We've already seen some of the vibrant powerhouse that is 21st-century Chinese art — so bright, witty, and full of winking commentary on politics and pop culture. Now we have the chance to see the stage version of that with Fight the Landlord (Do Di Zhu), on as part of the Brisbane Festival in 2013. Its set-up is a card game evocatively known in China as Fight the Landlord. Here it is played by three panda-costumed women of unspecified relation, which shifts dramatically with every round. But it's their wry chatter that will keep you rivetted, as they discuss their love lives, gossip mags, the role of work, and the housing crisis, among all else, as the game escalates around them. The cross-cultural co-production between Ireland's fun and subversive Pan Pan theatre and Beijing's Square Moon Culture has been recognised as representing the heights of contemporary Chinese absurdism in reviews from China and Melbourne. You can get a particularly close perspective on it if you pull up your chair to the big, round game table, as the audience sits on stage with the actors (although for the apprehensive, more distant seats are also available).
There seems to be a distinct love for International Film in Australia. Each year there is a plethora of well attended film festivals offering insights into nations like France, Mexico, Italy and the latest event to hit Brisbane, the German Film Festival. With a diversity of films in genre and theme, there is something to suit all tastes. The festival opens with the psychological drama Cracks in the Shell a story about a young actress in Berlin and her efforts to get noticed. There is also the sad but enlightening story Wunderkinder, a historic drama about music and its power in pre-world war II Germany. It’s not all drama though, there is a touch of the love in Three, a film about a bored couple entering the risqué world of ménage a trois! But don’t worry, a good chuckle has not been forgotten, The Fraulein and the Sandman will have audiences laughing at the story of about a man who is turning into sand! These descriptions just scrape the surface of the variety of films being shown. There is a film for all, and each one offers audiences a little adventure in Germany without leaving the comfort of a cinema seat!
The click of a heal, the spin of a top hat, or the lure of a melody. No matter which way you turn, it's hard to resist the razzle dazzle that is Chicago. This year, Blue Fish are beginning their theatre season with a revival of one of the most exhilarating and loved musicals of all time, and they are bound to do it with a bang. From the songwriters that brought you Cabaret, Chicago is a sharp and seductive tale that transports its audience to the sinister streets of 1920's Chicago. Roxie Hart's dreams of fame and glory on the stage are dashed with one vengeful shot of a revolver... Or are they? With the help of her silver tongued lawyer Billy Flynn, Roxie and her fellow merry murderesses attempt to shimmy, strut and sway their way through the justice system and into the hearts of the fickle but powerful public. Following last year's highly successful production of the whimsical musical The Producers, Blue Fish have chosen a darker tale to dazzle and delight it's audiences. Not that it will be without it's hilarity and toe tapping numbers. The Schonell Theatre is bound to come alive with the 14 piece on stage band and the talented ensemble, starring Cait Gregory as Roxie Hart, Jessica Papst as Velma Kelly, and Wade Colbran-Thomas as Billy Flynn, are sure to have you shuffling along with them. Coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival, it seems like there's no better time to get on down to view this masterpiece of love, lust and corruption. Tickets are sure to sell fast so don't miss out, grab yours today!
There’s something special about going out in the evening during summer - the longer hours of daylight, the steamy weather and the bountiful excess of people – all of these elements seem to nights you’ll remember fondly in the dreaded middle of winter. However, finding appropriately interesting activities to do during this time can be a chore. You need to be able to accentuate the positives of the humid weather without overdoing it and burning out early. Luckily, someone in the event department of GoMA got the memo and went to work. Matisse Up Late is the next in their series of night time entertainment, and it has been designed perfectly. The evenings begin at 6.30pm, when doors open and you are ushered in to have a drink and meal (or two drinks plus more and a meal), whilst listening to classic jazz tunes as the sun goes down. GoMA’s amazing air conditioning will then accompany you around the building as you are free to admire Matisse’s work at your leisure, listen to contemporary artists talk about their craft, with the night culminating with a performance by the likes of Sam Amidon, Eleanor Friedburger (of Fiery Furnaces fame), or Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy. Matisse Up Late runs every Friday between 20 January and 2 March, with varying speakers and artists per week. Don’t get lazy just because current temperatures are in the high 30s - this exhibition has everything you need; air con, food, drink, art, music and Matisse.
No one could ever accuse the Queen Street Mall of being quiet. Whether it's filled with hoards of people on any day of the week, live performances or fashion events, our little slice of retail heaven has come into its own. With a revamp in the past year, there's no surprise that people have come flocking to see all that it has to offer, and choosing it as an entertainment destination. Throughout January, there have been a number of performances, both in broad daylight and under the veil of night. One such performance that shouldn't be hidden are the Human Body Parts street performers that have been gallivanting around the mall. If you thought you saw an enormous mouth or foot in your peripheral vision on your way to lunch, you weren't seeing things – it's all part of the act. Who says that novelty-sized anatomy lessons were just for kids? The giant hand, mouth, foot, ear and eye are in the mall for a reason, even if it's so you can upload the photo to Facebook. Why not have some fun and take advantage of this fun-loving activity while you can? Your lunch breaks won't be the same after they leave!
We all know someone who thinks they're French. You know the type, they offer up French words in normal conversation (complete with faux accent), drink espressos at night and waffle on about their ‘recent’ trip without prompting. Sure, who doesn’t secretly want to be French (ok maybe the English), but there is only one time of the year when this kind of behaviour is acceptable. That time is now upon us. It’s time for the Alliance Française French Film Festival! Every year we are presented with over 40 of the best films to come out of France and this year’s line up looks superb. A few highlighted picks include Declaration of War (which received a 15-minute standing ovation at Cannes last year), Jane Birkin’s documentary Souvenirs of Serge, two new Audrey Tautou films Against The Wind and Delicacy and the enchanting Romantics Anonymous. Tickets do tend to sell out fast, so make sure you secure a seat in advance. With so many outstanding films in a wide array of genres, there is sure to be something to suit your highly cultivated tastes. It’s hard not to get caught up in all the excitement, so enjoy this chance to be a fully-fledged Francophile. Je suis trés heurex! …Ahem.
West End is home to many hidden gems and the West End Twilight Markets are no exception. They are held every Saturday on the corner of Wilson and Boundary Streets from 4-9pm featuring a wide range of stalls. You'll be sure to find something that tickles your fancy and snag a bargain. The markets have that much loved West End vibe - laid back, diverse with a big helping of smiling faces. Discover an eclectic paradise with handmade wares, second-hand goodies and one-off clothes to please lovers of quirk. A collage garden and craft activities makes the markets child friendly as well. You can even satisfy your hunger as stalls provide food such as dumplings, vegan hotdogs, salads, pizza and popcorn. These tasty treats are sure to please your taste buds. The West End Twilight Markets provides entertainment for market goers as talented local performers and musicians are showcased each week. The artists who will be playing on Saturday are a diverse bunch including blues musician Jimi Beavis, singer songwriter Alan Boyle, stunning songstress Seadarer and regulars the five-piece gypsy band, Greska. Head on down to twilight town this Saturday and find your own hidden gem amongst good food, good tunes and good people.
Maybe it’s the collective nostalgia or the desire to reuse and recycle that draws people to vintage attire? More realistically, the love for vintage is probably inspired by the knowledge that fashion will never again be as good as it was in the yesteryear. Whatever your reason for loving vintage fashion, Brisbane’s vintage aficionados can get their fix of fashion at Brisbane Vintage Fashion Fair this week at the Eagle Farm Racecourse.Whether you're seeking a specific vintage item, just want to add some difference to your wardrobe or just get amongst the colourful crowd, this fashion fair is set to have something for everyone. Running from Friday night through to Saturday afternoon at a bargain price of $10 for one day of entry or $15 for two, it may be hard to keep your excitement (and money) contained. Plus, you can win your money back in clothing vouchers by donning your best vintage frock and promenading your vintage styling’s in the best-dressed comp. Oh, and DJ Anthonne Shepherd will be spinning some smooth vintage tunes all weekend and the bar will be open for all your bubbly needs. Fabulous! Vintage fashion never gets old. Paradox or not, get your fashionable behind down to Eagle Farm this weekend.
In a week where homosexual rights are in the spotlight, The Laramie Project shines bright for Moises Kaufman and the members of local theatre group, The Tectonic Theatre Project. If you're not familiar with the Laramie tale, then do brace yourself for a emotional, confronting and shocking theatrical journey. Following the heart wrenching death of twenty one year old University student Matthew Shepard, The Laramie Project explores the homophobic hate crimes of Wyoming in 1988. After conducting more than 200 interviews from townspeople on the kidnapping, assault and murder, the performance explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the highest of compassion of which they can reach. The importance of The Laramie Project is that it addresses community issues from a community forum. Although the horrific acts of humanity are easy to shadow, it's bringing issues to light that truly make them fade. For a performance that is informing, entertaining, educating and inspiring, don't miss The Laramie Project.
The tradition of O-Week is an annual phenomena involving the welcoming of new students to the tedious traditions of uni' life. Often celebrated with drinking, sporting and themed events, it is always a great excuse for a party and a great goodbye to the amazing four month holiday you just endured. QUT are doing things a bit classier in their Creative Precinct. Instead of drunken mixed volley ball, wet t-shirt comps' and the standard intoxicated campus parties they are hosting an exhibition to showcase the critical connections across diverse disciplines to uncover future trends for their new generation of practitioners. Translation - a showcase of art and creative works by students and designers. It's a chance to enjoy some amazing student work, welcome the fresh meat and catch up with the friends that have been M.I.A since last November. If your uni (like mine) doesn't have a flashy O-Week celebration to kick start the semester, there is definitely no harm in attending this event. Let's get all multi-institutional and bask in each others greatness. Image Credit: Emma Jane Gray
There's something about theatre that is decadent and refined. It's more adventurous than the tellie, more emotional than the cinema and a hell of a lot more entertaining than a torrent download. It's energetic, exciting and often expensive -but the assurance with theatre is that you get what you paid for. You can trust you're getting your money's worth with Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. Considered by scholars to be the most historically significant play in Australian theatre history, it's a play not to be missed, especially if you're all for Australian history. With character names such as Barney, Nancy, Olive and Pearl it's sure it be a 50s culture cutie. Set in Carlton, Melbourne in the summer of 1953, the play follows the characters changing lives in love and life whilst struggling with tension and strain. Don't get me wrong, it's no Romeo and Juliet but it's probably a whole lot more realistic. And though it may not be Shakespeare we must embrace what little recognition our country has in the upper class arts. C'mon mate, it's authentic Aussie theater! QPAC may even serve you a VB if you're lucky. Note - no shrimps nor barbies available on premises.
There's little argument when it comes to film classics – no one can dispute that The Wizard Of Oz is timeless cinematic gold. The red shoes, Toto, the Wicked Witch of the West, flying monkeys, munchkins; it really is pure genius. But how does it fair on the stage? Pretty well, as a matter of fact. The story's the same, but the whole feel of the script is awakened in full colour and with amazing energy thanks to the Harvest Rain Theatre Company. They've transformed the movie epic into a musical performance with all the major elements we love, but with the extra magical touch of a live stage show. These guys know what they're doing, so you can trust that Dorothy, Scarecrow, Lion and the Tin Man's legacy is in good hands – the team has worked on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar to critical acclaim. It's almost eerie to think a movie of that calibre was made in 1939 and still manages to pass the test of time, really, who could forget 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', 'We're Off to See the Wizard' and 'If I Only had a Heart'? You won't, especially if you refresh your memory with QPAC's latest show. Sadly, clicking your heels three times won't get you free tickets, but hey, you can't put a price on happiness.
In an age where a band gets their fifteen minutes before being spat out and forgotten about, it’s kind of nice to see that bands like La Dispute have avoided the hype machine all together and have had a loyal fan base since their conception in 2004. That’s seven years longer than we’ve all known about Lana Del Rey, you guys. It’s because instead of forming under the united goal to hit the top of the pops, La Dispute formed as a group of close friends with the primary belief in the concept of the medium of music an art for making new friends. Their music is intricate, melodic and emotionally engaging, drawing fans in with their exegesis of life struggles that define and identify pretty much anyone going through the rite of passage from adolescence into adulthood. La Dispute have only been to Australia twice in their eight-year career, but this tour marks their third visit. Catch them at The Zoo this Wednesday for the most moving show of the year.
very special guests INXS and New Zealand pop-rock legends Evermore, Matchbox Twenty come to Brisbane. For two dates this weekend Matchbox Twenty return to Australia for the first time since 2008, two months on from the release of their fourth studio album, North. Belting out classics from their extensive back catalogue like 'Push', 'If You’re Gone', 'Unwell' and '3am', the Floridian foursome will be joined by Aussie giants INXS, who are touring with new lead vocalist Ciaran Gribbin and celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their classic album, Kick. Matchbox Twenty are known for their multi-platinum selling albums and singles, with sales topping thirty million across the world, and 1.6 million in Australia. INXS’s career can never be overplayed, and Evermore too have a string of platinum hits.
The Brisbane Cabaret Festival sashays back onto the scene, enticing audiences with a moveable feast of fascinating performers. Presented across three weeks, beginning October 25th and ending November 11th, the festival will seek out intimate spaces, hidden gems, swing juke joints, sexy salons and dazzling theatres across the city. The Judith Wright Centre will play host to some of the most stunning shows in the festival lineup. Darkly funny the poetry of Jacques Prevert will be given violent rebirth using songs, movement, melody and spoken word in Projet Prevert. The piano pushing, ukele smashing, full voice of Brendan Maclean is coming to the show, with a treat for fans of Rufus Wainwright and Ben Folds. The Kransky Sisters from Esk bring their delightfully deranged performance along in their old Morris Major. Award-winning performer Megan Shorey flashes her undies as her cheeky cabaret charts the ups and downs of life through our choice of pants.
Rufus Wainwright is a one in a million performer. His originality and musical talent has lead him to become one of the most interesting musicians of our time. September sees this entertainer return to Australian soil for his national tour to celebrate the release of his album, 'Out of the Game'. His seventh album was produced by the highly acclaimed producer Mark Ronson. Wainwright will be joined on stage by both Krystale Warren, an eclectic jazz/folk songstress and British musical legend Teddy Thompson. The vision behind this tour is to share with the audience the excitement of the studio experience, so audience members are in for a treat. The final gifted musician to join Wainwright when he visits Australia is home grown talent, Megan Washington.
As Jesse McCartney became a chipmunk, Aaron Carter found drugs, and Hilary Duff had a baby, one band rose above them all. From the beginning we should have known that Hanson would eventually fly separate from the pack of frosted-haired teen 'sensations' they competed with, to make a serious, and by no means shameful, mark on the music industry. Now, Hanson are returning to Brisbane for two separate performances at The Hifi to show us that while most other 90s teen sensations lost it, they've still got it. Brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac released their hit album Middle of Nowhere in 1997, which spawned the massive karaoke favourite MMMBop. The brothers have since been recording and releasing albums fairly regularly, and much to the delight of young fans and mothers alike, have never lost their young boyish charm.
If you've grown up in or around Brisbane, you'll have seen it in all its forms. You'll have seen it packed tight with sports fans, baking in summer sun, and fighting to stay afloat in flood. You've seen it rejoice and seen it suffer. But you've never seen it like this. Have you ever had someone tell you "You just had to be there?" You can expect to hear a lot of that around town after Still Night finishes its run at The Point Hotel this September. The performance is a creative, interpretative retelling of our city, designed to evoke particular thoughts and emotions about Brisbane culture. Writers, directors and performers Gemma Brockis and Silvia Mercuriali weave a fantastical narrative, partly based on fact and partly injected with myth, to present their idea of the city through performance. The performance is 45 minutes long, without interval. Concession ticket prices available.
When Benjamin Law writes, he has a knack for making you feel like he is right there in the room with you - retelling his wickedly funny stories face to face. On Sunday evening, you have the rare opportunity to hear the entertaining stories of ‘The Family Law’ firsthand from the man himself. In what poses to be an interesting collaboration, Southern Cross Soloists will join Benjamin Law in an integrated production in celebration of Brisbane Writers Festival 50th birthday. The Southern Cross Soloists will perform the world premiere of the new composition by prominent composer Steve Newcomb whilst Ben Law will complementarily narrate his novel. Integrating classical music, urban jazz, literature, comedy and irony to produce a charming and witty production.
Based in a post-apocalyptic world without an overflowing water supply, Urinetown is the tale of a time of tinkle-taxes. All toilets are pay-to-pee, private lavatories are outlawed and all water is controlled by irritating, irrigating magnate, The Urine Good Company. The title may stir doubt, but this musical by any other name would still be as hilarious. The third offering of Underground Productions for 2012 is a satirical comedy by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis, and has made its way from Broadway to UQ. Urinetown pays homage to stage giants such as West Side Story and Les Miserables, while finding inspiration from the current pay-to-use public toilets of Western Europe. Nightly 7:30 screenings at the Schonell Theatre of the University of Queensland until Saturday September 8th, and tickets are still available online. Members tickets are going for $15, students at $18 and adults $20. A pretty good price for toilet humour.
Be swept away by the magic of The Hamburg Ballet's version of Shakespeare’s whimsical classic, A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Bard's tale of mistaken identity and the relationship between two lovers mixed with a sprinkle of magic was believed to be written between 1590 and 1596. Its timelessness has meant that it has never really left the stage and has been performed countless times since. The music in The Hamburg Ballet's performance is as spectacular as the dancing itself. The dancers will be accompanied by music performed by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by The Hamburg Ballet's conductor, Simon Hewett, who was born in Brisbane. You will be impressed by the skill, grace and devotion of the performers. Book your tickets now for the VIP opening night where you can join Hewett and the members of The Hamburg Ballet and Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Bill Bailey is a comedic renaissance man and his world famous shows are evidence. He is witty and intelligent, twisted and cerebral and incredibly creative. The star of Black Books, and former team captain on the British music quiz show, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, is coming back to Australia to let loose in his new show – Qualmpeddler. With a global focus and a polictical slant, Qualmpeddler is earning rave reviews whereever it appears. Bringng the usual musical mash-up styling’s of previous shows with political humour and animated elements, this show is sure to be a hilarious trip into the mind of one of the world’s top comedic performers.
Ambient/Noise musician Liz Harris has woven a rich fabric of her own eclectic creation with blurry clouds of foggy instrumentation knitted around a unique and deeply presenced voice. Accented by tape delay and reverb effects her bold sound is a myriad of colourful rhythms and wash away beats that float down upon a wide-eyed audience. Grouper’s most recent records A/A and Violent Replacement expand upon an already large and colourful palette of elegant and textured songwriting and liberal atmosphere. Harris’ distinctive voice floats above the music she creates like a specter, rocking gently back and forth with each delicate note and immersive tone. Bask in the glow of Grouper’s sound, an ethereal and dream-like, sophisticated assortment of melodies and skeletal moments.
Lake Air is the fourth studio album to come from Sydney’s Dappled Cities. Dappled Cities have risen to prominence thanks to their brand of infectious dance-rock and their latest group of songs look to continue this trend of success. The album has received rave reviews since its release in early August and the lead single ‘Born at the Right Time’ has been a success as well. European electro-pop maestro, JAPE, will be joining the band on their national tour. JAPE’s lastest album Ocean Of Frequency recently won the Irish Album Of The Year, so you know that there will be some exceptional music on display. Be sure to get to The Zoo to catch these guys, you won’t regret it.
One of the last remnants of Septembers Brisbane Festival is Colour By Numbers, an exhibition of works by Dale Harding. The exhibition combines storytelling and nostalgia with a modern spin by incorporating commentary on Australia’s past history with Aboriginal children. Drawing inspiration from oral traditions passed on by family members, Dale transforms these stories into stimulating visual representations. The exhibition wraps up this week, so if you are still looking for a post-Brisbane Festival cultural fix, then let this be it. Head over to Metro Arts between 10am and 4.30pm.
There has been a small resurgence in the live music scene in the Brisbane CBD. While still comparatively small compared to the live music juggernaut venues in the Valley, it is good to see some people are putting in effort to diversify the musical locales around town. Off The Rails is a brand new night happening every Thursday at the Grand Central Hotel in the CBD. Much like its sister event, Trainspotters, Off The Rails will bring out some of the best local talent and put on a great show every week. The inaugural event is looking to be pretty special. Gravel Samwidge will be bringing their hard hitting punk to the headline slot while The Good Sports, Caroline and Thigh Master (pictured) will be playing in support. This will be a great show and is a great event to get behind. Swing by Grand Central Hotel on Thursday night and witness some great bands doing what they do best.
Some movies have a moment where they just click and you instinctively know the filmmakers know what they're doing. In The Way, Way Back that moment comes when the painfully awkward Duncan (Liam James) is being driven to the beach house where he will spend the summer and he locks eyes with Owen (Sam Rockwell). The low-key but undeniable chemistry in that scene is a hallmark of a film which gets all the small details right. Having been told he's a "three out of ten" by Trent (Steve Carell), a passive-aggressive jerk who is dating his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), Duncan plans to keep a low profile during his holiday. But any chance of a quiet summer is soon scuppered by nosy neighbour Betty (Allison Janney), who plots to have Duncan become friends with her long-suffering son Peter (River Alexander), who she torments because of his lazy eye. It's Betty's daughter Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb) who can sympathise with Duncan though, and they form a faltering friendship as the adults leave them to their own devices. As Susanna observes, the beachside community is "like spring break for adults" and while Trent and Pam make merry with Trent's friends, the introverted Duncan goes exploring on a a bike and ends up seeking refuge at Water Wizz, the slightly rundown but much-loved local water park managed by perpetual adolescent Owen. Seeing something in the earnest teen that nobody else sees, Owen decides to give Duncan a job as a dogsbody at the park, bringing him into a group of misfits that includes Caitlin (Maya Rudolph), who is growing irked at Owen's irresponsible ways and Lewis (Jim Rash), a sad sack who continually threatens to quit the park to pursue his dreams of being a storm chaser but never quite manages to leave. The Way Way Back's story of a shy teen finding his place in the world over the course of a long, hot summer is by now a well-worn coming-of-age narrative, but this always feels more comfortable than cliched. The seaside small town with its endless beach parties and beer-soaked barbecues is lovingly evoked. The performances from an ensemble cast are uniformly topnotch, though it is Sam Rockwell who steals every scene as the sweet, funny and unexpectedly wise Owen. Writer-directors Jim Rash and Nat Faxon previously collaborated on the Oscar-winning The Descendants and have again struck gold, fashioning a wryly funny and nicely understated script which leaves the actors plenty to do. A big-hearted, bittersweet look at the pleasures and pains of growing up, and the compromises of adulthood, this is perfectly realised and way, way charming. https://youtube.com/watch?v=GiH5wmuexZY
Local Natives have made it, exploding out of support band status into a headliner demanding to be heard. They have earned their rise through the musical ranks, attracting the attention of indie heavy-hitters The National and Arcade Fire after their critically acclaimed debut, Gorilla Manor, and are now riding a wave of success all the way to Australia. Their tour comes on the back of the highly anticipated sophomore release Hummingbird, an eclectic harmony of sounds ready to be played at all occasions. There are tracks for parties as well as tracks to woo first dates; you name the event and they have it soundtracked. A live performance by Local Natives is also something to behold, with all four band members tugging at your heart strings and making you feel all of the feelings, culminating in an overwhelming sense of happiness. Thankfully you can experience all this on Sunday, May 19, in an intimate performance at The Zoo, and we can guarantee that ticket prices will not be as low as this next time they come back.
It may be a summer blockbuster but the weighty themes come thick and fast in JJ Abrams' second Star Trek film Into Darkness. Just minutes into the opening scene, almost before we've even seen our first lens flare, Spock (Zachary Quinto) reminds the crew of the Enterprise with Leninesque fidelity that "the interests of the many outweigh the interests of the few". Soon after, we're asked to consider the true meaning of friendship, to weigh the expediency of vengeance against the necessity of justice and even to opine on the militarisation of a traditionally scientific vessel. In short: it's a terrifically fun film that aspires (and mostly achieves) to be something much more. In many ways, Spock's eloquent reminder is just as relevant to the big studios, compelling them as it were to balance the expectations of dedicated fans with the need to make the movie widely marketable. That's why Abrams is such an excellent choice of director, not only for these Star Trek films but now also the Star Wars ones, since both possess loyal and passionately defensive fans who consistently reject change as often as they reject each other. Arguably the greatest accomplishment of his first Star Trek film in 2009 was that it satisfied the Trekkies whilst opening up the franchise to an entirely new audience. Now again, in Into Darkness, Abrams carefully traverses that balance between old and new, as well as between the pop and the pensive. For every furrowed brow or teary eye moment come multiple laughs, usually courtesy of Quinto's logic-driven Spock or Simon Pegg's Scottish-driven Scotty. And as for the action, it's predictably topnotch, both in its intergalactic sequences and small-scale, hand-to-hand pieces. The Star Trek universe has always been defined by the relationship of its two leads — Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock — however, it's also true that heroes are defined by their villains, and thankfully in Into Darkness they have a fantastic one in the shape of Benedict Cumberbatch. With that now famous Alan Rickman-like baritone growl, he throws himself into the character of John Harrison, a British spy turned rogue terrorist whose devastating attack on London sees Kirk pursue him to the far reaches of the galaxy in order to bring him to justice one way or another (given those orders come from Robocop's Peter Weller as Starfleet's admiral, it was a small shame he didn't actually say "Harrison, dead or alive, you're coming with me"). Into Darkness also sees all the familiar characters return (Bones, Chekov, Uhura and Sulu) along with the introduction of a sadly underused Alice Eve; however, it's Cumberbatch who really drives it forward. Even the Kirk/Spock dynamic takes a back seat (subject to one or two key moments), and if anything, it's that shift away from what made the first Star Trek film soar that's probably Into Darkness's only significant failing. Overall, this is a wonderful movie, large in scale but also capable of delivering impressively intimate moments throughout.
Have you organised your Saturday night yet? No? Well, regular club night Trainspotters at the Grand Central Hotel are mixing things up a bit this Saturday and it's bound to be a good one. The teams behind Lost Movements and Trainspotters have joined forces to create a super fun night filled with live bands, art and entertainment. Some of the bands who will be rocking out will be The Dead Love, Love Like Hate and White Elephant. Artists such as Littleamb, Steven Falco and Jackson Hambridge will be showcasing the fruits of their labour. Talented Brisbane burlesque dancers, Tina Joy and Samantha Nova, will also grace the stage and be sure to put some colour in your cheeks with their va-va-voom performances. Pencil Trainspotters vs Lost Movements into your diary and be prepared for a great night.
Get your groove on at Alhambra Lounge with the help of oOoOO and Butterclock. Why not end your weekend with a bang as these international acts specialise in tasty tunes and blissed out vibes. Hailing from Paris, oOoOO makes eclectic tracks and seamlessly fuses hip-hop beats with irresistible melodies and fresh sounds. The Berlin beauty Butterclock will be keeping oOoOO company and lending her vocals to his beats. Butterclock is an exciting artist in her own right and has been making waves internationally with her debut EP First Prom. Kush Club DJs will keep the party pumping with DJ sets. Tickets are $23.50. Float your way into the weekend with these two talented and effortlessly cool artists. Listen here for a taste of the floaty electronica and haunting vocals that these guys are pumping out.
Only two months ago I saw Tame Impala at a packed out Enmore, a sweaty and heavily marijuana scented verification of their legendary status here in the band's homeland. But already they’ve announced another Australian tour, confirming an exponential increase in popularity that would seem a bit nuts if you hadn’t been reading all the end-of-year roundups on all the biggest music sites in the world. The tour is comprised of five shows to coincide with the band’s headline appearance at Groovin’ The Moo 2013, kicking off late April, and each comes with a big-time venue upgrade. Instead of The Enmore it’ll be the Hordern Pavilion, with the Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth shows taking place in the Festival Hall, Convention Centre, Thebarton Theatre and Belvoir Ampitheatre respectively. By then Tame Impala’s critically eulogised second album, Lonerism, will have been getting airtime for around six months, so don’t put off buying tickets until the last minute. Lyrical introversion and mind-warping psychedelia can be just as enjoyable in big group situations.
Sons of Sin puts on stage all of the testosterone fuelled trials and tribulations that accompany the rocky road towards manhood. This production by The Danger Ensemble explores what happens when an individual defies the collective voice of his pack and the results are provocative and captivating. Sons of Sin follows a group of males as they navigate their way around all of the usual rites of passage such as, sporting matches, drinking games and music festivals. The cast of young male actors will be accompanied by an extraordinary soundtrack that beautifully accents the predicament of the characters. Before you embark on this epic journey, the audience is warned that they may get wet, dirty or splashed, so dress accordingly. Sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride! Tickets are available here.
Old school friends Amy Franz and Hayley McKee make up the duo Super Wild Horses. The pair have brought their garage sounds and wholesome harmonies to Black Bear Lodge and are keen to share their impressive new album, Crosswords, with you. Crosswords is the follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed debut album, Fifteen. Their debut single, 'Alligator', is a no-nonsense track filled with driving drums, infectious guitar twangs and distinct vocals. Crosswords retains the unique sound that skyrocketed the band to success in the no-fi scene. The girls have shared the stage with big name acts such as Best Coast, Foo Fighters, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Pond and The Drones. Super Wild Horses have perfected their live set thanks to earning spots at festivals including Big Day Out, Golden Plains and Goner Fest in Memphis Tennesse. Pencil in Super Wild Horses this Friday night and kickstart your weekend.
Drift, written and directed by Morgan O'Neill (Solo), carries us into the world of Australian surfing in the 1970s, when 'the dream' began its transformation into an industry. In remote coastal areas, surfers reluctant to trade their freedom for the drudgery and exploitation of dull, nine-to-five jobs started selling surf gear from their backyards, giving birth to (now) household names like Billabong and Rip Curl. Tiny towns became hotbeds for tensions between maintaining authenticity and 'selling out', and as the money rolled in, so too did heavy drugs and hard-nosed competitive interests. The tale of a family fleeing domestic abuse propels the film's storyline. Desperate to escape her violent husband, Kat Kelly (Robyn Malcolm) throws her sons Andy (Myles Pollard) and Jimmy (Xavier Samuel) in her beat-up secondhand car and drives across Australia. Their journey ends in idyllic Seacliffe, a fictional village in Western Australia's Margaret River region, where life moves at an easy pace and the break is never crowded. As the boys undergo the difficult business of becoming men, each develops his own set of troubling traits. Jimmy, despite displaying the potential of a pro surfer, is lured into theft and deceit by Miller (Steve Bastoni), chief thug of a local bikie gang. Andy, on the other hand, decides to start a home-run surf gear enterprise, but his hotheaded stubbornness gets him into strife. Meanwhile, Kat, struggling to pay the mortgage, is perpetually on the brink of eviction. Whether or not Andy will 'make it' is the central hook, and a sequence of traumatic twists and turns in the plot aims to heighten dramatic tension: With the bikies comes heroin, to which a close friend falls victim. A Kombi-driving hippie, JB (Sam Worthington), arrives, challenging the notion of the commercialisation of surfing. His attractive female travelling companion, Lani (Lesley-Ann Brandt), draws the attention of both brothers, threatening heartbreak. Andy clashes with a surf comp sponsor, and there are even a handful of near fatal accidents. All of these stories are valid. Each of them is relevant to the era. They are told against a stunning backdrop — the cinematography is breathtaking. However, in trying to touch on such a plethora of misadventures, Drift has a hard time giving each the depth of treatment required to give it weight. We walk away with a broad brush impression of the flavour of the period, but our connection with the characters is minimal and the approach taken to their concerns is simplistic. Moments of laboured dialogue do not help. While Drift's intention to present a grand fraternal-driven narrative is admirable, the film falls short on delivery. O'Neill's skillfully directed, intelligently written, classy debut, Solo, showed that he is capable of so much more.
Former Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning has announced a huge, 17-date national tour — including several all-ages shows — to promote his debut album, Battleships, out June 7 on Dew Process/Universal. It's been a long wait for Fanning fans (which, in keeping with the precedent set by Beliebers and Directioners, we'll henceforth be calling Fan-nings), with this tour their first opportunity to see the great man since Powderfinger's farewell tour in 2010. He'll be traversing the country, from Nambour to Hobart, along with his special guests, Big Scary and Vance Joy. And if you're in Townsville on August 17, you'll get a special mini-festival when that already-awesome lineup is bolstered by The Rubens, The Medics AND Snakadaktal. With Fanning also announced for Splendour in the Grass following hot on the heels of the release of the album's debut single (and title track), it's sure to be a busy few months for one of Australia's favourite songwriters. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 7, via an exclusive fan club presale through bernardfanning.com. The Telstra Thanks presale is available from Wednesday, May 8, before the public on-sale kicks off on Friday, May 10.
There should be a name — or at the very laziest, a portmanteau — for the kind of the film that instills a sense of dread in its audience from the outset and just lets it sit, collecting in the base of one's stomach until the very final moments. Thomas Vinterberg's new film, The Hunt, would then appear at the top of a wiki entry for that term, alongside keywords: intense, powerful and great-bone-structure. Mads Mikkelsen plays Lucas, a resolute divorcee with a strong jaw (keyword) who's rebuilding his life in a small Danish township, trying to win back some time with his somewhat estranged teenage son while working as a kindergarten aide. Lucas is that classic infants teacher — equal parts stern disciplinarian and schoolyard fool. When his best friend's young daughter, his student Klara, makes an offhanded remark suggesting he's been sexually inappropriate towards her, his good community standing is suddenly upended, no good against the chilling fear of innocence lost. From the outset, the case is handled appallingly by Lucas's colleagues. Klara is provoked with leading questions and when she tries to recant, her uneasiness is taken for truthful shame. As the lie spreads through the school and then the town and beyond, Lucas becomes resolutely calm towards the situation, outraged to the point of passivity. As his friends, family and lover question his integrity, he doesn’t directly deny the charge, though you wish, agonisingly, that he would. Instead he poses the question back to the accuser, leaving open a small window of hope as a gust of hysteria blows right on through. There's violence, fear and a deep sense of dread as Lucas's community all but takes to him with a pitchfork. This is Vinterberg's best since his dogme 95 blazer Festen (1998), which also touched on some of the same issues of abuse and family, though with a more sickeningly farcical touch. Much of The Hunt's success lies in Mikkelsen's stoic performance, which rightfully won him the Best Actor gong at Cannes in 2012. The Hunt is a taut, unpleasantly bristling drama and one of the best and most precisely directed films we'll see this year.
In 2007, a wave of albino murders swept across Tanzania. Their slaughter was at the command of witch doctors, who believe that albino limbs deliver prosperity and good luck. Horrified, British filmmaker Harry Freeland flew to Tanzania, where he spent spent six years following Josephat Torner, an albino who had left his family home and was travelling from village to village, risking his life to confront superstition. The resulting documentary, In the Shadow of the Sun, is just one of the films in the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, in Brisbane from June 4 to 6. This will be a week of movies you won't forget in a hurry. Jamie Meltzer's Informant, a portrait of fanatical humanitarian-turned-FBI bedfellow Brandon Darby, is a highlight, as is Alex Meillier's Alias Ruby Blade. It's the story of Australian activist Kirsty Sword, who left for East Timor to make documentaries and found herself working as an underground operative for the imprisoned Xanana Gusmao. There will be a complimentary glass of wine on Opening Night (In the Shadow of The Sun). The price for the session will be $18 Adult and $16 Concession. Prices for other sessions are $15 for adults and $13 for concession.
When we take that first sip of our barista brewed coffee on a workday morning we often say to ourselves, and our friends, "I can't imagine living without coffee". Well what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day but on Friday 7 June you can help out simply by purchasing a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its third year running, aiming to build on the $74,477 raised last year. $1 from every coffee purchased at a participating café will be donated towards local projects, so if your café is not participating, head to one that is just for one day. You can also donate at the counter so if you prefer a hot chocolate then you can still help out. Just remember that sometimes it is the little things that make a big difference, so drink a coffee and do some good.
You know what's not cool in the 21st century? Buying corporate-owned magazines and having the prefix 'maga' anywhere near independently owned, periodically realised illustrated articles. Long story short, zines are the new big deal, and Brisbane's own Lost Zine is a welcome new addition to any mag-stand. The launch of this publication will be matched with the fifth and latest night of art and music hosted by Lost Movements, those hardworking guys who are all about promoting new artists. They've well and truly established themselves as having eagle-eyes for some of Brisbane's best bands and artists, so you can expect nothing short of perfection from the evening. Featuring music from eight bands you may have never heard of but will be hearing more of soon, live art and a touch of burlesque to top off the evening, this afternoon will be a continuum of quirky wonders. So, April , 5pm, be at Coniston Lane. Listen to some tunes, have some drinks, and be a part of one of Brisbane's best collaborative efforts - for only $8, it's a bargain.
Plotting the traditional structure of a film trilogy results in a sort of 'N' symbol on a graph. Part 1 (the incline) offers the introduction to the characters and concludes with a satisfying, inspirational victory (the first peak). Part 2 then explores the characters in greater depth, exposing their shortcomings and instilling both doubt and conflict until all hope seems lost (the descent and trough). Finally, Part 3 sees the protagonists discover — or at least 'relearn' — the true strength of their convictions, allowing an eventual, all-encompassing victory in the conclusion (the ultimate peak). The Hangover trilogy, however, does not follow this structure. On its graph, 2009's Part I held the line well and provided one of the surprise hits of the year courtesy of some snappy writing, extreme political incorrectness and three terrific characters (the fourth guy really is a spare). Instead of marking the descent, though, Part II just ran with the exact same formula. It was Part 1 all over again, except Bangkok was subbed in for Vegas and the baby was replaced by a monkey. So going into Part III, the big question was always going to be: would this be 'Part I again, again' or something genuinely different? The answer was the latter, which in turn begged a second question... was that a good idea? In this third instalment, our three wolf-packers — Phil (Bradley Cooper), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Stu (Ed Helms) — are one again forced into a nightmarish series of disasters in order to rescue their friend Doug (Justin Bartha...who really is the spare). Regrettably, Hangover Part III centres upon the trilogy's most annoying character, Mr Chow (Ken Jeong), whose whiny, sort-of-Asian, sort-of-gay, sort-of-hip-hop-gangsta ramblings grate the ear like a screaming baby on a packed plane during descent. During one early scene in which Chow's butchering a karaoke cover of 'Hurt', Bradley Cooper winces and asks "what the fuck are we watching!?" He's not the only one to think it. By focussing on Chow and favouring a more conventional plot over the simple yet effective premise of 'rediscovering unremembered anarchy', The Hangover Part III boldly — if also mistakenly — shifts the focus away from the very thing that made the franchise a success: its 'wolf pack'. They still have their moments, especially Galifianakis; however, this is a far more 'normal' movie and as a result, so too become the characters. There are still loads of laughs and it's a definite improvement on the carbon-copy disappointment of Part II, but the tiny coda that pops up part-way through the final credits (certainly worth staying for) shows us what might have been had they just found a way to use the original amnesic plot structure in a new and different way.
With a glass of wine in hand, and an appetite for art, Friday nights at Metro Arts are a tasty treat for even the pickiest of connossieurs. For a couple of weeks now, this continusouly surprising art space has been shutting artists – with full, express consent – in the gallery for an intense week of creative work and polishing. Friday nights are your chance to see their creative developments capped off with a showing and discussion. This week, there's no exception in terms of creativity, style and artistic innovation. Rebecca Maston brings to the table a darkly comic story of broken-down Ebony Starling, and her fall down the rabbit whole with Deenie, her suddenly animate childhood doll; all in a most peculiar partnership of art forms – puppetry and dance. Don't rashly partner puppetry with Oscar the Grouch, Being John Malkovich and Happy Meal toys, Maston's production is one that utilises this rare artform in flawless and graceful manner. Throw away your current Friday night plans, and meet the dark characters of Maston's unique production.
There are a few theories floating around about alt-pop Sydney singer-songwriter Andy Bull. The first (now proven) is that the shorter his hair gets, the more attractive he becomes. The man truly is a sort of mythical anti-Samson. The second is this: the reason Andy Bull hasn't become a household name in Australia has less to do with Andy Bull and more to do with the inhabitants of Australian households. You see, we don't quite know what to do with him. He's not shiny enough for our pop tastes; he's not weird enough for our alternative tastes. He's a little Regina Spektor/Ben Folds, but he's also just a little Justin Timberlake. The man refuses to be pigeonholed. But international superstars have ridden the Bull and concluded that it is an experience to be had. Music critics have done the same. He's been invited on the road with the likes of Joss Stone, Tim Finn and Duffy. When he wasn't busy touring with international superstars, he was releasing killer singles like 'Small Town Girl' and 'Young Man'. Then, upon dropping his debut album, We're Too Young, in 2009, Bull was showered with a Cyclone Zane of critical acclaim — including a 4-star review from Rolling Stone. Your chance comes on May 30. After 18 months off the road, Andy Bull returns to promote his newest Triple-J-dominating single, 'Keep on Running'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JSGUxRWR_r8
Counter-culture figure and controversial thinker, R.D. Laing, was notorious for challenging the pre-conceived notions of the causes of schizophrenia claiming the condition was a result of resistance socially prescribed identities. Also eventually discredited, Laing was unique in his commitment to his ideas and willingness to embrace cultural notoriety to further the spread of his anarchic, anti-establishment thoughts. Since his infamous book The Divided Self was published in 1960, Laing adapted to numerous mediums, increasing his exposure to the world. Television, theatre and music all helped Laing preach about reform and his anti-establishment ethos. British artist Luke Fowler has compiled hours of footage into a documentary on Laing and his transition from psychiatrist to celebrity. All Divided Selves will be screening at IMA until May, the exhibit will be launched alongside Gregory Crewdson's In a Lonely Place exhibition on Saturday, March 16.
Exist-ence is a celebration. It celebrates art and its ability to communicate through live performance, changing the dynamic between artist and audience. The artist-run, internationally recognised symposium has been in action since 2008, and continues to expand the discourse and debate around issues relating to the esteemed practice of artistic performance. This year, Exist-ence will host an eclectic mix of international artists, who will perform their works alongside notable Australian artists. The two-day conference and symposia will take place on June 26 and 27, and the three-day performance exhibition will follow on June 28-30. Satellite events will also take place in Melbourne and Sydney, further expanding the scope of the festival and its impact in Australia. The event is organised by EXIST and is curated by Rebecca Cunningham and Nicola Morton. Tickets are free, so if you are into the arts in any way, get on down to QCA and be a part of something special. Check the website for times and more details.
Street Food Australia presents a night to eat, drink and celebrate the future of street food in Brisbane. This night is your night to try foreign delicacies, from Chinese dumplings and South American Elote to Tequila Ribs, Banh Mi and other street-born delights from around the world. While satisfying your tastebuds, feast upon the live musical stylings of Greshka, devour the treasures of the pop-up cookbook bookshop, indulge in photography shows and wet your whistle at the bar. The event gives privilege to the humble bicycle; not only will they be hosting their wares on bikes, but if you bring yours along, you will receive free valet parking. This is a joint venture with the Institute of Modern Art and the Judith Wright Centre, and is supported by the Scrumptious Reads Bookshop. In other words, this evening of tasty morsels will leave no discernible taste unsatisfied (vegetarians too!). Please note this is a cash-only event.
“I like break up records that don't pat you on the back and say it's okay, it's going to work out. I like break up records that say it's shit now, and it's going to suck even worse, but we're in this together.” - Jens Lekman 2012 Melancholic-pop artist, Jens Lekman, knows almost as much about love as his does music. Drawing inspiration from his travels and life experience – of which he has plenty, Lekman's sweet sounding melodies matched with edgy, romantic lyrics create love ballads like no other. Growing up in music-crazy Gothenburg, Sweden - the city that gave birth to this high school disco favourite, Lekman, aged 14, picked up bass guitar in a friend's band, and discovered he had a knack for lyrics, and guitar talent to match. Since then he's recorded three albums, five singles and obtained record deals all over the world. Having been likened to music legends David Byrne and Scott Walker, Lekman's wiry, soul infused music often hold witty, obscure undertones that create songs just short of lyrical perfection. In 2009 Lekman moved to Melbourne for two years, before returning to Sweden to grow as a story teller and complete his latest album 'I Know What Love Isn't'. Now he returns to Australia for a string of gigs around the country to perform his latest collection of obscurely cozy love songs. Check out Jens Leckman favourite 'A Postcard to Nina'
Colourise Festival is bringing together Aboriginal artists and creative minds to create an interactive, mixed-media experience like no other. The festival aims to reimagine Brisbane through the eyes of Indigenous Australians, transforming several parts of the city into a live art experience. eARTh is the name of the mixed media element of the Colourise Festival. Two separate tracks will work their way from the start point at Musgrave Park, through the city, where walkers will experience a "reimagining of the city — imprinting images, sounds, dance, people and music of the land onto the streets of Brisbane". Attendees are welcome to join at any part of the walk, with performance times and maps available on the website. Path one will be open from 5.30pm on July 8-10, while path two will open from 5.30pm from July 9-11. Each path will showcase different works and ideas, imprinted on different parts of Brisbane. The Colourise Festival has many more events to check out: head over to their website for more details.
An old man, haunted by history, leans forward and whispers almost imperceptibly to a young, wide-eyed boy: "…let me tell you a story". As a narrative device it's far from new, though few films have used it as effectively as 1987's The Princess Bride. For lazy writers it's an easy way of skipping from one big scene to the next without having to weave in difficult or dreary exposition. For clever ones, it's a chance to play with form and occasionally even wink at the audience. In The Lone Ranger, it's just plain unnecessary and entirely unwise, instantly robbing the movie of much of its tension by revealing in the opening scene that at least one of its two protagonists lives to be an old shirtless man. The Lone Ranger reunites actor Johnny Depp with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, whose last collaboration was the hugely successful Pirates of The Caribbean. Creatively, it seems none of them have quite been able to let go of the past, with The Lone Ranger adopting (to its peril) much of the Pirates franchise's aesthetic and form. Even Depp's character, Tonto, just looks like Jack Sparrow without his hat and for whatever reason, the style doesn't hold water when it's not set on it. The Lone Ranger is, quite simply, an overly long (149 minutes) series of exaggerated action sequences without much of a plot to bind them together. Now you may have noticed that, despite him being both the star and title of the film, this review has so far overlooked the actual Lone Ranger. Why? Because that's exactly what the movie does. From the first teaser it was clear this film was being built around its biggest star, Depp, and not Armie Hammer, who last had to share billing with himself as the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network. Hammer makes a fine Ranger: tall, charming and good looking — he's every bit the polite and polished hero that our mothers loved. But this is the age of the gritty reboot, and pitting a deliberately unarmed lawyer against a villain who literally eats parts of his victims was like slamming two entirely different movies together and hoping nobody would mind. The brutality of the film's opening stages is impressively unsettling and William Fichtner makes a fine bad guy; however, the darkness quickly gives way to quirkiness, robbing the Ranger of any chance to be a proper hero. The Lone Ranger has some great moments, and no matter how incongruous it feels compared to modern soundtracks, the eruption of the iconic William Tell Overture during the film's climax will bring a smile to most faces. But it's just too long, and without any truly defining back story or characteristics, the Ranger will struggle to find an audience calling for this one-off to become a franchise.
The team at Seven w/ Another believe great minds think alike no matter how different they are, and the evidence is all in their latest exhibition. Showcasing 14 paired-off, well-known creatives, Seven w/ Another’s latest installment delivers an exciting fusion of creativity. Throwing their artists into the deepest of hot water and pushing them miles out of their comfort zones, Seven w/ Another risked disaster with their matches - an opera singer and an animator just one of many crazy clashes. The art and designs produced by these creative marriages, however, are nothing short of truly mind-blowing. After all the hard work, and brilliant collaboration you can witness the work of these creative at the Brisbane Powerhouse in an exhibit that’s intriguing, a little delightful, and definitely not boring.
