The theatrical genius that gave you Urinetown is about to give a whole lot more. Don’t Clap, Just Throw Money is hilarity doubled, with a back-to-back feature of prehistoric proportions. Faulty Fanny’s Cabaret sends you back to the golden age of debauchery and divine spectacular of the stage, when the drinks were served straight up to the shady characters downtown. Song and dance, cross-dressing delights and clothes-less surprises, all in the lopsided world that will hold a very real place in the hearts of lovers of modern day theatrics. Things Are Looking Up, the original musical by Louis Peake, takes us back to before the apocalypse, with a glimpse into how the human condition transforms when faced with the end of life. Tongue-in-cheek while being a little too familiar, while being soundtracked by hilarity, it will prove a smash hit among audiences looking for a Tyrannic night out.
It doesn't get much better than this: a roomy tent decked out with everything you could need, all within a stone's throw of the water on Stradbroke Island. And that's just what Minjerribah Camping has up its sleeves at its Adder Rock site at Point Lookout. You'll get cosy in a mini village of ten beachfront tents, with each equipped with cotton sheets, fresh towels, two bamboo chairs and power. Plus, as well as roaming around the camping ground's communal kitchen, barbecue and picnic facilities, you can stroll up to the shops and pub — when you're not splashing around or soaking in the view, that is.
Isabella Rossellini is coming to Australia, dressing as a praying mantis and talking about sex. Set to perform her critically acclaimed, one-woman show Green Porno, Rossellini will hit Australian shores in March with her hilarious take on the fascinating sexual habits of land and marine animals. The playful stage show, based upon Rossellini's short film series and subsequent book of the same name kookily exploring mating in the natural world, will first premier in Los Angeles this November. The screen icon — who is currently studying animal behaviour at Hunter College in New York — says that she's always been interested in animal behaviour: "...and I certainly know a lot of people that are interested I sex. So here you have the three elements that make the core concept of Green Porn." The show first originated in 2008, when Robert Redford asked the Italian actress to create short, environmental films for his Sundance TV Channel. Rossellini then wrote the stage production, alongside Jean-Claude Carrier —well-known author, actor, opera librettist and director. Expect a mix of live performance along with some of Rossellini's short films. The actress dresses up in a variety of ridiculous insect and sea-creature costumes, while providing a storyline that is completely scientifically accurate. Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno is on Monday, March 24, at the Brisbane Concert Hall, and we have two double passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. https://youtube.com/watch?v=BckqviVaWl0
Thanks to one of Milton's famous residents, Brisbane will always be known for XXXX beer. The River City is a thriving craft brewery hub, too. Spirits-wise, it has even scored its own Brisbane gin. But there might be no tipple that screams Brissie as much as BY.ARTISANS' signature drop. The new West End distillery's gin isn't just made right here in the Sunshine State capital — it uses old eucalyptus leaves from a Brisbane icon, aka Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, to create the beverage. Lone Pine's koalas aren't missing out on their greenery; rather, BY.ARTISANS is using the leaves that don't get eaten by the herbivorous marsupials each day. The resulting creation is indeed called Signature Gin, and it can be bought at the distillery's new Jane Street flagship — or enjoyed onsite. Adding a new sip to everyone's must-drink list is one of motivation behind BY.ARTISANS, as proves the aim of every outfit that makes booze. Getting attention on Queensland-born artistry and Sunshine State-made products is another key reason for being. Teaming up with one of the city's best-known destinations fits that ethos, clearly. Tempting eyes towards the brand's just-opened base won't be hard — the slick, sleek, minimalist-leaning venue, which favours natural tones with pops of greenery and silver distilling equipment around the place, instantly stands out. It isn't just somewhere where spirits are made and drunk, either. Also part of the setup: a cafe serving a curated range of food and a creative haven, where tasting rooms and the bar sit beside an event space, a retail space and room for workshops. For those stopping by for a bite, the all-day dining menu includes marinated mixed olives, gildas, pickled vegetables and crackers with hummus, Portuguese custard tarts, and daily-changing toasties and crostones. For two, there's also a cheese and charcuterie platter. "The name BY.ARTISANS reflects our commitment to craftsmanship, shining a light on the artistry and dedication behind every creation," explains Co-Founder Ginn Lai. "There are no shortcuts — each product is hand-made in small batches with carefully sourced ingredients and a focus on quality." "We wanted to create a space that challenges the preconceptions of a distillery, and offers something new and unexpected," added fellow Co-Founder and Brand Director Alexander Lotersztain said. "We have created a retreat that embraces the community, emphasises the space's multi-functionality, and is warm and welcoming during the day and at night," continues Lotersztain about an address that mirrors the pared-back aesthetics of the brand's Signature Gin, which comes in a eye-catching white bottle. "The retail space, too, has a curated selection of amazing homewares and objects from local artists and designers." As for the Signature Gin, a small-batch drop that goes heavy on native botanicals, it's been crafted under the guidance of BY.ARTISANS's third Co-Founder Alexander Bell, who is also the resident Master Distiller — and a chemical engineer. Expect to taste not only eucalyptus, but also lemon myrtle, cinnamon myrtle, lavender and wattleseed, all in a tipple made in a still designed to be one of the country's most energy-efficient by Bell. "This is a first-of-its-kind distillation system, capable of producing not only spirits but also a diverse range of essential oils and hydrosols from local botanicals," he notes. "What sets our distillery apart is its versatility. We use the same equipment to produce spirits of exceptional quality as we do to craft lifestyle products such as bespoke soaps, candles and natural dye merchandise — all while minimising our energy and resource use." Find BY.ARTISANS at 99 Jane Street, West End — open 10am–10pm Thursday–Saturday and 10am–5pm Sunday. Head to the distillery's website for more information. Images: Florian Groehn / Thomas Oliver.
One of the greatest workplace perks is when the boss takes everyone out for a bougie lunch after a long week of pushing around pens and paper. But if they're not around — or they are but their company card is staying firmly in their wallet — bringing your own drinks is one way to enjoy a delicious meal with your teammates on a budget. We've scoured Brisbane to find eateries that deliver these three must-haves — affordable, BYO and good for groups — in neat little packages. Here are the lunch spots where you can arrive with a bottle or stubby in hand, build camaraderie and actually leave with change.
The Commodores and Faith No More might've been easy like Sunday morning, but at Saccharomyces Beer Cafe, you can be cheesy like Sunday afternoon. And, let's face it, who doesn't want to spend the last hours of their weekend gorging on dairy products while enjoying a few beverages? At Boatrocker Cheesey Sunday Afternoon, you'll sample five beers from Boatrocker Brewery paired with five cheeses from Fino Fine Foods. You'll fork out $45 for a few hours of eating and drinking fun, and we can guarantee that your stomach will thank you for the deliciousness. Now, we know what you're thinking: doesn't something like this happen in Brissie every few weeks? At the moment, it certainly seems like it. But hey, if matching quality beers with tasty slices of cheese is the city's newest food trend, we're all for it.
Think there's just one Hottest 100 in January? Think again. Indeed, the second important countdown of the month goes rather well with the music poll that just proclaimed Flume's 'Never Be Like You' the nation's best track of 2016. In the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers list, great brews are in the spotlight — and once again, Stone & Wood's Pacific Ale has come out on top. It's the second year that the Byron Bay brewery has been dubbed the country's best yeasty tipple, and their third win overall. With 1600 different beers in the running, winning is no easy feat. Run by GABS — or the annual brew fest also known as the 'Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular', the 'people's choice' poll is decided by booze-lovers around the country, and received its most amount of votes ever in 2016. In massive news for new bevs, 21 brews that first wet lips in the past year were included in the GABS Hottest 100, including the American Pale Ale made by Gold Coast-based, Mick Fanning-co-owned Balter Brewing. And recognising the strength of Australia's indie beer scene, a whopping 80% of drinks hailed from independent brewers. If you're thinking, "less background, more beer", here's what you've been waiting for: the rundown of the best beverages from the past year that just keep tempting tastebuds. Working your way through them isn't just a great way to show your appreciation for locally made brews — consider it research for the 2017 countdown. GABS HOTTEST 100 AUSSIE CRAFT BEERS OF 2016 1. Pacific Ale - Australian Pale Ale - Stone and Wood Brewing Co 2. IIPA - Double IPA - Pirate Life Brewing 3. Hop Hog - American Pale Ale - Feral Brewing Company 4. XPA - American Pale Ale - Balter - NEW 5. IPA - American IPA - Pirate Life Brewing 6. Little Dove - American Pale Ale - Gage Roads Brewing Co - NEW 7. Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - Pirate Life Brewing 8. Crankshaft - American IPA - BentSpoke Brewery 9. Former Tenant - American IPA - Modus Operandi Brewing Co 10. Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - 4 Pines Brewing Co 11. IPA - American IPA - Fixation Brewing Co. 12. War Hog - American IPA - Feral Brewing Company 13. Beechworth Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - Bridge Road Brewers 14. 150 Lashes - Australian Pale Ale - James Squire 15. Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - Little Creatures 16. Newtowner - Australian Pale Ale - Young Henrys Brewing Company 17. Indian Summer Ale - Australian Pale Ale - 4 Pines Brewing Co 18. Kolsch - Kölsch - 4 Pines Brewing Co 19. Barley Griffin - Australian Pale Ale - BentSpoke Brewery 20. Throwback IPA - IPA (Specialty) - Pirate Life Brewing 21. Sonic Prayer - American IPA - Modus Operandi Brewing Co 22. Taco - Specialty Beer - Two Birds Brewing 23. India Red Ale - American IPA - Prancing Pony Brewery 24. Golden Stout Time - Sweet Stout - Big Shed Brewing 25. Korben D. - Double IPA - Akasha Brewing Co 26. Single Fin - British Golden Ale - Gage Roads Brewing Co 27. Three Sheets - Australian Pale Ale - Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel 28. Cloud Catcher - Australian Pale Ale - Stone and Wood Brewing Co 29. Karma Citra - IPA (Specialty) - Feral Brewing Company 30. Atomic - American Pale Ale - Gage Roads Brewing Co 31. Coffee Ramjet 2016 - Wood-Aged Beer - Boatrocker Brewing Co - NEW 32. Tusk – Nov 2016 - IPA (Specialty) - Feral Brewing Company - NEW 33. Nail Red - American Amber Ale - Nail Brewing 34. Ramjet 2016 - Wood-Aged Beer - Boatrocker Brewing Co - NEW 35. Dark - Dark Mild - White Rabbit Brewery 36. Summer Ale - Blonde Ale - Mountain Goat Beer 37. Wild Yak - Australian Pale Ale - Yak Ales - NEW 38. Steam Ale - California Common - Mountain Goat Beer 39. Kosciuszko Pale Ale - Australian Pale Ale - Kosciuszko Brewing Company 40. Grizz - American Amber Ale - 2 Brothers Brewery 41. Small Ale - IPA (Specialty) - Colonial Brewing Company 42. Dog Days - American Wheat - Little Creatures 43. Footscray Ale - American Pale Ale - West City Brewing 44. Spearhead - Australian Pale Ale - Cricketers Arms 45. Vanilla Milk Stout - Sweet Stout - Thirsty Crow 46. Modus Pale - American Pale Ale - Modus Operandi Brewing Co 47. Furphy Refreshing Ale - Kölsch - Little Creatures 48. American Amber Ale - American Amber Ale - 4 Pines Brewing Co 49. Nail VPA - American Pale Ale - Nail Brewing 50. Californicator - American IPA - Big Shed Brewing 51. Freshie Salt & Pepper - Gose - Nomad Brewing Co 52. Mt Tennent Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - Pact Beer Co 53. Fat Yak - American Pale Ale - Yak Ales 54. Kung Foo - Pale Lager - 2 Brothers Brewery 55. KRUSH! - American Pale Ale - KAIJU! Beer - NEW 56. Windjammer - American IPA - Green Beacon Brewing Co 57. Reginald - American IPA - Blackman's Brewery 58. Pale Ale - American Pale Ale - Hawkers Beer 59. Session Ale - Australian Pale Ale - Mismatch Brewing Company 60. Calypso - Pale Ale (American-style) - Odyssey Craft Brewing Co. 61. 8BiT - American IPA - Stockade Brew Co - NEW 62. Hop Thief 8 - American Pale Ale - James Squire - NEW 63. The Chop - American IPA - Hop Nation Brewing Co - NEW 64. Sunset Ale - American Amber Ale - Two Birds Brewing 65. IPA - American IPA - Little Creatures 66. Rogers' Beer - American Amber Ale - Little Creatures 67. Watermelon Warhead - Berliner Weisse - Feral Brewing Company 68. Hop Culture - American IPA - Mornington Peninsula Brewery - NEW 69. Miss Pinky - Soured Fruit Beer - Boatrocker Brewing Co 70. Bright Ale - Blonde Ale - Little Creatures 71. Sly Fox - American Pale Ale - Feral Brewing Company 72. Hop Thief 7 - American Pale Ale - James Squire 73. Praline - Belgian Specialty Ale - La Sirène Brewing 74. Copy Cat - American IPA - Mash Brewing 75. Elsie The Milk Stout - Sweet Stout - Batch Brewing Co 76. Fancy Pants - American Amber Ale - Mountain Goat Beer 77. The Fox - Vienna-style Lager - Rabbit & Spaghetti Brewing Co. 78. Growler - American Brown Ale - 2 Brothers Brewery 79. IPA - American IPA - Hawkers Beer 80. Peanut Brittle Gose - Gose - Bacchus Brewing Co 81. Rare Breed: Pulped Fiction Blood Orange IPA - Double IPA - Mountain Goat Beer - NEW 82. Yenda Pale Ale - Australian Pale Ale - Australian Beer Co 83. Garden Ale - Australian Pale Ale - Stone and Wood Brewing Co 84. Hazelnut Brown - Brown Ale (UK-style) - Bad Shepherd 85. Bling Bling - Double IPA - Bridge Road Brewers 86. Beach Ale - Blonde Ale - Odyssey Craft Brewing Co. - NEW 87. Mornington Pale - American Pale Ale - Mornington Peninsula Brewery 88. Fred - IPA (American-style) - Murray's Craft Brewing Co 89. Imperial IPA - IPA (Specialty) - 4 Pines Brewing Co - NEW 90. F-Yeah - American Pale Ale - Big Shed Brewing 91. Session IPA - American IPA - Modus Operandi Brewing Co - NEW 92. Bling - American IPA - Bridge Road Brewers 93. Project #22: Bert (The Royal Albert Collab) - Australian Pale Ale - Colonial Brewing Company - NEW 94. Sourpuss - Berliner Weisse - Wayward Brewing Company 95. B.F.H. (Barrel Fermented Hog) - American IPA - Feral Brewing Company 96. 28 - American Pale Ale - Burleigh Brewing Company 97. Thanks Captain Obvious - American IPA - BrewCult 98. ALT Brown - American Brown Ale - Balter - NEW 99. The Chancer - Blonde Ale - James Squire 100. Hopsmith - American IPA - Akasha Brewing Co NEW — First brewed in 2016.
Australia's answer to South by Southwest, the biggest music industry gathering in the southern hemisphere descends once again on Fortitude Valley — BIGSOUND. Music business meets pleasure in a boastful lineup of top-notch industry speakers and next level ones-to-watch artists performing in various locations across Brisbane’s biggest cultural precinct. Delegates will flock en masse to daytime conferences to tune in about the state of our national music scene — how to succeed in the exciting realm of music management and performing, and how to best support and promote Australian artists who are proving a success on local and international stages. Triple j’s Richard Kingsmill, ARIA-winning, platinum-selling artist Megan Washington, the legendary Neil Finn of Crowded House fame and Peter Noble, the brains behind Bluesfest are just a drop in the bucket of pure steeze dishing out their insider industry knowledge in the conference component of BIGSOUND. After dark, artists will take over stages in and around Fortitude Valley for two epic nights of loud and proud performances. With a solid lineup of official and unofficial parties, gigs and showcases scheduled, the choices of how to spend your two nights in this double-header of a festival are pretty limitless. Catch the likes of Deep Sea Arcade, Kingswood, Avaberée, Thelma Plum, Holy Holy and a sizeable avalanche more, all you need is your golden ticket (otherwise known as a wristband of awesomeness) to take your pick. The go-to happening for Australian music fans and industry leaders alike, BIGSOUND is your ticket to big gigs, big rubbing shoulders ops and even bigger ideas. Check out the full BIGSOUND program of panels, events and gigs right here. If you're strapped for time or slightly unorganised, we've counted down the ten artists you must see at BIGSOUND over here.
In Spider-Man: No Way Home, everyone's favourite friendly neighbourhood web-slinger still does whatever a spider can. (Don't expect the catchy cartoon theme song, though.) To be precise, Spidey's latest outing — starring Tom Holland (Chaos Walking), as every live-action film in the ever-sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe that's featured the superhero has — sees him do whatever spider-men have for decades. The masked crusader shoots webs, flings them about New York and swings around the city. He helps people, battles crime, literally hangs out with his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya, Dune) and saves the world, too. As the movie's trailers revealed, Spider-Man also fights whoever his on-screen predecessors fought. The twist that isn't a twist because it's part of the flick's marketing: that villains from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's stints as Spidey show up here. Those familiar faces, including Willem Dafoe (The Card Counter) as the Green Goblin, Alfred Molina (Promising Young Woman) as Doctor Octopus and Jamie Foxx (Soul) as Electro, aren't Peter Parker's initial problem, as viewers of 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming and 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home will already know. No Way Home picks up immediately after the latter, after Spidey's secret identity has been blasted across the internet by online conspiracist J Jonah Jameson (JK Simmons, Ride the Eagle). The media swiftly make Peter "the most famous person in the world", the public get hostile and his college prospects — and MJ and Ned's (Jacob Batalon, Let It Snow) as well — take a hit. The only solution he can see: asking Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog) to cast a spell to make everyone forget who he is. With drastic magic comes drastic consequences, hence those recognisable nefarious folks who know Spidey — and definitely know that he's Peter Parker — yet don't recognise the MCU's version. Marvel's next flick after this one is Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, so the franchise is about to go big on alternate worlds, but No Way Home still doesn't actually jump into that domain first. It's a curious choice on the whole huge saga's part to take cues from the animated delight that is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which relished having multiple spider-realms, got inventive with both its concept and visuals, won an Oscar and is easily the best spider-flick to-date, all without sitting within the MCU itself. Indeed, the live-action franchise's third stand-alone Spider-Man movie can't shake the feeling that it's playing catch-up. Directed by Jon Watts, as all three recent web-slinging films have been, No Way Home does more than give flesh, blood and spandex to an ace idea already brought to the screen a mere three years back. It also delivers the heftiest helping of fan service that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever dished up. The franchise has long enjoyed hitting all the obvious crowd-pleasing notes, but Martin Scorsese's 2019 comment that compared MCU fare to theme parks rings particularly true here — unsurprisingly given this Spider-Man outing wants to elicit the loudest of screams and shouts from its audience. Buy the ticket, take the cinematic ride, ooh and aah over every clear spin and foreseeable twirl: amid the stock-standard CGI-packed action scenes and triple-layered Spidey nods to iterations past, not all that long ago and present, that's what No Way Home seeks from its viewers. And, it takes the rollercoaster approach to evoking that reaction, rolling its story down the most glaring of tracks. You can anticipate each jolt and shake on any given amusement ride, see every up and down coming, and still relish the experience — and that's what No Way Home is hoping for. It wants to be the fun flick that gleefully makes Spidey fans' dreams come true, and to coast on the buzz of all those fantasies fulfilled. That's all busy and nostalgic and undemandingly entertaining but, even though No Way Home isn't short on twists that haven't been laid out in the trailers, this is one of the least surprising MCU films yet. Three-time Spider-Man screenwriters Erik Sommers and Chris McKenna make every expected move they can with this greatest hits package, both within the usual Marvel formula and with the parts of their script that are meant to startle and astonish. As a result, No Way Home's best moments swing in one of two directions: weighty or silly. Much of the movie hovers in the middle, resembling the empty space between an arachnid's silky threads, but when it either burrows deep or keeps things goofy, there's enough that sticks. Pondering the cost of being Spider-Man, the film doesn't fling itself into new territory — and yet it manages to add extra strands to the 'being a superhero is tough' scenario by recognising how such woes keep recurring. Finding laughs in the whole situation isn't unique either, and No Way Home isn't as funny or as loose as Homecoming or Far From Home. Still, that's the vibe that suits Holland; in his stretch in the red-and-blue suit, he's always played Peter like an excited, awkward and overwhelmed teen who's daffily grappling with what it all means, which is particularly pivotal here. There is one brief glorious moment during No Way Home's climax — a trio of shots, all edited together rapidly and framed to match each other — that perfects what Watts is aiming for overall. It's astute, amusing, enjoyable and, although still undeniably obvious, thoughtfully taps into the existential Spidey struggle while simultaneously proving loving and playful. It's the full web, even spanning just seconds, but that term doesn't fit the bulk of the feature that sprawls around it. No Way Home isn't without its charms — Holland and Zendaya's chemistry still sparkles, it's a definite treat to see Dafoe and Molina back in the fold, and, as blasts from the pasts keep popping up, Watts cleverly juggles the varying tones of all three different web-slinging franchises — but this spider-sequel is always happiest when it's trying to catch the audience's claps and cheers just like flies.
Sometimes, we're all looking onwards, upwards and forwards because we're thinking about the future. Given how normality as everyone knows it has changed and evolved rapidly over the past couple of years, that's hardly surprising. But don't forget to look up literally, too — especially when must-see sights keep gracing the night sky. When it comes to vibrant astronomical visions, this is the latest in the space of a few short weeks, after the Lyrids meteor shower lit up the night back in April. Every autumn, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower sets the sky ablaze, too — and it's that time now. This year, the shower will be at its most spectacular early on Saturday, May 7 — very early, in fact. If you're eager to catch a glimpse, even from just your backyard or balcony, here's how. WHAT IS IT The Eta Aquarids might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but the shower is actually a distant relation — because the bits and pieces you see flying around were on Halley's path a really, really long time ago. And, rather than only being visible every 76 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), the Eta Aquarids come around every year, usually between April 19–May 28 every year. The shower's name comes from the star from which they appear to come Eta Aquarii, which is part of the Aquarius constellation. So, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. Luckily, being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world. On average, you can see up to 20–40 meteors per hour. [caption id="attachment_769233" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Saturday, May 7, but will still be able to be seen for a few days on either side. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am — but between 2am–6am is also recommended. At that time, you'll be in the running to see as many as 50 meteors every 60 minutes. Each will be moving at about 225,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. HOW TO SEE IT Usually, when a meteor shower lights up the sky, we'd tell city-dwellers to get as far away from light pollution as possible to get the best view. If you can't venture out of town at the moment, you can still take a gander from your backyard or balcony. To help locate the shower, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Eta Aquarids. It has been updating this daily. The weather might get in the way of your viewing, though, depending on where you live. Melbourne is set for showers until next Monday, and Adelaide is as well until Saturday — fingers crossed that the wet weather takes a break during the early hours. It's also forecast to be wet in Brisbane until Friday, so here's hoping that any rain doesn't hang around till Saturday. In Sydney and Perth, however, sunny conditions await.
Returning for a second year after a widely-publicised Parklife rebrand, national electronic dance music festival Listen Out has locked in dates for another year. Spearheaded by organisers and promoters Fuzzy (the team behind Field Day, Shore Thing and Harbourlife), Listen Out marked its debut last year to generally upward thumbs and rants about Azealia Banks' smokebomb. Stopping by Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane in spring, Listen Out's so-called 'boutique' set-up will "showcase the best dance music in a small but perfectly formed setting," according to Fuzzy. The nationally-touring festival will return to Sydney's Centennial Park, Perth's Ozone Reserve and Melbourne's Observatory Precinct, with a change in Brisbane venue from Southbank's Cultural Forecourt to the Brisbane Showgrounds. Headlined by staggeringly popular UK duo Disclosure last year with highlights including Azealia Banks (very briefly), AlunaGeorge and Classixx, this year's lineup sees Flume, Chet Faker, Zhu, Schoolboy Q and more crank the beats up in the Brisbane Showgrounds. LISTEN OUT 2014 LINEUP: FLUME (only 2014 shows) CHET FAKER ZHU SCHOOLBOY Q FOUR TET YG TA-KU TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS (DJ Set) SHLOHMO BONDAX YOUNG FATHERS YAHTZEL (DJ Set) GOLDEN FEATURES TKAY MAIDZA TRIPLE J UNEARTHED WINNER + more Image by Dominic Loneragan. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Lk3vbB_yuk0
Dinosaur Designs began in 1985 as a stall in Sydney's Paddington Markets. Since its humble beginnings, it has gone on to open stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane as well as New York and London. Over the years, the independent designer has gained a loyal following thanks to its colourful, chunky and bold jewellery and homewares that remain instantly recognisable in the market. Everything Dinosaur Designs produces is made in Australia using sustainably and responsibly sourced materials like resin, brass, pearls, leather and, most recently, clay. In Brisbane, based on the corner of James and Arthur Street, you'll find a bricks-and-mortar boutique for the artistic brand, which is open seven days and stocks all of the latest collections. A second store can also be found at the Wintergarden in the CBD.
Saying that M. Night Shyamalan's latest film offers an improvement over his most recent efforts isn't really saying much. After impressing with The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, and a little less so with Signs and The Village, the likes of Lady in the Water, The Happening, The Last Airbender and After Earth won the writer/director few kind words. The Visit seems to fall somewhere in the middle; however, in plodding towards his usual twist and doing so with a clumsy blend of shocks and laughs, it soon proves closer to his latter work than his former. Fifteen-year-old Becca (Olivia DeJonge) and her thirteen-year-old younger brother Tyler (Ed Oxenbould) take the trip of the movie's title, leaving their single mother (Kathryn Hahn) for a week with the estranged grandparents they've never before met. Upon arriving at the remote farm their Nana (Deanna Dunagan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie) call home, the siblings find their elders a little odd, but are reassured that their eccentricities stem from their advanced age. When even stranger occurrences start happening at night, Becca and Tyler are convinced that something else is going on. To complicate what becomes little more than kids simply being spooked by creepy old people, pseudo fairytale-style, Shyamalan throws the current horror movie trend — found footage — into the mix. Accordingly, The Visit is presented as a documentary being shot by wannabe filmmaker Becca, with Tyler assisting with the camerawork when he's not rapping in front of the lens. Shyamalan's found footage effort is not a slapdash attempt to capitalise upon the current fondness for a certain subgenre of film — at least as far as the actual found footage conceit is concerned. The director never abandons his approach, and even weaves the consequences of a constantly rolling camera into the story. Expect bit players performing because they know they're being watched, just as Tyler does. Don't expect shots from angles that can't be justified in the narrative, just because they look cool. Alas, around the well-executed and committed stylistic gimmick sits cliche and a veering tone that colours everything that happens. Attempted frights are easily foreseen in the shadowy Hansel and Gretel-like offering, though thankfully Shyamalan's love of the supernatural never rears its head. The predictability of the script certainly inspires much of the guffawing that will echo around the cinema, though many of the feature's gags are intentional. Making a good horror-comedy is as difficult a feat as mastering found footage, but The Visit doesn't succeed in the first instance. Giggling at, not with, the film, feels like the more frequent outcome as bodily functions are mined for humour alongside the naked elderly form. And with the jump scares few and far between, comic moments aren't quite being used to diffuse tension. Australians DeJonge and Oxenbould try hard to wade through the wavering mood, turning in playful performances that brighten up the standard story, but being asked to spout dialogue about filmmaking technique doesn't do their characters any favours. Still, to say that the duo ranks alongside Shyamalan's handling of found footage as the feature's highlights is accurate — although, in the context of the complete movie, that's once again not saying much.
Green Island is the quintessential destination for the rainforest and ocean combo that Tropical North Queensland is famous for. As the name suggests, it's the only cay in the Great Barrier Reef that boasts a rainforest as well as pristine sands. Plus, Ocean Free is the only tour operator in Cairns that offers a personal sailing reef and island tour. Ocean Free provide a tour with an exclusive reef mooring at the island. Taking a highly personalised approach, Ocean Free lets you decide how to spend your day. Snorkel straight off the boat, try your hand at an introductory dive or spend the day exploring the island's rainforest. Then, return aboard Ocean Free to relax and marvel at Green Island over a smorgasbord lunch.
Almost four years after officially launching its streaming platform in Australia, Amazon Prime Video has expanded its range of viewing options — by bringing the company's online video store Down Under, too. Now, cinephiles can rent or buy a movie via the service's video-on-demand shop. And, you can access its lineup without signing up for a subscription membership. If you're eager to rent the likes of A Quiet Place, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Bohemian Rhapsody, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Lion King, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, you'll find them all available — with a focus on recent release and blockbuster titles. That means that next time you're looking to check out a new-ish flick, you can add Amazon to the list of places to watch it digitally on a pay-per-title basis, alongside Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Amazon's VOD selection spans films from big studios such as Disney, Warner Bros, NBCUniversal, Sony, Paramount and Lionsgate, as well as Australian distributors Transmission and Madman. Accordingly, if you're not in the mood for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, you can go local and check out Mystify: Michael Hutchence instead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRIFR3hkIpo Rentals start from $3.99, and remain valid for 30 days — although you'll only have 48 hours to watch once you press play. As for purchases, they start from $12.99. Australia joins France, Italy, Spain and Canada in receiving the VOD service, with Amazon's online video store already up and running in US, UK, Germany and Japan. Viewers can access the Prime Video Store via the service's website, or through the Prime Video app on televisions, Android mobile devices and game consoles. If you're eager to check out Amazon's original movies and TV series, though — such as Hunters, The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Tales from the Loop — you'll still need to subscribe to the streaming platform. To rent or buy a film via Amazon Prime Video, visit the Prime Video Store website.
Your latest reason to eat breakfast, brunch and lunch riverside in Brisbane's inner north has opened its doors at Northshore in Hamilton: Riva Kitchen & Events. Table of Four, which is already behind The Garden Room at Roma Street Parklands, has spread its culinary footprint to another of the River City's green spaces — this time by the water. The format for the company's two eateries is noticeably the same, pairing ace Brissie locations with bites to eat. But when you're peering out over the river at Riva Kitchen & Events, you'll know that you're in a different venue to Table of Four's first spot for a meal. There's still plenty of greenery surrounding the Hamilton restaurant, but your tiramisu overnight oats, truffled scrambled eggs and angus rib-eyes come with quite the backdrop. Officially launching in May, and operating seven days for daytime meals, the eatery's menu also spans house-cured salmon with a potato cake, soft-boiled egg and dill crème fraiche for brekkie — and also citrus whipped ricotta and avocado on toasted sourdough with poached eggs; french toast with homemade lemon curd, mascarpone and vanilla ice cream; and sweetcorn and zucchini fritters. For lunch, heirloom tomato and chargrilled garlic bruschetta will get you started, before caesar salad, Balter beer-battered fish and chips, beef burgers and chicken schnitzel are among your options. Catering for coffee dates, long lunches and weekend brunches, too, the culinary spread's focus is modern Australian dishes, but taking cues from the Mediterranean. Local and seasonal ingredients are in the spotlight. The crew behind the restaurant have also designed the light and airy Riva Kitchen & Events to become Brisbane's next go-to to celebrate occasions, as the eatery's name makes plain. Whether it's for an intimate dinner or a party, or a wedding or corporate event, the site doubles as a venue for shindigs — with its openair features and backdrop definite drawcards. Find Riva Kitchen & Events at 285 MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton — open daily from 7am–3.30pm. Head to the venue's website for further details.
You've gotta love an eatery that not only fills your stomach with tasty food, but makes sure your sustenance is as nutritious as it is delicious as well. That's The Windsor Larder in a nutshell. Whether you're dining in or grabbing something to go, the new addition to Lutwyche Road will make sure you feel good about your meal choice. And experimental, too, given that the cute little cafe is serving up something you've probably never had first thing in the morning. Breakfast gnocchi is exactly what it sounds like, featuring pan-fried ricotta gnocchi, chorizo and poached egg. Admit it — your mouth is watering. If you're after something a bit more traditional for brekkie or lunch from Monday to Saturday, you can also choose from beef and beans, hotcakes and smoked salmon early in the day, a burger, handmade savoury pastries and mushroom and pea risotto around noon, and daily sweet treats whenever the craving hits. Wash it all down with Silipo Marrone blend coffee or T2 tea — or one of four types of juices or smoothies. Doesn't the Banana Lovin' with banana, milk, ice cream, cinnamon, honey and cocoa nibs sound like the perfect post-meal beverage?
Change is coming to Brisbane's inner east, including a big demolition, temporarily relocated sports teams and a brand-new stadium at the end of it. When the the Brisbane Cricket Ground is torn down and rebuilt for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, it'll also become part of a new Woolloongabba precinct that the Queensland Government hopes that folks will enjoy regardless of whether there's a game on. Brisbane Lions fans, 2020 AFL grand final attendees, cricket aficionados, anyone who has ever seen a gig at the the Gabba: the spot that you know and love is being flattened, with a new venue taking its place. Brisbanites in general, this part of town will also look a whole lot different. There'll be more dining and retail options, plus open spaces to hang out in. And, the name East Bank has been floated. Knocking down the Gabba was first floated back in 2021, but with a huge caveat given that it was contingent upon the River City scoring the Olympic Games hosting gig. That was locked in that same year, and then earlier in 2023 Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the Gabba plans would go ahead. Now, today, Friday, November 24, Deputy Premier Steven Miles has unveiled more details — including what'll be in the stadium, and what the urban renewal project around it will comprise. The venue will become the main stadium for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, and will be rebuilt with that in mind. But it's obviously also a year-round site for other sports events — Aussie rules and cricket use it for an average of 40 weeks a year — so supporting the stadium's long-term professional sports requirements remains a priority. The rebuild will also ensure it still functions as a top-notch entertainment venue, too. Gabba attendees can look forward to better viewing angles, bigger entries to get in, larger concourses as well, and three new pedestrian bridges outside — two across Main Street, avoiding the traffic lights and linking to the Cross River Rail station, and one over Stanley Street. Capacity will be increased from the current 42,000 to 50,000 seated and over 70,000 for concerts, while the internal merchandise stores will get a boost, as will dining venues, casual food and beverage outlets, and spaces for members. And, if you've ever tried to find the lifts in the stadium rather than take the stairs, they'll be installed with accessibility in mind. Escalators will also feature. For athletes and teams, all of the facilities will obviously be shiny and new, including for administration, operations and event-day functions. The Gabba 2.0 will also boast "cutting-edge technology and lighting", the government has announced, so ideally there'll be no more blackouts that disrupt games. Aiming for a six-star green-star rating is another key focus, including via connecting to the broader precinct and its green space. Surrounding the stadium, Woolloongabba will gain more shops on the streets around the Gabba, plus more places to eat and hang out. With the Gabba as its anchor, the existing Woolloongabba Priority Development Area now spans 106 hectares of the inner-city suburb — and, as it is revamped, the development will also provide more social and affordable housing. Building a new Gabba was chosen after assessing four options, including a refurbishment of the existing stadium, plus just tearing down and rebuilding part of the Gabba. To make space for the larger stadium, East Brisbane State School next door will be relocated within two kilometres from December 2025. That said, the heritage buildings within the school won't be torn down — rather, they'll be refurbished and repurposed into the new Gabba. "The Gabba's 128-year history makes it iconic for Queensland, this redevelopment will ensure a lasting legacy to be enjoyed for another 128 years and beyond. This isn't just about a stadium upgrade. This is about anchoring an urban renewal project that will see Woolloongabba transformed like South Bank was transformed for Expo 88," said the Deputy Premier. "The Woolloongabba redevelopment, along with Cross River Rail and the Brisbane Metro, will anchor a major redevelopment of Woolloongabba to maximise the benefit of public investment, and deliver more housing including social and affordable housing, more jobs, and better connectivity." "We could see another 880 or more apartments delivered in the precinct alone, as well as retail and dining. Plus, with at least 50 percent of the precinct set to be open space and a walkable spine from the Gabba to Roma Street via South Bank, there will be more for locals and visitors to enjoy." If you're an AFL or cricket fiend wondering how long it'll take, the whole Gabba revamp is expected to run over four years, starting in 2026 and welcoming in sports fans again in 2030. Brisbane Lions games and cricket matches will need to move elsewhere, obviously, while the site is out of action. No announcements have been made yet about the other grounds that two sports will use during that time. The Gabba has been a permanent cricket ground since 1895, and has undergone several revamps over its lifespan to-date, including the refurbishment of its entrances and amenities in 2020. For more information about the plans for the Gabba, head to the Queensland Government website.
The year that was 2012 will be remembered in popular music circles as the year in which The Stones Roses reformed their trippy, stadium-shaking odyssey, Pussy Riot turned political songwriting into actual political action and a quirky little Korean man conquered the world with his taste for tuxedos and obscene dance moves. Yet beyond the headline-grabbing stories, 2012 also saw the release of some truly awesome and at times groundbreaking new music. 20-year-old Flume became an icon for every pill-popping teenager with his slick beats and razor sharp production, Tame Impala broke the second-album curse in emphatic fashion with their fresh set of psychedelic riffs and Frank Ocean proved that kick-ass hip-hop does not necessarily have to come with a Kanye-West-sized ego. Independent music website, Pitchfork have their own take on 2012, with a "Best Of" list that includes some chart-topping juggernauts along with a bunch of unsung success stories. Here is Concrete Playground's take on Pitchfork's top five albums of 2012. 1. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city Californian local, Kendrick Lamar is a far-cry from the sort of arrogant, chest-beating and studio-polished rappers that we have come accustomed to hearing come out of the US of A. On his second solo album, "good kid, m.A.A.d city", Lamar rejects the misogynist rhymes of his West Coast peers in favour of a deeply personal and at times painfully raw exploration of his childhood growing up on the fringes of gang life in Compton, California. The album however is never overwhelmed by its emotional intensity, as Lamar's lyrical virtuosity is equalled by the album's sumptuous, beat-laden soundtrack, making "good kid, m.A.A.d city" not only one of the most personal but also most accessible records of 2012. 2. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange Having lent his considerable songwriting and vocal talents to the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, John Legend and even Justin Bieber, Frank Ocean was not exactly an unfamiliar voice even if he may have been an unfamiliar name prior to the release of his highly acclaimed debut album "Channel Orange". The mass of industry and social media hype that preceded its release turned out to be entirely justified with Ocean delivering an album full of silky vocals, Prince-flavoured melodies and touching word paintings that has had critics everywhere drooling and all other R&B artist clutching at his heels. 3. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! Fusing anarchist politics with metal-like riffing an unreal string section and spine-tingling vocals, "Godspeed You! Black Emperor" have carved themselves a cult-like following a million miles away from the mainstream. "Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!" as such is part political manifesto and part soundtrack to the apocalypse, with beautiful guitar riffs building and crescendoing into euphoric explosions of raw power and noise. "Godspeed You! Black Emperor" is the sort of once-in-a-generation band that is able to effortlessly straddle the seemingly irreconcilable boundaries of brooding yet joyous, bombastic yet simple, epic and yet distinctly personal all at the same time sounding like they are having themselves a pretty unreal fucking party. 4. Grizzly Bear - Shields Shields is the fourth and most critically acclaimed album from the Brooklyn's indie darlings, Grizzly Bear. In this intricately layered album, the quartet have moved away from the dreaminess of their previous work in favour of a fuller sounding collection of songs which take the listener on a melancholic journey of loneliness tampered by moments of profound human connections. Grizzly Bear's melodies are self-consciously ''in your face'' demanding the listener to stop, listen closely and notice the beauty that exists in our otherwise fast-paced world. A woody concoction of lulling vocals, nimble guitar riffs and consistently evocative lyrics, Shields will resonate with you long after the final notes are heard. 5. Beach House - Bloom The Baltimore-duo's fourth offering is an enticing cocktail of dreamy vocals, tender guitar lines and breathy male-female harmonies that hits the listener in waves of sonic and ethereal bliss. For Beach House's devoted collection of fans this is everything they have come to expect of these dream-pop pin-ups, yet "Bloom" has the band taking their distinctive and deceptively complex sound to new levels of summery warmth, carving a near-perfect album of lush, bittersweet soundscapes. "Bloom" is perhaps the most beautiful album of 2012 and should be the soundtrack to anyone whose idea of the perfect Summer involves curling up with a bottle of white wine and a view of the sunset.
Whether you're somewhere near or somewhere far, there are scores of ways to acknowledge just how incredible your mother (or grandmother or aunt) is with some good old-fashioned spoiling. But, fellow mama-lovers, if you've let the annual celebration of maternity known as Mother's Day (Sunday, May 9 btw) slip your mind this year, we're here to help out. We've picked out our favourite mum-worthy gift ideas—from the reliable candles and cocktails, to personalised luggage and DIY pottery classes—so you can just stick to worrying about what you're going to write in the card. After all, this is your once-a-year opportunity to show your ma how much she means to you, so the pressure is absolutely on. [caption id="attachment_785836" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NRMA Glamtainer by Shan Rose Photography.[/caption] FOR THE TRAVELLING MUM After last year's lockdowns, we've all got some missed travel opportunities to make up for, mum included. So what better time to treat her to a little getaway? If she's a snow bunny or beach-lover, NRMA's new luxury 'glamtainers' should do the trick — there are now four of the beautifully repurposed shipping container stays operating, with the original two located at Ocean Beach Holiday Resort and the other pair landing at Jindabyne in time for the winter season. Or perhaps she'd fancy a trip to the Gold Coast for a couple of nights in this gin-themed caravan, from Camplify and The Botanist Gin. Weekend stays include a bottle of gin and all the trimmings for whipping up some dreamy cocktails. If wine's more her thing and a jaunt to the Mornington Peninsula is on the cards, you could treat her to this memorable Red Balloon experience, involving a vineyard tour, wine tasting and five-course lunch at the renowned Montalto Estate. And no matter where she's headed, you can ensure your mum's holiday-ready with a piece of personalised luggage from July. Right now, the brand's including a complimentary Mother's Day card with each order and offering free personalisation, too, so you can get mum gifted all at once. FOR THE FOOD (AND BOOZE) LOVING MUM She's cooked countless dinners and birthday cakes for you and the rest of the fam—now, it's mum's turn to be treated to a little culinary indulgence. The minds behind the annual Mould Cheese Festival are slinging a range of home-delivered offerings that'd have any dairy fiend salivating—from curated cheese boxes filled with top Aussie picks, to a DIY cheesemaking kit. If mum's a fan of variety, swing past Good Day People's online store and order one of their non-boring hampers to be dropped to her door. There are lots of fun curations for food-loving folks here, catering to palates both sweet and savoury with treats from the likes of chocolate brand Hey Tiger, Wondaree nuts and Drunken Sailor condiments. Meanwhile, for those who can't take mum out for a drink IRL, the cocktail experts at the Everleigh Bottling Co have a range of classy pre-batched libations available for delivery. Choose from sips like the classic martini, a chic Manhattan, or maybe one of the new spritzed French 75 cocktails. [caption id="attachment_810524" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Active Truth's new Brolga range.[/caption] FOR THE OUTDOORSY MUM If some great outdoors action is on the cards, have mum looking her best, with one of the new activewear pieces from Active Truth. The Aussie label has teamed up with Indigenous artist Bobbi Lockyer for this limited-edition Brolga collection, featuring high-waisted leggings and crop tops in a gorgeous hand-painted print. For more rugged outdoors adventures, take a peek at these latest offerings from Kathmandu—the nature-loving mum always has room in their collection for a new rain jacket, cosy down vest or pair of hiking boots. Once you've sorted her wardrobe, she can check out our pick of must-try Aussie mountain hikes—perhaps with her favourite child (aka you) along for company. And for the adrenaline junkie, there's plenty of high-flying fun to be had on a skydiving adventure; like this heart-pumping Red Balloon experience that'll have mum enjoying a tandem freefall over stunning coastline off Wollongong, 90 minutes south of Sydney. [caption id="attachment_810528" align="alignnone" width="1920"] tbh. skincare products.[/caption] FOR THE SELF-CARE MUM A spot of self-care and mindful pampering never goes astray, and we're sure mum would agree. You can help brighten up her skin and her bathroom cabinet with a few of the latest colourful goodies from cult skincare brand tbh. The sustainability-focused company is only young, but it's already causing a big splash with its innovative, science-driven products. If you want her to think of you when she's curled up with a good book and a cuppa, try one of these very cuddly customisable cushions from Hommey. There are over 160 colours, fabrics and shapes to choose from, plus you can score an extra 20 percent off for Mother's Day (use MOTHERSDAY20). And that relaxing bath is sorted thanks to a new limited-edition collaboration from booze-free winemaker Non and luxe candle label Maison Balzac. The gift pack features a bottle of exclusive Non wine, a specially matched scented candle and a QR code linking to a curated playlist—all designed to be enjoyed simultaneously for an immersive sensory experience. Find it at Blackhearts & Sparrows stores nationwide, as well as Winona Wine in NSW and Wine Republic in Melbourne. Or for a twist on the classic Mother's Day bouquet, check out this clever match from LVLY—a locally-grown flower arrangement paired with a pack of Rise and Shine yoga cards illustrated by Georgia Perry. FOR THE CREATIVE MUM Say thanks for all the decades of motherly support by helping her indulge her own creative side. For a bit of at-home fun, you can treat her to one of Crockd's DIY pottery kits, available for delivery Australia-wide. The classic box comes with enough clay and equipment for two (so you can join her), and whatever pieces you make can be air-dried at home, without the need for any fancy kiln. Otherwise, sign her up for one of Class Bento's sprawling list of creative workshops and classes, running both online and at various locations across Australia. You'll find everything from perfume-making and mosaic workshops, to a class that teaches you how to create your own botanical-infused phone case. And if mum's got a creative eye, we're betting she'll also appreciate these sweet new designs from Aussie jewellery label Elle Haitch. Expect hoops, necklaces and chic rings for all tastes. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Top image: The Everleigh Bottling Co by Gareth Sobey.
The menu might change on a daily basis, but one thing always remains the same at Red Robin Supper Truck. That'd be the presence of a burger — and sometimes more than one — that's worth heading to Morningside for. Named for the tea room it sits behind, the Southside is as tasty as the combination of beef, cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles gets, however whether the blue bacon, big kahuna, Dorito chicken, kimcheese, red curry or thai fish burger also grace the food van's chalkboard, it's always in good company. Plus, a trip to Red Robin Supper Truck means a trip to Death Valley, the city's best inner-east dive bar.
Some days, you just need to roll out of bed, grab your picnic basket, head to a sunny patch of grass and listen to Disney songs while looking out over the river. The two days when you can do just that? Saturday, March 4–Sunday, March 5 at South Bank's Riverside Green, with the inner-city precinct hosting two Riverside Melodies sessions. Here, you won't just hear tunes from Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and other Mouse House favourites. You'll be able to sing along as well. And, these daytime events will also survey other movie and Broadway hits, such as Grease, Hairspray, The Sound of Music. From 10am–1pm on both dates, the waterside will be alive with the sound of beloved music, all at a family-friendly affair that'll also include pop-up food and drink vendors doing a brunch menu. Entry is free, and this is just one of two music events happening in the same spot on these two days alongside Sunset Opera each evening.
Sha Sarwari is a visual artist who came to Australia as a refugee. He arrived from Afghanistan in 1999 and graduated from The Queensland College of Art last year. His art is rich, symbolic and biographical. "It is my way of understanding my experience,” he tells Quest Community Newspaper. And his latest solo exhibition at Jugglers Art Space is a pure, deep and moving depiction of peace and freedom from one of Brisbane's most achieved personal expressionists. Silent Conversation explores the notion of the found object and reinterprets it into multilayered poetic narratives. It gives comment on social and political issues, such as asylum seekers and refugees in Australia, as well showcasing an intuitive means of sculpture. From a barbed wire hammock to a boat made of newspapers, Sarwari's projects present a hard truth that is difficult to digest, even in art form. Opening night for Silent Conversation is April 10 at 6pm, where you'll be able to meet and hear from the artist with a thousand stories. The exhibition will only be open to the public until April 15 by appointment.
For more than a decade, Roomies Arts has supported artists with disability and mental health concerns — helping these artists to overcome the barriers presented by society and the arts world, and to achieve their goals and develop their creative skills. During the pandemic and Australia's transitions in and out of lockdown, the organisation decided to expand its workshops, creating sessions that would help reach more of the general public while people were experiencing increased mental health challenges. One way that the organisation is doing exactly that is through a series of online creative workshops. There are currently four workshops up on the Roomies Arts website — so, you can participate in a still-life drawing session with artist Anne Kwasner, make paper sculptures with visual and performing artist Jeff McCann, upcycle clothing with designer Holly-Jane Cohle, and create air-dry clay figures with mixed-media painter and sculptor Michelle Connolly. The sessions are designed to help you slow down and focus on something relaxing and mediative for a short period, which is something we could all benefit from this year. Each workshop is free to participate in, and comes with a list of materials and items needed to take part. Generally, those lists include household arts and craft items, so they can be easily purchased if you don't have them. To stay up to date with everything Roomies Arts does, follow along at the organisation's Facebook page. That's where you'll also find a live-streamed art class on Saturday, October 16.
Start the car, we know a whoopee spot, where the gin is cold but the piano is certainly hot, and that place is the Roaring 20s and All That Jazz Festival. The festivities will take place throughout venues across the Katoomba area in the Blue Mountains, and will include 1920s-style balls in historic grand ballrooms, high teas and, of course, plenty of jazz and blues performances. Head to the famed Hydro Majestic Hotel to participate in the Charleston Challenge, where ladies and gents of all ages slip into their best flapper dresses and fedoras in a huge group performance of the Charleston. There will also be historical walks, a long lunch, dinner shows and more. Don your best Greta Garbo threads and grab yourself a Gatsby — this is certainly a weekend of feathers and frivolity.
Your worst technological nightmares are returning to your streaming queue. No, we don't just mean forgetting your password, having trouble logging in, getting an error message that your account doesn't exist after you just used it yesterday or being stuck watching buffering instead of the program you're trying to see. First, Black Mirror's Twitter account broke a four-year silence. Next, Charlie Brooker's dystopian sci-fi hit has dropped a sneak peek at its next batch of technological nightmares — aka the first trailer for the show's long-awaited sixth season. This season is being teased as "the most unpredictable, unclassifiable and unexpected season yet", which is saying something given everything that Black Mirror has thrown at the screen in past seasons (and in choose-your-own-adventure-style movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch). "I've always felt that Black Mirror should feature stories that are entirely distinct from one another, and keep surprising people — and myself — or else what's the point? It should be a series that can't be easily defined, and can keep reinventing itself," Brooker told Netflix about season six. "Partly as a challenge, and partly to keep things fresh for both me and the viewer, I began this season by deliberately upending some of my own core assumptions about what to expect. Consequently, this time, alongside some of the more familiar Black Mirror tropes we've also got a few new elements, including some I've previously sworn blind the show would never do, to stretch the parameters of what 'a Black Mirror episode' even is. The stories are all still tonally Black Mirror through-and-through — but with some crazy swings and more variety than ever before." Wondering when you might be staring at your own black mirror again to watch Black Mirror? The show will return to Netflix in June, ready to add some extra chill to winter Down Under — with an exact date yet to be announced. Cast-wise, the series makes a comeback with another stacked roster of familiar faces, including Zazie Beetz (Atlanta), Annie Murphy (Kevin Can F**k Himself), Paapa Essiedu (Men), Josh Hartnett (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre), Himesh Patel (Station Eleven), Rob Delaney (The Power), Rory Culkin (Swarm), Salma Hayek Pinault (Magic Mike's Last Dance), Aaron Paul (Westworld), Kate Mara (Call Jane), Michael Cera (Life & Beth), Danny Ramirez (Stars at Noon), Clara Rugaard (I Am Mother), Auden Thornton (This Is Us) and Anjana Vasan (Killing Eve). How exactly will the series manage to be even more dispiriting than reality over the past few years? That's increasingly been one of its dilemmas — and noting that something IRL feels just like Black Mirror has become one of the cliches of our times — but this'll be the mind-bending effort's first round of episodes following the pandemic. No one has ever watched the Brooker-created series for a pick-me-up, though. Since first hitting the small screen in 2011, Black Mirror has spun warped visions of where technology may lead us — and, no matter what tale the show has told so far across its 22 instalments (including that interactive movie), the picture has usually been unnerving. So, imagine what the program will cook up after what we've all been living through since it last aired. Brooker has already riffed on COVID-19 in two Netflix specials, actually: Death to 2020 and Death to 2021, which offer satirical and star-studded wraps of both years with mixed success. For something completely different, he also jumped back into choose-your-own-adventure content with animated short Cat Burglar, which hit Netflix back in 2022, has viewers play through it as a thieving feline called Rowdy and gets you to answer trivia questions to advance the story. Check out the first trailer for Black Mirror's sixth season below: Black Mirror season six will stream via Netflix some time in June. We'll update you when an exact release date is announced. Images: Netflix.
For some, side-splitting comedy is all about watching well-known talents ply their trade. For others, the biggest laughs come from the field's up-and-comers. Perhaps you break into fits of hysterics while watching improv — or, maybe you like nothing more than a comedic debate. Thankfully, whichever of the above tickles your funny bone, it's all on the agenda at 2021's Brisbane Comedy Festival. After 2020's event didn't quite go as planned, the annual fest returns to Brisbane Powerhouse — and The Tivoli and The Fortitude Music Hall — for a few weeks' worth of guffaws and giggles. Between Friday, July 16–Sunday, August 8, you'll be laughing at Ross Noble, Tom Ballard, Paul McDermott, Jimeoin, Fiona O'Loughlin, Mel Buttle, Melanie Bracewell, Josh Earl, Akmal and Cal Wilson. Get ready to do the same with plenty of other funny folks, too, with the full lineup spanning old favourites and new discoveries alike. Other highlights include the return of the opening gala, which gets the fest started in a big way; a Sunday roast that includes laughs and a two-course meal; a night of Indigenous talents; and a late-night variety show. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Thursday, May 6.
Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum invites visitors into the world of First Nations fashion and textile design. Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion runs until January 19, 2025 and reveals the depth and diversity of cultures across Australia. The title of the exhibition, Piinpi, is an expression from the Kanichi Thampanyu people (East Coast Cape York Peninsula) that reflects 'seasonal changes' and regeneration of Country. The gallery's curator, Kaantju woman Shonae Hobson, has commissioned works from some of the country's top designers. Those include hand-printed designs (using ancient techniques) by Gunnai, Wiradjuri, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta woman Lyn-Al Young, Teagan Cowlishaw's sparkly Deadly Kween jumpsuit (made from upcycled materials) and sculptural wearable art pieces by Grace Lillian Lee. [caption id="attachment_792476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Grace Lillian Lee 'Body Armour'[/caption] Top image: Elisa Jan Carmichael, CIAF 2017 Saltwater Footprints Collection; Photo: Tim Ashton
When The Danger Ensemble decided to stage a run of Hamlet, they clearly took its opening soliloquy a little differently than most. To be a normal version of Shakespeare's famous play, or to give the Bard a shake up? Now that is the question. If the title doesn't give their answer away, then the fact that The Hamlet Apocalypse sends the titular Danish prince into a dystopian scenario might — this isn't your high school rendering of the classic tragedy. Here, seven actors enter the stage, set the production on the eve on an apocalypse and even throw a silent dance party in for good measure. If you've seen the outfit's previous striking works such as Sons of Sin, The Wizard of Oz, Loco Maricon Amor and CALIGULA, or their version of Macbeth earlier this year, then you'll know this is must-see entertainment. If not, you're in for a theatrical treat that'll change the way you look at the iconic play. In the words of the text itself, "though this be madness, yet there is method in't." Image: Morgan Roberts.
This month, there's more to do at Currumbin Beach than surf and sunbathe, with the SWELL Sculpture Festival returning from Friday, September 12–Sunday, September 21. The largest outdoor gallery in Queensland, over 80 large-scale contemporary sculptures dot the sandy shoreline, spanning an impressive 1.2 kilometres. Featuring 230 talented artists in total, including some of the world's top sculptors, the festival invites guests to wander from one piece to the next. In 2025, South Korean-born artist Jina Lee is among the most celebrated in attendance, renowned for working with the same Italian marble gathered from age-old quarries used by Michelangelo. Another standout name is Jeff Raglus — a sculptor, artist and musician who's spent a long and successful career working with brands like Mambo and Swatch Watches. Blurring the lines between fine and graphic art, his SWELL sculpture, Eye Spy, draws inspiration from far and wide, including The Flintstones and surf culture. While the artwork is the main focus of SWELL Sculpture Festival, the event also features daily programs for kids, health and wellness. Meanwhile, the SWELL Fringe Festival returns at this year's event, offering a dynamic lineup of music, food and conversation-based happenings. Explore the beachfront gallery by day, then catch a toe-tapping performance after dark overlooking the shoreline.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same day as possible. More than 10,000 garages are expected to open their doors to bargain hunters, selling two million items, when the event returns for its eight time — and it's first two-day, weekend-long stint — on October 21 and 22. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Brisbane, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
Originally presented as Vasily Kandinsky: Around the Circle in New York's iconic Guggenheim Museum, this in-depth retrospective of Vasily Kandinsky — one of the early 20th century's most notable modernists — is coming to the Art Gallery of NSW. Visitors to Kandinsky get to experience the changing inspirations and themes in his work, tracing his beginnings in Germany, his return to his home country of Russia, and his final settling down in France. As much as his surroundings had a transformational impact on his masterful work, he was also influenced by his decade of teaching at the Bauhaus school. "Kandinsky was unwavering in his desire to uplift humanity and in his belief in art's capacity to transform self and society," says Sydney exhibition curator Megan Fontanella. "His story, ultimately one of hope and resilience, continues to resonate a century later. It has been my distinct pleasure to partner with the Art Gallery of New South Wales in bringing Kandinsky's work to new generations in Australia." Kandinsky is remembered as a pioneer of abstract art and a theorist of his time, which visitors to the exhibition will see in the many paintings, woodcuts and watercolours on display. This comprehensive showcase will explore the legacy of an artist who was as influential as he was experimental. More than 50 of his works are on display at the AGNSW, including early- and late-career highlights like Blue Mountain (1908–09), Dominant Curve (1936) and Composition 8 (1923). Tickets to Kandinsky are available for $35 for adults, $32 for concessions, $30 for members, $18 for kids 12–17 and $88 for a family pass.
Upstate has taken Melbourne and surrounds by storm, with its trademark high-energy fitness studios now spanning 13 locations with the recent launch of its Elsternwick studio. Now the brand is looking north to the Gold Coast, opening its first-ever interstate studio in Palm Beach. For those living in Goldy, expect the same vibrant design, feel-good vibes and fitness-focused sessions that have made Upstate such a hit down south. Situated just steps from the sand and surrounded by a host of top-notch cafes, the brand-new Palm Beach studio is headlined by Upstate's biggest reformer studio yet, featuring 29 beds primed for huge group workouts set to burst with upbeat energy. Speaking of workouts, Upstate is bringing its signature 45-minute full-body sessions to GC, offering a choice of Power, Burn or Strength classes, where you're invited to focus on your strength, endurance and mindset. "We're so pumped to bring the Upstate vibe to the Gold Coast," says Upstate Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Gail Asbell. "Palm Beach has the perfect energy for us — laidback yet vibrant. We can't wait to share our high-energy workouts and create a buzzing community here. This studio is a huge milestone for us, and we couldn't think of a better place to make our first Queensland debut." Launching in the heart of Palm Beach, just off the Gold Coast Highway, this outpost's radiant design reflects the bright and positive attitude synonymous with its studios. Immersed by the brand's iconic bursts of yellow, neon lights and steel finishes, it's basically made for setting up shop on the sun-soaked Gold Coast. "This year is a really exciting one for Upstate," continues Asbell. "We've launched our own Pilates Instructor Training program, introduced our first interstate retreat, and added Greece to our list of international retreat destinations for 2025. We're proud to be growing in ways that genuinely support our community, while working alongside incredible brand partners to create experiences that uplift and inspire." Upstate Palm Beach is expected to open soon at 4/1172 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach. Head to the website for more information.
It wasn't just a Twitter thread — it was the Twitter thread. Whether you read Aziah 'Zola' King's viral 148-post stripper saga live as it happened back in October 2015, stumbled across the details afterwards as the internet lost its mind or only heard about it via Zola's buzzy trailer, calling this stranger-than-fiction tale a wild ride will always be an understatement. Its instantly gripping opening words, as also used in Janicza Bravo's (Lemon) savvy, sharp, candy-hued tweet-to-screen adaptation, happen to capture the whole OMG, WTF and OTT vibe perfectly: "you wanna hear a story about how me and this bitch fell out? It's kind of long, but it's full of suspense." In the film, that phrase is uttered aloud by Zola's eponymous Detroit waitress (Taylour Paige, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom). Still, the movie firmly embraces its origins. For those wondering how a filmmaker turns a series of tweets into a feature, Bravo handles the task with flair, energy, enthusiasm and a clear understanding of social media's role in our lives. Much of the phrasing that the real-life Zola used has made its way into the conversational script, which was co-written by playwright Jeremy O Harris. Each time that occurs, the film echoes with tell-tale swooshes, whistles and dings. But those words and alerts are just the starting point; as Zola's chaotic narrative unfurls, it comes to life with a mix of the hyperreal, the loose and the dreamy. It doesn't merely tell a tale taken from the tweetstorm to end all tweetstorms, but also uses every aesthetic choice it can to mirror the always-on, always-posing, always-sharing online realm. The other person that Zola refers to in her initial statement is the cornrow-wearing, blaccent-sporting Stefani (Riley Keough, The Lodge), who she serves at work, then joins on a jaunt to Florida. They immediately hit it off, which is what inspires the invite to head south — a "hoe trip" is how Zola describes it — however, what's meant to be a girls' getaway for a stint of lucrative exotic dancing in Tampa soon gets messy. The drive is long, and Stefani's boyfriend Derreck (Nicholas Braun, Succession) quickly dampens the mood with his awkward, try-hard schtick. Then there's X (Colman Domingo, Candyman), who, while introduced as Stefani's roommate, is actually her pimp. Trafficking Zola into sex work is the real plan of this working holiday, she discovers, but she's ferociously adamant that she won't be "poppin' pussy for pennies". As the woman both relaying and riding Zola's rollercoaster of a story, Paige is fierce and finessed. It's a tricky part; making the dialogue sound authentic, and also like it could've just been rattled off on social media with a mix of emojis and all caps, requires a precise tonal balance, for starters. So does ensuring that Zola always feels like a real person, especially given the tale's ups and downs. That said, Paige is guided by Bravo at every turn, with recognising how things play online and how they pan out in reality — and the frequent disconnection between the two — one of the filmmaker's biggest masterstrokes. That's exactly what a flick that's based on a Twitter thread should offer, rather than just mining posts for punchy content that's already proven popular. Using the platform as source material definitely doesn't equal an endorsement here. Instead, it sparks a brash and bouncy feature that interrogates its inspiration and the mechanism that turned it into a whirlwind, rather than serves up a cinematic retweet. Zola also draws upon David Kushner's Rolling Stone article 'Zola Tells All: The Real Story Behind the Greatest Stripper Saga Ever Tweeted', because 148 tweets can't cover everything. Nonetheless, plenty of the film's success emanates from its almost-surreal 16mm imagery and its airy, eerie-scored atmosphere, too. Its namesake's early words aren't misleading: this is a narrative filled with suspense. The waves it surfs in its mood and stylistic decisions cause just as must jitteriness, though — in a fantastic way. Zola hangs together immaculately, and it constantly feels as if Bravo, cinematographer Ari Wegner (The Power of the Dog), editor Joi McMillon (If Beale Street Could Talk) and composer Mica Levi (Monos) could go anywhere. That's a powerhouse lineup of talent, after all, with the latter trio's resumes spanning some of the killer films of the past decade: Lady Macbeth, In Fabric, True History of the Kelly Gang, Moonlight, Under the Skin and Jackie all included. Alongside Paige, Zola's cast is equally impressive, even if it initially appears as if a few might simply stick to type. Keough could've stepped off of American Honey's set and onto this one, and not just because they're both road-trip movies, yet adds another tricky yet memorable performance to her filmography. Written into her character, and conveyed in her portrayal as well, is a dissection of cultural appropriation. Stefani acts like she's Black in lieu of forming her own identity, is wilfully ignorant of that fact while being openly racist, and provides a pinpoint-precise portrait of oblivious, exploitative, all-devouring whiteness. Similar ideas bubble through Braun's work as the gangly and bungling Derrek — a twist on his acclaimed Cousin Greg persona, but with far less cash — and the concept of adopting a part and facade also lingers in Colman's scarily compelling and icily charming efforts. These are layered performances, befitting the rich and multi-faceted film they're in. Nothing in any movie is ever just one thing, but Zola demonstrates that notion with commitment and command. It's there in the feature's bold approach, including its eagerness to unpack its genesis on several levels. It's there in the film's gleaming yet never glamorous appearance as well, which almost pitches itself into the world of fantasy while steadfastly recognising that nothing about its story is seductive or alluring. And, it echoes in the tiniest of choices. Take an early moment, in a bathroom, where both Zola and her new pal take a leak. Shot from above, this is the smartest peeing scene you're ever likely to see, and expresses so much about its central duo purely by peering at their urine. Turning tweets and piss into a must-see movie? That's cinematic alchemy.
Ever fancied tucking into a po'boy and a pizza at the same restaurant? It's the stuff random food cravings are made of, and it's now a reality. Just follow your tastebuds to Creole Soul Kitchen, Brisbane's first Creole-Italian establishment. Based on a similar place run by owners Marc Lewis and Leena Monson in Vail, Colorado, Creole Soul Kitchen brings a spicy blend of Louisiana and Italian-style delights to Boundary Street in Spring Hill. Think sub-like sandwiches with fried oyster, soft shell crab or roast beef, and doughy bases topped with everything from meatballs to crocodile sausages. Waffle fries, gumbo and salad also feature on the menu, and in the coming weeks, you'll be able to build your own pasta dish — you can pick your choice of sauce, filling and pasta — too. Whichever kind of meal you're after, you'd best schedule your feasting for weekday lunch, because that's when you'll find the eatery's doors open at present. Dinnertime munching is on its way though, as is a selection of wines and beers on tap to complement its current bottled booze offerings.
Taking superb coffee further into the Northern Suburbs is Elixir, a hugely popular café and roastery in Stafford where you can watch coffee beans being roasted as you enjoy breakfast and a cuppa. Owners Jason and David Narciso practically have coffee running through their veins, such is the quality of their caffeine pedigree, and they have recently inked a deal with Paleo Cafe that will see award-winning Elixir coffee served up in Paleo Cafes around Australia.
Shida is an Australian-based street artist who, through unearthly abstract murals, has established himself as one of this country's most prolific contemporary painters. Through modern spray techniques, with a delicate balance of marbling and dot painting, Shida creates not only for the eyes, but for the imagination. Last year, Shida embarked on an international tour, determined to introduce the world to his signature dynamic style of street art. He collaborated with some of the globe's most talented street artists as well as painting some of his most breathtaking murals on walls, floors and abandoned buildings. Shida's signature enigmatic scapes of wispy, colour-climaxing creatures transition from the street to the gallery in his exhibition, Spirits. Blake House Gallery will be first to host this instalment of creative work, featuring refined paintings, sculpture and conceptual installations. Be sure to check out Shida's unique style and and infatuating art work before it embarks on a series of shows around the world.
It's never been a better time to go no-alc than right now. Today, it's not odd to be going dry, it's accepted, celebrated and understood. Alcohol isn't for everyone or every occasion, but no one really wants to be excluded from the fun. The underwhelming or straight-up bland alcohol-free options of the past have evolved. Bartenders are getting creative with mocktails, there are numerous no- and low-alcohol brands now on offer, and even traditional alcohol brands are getting involved with alc-free versions to shift with the changing times. If you're booze-free, reducing your boozing or just curious about what's available out there, we've teamed up with Edenvale Wines — a premium alcohol-removed wine range — to create this list of our best takes on the top alternative alcohol-free beverages in the market today. WINE — EDENVALE WINES It's tricky to make non-alcoholic wine that doesn't taste just like grape juice. With lots of research — and some tinkering to the custom spinning cone column technology which removes the alcohol — Edenvale is constantly perfecting its range. The beauty of Edenvale Wines is that the alcohol is removed after the wine is made, meaning it retains all the flavours, tannins, complexity and aromas of traditional wines. The winemakers are slinging both Aussie and international wines to offer a range that is true-to-varietal and expressions of the regions they are grown in. So whether you want a semillon sauv blanc from Frankland River, WA, a GSM from Barossa or even a verdejo from Spain, Edenvale Wines have options for you. If you are a wine drinker looking to make a change or sober curious and wondering if you could dupe your mates with a non-alc version of their favourite varietals, Edenvale is recognised as being one of the best non-alc versions out there. The sparkling shiraz was just awarded a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), London 2023 and is an excellent match for red meats like a juicy steak. BEER — HEAPS NORMAL Many of our favourite beer brands are putting out their own non-alcoholic ranges of beers, but few are primarily dedicated to creating a quality booze-free beer option. Enter Heaps Normal, which has solidified itself as a top beer choice with its considered range that includes an XPA, hazy pale ale, lager and — most recently — a stout. The team behind Heaps Normal are champions of the no-alcohol and low-alc movement and mindful drinking and aim to serve great-tasting beer without the potential downsides. WHISKEY — THE GOSPEL Whisk(e)y is a tricky spirit to create a satisfying non-alc version of, as most bonafide whiskey fiends love to drink it straight. The trademark burn at the back of your throat satisfies those who love a dram. And that burn is alcohol. Australia's first-ever dedicated all-rye distillery, The Gospel, (recently named the maker of Australia's Best Whiskey) is now one of the first to produce non-alcoholic rye whiskey: Responsible Rye. Under the guidance of its Sommelier and R&D distiller Ellie Ash and over a year in development, the rye-lovers at The Gospel have perfected the non-alc alternative to a dram. It is made using de-alcoholised rye whiskey — a similar process to alcohol removal used by Edenvale Wines — to ensure the liquid is full of the classic rye whiskey flavours: underlying smokiness, candied nuts, cardamom and cola. GIN — LYRE'S SPIRIT One of the first non-alc offerings on the market was non-alcoholic gin. Numerous brands duped G&T lovers with bottled non-alc spirits that emulated the alcoholic brethren on the shelves. Craft spirits lovers assumed they were the latest craft gin on the market, only to discover that they were all flavour and no hangover. One such brand is Lyre's Spirit. An innovative brand pumping out non-alc spirits — they even have a bitter orange liqueur so you can enjoy a summer spritz free from booze. The Lyre's London Dry is a take on the traditional gin style. Expect juniper flavours, peppercorn and citrus. Ideal for a dry G&T or not-so-classic classic Tom Collins. And those that like a bitter orange spritz can opt for the Italian Orange and Aperifit Rosso for their day-time summer sipping. TEQUILA — DRUMMERBOY MEXICAN AGAVE SPIRIT Another dedicated spirits brand pushing out award-winning versions of our favourite sips is Drummerboy and its Mexican Agave Spirit, ideal for those that love a margarita but not the alcohol. Like Edenvale Wines, it has also been recognised by the International Wine and Spirits Competition. A bright and zesty alternative to your traditional tequila that is perfect in cocktails or by itself. Edenvale Wines is a premium range of alcohol-removed wines that are available to purchase directly from the website or at most major supermarket retailers. Top image: Moira Vella Photography
If you build it, they will come. Those famous words from the movie Field of Dreams have been overused since the late 80s, but they apply to Single O's Newstead outpost. It took 20 years for the Australian coffee roaster to launch a Brisbane base, opting for a 16-seater caffeine-slinging bar. Less than a year after opening in August 2023, the brand has already extended the site due to the response, nearly doubling it to create a 29-seater cafe. "When we first opened our cafe in Queensland last year, we got a great reception from the locals, and already started hatching a plan for an expanded space. We've been part of Brissie's thriving hospo scene for a number of years now, and it's been exciting to see the food and coffee culture continue to grow at an exponential rate," explains Single O CEO Mike Brabant. "Single O Newstead, with its extra space, dishes, coffees and sustainability initiatives, gives us the chance to really showcase what we're all about, while also retaining our coffee training and distribution space to service our local cafe clients. It's the best of both worlds, and feels like a natural progression for us". The initial blueprint for Newstead spanned pouring Single O's own brews, of course, including via its self-serve tap system that had previously proven a hit in its cafes in both Sydney and Tokyo. The Austin Street spot gave the Sunshine State its first coffee-on-tap setup, with the filter brews on offer rotating through single-origin batch options, plus Single O's beloved oat iced latte earning the tap treatment. None of that has changed — and neither has making standout sips made on La Marzocco machines, with customers drinking them in Malcolm Greenwood's ceramic cups. That said, there are some additions beyond the extra places to sit, starting with the space itself — with Lucheti Krelle on design duties and Gibson Building Group building the fitout. A skylight is now brightening up the place, while banquette seating awaits, as does a standing bar, plus wallpaper art made from Single O's own coffee bags. Cork, metal pipes and wood feature prominently — all with sustainability in mind, such as pipes from hydraulic manufacturing waste — and a loan-a-mug scheme has been implemented. The coffee and food offering has also been expanded, complete with coffee flights. Opt for the origin three-way flight and you'll get what the name suggests: one single-origin brew served as a filter espresso, flat white and the manual pour-over that is the V60, whether you're just keen to give all three a whirl or can't decide between them. As for what you'll be tucking into, alongside toasties and pastries the dine-in range now features a grazing plate with gravlax, boiled egg, lemon and dill kraut, avocado, dill crème fraîche and Agnes Bakery rye; the Turkish dish cilbir, aka a poached egg with tomato and harissa braised chickpeas, as well as zhoug, whipped feta labneh, chilli oil and sourdough; and a LP's pork sausage paired with caramelised onion, smoked ketchup, parmesan and dill pickle. Yes, The Avo Show (avocado on toast, but Single O's eye-catching version) remains a staple. Taking away now means picking between onigiris, with The Avo Show popping up there, too (with guacamole, chilli mayo and achiote cashew cheese). The Newstead venue is still Single O's distribution and training facility for its wholesalers, aka the places you've been drinking its coffee at in Brisbane before mid-2023. 2024 is shaping up to be a huge year for Single O not just with the expansion of its Brisbane site, but also in Tokyo. The brand now newly boasts not one but two cafes in the Japanese capital, and a Shibuya coffee bar is on the way in July. In the River City's coffee scene, it's also been a big period, after Toby's Estate launched its new Brisbane flagship and Fonzie Abbott opened a fourth location, all also in Newstead. Find Single O's Newstead cafe at 16 Austin Street, Newstead — operating from 6.30am–2.30pm Monday–Friday and 7am–2.30pm Saturday–Sunday. Images: Your Visual Journey.
It's a shot favourite with lemon and salt. There's a surf instrumental track that shares its name. Just thinking about it likely gets the early-90s hip hop cover of that tune stuck in your head. Although it's a famous spirit, tequila isn't always the best-appreciated tipple. Head to Carmen, James Street's newest bar and Mexican eatery, however, and the latter might change. Running through Fortitude Valley and New Farm, this stretch of road has long had Brisbanites flocking to the city's inner north for a sip and a bite to eat, adding dining and drinking options aplenty over the two decades since it rebadged its industrial stretch into an urban precinct. The new reason to head along is this 80-seater tequileria from Potentia Solutions Leisure, joining a hospitality stable that also features rooftop joints Lina and Soko. While Carmen is an eatery, bar and lounge in one, tequila- and agave-heavy drinks take pride of place on the menu. Standout sips include the El Tigre, which is made on Patron Reposado, plus grapefruit bitters, agave and dehydrated grapefruit; Sueno de Sandia, a citrusy number featuring Patron Silver, watermelon juice, lime, agave and basil syrup; and the Aventura, a mix of The Lost Explorer Espadin, Grand Marnier, St Germain elderflower, lime, lemon and raspberries. In addition to cocktails, plus a hefty list of tequila and agave in general — including a focus on small-batch mezcals — Carmen boasts Coronas, naturally, plus a premium wine list ready for the swilling. Australian vinos get ample attention, as do New Zealand, French and Italian drops. Food-wise, patrons can tuck into poached lobster tacos, Mexican popcorn chicken, charred corn rillettes, kingfish ceviche with fermented pineapple and wagyu steak crudo tostaditos, as well as dulce de leche cheesecake and Patron tequila sorbet. Other dishes also glean their influences from elsewhere around the world, as seen with Sydney rock oysters and beef short rib rendang. Seafood is a big feature, as tends to be the trend no matter what style of cuisine is on offer in Brisbane. Also, sustainability is a hefty focus across both the food and drinks spread. Carmen is working towards a zero-waste cocktail list, setting itself a goal to achieve waste-free tipples — but launching with a menu that's as close as possible in the interim. Images: Fortem Media.
Brisbane has already scored one new green bridge in 2024 — and by the time that the year is out, the city's pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross the river via another. Launching Breakfast Creek's Yowoggera green bridge opened the year. Getting folks strolling and rolling across Kangaroo Point's counterpart is set to close it. Only the latter comes with its own restaurant, bar and cafe, however. Brisbane City Council has announced that the final span of the new 460-metre bridge that's connecting Alice Street and Edward streets in the CBD to Scott Street in Kangaroo Point has just been placed. That means that the project is now 85-percent done. There's still more work to underway, but Brisbanites can expect to be moseying over it sooner rather than later — although no exact opening date, other than late 2024, has been announced. Also now in place: the stay cables supporting the bridge's main 182.7-metre span. Workers are currently concreting the bridge deck; adding the structure's balustrades, as well as its seating and lighting; and installing the covered pedestrian walkway, which will help power the bridge via solar panels. Stairs to Scott Street and a lift up to the bridge deck from CT White Park are also still in the works. And if you're wondering about overwater restaurant Stilts, the steel framework is in place and the roof is being installed. On the CBD side of the bridge, construction of riverside cafe Mulga Bill's is also ongoing. The complete bridge, a single-mast cable stayed structure with minimum width of 6.8 metres, will feature dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths across its expanse. On either side, viewing platforms will give visitors a 360-degree view of the city. It was back in 2021 that Brisbane learned of the structure's plan to become a destination for eating and drinking as well, viaan overwater venue and a cafe in its plaza area. Then, in 2023, Brisbane City Council revealed a heap more details, including that two dining spots will open in 2024 — and that Tassis Group, the hospitality crew with Fatcow on James St, Longwang, Fosh Restaurant & Bar, Opa Bar + Mezze, Yamas Greek + Drink, Rich & Rare, and Massimo Restaurant and Bar to its name, is behind them. Tassis will open restaurant and bar Stilts — which was formerly going to be called Bombora — for bites and drinks ten metres above the Brisbane River, plus the Mulga Bill's cafe to take care of bridge visitors' caffeine fix. Neither have exact launch dates at present. Views are clearly a big highlight at Stilts, which will feature vistas spanning over the Brisbane River, CBD, Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point cliffs. Nothing has been unveiled about the menu yet, but the venue's design will take its perch to heart, evoking moving water in a homage to its above-the-river spot. As for Mulga Bill's, it'll sit by the river in the new urban plaza that's being created on the corner of Edward and Alice streets. The cafe is pitched as a stopover spot for frequent bridge users, which it'll reflect in its bicycle-themed decor. And, food-wise, it'll serve up wood-fired pizzas, steak and seafood to eat in, plus pastries and picnic boxes to grab and go. Both venues are expected to score ample foot traffic. Indeed, more than 6000 pedestrians, cyclists and e-mobility riders are forecast to be using the bridge every day by 2036. The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge is set to open by late 2024, stretching from Alice Street and Edward streets in the CBD to Scott Street in Kangaroo Point. We'll update you with exact launch dates when they're announced. Head to the Brisbane City Council website for more details in the interim. Images: Brisbane City Council.
Dive into a box of Lego, drink a few beers — it's the kidulting dream. Really, it's the best of both worlds, because getting older doesn't mean farewelling fun. While a dedicated brick bar popped up in Brisbane at the beginning of the year, that's not your only chance to build whatever your heart desires while knocking back tipples. Semi-Pro Brewing is also getting in on the action, hosting a Bricks and Beers night on Thursday, February 28. From 6.30pm, you'll spend an hour working to a theme — and competing to construct the best Lego creation you possibly can. Then, from 7.30pm, it's freestyle time. If you've always wanted to make your mark in tiny plastic blocks, then go forth and do so. Prizes will be awarded for creativity in both categories, and drinks will be flowing. Entry is free, all Lego is supplied, so no need to raid anyone's toy box. But bring your wallet for beverages.
Watching a Sir David Attenborough documentary means being left with two strong feelings: wanting to see the world exactly the way that the iconic broadcaster does, and wishing to always hear his narration as you walk across the planet. Consider the BBC Earth Experience the closest thing to making both happen. It takes footage from Attenborough's Seven Worlds, One Planet series, turns it into a 360-degree walk-through audiovisual event, and has the natural historian and living treasure echo while you wander. The BBC Earth Experience debuted in London in March 2023, which is excellent news if a UK holiday has been on your agenda. Here's a better development: this spring, it's heading Down Under. Melbourne will become only the second city in the world to host this spectacular sight, kicking off on Friday, October 27 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in what'll be an Australian-exclusive season. The experience uses cutting-edge digital-projection technology to surround attendees in visuals from the earth's seven continents, with everything from fireflies in North America to cassowary fathers and their chicks in Australia on display. In London, the attraction sprawls across more than 1600 square metres, featuring spaces dedicated to the planet seen at microscopic scale, via drone footage and on the ocean floor, too, as part of a self-guided tour that also heroes starfish, elephant seals, snub-nosed monkeys, hamsters and more. If you've already watched Seven Worlds, One Planet, you won't just be greeted by material you've already seen, but larger. The scale of the event's imagery is hefty — epic, even — but BBC Earth Experience also includes extended scenes from the show, plus bespoke narration by Attenborough. The mission is truly to make the audience feel like they've stepped right into the footage, all thanks to multi-angle screens. And, it's designed to cater to existing Seven Worlds, One Planet fans and newcomers alike. [caption id="attachment_916095" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Board, BBC Natural History Unit.[/caption] In Melbourne, offering up an educational experience for young patrons is also a big aim. There'll be a classroom space onsite, plus resources curated for teachers. Given how long that Attenborough has been making nature documentaries, including with the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, here's hoping that more of his work gets this kind of experience-focused treatment. Bringing Prehistoric Planet and its sequel series to life? Add that to the wish list. "Melbourne is the only city in Australia that will host the incredible BBC Earth Experience, which will attract thousands of visitors to enjoy everything on offer in our city while supporting jobs across the tourism and events sector," said Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, announcing the event's stint Down Under. "This collaboration with Visit Victoria, BBC Studios and Moon Eye Productions will deliver a spectacular and educational experience unlike any other," added Live Nation Australia Vice President of Touring Luke Hede. "Sir David Attenborough is a global treasure, and the BBC Earth Experience marries his message about the challenges nature faces in today's world alongside the world's most incredible footage. Victorians and visitors to the state are in for a real treat." The BBC Earth Experience will open in Australia at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, Melbourne on Friday, October 27, 2023 — head to the event website for further details and tickets. BBC Earth Experience images: Philip Volkers / BBC.
Whether you're keen for a meal with one of the best views in Brisbane, or to sip your way through a dedicated martini menu with stunning vistas to peer at as you imbibe, Aloria serves up both. When Sky Deck, the soaring platform at the $3.6-billion Queen's Wharf precinct, was first announced, it came with the promise of multiple venues to grab a bite and a drink at while looking out over the River City. Openair bar Cicada Blu and all-day dining haven Babblers arrived first. Late in October 2024, the third part of Sky Deck's trio followed. Queen's Wharf launched at the end of August the same year. Sky Deck opened with it — sitting 100 metres above the CBD; featuring a 250-metre rooftop runway with a glass-floor viewing platform; and boasting a 360-degree vantage out over the Brisbane CBD, Brisbane River, Mt Coot-tha and Moreton Bay. Each of Cicada Blu, Babblers and Aloria has its own remit, with the latter Sky Deck's signature restaurant. Located on the platform's western end, and operating for lunch and dinner five days a week, it heroes dry-aged steak and seafood among its specialties. European and Australian influences flavouring the cuisine. Australian ingredients are in the spotlight, too. The open kitchen pumps out woodfired and grilled dishes. Standout menu options include dry-aged beef bistecca as a main, or roast coral trout with almond cream if you'd prefer the ocean's finest. Go with seafood to start and you'll also be picking between kingfish crudo with pickled rhubarb and buttermilk, plus Fraser Island spanner crab crumpet with finger lime and brown butter — or caviar. Wood-roasted oysters pop up among the snacks selection as well, while roasted tiger prawns with fermented chilli butter and woodfired lamb belly are entree choices, and miso-roasted cauliflower and slow-cooked wagyu rump are other mains picks. For dessert, opt between strawberries and cream, grilled blackberry parfait with rosemary and lavender streusel, and a cocoa-crumbed roasted white chocolate and miso dish. A condensed menu greets patrons at lunch — and if you want the decisions made for you at dinner, the banquet menu for four or more features 15 options to share. Another highlight: a dedicated martini menu with both classics and inventive variations (think the marguerite, martine, martigny, martina, martineau and the Bradford à la martini). One more reason to grab a glass: a hefty range of wine, with a list curated by Aloria Head Sommelier Damian Danaher that spans 12 pages — which is why it has been dubbed a 'cellar in the sky' — and vintages from Château Lafite Rothschild among the sips. Returning to Brisbane, Michelin-trained Chef Shayne Mansfield oversees all three venues, with Aloria favouring simplicity and elegance in its dishes — as well as sustainability and a minimal-waste ethos.
Despite three years ago announcing his retirement from making feature films, it seems 75-year-old Hayao Miyazaki still has plenty more artistic fuel left in the tank. Known for his work on iconic films like Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Ponyo, the legendary anime director revealed on last week's TV special, Owaranai Hito Miyazaki Hayao (The Man Who Is Not Done: Hayao Miyazaki), that he'll be having another crack at the medium. If all goes to plan, he hopes to release his next full-length feature within five years. Miyazaki's retirement has seen him swap feature films for CG shorts, and the past few years have kept him busy animating for the Studio Ghibli Museum. But it was dissatisfaction with his current project, Kemushi no Boro (Boro the Caterpillar), as a short that prompted him to propose turning the story into a feature. While this latest passion project hasn't yet been given the official go-ahead, Miyazaki says he's already made a start on the storyboards, suggesting the film would be finished in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Via Anime News Network.
Ah, Brisbane. The home of the Brown Snake, Powderfinger, the mighty Milton Mango, Kevin 'The Milkybar Kid' Rudd, Darren Lockyer's right foot, Darren Lockyer's left foot. But for all the euphoric Queenslandy things the state's capital represents, it's the pretty much permanent state of blue skies that we are most proud of. The licence plates don't lie! We truly do live in the Sunshine State. And we love to soak it up with a spritz in-hand at one of the many bars and eateries set outdoors. The only problem? There are too many to choose from. That's why we've partnered with American Express to create The Shortlist. We've sifted through our directory and handpicked the best casual dining spots that have some sweet outside seating (and take Amex, of course). So grab your SPF50+ and slip, slop, slap — here are the best places to eat outside in Brisbane when you need some vitamin D. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out. Top image: Anwyn Howarth.
