Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel wonder about days gone by, while Rachel Weisz and Jane Fonda deliver verbal tirades designed to awaken the ageing men from their apathy. All four spend their time in an expensive Swiss spa, and in a film as visually luxurious as their lush surroundings. So unravels Youth, its seasoned cast and opulent images its obvious selling points. Musings about life, love and legacy have rarely looked as exquisite, even if the movie's charms remain somewhat surface level. Youth is an inescapably familiar effort from writer-director Paolo Sorrentino, who covered similar territory — contrasting internal emptiness with external splendour — in his Oscar-winning last feature, The Great Beauty. Alas, the same magic doesn't strike twice, though in some ways that's rather apt. There's obvious symmetry in a filmmaking repeating the past by depicting characters stuck in theirs. Caine's Fred Ballinger is a retired composer, so renowned that he's asked to conduct his most famous creation for the queen, and so haunted by his troubles that he can't agree to participate in the performance. His discussions with Keitel's Mick Boyle, a filmmaker trying to finish a new script, largely focus on former glories, the ailments of being elderly, and their feuding children. Fred's daughter, Lena (Weisz), is married to Mick's son, Julian (Ed Stoppard), until Julian announces that he's leaving her for another woman. Others wander around the retreat, including an actor (Paul Dano) worried about being typecast and a fading screen siren (Fonda) Mick wants to re-team with for his next movie. In slivers and glimpses, Youth casts its net even wider, with a famous footballer, a beauty queen, and a motley crew of fellow guests also featuring. Together, they paint a universal picture of the ebbs and flows of existence, and of the contrast between the sublime and the grotesque. Sadly, most come across as diversions and distractions, directing attention away from the flimsiness of the film's supposedly wise dialogue. That's not to say that Youth doesn't have its pleasures — just that they're saddled with less successful elements, which is an appropriate outcome for a movie that tasks its characters with attempting to find the joy beyond their own sorrows. Watching Caine and Keitel chat and ponder is as enjoyable as it sounds — and while their conversations aren't as profound as they're clearly meant to be, the performances are moving nonetheless. Coupled with a strong score, Sorrentino's aesthetic flair ensures the feature offers a sight to behold and a soundscape to revel in, whether fashioning a music video for a pop star, taking a trip down memory lane or just staring at the folks reclining by the pool. It all makes for a suitable spectacle of mortality and melancholy; however the filmmaker's greatest feat is also his greatest undoing. He makes Youth feel exactly as it should, but always like an imitation. It's a decadent picture about watching the world go by, rather than really experiencing it.
The days are dwindling down, and you've come to a stressful realisation: you've left your Christmas shopping until the last minute again. Let's face it, you're not alone. Thankfully, trawling the mall isn't your only option when it comes to finding a gift or grabbing ingredients for a delicious meal. For the first time ever, the Carseldine Markets is hosting a twilight event brimming with the spirit of the season. Get your list ready, because all the art, craft and fresh produce stalls you know and love will be on site, just waiting to help you out of a festive fix. They'll also be joined by a themed food court (because you'll need to eat while you browse), as well as ample entertainment. Yes, it's a Christmas wonderland. Warning: if you're more of a Grinch than one of Santa's elves, you'd best prepare yourself for an overdose of holiday cheer. Image via Carseldine Markets.
Years of labour are plastered across the face of Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan). She hasn't just toiled away in a sweatshop-like laundry since she was a child — she was born there, and had no choice but to follow her mother into the gruelling line of work. At the age of 24, and as a wife to Sonny (Ben Whishaw) and mother to George (Adam Michael Dodd), she thinks she knows what her future holds. Her story isn't unique. That's why it's important. That's why Suffragette is important too. There's no mistaking the spirit that seethes through both the character and the feature. Both endeavour to subvert the status quo, give a voice to the masses and plead for gender equality. It’s a vital cause, embodied in an everywoman-type protagonist and an impassioned — albeit blunt and traditional — period drama. Accordingly, Suffragette charts the horrors of Maud's reality while agitating for an alternative. And it does so via a simple but effective story. After seeing a brick thrown through a shop window as part of the crusading campaign, Maud is convinced by a colleague (Anne-Marie Duff) to find out more. She soon realises that she has to fight not only for the right to vote, but for a world in which she doesn't receive less pay for more work, watch her lecherous boss take advantage of the ladies under his supervision, or be expected to do what her husband tells her without question. The members of her group, the Women's Social and Political Union, are ignored, attacked, arrested and treated like criminals, forcing them to increasingly adopt more drastic measures. Helena Bonham-Carter appears in a supporting role as an ailing chemist and activist, while Meryl Streep pops up in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance, giving a speech as real-life movement leader Emmeline Pankhurst. Providing an example of the male power refusing to concede ground, Brendan Gleeson plays a police inspector determined to put the feisty femmes in their place. More than anything, however, Suffragette belongs to the woman behind its heroine. Once again, Mulligan is subtle but stirring, expressing more in her face and physicality than the dialogue can say, while also offering a convincing transformation from onlooker to instigator. Plus, she adds a second powerful feminist role to her 2015 resume after a similarly outstanding turn in literary adaptation Far From the Madding Crowd. Mulligan is the standout player, but she's not the only highlight. Though the script by writer Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady) is earnest, obvious and rather conventional, director Sarah Gavron (Brick Lane) doesn't waste a frame — or a handsomely lensed image — in conveying its point. And while the end result may be heavy-handed, that doesn't lessen the film's message or its impact. Tellingly, its strongest statement remains long after the credits roll. Suffragette may take viewers back more than a century, and much may have changed since then. But the battle for parity among the sexes is far from over.
In 1995, the man who brought audiences RoboCop and Total Recall made the Pretty Woman meets Flashdance mashup no one was screaming out for. Filmmaker Paul Verhoeven won a Razzie Award for worst director for his racy efforts — and the movie took home six others from a record 13 nominations, including worst picture and worst screen couple (for any combination of two people or two body parts). Indeed, saying that Showgirls was pretty poorly received upon its release is quite the understatement, but thankfully, that's not the end of the film's story. In the two decades since, plenty of love has been thrown its way. Now, depending on who you talk to, it is considered a cult camp effort, a misunderstood satire and a prime example of the "so bad it's good" phenomenon. To celebrate the feature's 21st anniversary, Kristian Fletcher and New Farm Cinemas are giving Brisbane cinephiles the chance to come to their own conclusions — and to revisit a flick they mightn't have seen on the big screen. Yes, audience participation is welcome. Yes, there'll be showgirls roaming around the cinema before the screening. Yes, the event promises to be as wild as the film.
So, you've spent the last two months hunkered down in front of your television, video game controller firmly in hand. The release of Fallout 4 was always going to have that kind of impact — but, if you're finally ready to venture out of your bunker and rejoin the rest of the world, The Brightside has the perfect event for you. The Fortitude Valley hangout is throwing another of their famous UV parties; however this time they're giving it a twist. As well as glow-in-the-dark paint galore, everyone's favourite post-apocalyptic role-playing action game is in the spotlight (well, in the lack of a spotlight, given that lurking in the dark is one of the shindig's themes). Expect the beer garden to get a bit of a dystopian makeover, and expect to flaunt your knowledge of Fallout and Elder Scrolls over a few rounds of Bethesda trivia. And, because it wouldn't be a Brighty party without live music, expect Far West Battlefront, The Brave, Wildheart and Kings to take care of the tunes, too — plus Bayharbour, who'll be launching their new single.
Don't be turned off by the name of Woolly Mammoth's Australia Day event. No, people won't just be sitting around chatting about how things used to be cool way back when — or what the next big trend is going to be. We promise. Instead, bearded blokes will be encouraged to liberate their chins, and everyone will be encouraged to enjoy a beer or several. Both are aligned with good causes, with shaving your face supporting Lifeline's suicide prevention initiative, and knocking back a few beverages all part of the Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers.
It's the one day of the year that drinking in the morning is considered acceptable. We're talking about the Super Bowl, aka the sports event you're either already fanatical about, or suddenly willing to feign an interest in just to take part in the accompanying tomfoolery. The Fox's plans for the day are sure to please the former and entice the latter, particularly when it comes to pairing the main event with a couple of tasty accompaniments. We're not doubting the enthusiastic vibe that will be oozing through the South Brisbane venue. We're just recognising that every sports spectacle needs the right food and drink. The Super Bowl falls on a Monday, so the Fox will be serving up their famous $10 chicken wing deal. Yes, everyone needs to devour a kilo of poultry — or try to. And no, if that doesn't take your fancy, it's not too early for a beer and a burger. Don't worry, with American footballers running across all of the venue's screens, no one here will notice.
So, you're dreaming of floats, feathers, sequins and samba, but you're not leaving Brisbane anytime soon. Thankfully, there's some good news. Those with Carnival envy — i.e. everyone who's wishing they're going to Rio de Janeiro's world-famous annual event — can mosey along to the next best thing. Yes, the Boundary St Carnaval Parade & Party is back again. For twenty years, the folks at Rio Rhythmics have been showering the city with the flair and flavours of Brazil, and they're showing no signs of stopping. There's an added element to the 2016 event, as well. February 6 also marks the date of the real thing in Rio, too, so expect everyone to be celebrating that little bit more. With Brazilian bands, samba classes and a street parade on the bill, attendees will have plenty of reasons to get into the spirit of the occasion. And, it's free — which, as we all know, is much, much more affordable than a plane ticket to South America. Image: Alex Jackson.
When most people think about germs, they think about antiseptic, hand-washing and just generally doing whatever they can to avoid them. When Taylah Moore thinks about germs, she's turning the topic of disease-causing bugs, bacteria and microorganisms into art. Yes, one person's phobia is another's source of inspiration. Yes, her solo exhibition considers a subject most people avoid like the plague, and one that once helped cause the plague as well. Yes, GERMS will infest Love Love Studios, where Moore is a resident artist. It's the next show to deck the halls and walls of the artist-run initiative, which has been a community favourite since it was established back in 2008 in Teneriffe, before moving to its current Milton digs in 2014. Not every gallery space resides above a skateboard store, after all; however that's not the only reason to make it along. Sadly, GERMS isn't just Love Love's latest artistic display — it's also its last.
From 1982 to 2006, 4ZZZ's market days were a highlight of the Brisbane event calendar. The city's favourite community radio station descended upon a local park or venue with a heap of great bands and a host of stallholders. Unsurprisingly, masses of music lovers followed suit. While that joyous annual day is no more, the alternative broadcasters are serving up the next best thing to mark forty years on the airwaves. That'd be the 4ZZZ 40th Birthday Night Market — which is both a celebration and as close as you'll get to jumping back to the past without a time machine. The decade-spanning lineup of acts certainly suits the occasion, with Gentle Ben & His Sensitive Side, Monster Zoku Onsomb, Blank Realm, Velociraptor, Xero and The Leftovers provide tunes across two rooms. And the browsing and buying part of the equation comes courtesy of the Summer Night Markets, pairing something old and iconic with something fresh and new.
There might seem like there's a dedicated night for every kind of music — and there probably is — however don't let that keep you away from The Foundry's latest regular series. That'd be Brisbabes, the evening that not only has an awesome name, but also shines a light on the lovely local ladies enlivening the city's music scene. The first female-centric celebration rocked The Foundry back in October, proving such a hit that it's back for another outing. This time, Sahara Beck, Avaberee, Love Signs and Alla Spina will take the stage, with DJ Black Amex and Sezzo Snot spinning tunes between sets. They'll bring a dash of indie folk, some post-synth pop, and a little ska punk to the talent showcase, with one aim in mind: making sure Brisbabes #2 is bigger and better than its predecessor. They'll also champion a spirit of inclusivity, because while the fairer sex's music antics might be the main attraction, everyone is welcome.
Still coming to terms with the end of your favourite advertising-oriented television drama? Keen to pretend it was all just a dream, even just for an evening? Cobbler has the solution — and a brilliant idea for a boozy party. Yes, the West End bar is dedicating their last night of the year to Mad Men. If you have a thirst like Don Draper, a sense of humour like Roger Sterling, and a no-nonsense attitude like Joan Holloway and Peggy Olson, then this is the place to be. Yes, there'll be whiskey. Yes, you can wear your best '60s attire. That's half the fun — and the only way you'll win a prize for the best outfit.
Thanks to SPECTRE, Bond was big in 2015. Thanks to Cloudland's New Year's Eve party, Bond is about to get even bigger. You know what to expect: suave style, glitz and glamour, innuendo puns all round. Oh, and martinis — shaken not stirred, obviously. You can also expect a Casino Royale experience, as well as a dance floor grooving along to '70s and '80s disco. All that's left is to rewatch your favourite Bond flick and use it for inspiration. If that means revisiting Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton or Pierce Brosnan as 007, that's okay — we won't judge you.
Can't pick a theme for New Year's Eve? Or a costume? Or a price range? Well, who says you have to? Not the Story Bridge Hotel, given that they're clearly quite indecisive themselves. That's why they're throwing not one, not two, but three parties. In the Shelter Bar and Outback Bar, patrons can wander into wonderland for the Mad Hatters NYE Garden Party. If you don't have appropriate headwear but you do have a tux, then you can revel in Bond in the Martini and Heritage Rooms. Or, if you just want a classy, theme-free evening, The Piano Room's classy night out is probably your best bet. Wearing a suit and hat will get you into all three, but that will prove a little expensive.
Fancy swinging a mallet on New Year's Eve? Or combining the biggest event on the annual party calendar with a social round of sport? At Kerbside, you can do both. While away the hours until 2016 hits with a friendly game of croquet — the game that's both fun and cathartic. In what's certain to prove one of the lowest-key party options out there that still involves leaving the house, no tickets or drinks packages are required. Just hang out with your friends, chill out to the tunes spun by DJs De La Haye, Moses and Kidnyte, and watch the evening unfold.
When was the last time you sent a Christmas card? (And no, e-cards don't count.) When was the last time you wrote something down — let alone in something other than scribble? Showroom's latest class wants to help you do both. Soon, you'll be wowing your friends and family with your thoughtful, handwritten, seasonal cards and notes. At the Christmas Card Lettering Workshop, you'll learn how to create custom lettering pieces using fine black markers and brush pens, explore cursive compositions and expressive brush lettering, and make unique, hand-lettered cards. And if you're feeling extra festive, why not stick around for the afternoon session on making your own garlands?
Wrestling might focus on grabbing, grappling and general clashes of strength, but there's more to the combat sport that that. It has given us the hulking ball of charm that is The Rock, as well as unlikely Trainwreck and Sisters star John Cena, for example. And then there's the masked style of lucha libre, as made popular in Mexico. Now, the Brightside is getting in on the action, courtesy of five matches that span a tag team event and a battle for a goon belt. Of course, that's not all the Valley venue is offering. Trust them to pair the in-ring mayhem with their usual focus on rockin' tunes. Yep, it's a rock and roll wrestling night, with Darkc3ll, Holistic and Terror Parade taking care of the music side of things and the Australian Wrestling Alliance serving up the latter. And yes, here, wrestling rocks in more ways than one.
You have to hand it to Brisbane Arts Theatre — they know how to kick off their 2016 season. The Petrie Terrace-based organisation obviously wants the laughs to flow freely, and the contemporary commentary too. Christopher Durang's Baby with the Bathwater is their first cab off the rank for the year, and it promises plenty of both. It tells the comedic tale of parents so unprepared for their new task — and so determined to be polite about it, even to their newborn — that they refuse to discover the gender of their child. All things farcical and satirical ensue in a play that also throws an anti-Mary Poppins into the mix. If you're still not convinced, then perhaps The New Yorker can change your mind. When Baby with the Bathwater first premiered in 1983, the prestigious publication was so impressed that they called Durang "one of the funniest dramatists alive", after all.
So, you've always wanted to be a writer, but you don't know where to start. The Queensland Writers Centre should be every aspiring wordsmith's first port of call. Don't just take our word for it — check them out for yourselves. In fact, they're throwing an open day so that the next generation of budding literary stars can do just that. Where else will you get to listen to Queensland authors such as Samantha Wheeler, Anna Campbell and Kari Gislason talk about crafting content for younger readers, writing up a romantic storm or combining their fondness for text with a travel itinerary? Or take an excursion through the state's pulpy crime, adventure and speculative fiction output? It's the perfect way to commemorate QWC's 25 years of operation, with everything from casual discussions to celebratory cake all part of the lineup. No one is going to say no to the latter; however with so much interesting chatter to listen to, it's really the icing on a jam-packed event.
If you like your entertainment of the pulpy variety, then Leah Shelton has the show for you. She's embracing all the things the term conjures in her combination of live art happening and cabaret. Pulp mags, film noir, Ozploitation movies like Wolf Creek, and Quentin Tarantino flicks should be at the front of your mind, as they're at the forefront of her performance. In Shelton's comic, physical and burlesque-oriented vision of a sunburnt country, cars rule, hitchhiking kills and dingoes eat babies. It's the stuff genre-loving pop culture aficionado's dreams are made of, as told with jewel-encrusted gore, lip-synch, pole dancing and black comedy. Yes, really. Image: StillsbyHill
Always wanted to brush up on The Bard, but never progressed past watching Romeo + Juliet and 10 Things I Hate About You? You’re not alone. Fear not, your years of thinking you’ll get around to it can come to an easy end. Well, kind of. See one theatre performance, and enjoy a comedic crash course in England’s most famous poet and playwright. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) condenses all 37 of his stage scribblings into one show, from the ghostly tragedy of Hamlet and the regal bloodbath of Macbeth, to the fairies and follies of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the mischievous matchmaking of Much Ado About Nothing. If it all sounds a bit silly and Python-esque, that’s the point, and you’re encouraged to be part of the fun. Audience participation ensures that no two performances are the same. Head along, join in, and you’ll be a Shakespeare pro in no time.
The art of the Bentinck Island and the Torres Straight is some of this country’s most admired. Coming from the likes of the Gab Titui and Badu Art initiatives of Torres Straight, the art of these areas depicts great stories, history and time. Now, QAGOMA presents the work of some of our country's greatest artists in Island Currents. Set to be displayed in Queensland Art Gallery’s Watermall, Island Currents is a North Queensland celebration of land, sky and sea. In pieces monumental in both size and intricacy, Island Currents brings together all manner of vibrancy and style.
A simple and surprisingly affecting love story set against the stunning summery glow of rural New South Wales, Love Is Now is the feature film debut of writer-director Jim Lounsbury. The story concerns Dean (Eamon Farren) and Audrey (Claire van der Boom), two young photographers who embark upon a romantic holiday cycling along the NSW harvest trail. Lounsbury's screenplay suffers from a lot of the familiar shortcomings of first-time film outings, including patches of dodgy dialogue and a distinct lack of self-awareness. Nevertheless, the film is made worthwhile thanks to its sympathetic characters and some gorgeous cinematography, not to mention an absolute gut-punch of an ending. The weakest section of Love Is Now is definitely the first half-hour. The prospect of yet another indie film romance about an artistically sensitive guy and the free-spirited girl who changes his life isn't exactly electrifying, especially when it never manages to convince you that she'd want to get with him in the first place. Even by that low standard, Dean and Audrey's meet-cute is seriously unconvincing, although credit to the actors for doing what they can with the stilted getting-to-know-you banter. Van de Boom, in particular, is fantastic in the film, recalling the screen presence of a young Rachel Griffiths. And while it's a little hard to believe that Audrey would fall head-over-heels with Dean, Lounsbury's screenplay does an excellent job capturing the feelings that accompany such a sudden and unexpected romance. The spontaneity. The excitement. And, of course, the jealousy. Once you accept them as a couple, Dean and Audrey begin to grow on you, to the point that, when things start to turn sour, it's easy to find yourself caught up in the melodrama. The climax of the film sheds a whole new light on their relationship, and your visceral emotional reaction more than makes up for the fact that, narratively, it's sort of a ridiculous cliché. Love Is Now also earns big points in the technical department. The quintessentially Australian landscape is captured beautifully by cinematographer Anthony Jennings using digital SLR cameras – Nikon helped foot part of the film's bill, and as a showcase of what their products can do, it appears to be money well spent. Shots of long roads and eucalyptus trees at sunset aren't exactly a new direction for local cinema, but still, you can't deny it looks good.
It’s a hard slog for the Brisbane band. Yes, there are the Powderfingers, the Grates and the Regurgitators of the world, but then there are the others, who play every week at a different bar, slowly finding their way in. New wave Brisbane band The Cairos have certainly done the slog, but it seems now that it all paying off, and this awesome foursome looks on their way to joining that shining list of top-notch Brisbane bands. In recent times The Cairos have had support slots for the likes of The Temper Trap, You Am I, Powderfinger, The Mess Hall, and Birds of Tokyo, and were on the bill for the 2010 Parklife festival. Not bad chaps! Thus with the band gadding about like mad things, Brisbane fans should get their skates on and organise tickets to The Cairos gig at The Zoo before they sell out, and this band is too big for old Brisbane town’s boots. This is band’s last tour on the back of their EP Summer Catalogue, following these gigs the band will be heading back to the studio to make some more beautiful music together.
As much as I love to pretend I hate the abundance of budding graphic designers and artists these days, I have to say that Semi-Permanent is a seriously awesome design conference making its way around the world. Despite the fact I would want to throat-punch all the so called “creative minded” and “artistically awake” twats that would make up a good 50% of the attendees to the conference, it would really be a brilliant experience. However, if you haven’t already got a ticket I unfortunately have to inform you that there are none remaining and you’re going to have to settle for the We Buy Your Kids exhibition. Their John Carpenter exhibition is the equally exciting official after party to the conference, and will be held at Nine Lives. Let’s be honest, there can never be too many after parties; I think even birthday parties should have after parties. But this isn’t your average lets-get-drunk-at-Lambda after party - the exhibition by the Sydney duo will showcase a diverse array of their recent impressive works, spanning from band posters (Ty Segall, Best Coast, Les Savy Fav – to name a few!) to film and anything else Sonny Day and Biddy Maroney can get their hands on.
A play called Moth sounds like a scientific study in entomology rather than a psychological study of the human mind. Moth tells the stories of Sebastian and Claryssa, two teenage outsiders, each the other’s only friend. That is, until they spend a normal Saturday night at the local park drinking together and wake up altered. Claryssa is missing, Sebastian is changed, and their friendship in ruins. Sebastian finds himself struck with the feeling of agape love, a desire to save and help all of humankind, and a burning desire to find Claryssa. This passion is all consuming, and his fervour can only lead to pain. Moth was written by Melbourne playwright Declan Greene, who was commissioned to write the piece by Arena Theatre Company, and The Malthouse. Greene is an emerging playwright who has won a plethora of prizes and is building a reputation for his cutting-edge confronting works. Moth is presented by Melbourne’s Arena Theatre Company, one of Australia’s longest running producers of theatre for young people, focusing on issues relevant to their lives. Image credit: Jeff Busby
November is simultaneously the best and worst month of the year for uni students – why? One word: exams. Oh, and: assessment. It’s the rush to the finish line that sees students freaking out and drinking so many energy drinks that funny (read: unhealthy) things happen to their pee. But once it’s over it’s pretty sweet and you either have holidays til the next semester or you graduate (or you decide uni isn’t for you and you drop out, but we’re not talking about those types this time around). And if you’re an arts graduate, this means an exhibition! It’s not just QCA and QUT with a stake in the grad exhibition circuit – the Southbank Institute of Technology’s visual arts students are opening Breaking Heads this Thursday, with over thirty students of varying disciplines exhibiting. These kids have been given wings and it shows in their work, so if you’re exhibiti-hopping this Thursday, make sure you give SIT a visit too.
Even saying Yayoi Kusama’s name makes me happy – try it, I swear it will do it for you too. On top of this we now get to see this highly esteemed and innovative artist’s happy, colourful work on display at GOMA. The new exhibition titled ‘Look Now, See Forever’ is immersed in style, with GOMA being taken over by Kusama’s dramatic sculptures and paintings, as well as film projection and installation. Kusama uses colour, pattern, form and space in a most interesting way, challenging the viewer to see the world completely differently. The artist herself sees the world in a different way – she suffers from severe OCD; dots are her major obsession, and art is her therapy. Kusama lives in Tokyo in a psychiatric hospital, moving each day between the studio and the facility, finding peace in this way of living. Her brilliant 80 year-old mind has created some of the most significant art in the last hundred years. My favourite Kusama work ever is her dotty penis couches: basically couches with stuffed penises all over them and covered with dots (although I’m not sure how relaxing it would be to lie on the couch among a sea of penises). We can only wait with baited breath to see what she has created for this intense exhibition.
The Vengabus is coming! How long I have waited to actually be able to say that and it be true is quite embarrassing. Perennial party-ers the Vengaboys rose to fame when I was just a small child, and now they are bizarrely making a comeback – much to the delight of, well, everybody! Let me take you back to 1998, when questionable European pop bands were all the rage and lycra was an acceptable and supported fabric. It was a time when music was infected by repetition and the closest thing to indie rock was...nothing. Nothing at all. Looking back now, these songs make 1. absolutely no sense 2. are in awful in every way 3. would never make it into the mainstream nowadays. 2010's subtly named 'Rocket to Uranus' consists of a cameo by celeb gossip blogger Perez Hilton and contains such masterful lyrics as “We're almost there. Uranus is so pretty! It feels like home”. Surely they must've made that song for a laugh? Or maybe not, they are Dutch after all. I may have been 8 years old, but goddamnit did I want to go to Ibiza. Relive the late 90s how you remember them – on board the Vengabus. If you like to party, c'mon and move your body, happiness is just around the corner!
Have you ever made a New Years resolution and broke it? Of course you have. The chance of keeping any sort of promise you make on January 1st is slim to none, unless of course you have a real passion and drive. My New Years resolution is usually to stop biting my nails, but I lack the motivation – what do I get out of it? This promise breaking and selfishness needs to end right now, I say! If you're looking for a real resolution that offers results and benefits immediately, including a feel good boost, then you should really look no further than Resolution Run. It's an annual fun run held to raise money and awareness for a variety of charities, and this year the Cancer Council is the featured charity, although there are a number of other ones to choose from. The idea is that you raise money for your chosen charity and on the day any money collected will go directly where you want it to. You can start preparing for Resolution Run before the day, and will need to register online at http://www.active8change.com.au to participate. For every $50 you raise, you get an entry into the draw to win a prize pack. You can also win prizes for placing, too! Help yourself, but most importantly help others and make 2012 your year for a positive change.
A musical comedy – there really is no better kind; a delightful combination of catchy tunes that make you pee your pants with the giggles at the same time. What a treat, what a joy! Big Brother, Little Brother combines family politics with two real life biological brothers performing together, Adam and Matthew Hedditch. Adam is the big bro and is an accomplished triangle player, and Matthew is the little bro and rocks the guitar. Together they tell mad brotherly stories with music and a smile. Since winning the Greenfaces national comedy award in Canberra in 2002, the siblings have gone on to tour the globe, and have appeared on the Footy Show and the Comedy Channel, as well as numerous radio spots, three trips to Iraq to entertain the troops, and hundreds of corporate gigs. They are now heading up Brisbane way and helping local audiences bring in the New Year, with shows on the 30th and 31st of December. The old tale is that you start the new year as you mean to go on, some people like to do that drinking, others pashing, perhaps the best option though is laughing!
There are quite a few big-name exhibitions on at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art over summer in celebration of GoMA’s fifth birthday. While you are there seeing Matisse and Yayoi Kusama, be sure not to miss the gem of an exhibition occurring in the Level 2 Media Gallery. The exhibition includes works from all around the world, including Montien Boonma (Thailand), Harun Farocki (Czech Republic/Germany), Mona Hatoum (Lebanon/England), Mathew Jones (Australia), Rei Naito (Japan/USA), Christodoulos Panayiotou (Republic of Cyprus), Michael Parekowhai (New Zealand), Natee Utarit (Thailand), Liu Wei (China), Nawurapu Wunungmurra (Dhalwangu people, Australia), William Yang (Australia), Yang Zhenzhong (China), Yao Jui-Chung (Taiwan). The video, photography, drawing and sculpture works featured in The Hand, The Eye and The Heart reflect on the public dimension of private experience, surveying a range of approaches used by artists to record private and personal aspects of human experience.
QUT is shining the innovative light again this month with Remoteness. Comprising series of works, Remoteness showcases artists who draw upon the social emotional and physical solitariness that has come to define our modern-day environment. Thanks to the digital age our world has never been more connected, but how deep do these connections go? Despite technologies bringing us together, some have never felt more isolated. It's these modern issues and evocative questions that are addressed and explored in Remoteness. French-Canadian roboticd artist Louise Philippe Demers makes a noteable contribution to the project in the form of The Prayer Drums. The fascinating work can ultimately be described as a complex musical instrument based on Buddhist prayer drums, operated by a series of motion-detecting cameras and sensors. Another work worth noting is Hello World! Or: How I Learned to Stop Listening and Love the Noise by American artist Christopher Baker which is made up of an awe-inspiring amount of of personal vlogs. Remoteness is on display from 4-21 May at The Block, on QUT’s Kelvin Grove campus. It features these and more immersive installations, animations and video/screen art at The Block and on the massive outdoor projection screens.
Just for kicks (and in good taste), Fortitude Valley’s modest hideaway Kerbside has decided to celebrate music legends via a very public party. Not that I’m complaining, who doesn’t love a good bash? And this month the bar is set to raise its glass and pay homage to the memory of the ‘Prince of Soul’, Marvin Gaye. Rolling Stone ranked him number 6 on its list of The Greatest Singers of All Time. If that wasn’t enough, Gaye has also been inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has his very own Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Gaye will always be known as a soul god; a motown machine; the very man who revolutionized the soul music industry. Let’s face it. The man’s a legend. Kerbside will transform their humble bar and café into a happening retro affair in Gaye’s honour. Patrons are encouraged to appear in 60s vintage cocktail costumes, those best dressed will win bar voucher prizes (ka-chiiing! Having won Best Bartender around, I know Kerbside makes some mean punch). There will also be a variety of retro cocktails and canapés that will be served to the tunes of DJs Rolandee and Ben Reeve. Be there, you wouldn’t wanna miss out on this one. Rest assured, there will be some Sexual Healing for some of the lovers out there.
Struggling to pay the rent is just part in parcel to the life of a 20 something. Many of us may whinge and complain about it, but very few break out into song. For the eight creative spirits in the musical Rent, the weekly board fee (amongst other life blows) in New York's lower east side is much to sing and dance about. The iconic musical based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La boheme will be showing in Brisbane for the next few weeks at UQ's Schonell Theatre with an all Australian cast featuring James Gauci and Emma Taviani. If you're yet to bare witness to Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical then a heads up is in order. Rent isn't a musical with classic chorus lines and spirit fingers. It's a very unapologetically loud rock opera. Expect to hear electric guitar solos and up-beat harmonies. Expect to see unconventional love stories and controversial subject matters. There is no time for twee humour and puns in this free-spirited musical. The Australian cast of the show have already flash mobbed Brisbane's Pancake Manor with an impromptu table dancing performance with notable applause, and that was only a taste of what's to come. Perhaps struggling with the rent isn't so bad after all? Concession prices are $35, Adults are $42.
Sydney’s queen of indie-folk Holly Throsby, is giving a dose of whimsy to venues all over Australia this autumn, landing at the Powerhouse this Friday and Saturday. Accompanied by her band, The Hello Tigers, Miss Throsby is touring the country to tout her fourth long-player Team, following 2008’s internationally acclaimed A Loud Call. Recorded in a 19th century Methodist church in Wildes Meadow, New South Wales, Throsby crafted folk pop with a tapestry of instruments, from the mandolin, accordion, cello and even broken tool kit percussion. The resulting Team is an exploration of companionship, separation and the natural world. The album’s elaborate instrumental setup on the album will be transported live to the Visy Theatre of Brisbane’s iconic Powerhouse for two intimate performances, in which Throsby and The Hello Tigers will be supported by Brisbane’s own Little Scout on Friday night and Seja for the Saturday night performance. You won’t be able to find this much folk anywhere else in town this weekend, so under doctor’s orders, head down to the Powerhouse to receive your dose of whimsical folk, prescribed by us and administered by Holly Throsby and The Hello Tigers.
I have a question for you. When you see my face – is it like sunlight drippin? Because it is for Jack Glass and Chris Stracey. Apart from being able to make a girl blush with their swooning lyrics, these two boys are the mix masters behind dance music trio Bag Raiders, and their about to come mix some sunlight trippin music our way. They've been remixing tracks for years now, budding up with electro bands like Cut Copy, Midnight Juggernauts and DJ troup Bang Gang, adding their magic touch here and there. But it wasn't until they released the summer anthem 'Shooting Stars' last year that the boys started getting international recognition. For those that didn't get to listen to a radio throughout 2010's entirety, this is what all the fuss is about. https://youtube.com/watch?v=feA64wXhbjo Now the duo are set to take they're highly danceable tracks to the UK, but before they do they will be mixing up a storm at The Monastery on ANZAC Day. The DJ set will be supported by a slew of local talent including Danny T, Noy, Alex terrel, Killafornia and Rhys Dunmall. Prepare to dance, sweat and sing at the top of your lungs.
There is an inherent understanding that a kimono is rich in beauty, history, and craftsmanship. The last thing that most would think of is to take it apart, but fifteen local artists have done just that, taking two vintage kimonos and reinventing them for a worthy cause. The Reincarnated Kimono Project is a collaborative initiative between local Brisbane artists and fashion designers, with a sum of the exhibition’s proceeds being donated to aid Red Cross Japan in light of the recent tsunami disaster. These artists’ works have either been produced using or inspired by fabric from the original kimonos. Each of the fifteen honour the Japanese classic by respectfully reinterpreting and repurposing the fabric into innovative mixed media artworks, jewellery, fashion, and fabric origami. Curated by Melanie Augustin, the architect behind Kimono Reincarnate, The Reincarnated Kimono Project Exhibition will feature the likes of Deanne Mayocchi of Maiocchi, Nicole Lacey of Hot Toffee, and Stephanie Morris of Wimcee amongst others. Visit the exhibition to both support the relief cause and to open yourself to a world where the modern gets a curiously insatiable taste of the orient without needing to buy a plane ticket. Pictured work by Robyn Dixon
Brisbane’s Queer Film Festival is back at the Powerhouse for its twelfth annual running, bringing along a large collection of the world's most entertaining and diverse queer films. You know something has got to be good when it’s returning for the twelfth time! Most of the films airing at the festival rarely receive ‘mainstream’ coverage in cinemas and other media outlets. The BQFF provides an opportunity for viewers to watch some great films (with both award winning and up and coming actors) that haven’t been exhibited across the mass media. The ten-day festival also provides an environment for people of all sexualities to discuss and debate the issues facing the queer community that are reflected in the films. This is a very unique opportunity for acceptance and understanding that you won’t find anywhere else. The festival spans a range of genre including comedy, documentary, drama, musicals and film shorts. Our pick of the festival is the oddball comedy I love you Philip Morris (showing April 16) staring Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor and Leslie Mann. Note: All films shown throughout the festival are unclassified. This means they wont let in anyone under the age of 18.
Roller derby isn't as sweet as it sounds. It's less poodle skirts and more mouth gaurds, fishnets and knee pads. It's less for the faint hearted and more for those who like it rough. Girls who don't mind teaming shades of red lipstick with shades of blue bruises need only apply. It's fast, its fearless and its thrilling to watch. Since the movie Whip It, a new breed of girls have taken to their skates in the name of roller derby glory. Involving two teams, the general aim of the game is for one member of a team to pass through their opponents pack. They do this by being very quick and managing to stay on their feet despite the shoves, knocks and blocks they may receive from their rival team. In the end it usually results in a girl-on-girl speed skating scrum – no wonder its such a popular spectator sport. After bumping and grinding to sold out stadium shows last year, Brisbane's Roller Derby craze is set to continue with an all star line up of rolling queens. Skating in front of a raucous crowd at Brisbane's Convention Centre, The Northern Brisbane Rollers are set to clash again with the Toowoomba City Rollers for season two, while the Diner Might Dolls compete against the exciting new team The UntouchaBelles. We recommend booking now as these shows sell out fast.
Renegade cinema Tribal Theatre are once again turning their back on Jennifer Aniston's latest rom-com and instead bringing us some so-bad-its-good eighties horror movies. The nostalgic zombies and vampires night will begin at 6.30pm with classic horror film The Evil Dead. Released in 1981, the film was controversial for its time due to the graphic depiction of violence and gore. In fact The Evil Dead was so disturbing that it was initially turned down by almost all U.S film distributors until it was bought by a European company at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was the first and last movie to ever be released at the cinemas and on VHS at exactly the same time. Evil Dead has since become a cult classic having been adapted into a comic book, stage musical and even a claymation. Then, if your pants are still clean and your nails are still intact, at 8.15pm a screening of 1985 horror film Fright Night will commence. The vampire found in Fright Night isn't like the dreamy crush-worthy ones found in the Twilight saga. Rather than falling in love with you he'd prefer to kill you. Or at the very least scare the living daylights out of you – in an eighties sort of way.
You know what people in Brisbane like? They like markets - Valley Markets, Suitcase Rummage, West End Markets, Marky Markets, so on and so forth. You know what else they like? They like drinking - cocktails, beer, rum, wine and so on. Therefore the logical equation to bring these simple joys together would be markets + drinking = Kerbside Markets. For those not so mathematically inclined, the Kerbside Markets will be a monthly Sunday afternoon laneway market held at the eclectic Constance St bar. It’s the only market where you can grab a boutique beer and filter through the miscellaneous paraphernalia sold by the likes of Little Bird, Pannikin, Restless, Calabash, Silver Tooth Vintage and more. And unlike other markets around town, there’ll be fewer crowds and fewer crap – no bulk imported goods here! And once you’ve tapped out from a hard day’s foraging through the marketplace, you can slump into a seat, couch or rocking chair and compliment your booze and buys with a snag from the Kerbside sausage sizzle (vegetarian and gluten-free friendly sausages available too!). The best part is that entry to the Kerbside Markets is free. Consuming does cost a little extra though.
One Rainbow is a good thing. Two is something extraordinary, and three is something so exhilarating that if you miss it, well, lets just say there’s going to be some bad ju ju following you round till the next storm season. Along with manic excitement the Triple Rainbow is bringing home Brisbane’s local indie favorites, Ball Park Music. After their independently recorded EP, Rolling On the Floor, Laughing Ourselves To Sleep in 2008 and shaking up the Brisbane music scene with their second EP, Conquer The Town, Easy as Cake in 2010, Ball Park found themselves touring the country with musical grates Philadelphia Grand Jury, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Cloud Control and Boy and Bear. Returning from a massive year of tours and Big Day Out placements, our local indie sextuple are touring once more bringing along their Melbourne and Sydney pals Eagle and The Worm and We Say Bamboulee. Excited? You should be, because The Triple Rainbow Tour is bucketing down into Brisbane this March streaming gold performances from all. Best part is you don’t have to sell half your home for a ticket; pre sales are available now for $12.25! The Triple Rainbow only comes around once so make sure you don’t miss it!
We all know a wallflower. You know, the person at the party who blends into the background? The friend you can't bring anywhere because they drag the fun down? Well sistah/bruvva, you were wrong. The wallflowers are fighting for their right to be seen and talked to in the corridors of your best friend's parents' house. No longer will they be criticised for choosing to sit on the couch nursing the same vodka and lemonade all night, nor will they stop luring an unsuspecting drunk into a D&M about the universe. All the wallflowers of last weekend have a team of artists behind them, rooting for their integral place in our young event-going lives. While the term 'Wallflower' is sometimes seen as a negative thing, on Friday, it'll be like topsy turvy land. The wallflowers will be celebrated and the other party favourites will fade into the background. Ken Smith, Maddy Young and Zoe Hughes + others will be at Bleeding Heart gallery launching their Wallflowers group art exhibition. There's a licensed bar and the show will run til the 19th. Get your awkwardness on and show your support for local art and a pretty cool idea. Image credit: Holly Leonardson Art
It's actually a surprise when you meet an Emma and their middle name ISN'T Louise. Hell, it's my middle name too. That said, there isn't anything common about the Emma Louise I'm talking about, you know, the Brisbane singer/songwriter making waves all over the country? This little wonder has been a bit like her moniker of late; very very popular. She has toured with Washington, just finished up gigging with Boy and Bear and has been announced as the support for Josh Pyke's national tour AND Bigsound Live. With a schedule this busy, you should consider yourself lucky that this charmer is back in town for her own headline show! I'd say she sounds a bit like Sarah Blasko, but really, she's in a league of her own. Her debut EP Full Hearts and Empty Rooms has been garnering some very respectable reviews, as are her recent support shows; people are getting in early to see her, and not just because they want to get a prime position for the headliner. With all this love for my namesake, I have faith that Emma Louises can be more than just a fumbled response at the hospital... we are pretty unique. See one of the best Emmy Lou's out there this Saturday at the Visy Theatre, and make your appreciation for our species known!
Get yo groove on! Next in line for Kerbside’s monthly music legend birthday parties is the sex symbol of funk – Prince, or the artist formerly known as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince. Ow! Undeniably one of the best and most hard-working musicians alive today, Prince is a one-man funk behemoth, having produced ten platinum albums and thirty top 40 singles during his career to date. His flamboyant moves on stage were so high-energy he was told he needed a hip replacement in 2006 – can you honestly get any more funk than that? I doubt it. Kerbside is paying homage to The Artist, who turned the superfunkycalifragisexy age of 53 this month. Slick up your quiff and gyrate down to Constance Street (but don’t gyrate too enthusiastically – we wanna keep hips intact here), where you can order a Kerbside-patented Purple Rain cocktail while nibbling on a Cream Cupcake. Make your Mama happy and dress up, too - there’s a prize if u got the look. If you’re a Prince fan, a funk aficionado, or just a regular sexy M.F. – Prince’s Birthday Party is where it’s at.
Ruben Guthrie, like a lot Australians, enjoys a drink. And, like a lot of Australians, believes that it is ‘un-Australian’ not to join in the festivities on every occasion, large or small by downing a drink - or twelve. As creative director for an advertising agency he attends an industry awards night at a major hotel, and after a big night at the event he comes to the sensible conclusion that he has the ability to fly, and proceeds to jump off the hotel roof. This somewhat flawed decision is the tipping point for Guthrie’s mother, who hauls her son off to Alcoholics Anonymous, an event which makes him face some harsh realities and has a life changing impact. Ruben Guthrie was the brainchild of actor/writer extraordinaire Brendan Cowell who wrote the play after a year of sobriety. During the year off the grog Cowell realised that his life had become very dependent on and surrounded by drinking - he socialised, networked and relaxed with a drink in his hand (a reality most of us would have to face if we did some reflecting). Out of this realisation was born the character and story of Ruben Guthrie, a man forced to face his alcoholic demons and change the course of his future.
Know your stuff. Know your material. Know Your Product. Despite Brisbane’s creative scene heading only upwards towards world domination, there are a lot of people who still have no idea what’s what and who’s who. There are an infinite number of people in our lovely capital all producing brilliant art in whatever format they so desire, but with nowhere they can place said work in order for it to be viewed and appreciated, they stay anonymous. Enter the wonderful Nine Lives Gallery. Famous around Brisbane for all the work they do promoting both up-and-coming artists and the well-established, their gallery offers artists a chance for their hard work to see the light of day and the eyes of many. With a canny ability to predict big things and the knack to get things happening, those who show there are very lucky. Starting October 6, the following three weeks will be a celebration of local talent with the weeks dedicated to paintings, illustrations and photography. With the full list of gifted artists to long to include here, I would highly recommend hitting up the Nine Lives website as these are names you’ll want to take note of for future reference.
This December GoMA is turning five and we’ve all been invited to join in the celebrations with a handful of exhibitions, programs and events thrown in the lead up to the milestone. Good ol' GoMA have served us well over the years and we owe it to her to give her a big birthday to remember. The Threads exhibition is one of the first in line to show off GoMA’s age and style. Bringing together a diverse range of contemporary textiles from the Gallery’s Australian, Asian and Pacific Collections, Threads is rejoicing the ways in which artists explore the threaded medium. It may be knitted, weaved, looped or stitched, but this is no Rugs A Million sale. Promises will actually be delivered! The exhibition investigates the concept of threads as a function of skin or interface with other cultures, reflecting the transformation of existing social, political and cultural conditions. If this all sounds too deep for you, don’t worry, there’s still plenty to appreciate as always when wandering through GoMA. Like all good art, you don’t always have to understand it, you just have to enjoy it. GoMA definitely wants to celebrate textile style this birthday and why shouldn't she? She is deserving of a party, and really wants you to come. She's 5 and you really can't deny a 5 year old, can you?
Screw German beer and schnitzels, there's a new pun in town of the canine variety. Oh yeah, OctoberFetch is here! If you tune in to Channel 7 every weeknight for Harry’s Practice like everyone else, then this is the doggie day of your dreams. You and your pooch can take part in the 4km dog-a-thon to raise much needed support fund for guide dogs. Have you friends and family sponsor you for the walk and register here to take part, it's only $10 and gets you a starter pack and an entry into the dog competitions. You and your puppy might take home the prize with categories for best trick, best-dressed, most obedient, Bavarian strong dog and waggiest tail. Even if you don't have a dog you can go along and be part of the celebrations: you can be a sponsor and embark in a day of potential petting. There will also be a variety of entertainment including dog demonstrations, a K9 Catwalk (sure to be a treat) and a live stage band. Arguably the best part of the day is the opportunity to meet and greet one of the guide-dog puppies in training. You will have to contain your cuddles until then. Guaranteed to be the cutest thing you will see all weekend, make sure you get your tail down to Strathpine for OctoberFetch.
