of cocktail books, Four Pillars' new gin relish and more.
Anyone who went to school in Queensland and sweltered through the state's summers in sticky, sweaty classrooms has heard a persistent rumour: if the temperature reaches 40 degrees, you get to go home. You've outgrown that dream notion now, obviously, but Ben & Jerry's is spinning its own version by handing out free ice cream when the mercury next hits 31 degrees. First, the obvious — and glorious — part of that news: 31 degrees in southeast Queensland in summer is a frequent occurrence. Now, the caveat: it'll need to reach 31 degrees at Burleigh Heads, because those freebies will be handed out from Ben & Jerry's just-launched new store on the ground floor of the Surf Living Saving Club on Burleigh Heads beach. Whenever the 31-degree temperature next arrives at that exact location, the new shop will hand out free scoops from 1–6pm that day. Ben & Jerry's is leaving the giveaway open throughout February — so if we get a few under-30 days for a while and it doesn't get to 31 degrees or over again for a few weeks, those freebies could still be on their way. So that you don't have to keep checking forecasts for the area, the ice cream chain will take to the Burleigh Heads Surf Life Saving Club's social channels when the 31-degree mark is hit — and it'll be basing it off of a thermometer outside the store. Because we know you're know wondering, the current Bureau of Meteorology forecasts for Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta — so, in the vicinity of Burleigh — predict 30-degree days on Thursday and Friday, but nothing over that for at least the next week. Ben & Jerry's will give away free scoops from 1–6pm on the next day in February that the temperature reaches 31 degrees or over. Keep an eye on the Burleigh Heads Surf Life Saving Club's social channels, as that's where the chain will confirm the temperature when it's reached — and the giveaway.
Forget about the traditional boy-meets-girl formula. Boy and girl already know each other. In fact they're best friends who are living together. And while you're at it, forget about the happy-ever-after ending because in this story, there's more reality in it than fantastical taglines. This story, Not Suitable For Children, is a modern take on the rules of love and family. Jonah Reid (Ryan Kwanetn) is a carefree guy, living in the prime of his life, squeezing out all the fun these years have to offer. Living with his two best mates, Gus (Ryan Corr) and Stevie (Sarah Snook), they host weekly parties in their crumbling inner-city share-house. Massive, anarchic house-parties, which start to rake in some considerable profits. On one such night Jonah's, ah, lady friend, points out that he has "a lump sorta thing" on his left testicle. Cut to the main thrust of the film. Diagnosed with testicular cancer, a four-week deadline until his manhood gets the chop, and his sperm's inability to freeze, Jonah has only one option left: to impregnate someone before he's rendered infertile. Shifting his priorities from being a party maestro to becoming a father, Jonah embarks on a 30-day mission to find the one, or anyone, who wants to cook his bun. From ex-girlfriends to acquaintances, to lesbians and older women, the mission starts to look dire. That's until the perfect candidate is reveals herself, having been under his nose the whole time. Written by Michael Lucas and directed by Academy Award nominated Peter Templeman (The Saviour) the narrative trajectory is wonderfully composed and projected. Tightly composed, keeping you guessing, without prediction or cliché. Performances by Ryan Kwanten, Sarah Snook, Ryan Corr and Bojana Novakovic were consistently strong and wonderfully showcased Australian talent. Shot in Sydney over seven weeks during the winter of 2011, the film shows off Sydney's inner west, with shots of Oxford and King St with its offerings of sweet small bars and cafes. Overall the musical palette swings from raw, blues-rock of The Black Keys to '70s funk with Funkedelic and The Bamboos. Other highlights included Mammals' 'Carrieed' and the sweet tune 'Teething' by Megastick Fanfare. Not Suitable For Children is a great film – go see it for sure. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qwHmZ-ARVg4
There's no words to describe how equally excited and intrigued I am to see the stage production of beloved childhood haystack Grug. Grug is a delightful little dude who fell off the top of a Burrawang tree and has been trekking on ever since. Ted Prior's creation Grug enjoyed a sell-out season at Out of the Box 2010, but being the gentlemen and scholar he is, he has waddled his little stripey body back to Brisbane for a series of shows before he jets off around the world, no doubt to solve world problems without the least bit of fuss. His carefree nature has been delighting audiences for over 30 years, so it's no surprise he has been drawing audiences of all ages. Looking over Grug's previous experiences, it appears he's a little bit indie? He's had a non-descript birthday (playing the secretive card, nice), played with green paint, rode his bicycle, listened to 'his' music and even had a crazy time with a rainbow... hey, we've all been to Nimbin. See, Grug is just like you and I: young and trying to find his place in this crazy world, even after suffering such massive blows like falling off trees, but whatevz, Grug's aiight. Well, what are you waiting for? Grug's stories are positively begging for you to watch and admire, not to mention the show is like puppetry, but a million times cooler. Hey, and you can say you knew Grug before he was internationally famous, you hipster, you.
Parachute Youth present their Count To Ten Tour! This duo have become one of Australia’s most sought-after acts, with their debut single Can’t Get Better Than This shooting to the coveted #1 spot as most played and requested on Triple J, while taking over the AIR charts. They’ve now got the award for Best New Act under their belts as presented by In The Mix, and have been nominated for Best New Act and Best Australian Single by AIR. The flattery isn’t restricted to their homeland of Oz, with the UK and US signing the boys, as well as Europe proving to be a solid fan base. As such, this could be the last opportunity to see Parachute Youth in an intimate environment, and where better than the Hi-Fi? Supported by Clubfeet, this is a show that will prove an absolute treat. The early bird tickets have already flown the coop, so get in quick for the remaining General Admissions!
THE Rodriguez is coming back to Australia. Touring nationally this October and November, the 72-year-old enigmatic legend was last here in 1981 playing with Midnight Oil, after touring in the late '70s to small success. Now he's riding a wave of newfound support back to our biggest venues, thanks in part to two South African fans. Most people had no idea who Sixto Rodriguez was until the Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man dropped in 2012, prompting longtime fans to shake a fist and spin a bitter "I told you so." A self-taught guitarist, Rodriguez played around the traps in Detroit during the '60s but saw no real success in the States with his two albums Cold Fact (1969) and Coming from Reality (1971). Different story in South Africa, where he was pretty much bigger than Elvis — inspiring South African anti-Apartheid activists and musicians alike (unbeknownst to Rodriguez himself). One of music's most mysterious heroes, Rodriguez was even thought to have died until two Cape Town fans in the late 1990s, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman and Craig Bartholomew Strydom went to find out if the rumours were true (cue Oscar-winning doco). The man also has a cheeky bachelor's degree in philosophy from Wayne State University, he ran for political office and he's had to work construction jobs to support his family. Undeniable and relatively unknown legend. Rodriguez will play Brisbane Convention Centre, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne's Palais Theatre, Adelaide's AEC Theatre and Perth's Kings Park and Botanic Garden. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qyE9vFGKogs
For the past few years, the One Day crew has been hitting the road, bringing its famous daytime block parties to live music venues around Australia. Now it's time for another round, with DJs from the beloved Sydney hip hop collective bouncing back to Brisbane for a One Day Sundays session on March 17. Taking place in a new Brissie spot — aka taking over X Cargo — One Day Sundays will see the One Day crew team up with local DJs and artists as they roll through the Fortitude Valley shipping container hangout. Expect food, booze, live graffiti and a whole bunch of hip hop, with Nick Lupi, Klasik, Dzyr, Sir Likwish, Cheq and Josef Mack on the bill. Even better — this day-long shindig is free, because the best things are as the song goes. Bring your wallet to grab a few drinks, as well as a bite to eat. Making shapes is hungry and thirsty work, after all.
