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.
It can be very tough for young theatre and performance makers to get a break into the industry. Finding an opportunity to test, experiment and explore the process of making work is essential to their development – but these opportunities are hard to find. Once again the wonderful La Boite has the answer with the Scratch program. In 2011 Scratch has offered five performance artists the wonderful opportunity to scratch the surface, to test their work and to see what happens. The lucky participants are playwright David Burton; performance educator and director Emma Che Martin; contemporary performance-maker and producer Genevieve Trace; performance-maker Sarah Winter; and dancer and choreographer Liesel Zink. They have each been given two opportunities in 2011 to scratch the surface, testing their work in front of audiences in a low-tech context to get audience feedback on their work and they need you. You can be part of the next wave of performance making: viewing cutting edge, fresh work and offering your insights into how to improve and change these new performances. There are three more opportunities this year, and tickets are only $10, so get on down to La Boite and be part of the process in making great performance in Brisbane.
We all have the memory of the Seinfeld episode when George recalls dating a performance artist who dumps a bowl of chocolate sauce on him as her artwork (and then he keeps the shirt with the chocolate stains because ‘the collar is still good’, oh George!). This is quite a limited idea of performance art! exist-ence gives us the chance to extend on this limited knowledge, and explore and engage with unique, beautiful and brave art practitioners from around the globe. These artists will explore the unknown through their works, but all will be grounded in the idea that we exist together. Audiences can interact and engage with this bold work through performances, artist talks, networking events, films, forums and symposia. Curated by Rebecca Cunningham and Thomas Quirk, this is an exciting and different festival on the Brisbane art calendar. exist-ence follows on from the success of exist in 08 which Rebecca curated, and which was highly acclaimed for connecting and enthralling new audiences across Brisbane. So get on down to the Powerhouse and Metro Arts to be shocked, amazed and drawn to new artworks that will change perceptions on your existence.
Out to expose the grime beneath the glamour of the music video industry, Brisbane-based, internationally-renown creative Claire Marshall has developed an all-new, all encompassing interactive theatrical experience with her latest production titled Video Set. Following on from her previous success with her recreation of the collapse of the 90s club scene in Slowdive, Claire Marshall also has a large handful of successful music video’s tucked under her belt. Responsible for creating the clips for many Aussie favorites including Megan Washington, Powderfinger, The Sleepy Jackson, John Butler Trio, Skipping Girl Vinegar, Kate Miller-Heidke, Savage Garden and Darren Hayes, the lady’s got one hell of a resume and is bringing all of her musical experience to create a performance that will not be easily forgotten. Featuring an extraordinary cast of Brisbane independent artists, Video Set spotlights the professional’s manipulation of image. Audiences will be up close and personal with a seriously sensational screening, featuring the method, the mayhem and the music of the video industry. If you ever wanted to be the programmer on Rage, be presenting on the set of Video Hits, or just want to know the ins and outs of the life of a film clip maker, Video Set is for you.
There is no denying that every single person in the world loves going to secret events (this is a proven fact), which may sound a tad like it defeats the purpose of underground events but is instead actually quite convenient. Why? Because, generally speaking, if you look hard enough there is most likely one happening somewhere near you - granted of course that you know where to look and know the right people. However, if all that research sounds like too much hassle for you, then you owe the Brisbane Powerhouse a big pat on the back. Announcing their second Brisbane Underground Film Festival to the public only proves that they know how lazy the youth of today are, instead of discrediting the festival’s cult status. The festival runs for the weekend of the 13th to the 15th, playing movies that appear to have no relation to each other apart from their ‘underground’ status and their fantastic film titles. After perusing the list and judging wholly superficially, highlights go to ‘Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour’ and ‘Hobo With a Shotgun’.
Not many bands can say they have survived and thrived in the Australian music scene for the past 15 years; even fewer can rave their latest album is available on a wearable button - but Regurgitator can. Yes, I mean a button you pin to your shirt which connects to a pair of earphones, delivering you optimum, fresh Regurg’ tunes whenever you feel like listening. Look out Steve Jobs, Regurgitator and their new attire attachable album are back in town with their Annual Sale tour and they’re a damn lot cooler than the iPod. If you were lucky enough to get ticket to their flood appeal show at the Hi-Fi earlier this year, you will know the importance of pre-booking tickets. Every man and his dog will be there, hanging out for beers, bands and buttons so make sure you get in like Flynn and get those tickets early! Supported by NZ artist, Disasteradio, plus locals Oh Ye Denver Birds and Ponyloaf, it’s sure to be a night to connect with your inner rock electronica. Maybe you'll even get a chance to see the gravy rainbow.
I hear the word organ and think of church and layered hymns that get the congregation singing badly, or perhaps leave them falling asleep. The world of organs has changed though, with the introduction of Barry Morgan! Appearing on Spicks and Specks not so long ago, Barry Morgan shot to fame with his infectious passion for organ music, and his amazing organ stylings. His favourite organ is the 1981 Hammond Aurora Classic, on which he will blow your mind when he rocks out playing bossa novas, tangos, 70s grooves and lounging classics. From the Adelaide suburb of Sunnyside, Morgan has long held a passion for the organ. In the local mall Barry has the world famous Barry Morgan’s World of Organs superstore, for all your organ needs. He really is just a walking, talking organ enthusiast. For two nights only he will perform his brand of beautiful, wholesome organ music at the Powerhouse - a journey into the 70s and 80s era of organ popularity. Described by Adam Hills as “a cross between Dennis Lillee and Bob Downe”, this is a show not to be missed.
Ah The Melbourne Cup. It’s the race that stops a nation and has a public holiday in Victoria in its honor, though after twenty-six years it’s easy to become a tad weary of the spectacle. If you’re no longer excited by fast-paced equine action and fascinators you may be looking for a new way to celebrate the day. Enter Byblos, a tea party, a Mad Hatter as a host and a whole lot of fun. For the 4th year in a row, the Portside restaurant will be opening its doors to whomever enjoys horse races but dislikes the generic crowds and atmosphere that normally come with them. For those who are keen to enter the world of Lewis Carroll for a day, enjoy a three-course gourmet meal and associate with those who would rather chat than drink, this is the setup for you. To fill in time before the 2pm race, the exclusive Mad Hatter’s Tea Party will have cupcakes, rides, themed cocktails and an Ella Bache Beauty bar. Really, it is quite the antidote to your usual day of racing. Tickets however are selling fast and this is quite the exclusive event – we wouldn’t want any riff raff getting in – so make haste, you wouldn’t want to be late for this very important date.
When The Dead Heart Beats is the latest collaborative show of Alex Gillies and Murdoch Stafford. Murdoch Stafford’s work generally graces people’s t-shirts, the album covers of great bands and sometimes a skateboard or two. His work at When The Dead Heart Beats won’t be on someone’s chest or being shredded beneath their feet, so you’ll be able to look at them properly and for as long as you like without freaking people out. Alex Gillies makes woodblock images and relief prints, all of which he learned how to do from the old dusty books in his library. He did his first woodblock carving on a skateboard in May 2008 and hasn’t stopped making them since. Separately they’ve been hard at work for the past six-to-twelve months on their own projects, over 20 of which will be shown at Nine Lives. However, the crux of When The Dead Heart Beats is a collaborative piece titled When The Demon Knife Weeps, themed around Japanese demonology and the world of the Samurai. Image credit: Alex Gillies via Nine Lives Gallery
2011 Archibald Prize-winning artist Ben Quilty will be gracing the Valley’s James Street this Thursday for a live art installation as part of the Art on James initiative. Watch Quilty work his magic on the blank canvas with aerosols – an interesting contrast to his usual thick impasto style. As part of the live art performance, audience members are encouraged to interact with the artist – listen, learn and converse with Quilty while he paints – or you can simply sit back and absorb what’s going on in front of you. Quilty will be joined by performance curator Alison Kubler for an ‘in conversation’ prior to the live art. And if watching Quilty work makes you hungry, drop in to Press for eco-friendly foods and bevs! It’s going to be a great start to the week-long Art on James event.
Never fear, the Room 60 Christmas Party is here, and boy does it sound fun, just like the festive season should be. Starting at the very respectable time of midday, there will be Christmas cocktails and punch, parlor games, live music all afternoon, and lots and lots of dancing. If you haven’t ventured there yet, Room 60 is a super cute but also super cool bar tucked away in the Kelvin Grove Urban Village. It is the hot spot for all the QUT folk on the campus, but is also a saving grace for those that live close to the city/Valley but not quite in it. The space has a special Mad Men chic feel, with fabulous records on rotation, delicious cocktails and lovely lounges. But, when the bands get going, it transforms into an all-in disco venue. This a great opportunity to enjoy your Christmas with friends, or with complete strangers, either way; you know it is the perfect way to get merry.
All my life I've struggled to get my business-minded parents to understand my creative talents. They would usually pat me on the head and leave me alone with my paints or pen and paper and just let me do whatever I wanted. I guess you can imagine the jealousy I feel reading that siblings Cecilia, Maryann and Patrick Hine were born into a very creative family (their parents had 11 kids!) and henceforth have become artists, sharing their unique talents in a collaborative exhibition, hinesight. Each sibling has a different branch of artistic flair; Maryann is a graphic designer and visual artist who for over 20 years has produced sculptures, paintings, multi-media works – you name it; Cecilia is an award-winning painter whose oil work is inspired by Greek mythology; and Patrick, an acclaimed independent filmmaker. In hinesight (geddit?), you will be able to view pieces from the relatives: Maryann's paintings inspired by Trees by Kilmer, Cecilia's surrealist furniture that involve ceramic antiques and mosaic, and Patrick's photographs from his travels in Prague and Moscow. Blood may be thicker than water, but that doesn't mean the trio haven't let outsiders intrude on their intimate show – there'll be entertainment from related cellist Camilla Tafra and classical guitarist Steven Tafra, plus finger food and drinks. You won't want to miss seeing this unique display, and if you do, in hinesight you will know you should have.
In association with Brisbane Writers Festival, The Walkleys are in Brisbane hosting The Photographers Slide Show at GoMA this Saturday. Photographer Slide Shows are an annual event run by The Walkley Foundation in honor of Australian photojournalists. The event gives photographers of all ages the opportunity to show off their latest projects with the art loving community. Any student, journalist, photographer, general art appreciator or wannabe hipster should jump at the opportunity to observe and get to know Australia’s fresh faces of press photography and chat to some of the industries most prestigious. To put it plainly, it's a big deal and you don't want to miss it. Brisbane definitely has one up on our rivals Sydney and Melbourne, pfft they may have Eminem, but we have mountains of artistic talent and the Walkleys come back every year...yeah, what! The event is free with registration. To attend you must send an RSVP email to events@walkleys.com. If you just rock up you won't be let in, so make sure you RSVP soon to secure your place. Spend your Saturday morning basking in the best of our nation's talent, whilst enjoying free food and wine. Seriously, we have it good here.
I don't know about you, but if I took photos of people from my local area, it would not be pretty. Thankfully, Emma Thomson has done her town justice in her new exhibition Made in the Shire. Inspired by the 1981 Australian film Puberty Blues, which was an insight into two sixteen-year-old girls from New South Wales’ Sutherland Shire, Made in the Shire is a collection of photographs of the people that make up this diverse community. Thomson searched for models via her local newspaper and the results were pretty great. Respondents ranged from desperate romantics, high school sweethearts to attention seekers and odd couples. The National Art School graduate's work is on display at the Queensland Centre for Photography, so do the attention seekers a favour and burn their image into your memory, or simply admire Emma's bravery. I know I couldn't do it!
Oh, what most of us would give to have lived in the sixties. The freedom! The music! Woodstock! It may have been an eon before any of us were born, but the swingin’ sixties have made a massive comeback of late. Mad Men is a ode to the lives of business men and women in those changing times, and in celebration of the buzz the TV show has generated, The Marriott are premiering their first sixties-inspired cocktail party and fashion parade. Most of us have watched Mad Men, or heard about it from our cooler friends, so chances are you're familiar with the premise of the show. Essentially, Don Draper is this mysterious and sexy ad-agency exec who spends the majority of his time being elusive and cheating on his wife. Mad Men knowledge aside, we all know what we were missing back then. Luckily, so does The Marriott, and on their Mad Martini night, you can expect swinging beats, canapés, a fashion parade, photographs from QueensPlaza's recent Mad Men exhibition, and of course, lots and lots of martinis. Channel your inner Don or Betty Draper this Friday and relive what was some of the best times we never had.
It’s been a long trek down the sidewalks to stardom for Sparkadia’s Alex Burnett. Seven years on since the band's Sydney formation, through the ups and downs and the loss of many band members, Sparkadia has arisen alive and well. With their latest track Mary charging up the charts and China breaking the hearts of girls across the globe, Alex has definitely learnt a thing or two over the years. After Sparkadia's spot in the Splendour lineup and release of their latest album, The Great Impression earlier this year, the project has grown to be the apple in the eye of indie music fans. With Sydney Morning Herald dubbing him one of Australia’s best singer/songwriters, the man’s got something to prove and what better way to do so than embarking on a national tour? Catch Sparkadia on the road with their Mary tour this Saturday before they scoot off again around the rest of the nation.
Fancy a journey without the actual need to travel? Then venture to the Old Museum where The Middle East will be performing as part of their national tour to promote their latest album release, I Want That You Are Always Happy. Co-mixed, produced and recorded by Mark Myers, the album debuted and peaked at number 11 on the Australian Album Charts. The Middle East was initially formed in Townsville in 2005. For a band with such humble beginnings, they have since gone on to play on national radio (Triple J) and at major musical festivals (Splendour, Big Dry Out, Big Sound and the Woodford Folk Festival included), and have also toured internationally. But now they’re back after working on their latest album and a brief band split. Their show at Sydney’s The Metro is already sold out and tickets to the Old Museum are going fast. They’ll be backed up on their tour by support acts, Leader Cheetah and Grand Salvo. We’re just happy they’re back together and playing some sweet music again. Catch The Middle East in Brisbane for one night only. Oh, and keep an ear out for Jesus Came To My Birthday. You’ll recognise it once you hear it. It’s going to be your new favourite song.
There are no excuses. I am sick to death of hearing people say, “Oh, I have no money for Splendour”, maaate I have been down to my last dollar at least 6 times this year. I managed to scrape together the measly $500 (now $390!) for a ticket and I have my bags packed for 3 days time when such acts as Kanye West, Coldplay, Jane's Addiction, The Hives, Kaiser Chiefs and Modest Mouse grace the Woodfordia site. I'm pleading a case that up until this year has sold itself; Splendour is notorious for selling out lightning fast, but for some reason, this year's tickets are still available at a discounted price. It's confusing because it's potentially the best line-up the festival has seen in years (please don't hurt me). The Woodfordia site is equipped with everything...it's like a mini hippy community. If you squint your eyes and are slightly inebriated, it might even feel like you are at Woodstock circa 1969. If the self-sufficient drawcard isn't enough to wipe your diary at the end of the week, maybe the appearance of Wikileak's ostracised founder Julian Assange via satellite will spark your interest? Or what about the possibility of a Kanye dummy spit? C'mon, you know you want to. Beg your mum/dad/partner/friend with benefits (monetary, of course!) for a few hundy and get to Splendour for 3 days of terrific music and events. You can bet you're bottom dollar that you won't be wasting a cent.
There’s nothing quite like an old-fashioned panto (pantomime). They seem to have faded out of favour in the last ten to twenty years, goodness knows why - pantos have something to suit the full gamut of theatre tastes: dress ups, melodrama, audience participation, music and more. Two classic Australian stars of the stage, Reg Livermore and Nancy Hayes, are bringing back the traditional panto to Brisbane, combined with twists of cabaret, film noir, vaudeville and slapstick comedy. Turns explores the lives of Marjory Joy and her son, Alistair, as they come to terms with their lives; their emotions attempting to understand who they are. Sounds intense, but their highs and lows are shared with the audience in a variety of ways, taking the audience on a journey of laughter and tears with the characters. Reg Livermore created Turns specifically with the intention for Nancy to appear in it. Together they bring almost a century of skills, experience and talent to the stage, both having performed in literally hundreds of productions from musicals, to plays, and television series, they are grand stars of the Australian theatre scene.
Keeping the Australian rock dream alive for the Queensland sector is Black Mustang, who have been working their way up the ranks since 2004, playing venues in every corner of the country, kicking ass and taking names along the way. Since the band was conceived they’ve also opened for other Australian big guns such as The Angels, Six Ft Hick, Tame Impala and British India; recorded a 6-track self-titled EP, which was quickly followed by their debut long-player, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Now, with a freshly rejuvenated lineup, Black Mustang return with their second full-length album Loaded Gun. To celebrate the latest and greatest with Black Mustang, the lads are set for yet another tour, starting in the latest and greatest venue in their motherland, Woodland Bar. The Stang’ll be joined by The Black Stars and Ghost Audio, and to sweeten the deal further, they’re giving away copies of Loaded Gun to the first hundred punters. Stop clutching onto your worn-out Acca Dacca CD, there’s more where that came from. Find it down Coniston Lane this Saturday.
Theatre shows, as a whole, are pretty impersonal. Sure, you might feel like you connect with a character’s personality or laugh at their lines, but when it comes down to it, you’re an outsider. There’s a barrier between you and them, and while you can see into their world, you don’t get the chance to experience it first hand. Lloyd Beckmann, Beekeeper is a show that turns the classical concept of theatre on its head. The show is performed to only forty audience members at a time, each member invited on stage to enter Lloyd’s world – his bedsit – and to experience what Lloyd experiences first hand. The story – a tale of a Queensland battler as told through his grandson’s eyes – is based on a true story, written and performed by Green Room award-winning actor Tim Stitz. Lloyd Beckmann, Beekeeper is an innovative production, which draws the audience in to the story with its powerful narrative but unlike other productions, doesn’t feel like you’re watching something play out on screen – you are drawn inside, to become a part of Lloyd’s world.
When I took Introduction to Anthropology at uni, I learnt that by nature, humans are social animals. Since being introduced to Eddie Perfect’s Misanthropology, I have also learnt that humans are stupid animals. This isn't a stab at the intelligence of Mr Perfect, it's simply a commentary on his commentary of social activities in 2011 Australia - shown through musical theatre, no less. Leaving no stone unturned, Perfect investigates breast implants, football and obvious choice, Kerri-Ann Kennerley. Mr Perfect might just be the man who's been right in front of you this whole time; he's famous for his dead-ringer impression of Shane Warne (you better believe he did a Warney musical) and his stage show Keating! The Musical. If the name is still not ringing a bell, then perhaps you’ve seen him as a guest on Spicks and Specks or Talkin’ Bout Your Generation? Or if you're a middle-aged housewife, you may know him as Mick Holland on TV's Offspring! Watching Offspring may be your idea of a 'Perfect' way to spend your Wednesday, but Eddie's screen time is so low, you'll need your extra hit. This musical lecture on Misanthropology with Professor Eddie Perfect is sure to re-instill your fears that the human behaviour ain't what it used to be. Oh and don't worry, there's no test afterwards.
Finding new music usually requires raiding your cool friend’s music collection or trawling internet forums for anything vaguely decent. In the worldwide music scene, we know it’s hard to feel newness when we hear practically anything these days - someone always sounds like something else we’ve heard. I guess that’s why it’s so hard to put the artists in The Zoo’s Un-Boxed... in a box. With 4 different performances, I can almost guarantee even your most nostalgic Rockinghorsin’ pals won’t have got their paws on these Brisbane newcomers. On Sunday night, you will be enlightened by the folk stylings of Clare Quinn and posse, the acoustic jams of The Local Residents, the talented Steven Turner-Jones’ unique sounds and bluesy Tim Brennan’s country rhythms. Try to squeeze them into square receptacles, and they won’t budge (mainly because these peeps haven’t had an album release, but that’s not the point!). Have one over your JB Hi-Fi indie flicking chums and get into music you know will be like no other. The Zoo is waiting to cage you in.
As live music venues in Brisbane seem to disappear left, right and centre it is heartening news to discover that a new hot spot for live music, fresh songs and song writing has appeared on the Brisbane scene. The Round is a new ‘venue’ which pops up each Wednesday night at the Dowse Bar in Paddington and brings together three to four songwriters to share the stage. Rather than doing their own set one at a time, the musicians take turns performing songs, allowing them to share the energy on stage and support each other. With musicians booked in until the start of August, there are new voices on the scene, as well as some old favourites with a new venue to play!
Brisbane's own curly haired DJ Sampology will be finishing up his Super Visual Monster Mash tour this weekend. Meshing musical beats with visual delights, Samplogy's tour is an impressive feat in technical brilliance. Where most DJs are focused on their headphones and mixing tracks in and out, Samplogy is busy manipulating video via two turntables along with triggering animations from a drum machine, all projected live onto a big-ass wide-screen – all the while dropping his signature dance-frenzy tunes. Talk about being a multi-tasking-mix-master. Fresh from his US tour where he played in New York, LA and the reputable SXSW festival, Samplogy will be ending his epic tour on a high note in his home town. There to welcome him home will be some of Sampology's own personal favourite DJs. Cut a rug to Cutloose, Tom Thumb, Charlie Hustle, Danny Cool and of course Samplogy. Cancel that gym membership – Saturday night will see you see you get that heart rate going in no time.
Following Brisbane’s recent flood disaster it’s important to remember to value of community. The Ideas Festival is focused on uniting community involvement through inspiring people to delve a little deeper into their thinking. With a huge line up of guest speakers hosting conferences and events, The Ideas Festival invites Brisbane to come along and dissect ideas new and old. Tackling many global and local issues such as sustainability, sexuality, gender, education, youth homelessness, global warming and politics, Ideas Fest’ have really gone the extra mile to cover almost anything you may be concerned about. But it’s not only the hard-hitting issues that will be discussed! Why not converse about your interests too? There will be events on gaming, television, blogging, cooking, design, and fashion. If you do decide to attend ideas festival there is one event that must not be missed. For the first time in seven years the presenters of Cheez TV, Jade and Ryan will be reunited. If you’re a member of the Gen Y cohort, you may have just pee’d your pants. Calm down; change your shorts and mark in down in your diary.
Have you heard about what's happening at West End’s Boundary Hotel every Wednesday evening? Super electric, beer fueled, pizza filled, ping-pong tournaments that's what. The trouble makers behind Fans and Lambda club night are spicing up our Wednesdays with some pseudo-sport-excuse-for-drinking fun with Single Malt Sports, and they need your help to get the ball rolling. For the first few weeks the games held will be a free-for-all. Simply rock up, grab some pizza and a paddle and get started. Match ups will be organised along with a table that runs team challenges with the winning team taking home a carton of beer. If winning a carton of beer has got your competitive juices flowing, then you might like to set your sights on the Charlie Sheen Cup. To win, Single Malt Sports will run a series of matches played over a few weeks. If your team would like to register, email them here to be in the running, or make that 'winning.' signing up to our weekly newsletter to find out what's the go with leagues, tournaments and other such fun times.
Nearly two decades after it transformed from an unloved patch of Fortitude Valley into the suburb's upmarket precinct, James Street is in makeover mode once again — and it'll soon welcome a Michelin-starred chef to the area. Chef Alan Wise will return to Australia from New York to open Beaux Rumble, which'll fittingly take its design cues from Grand Central Station. Food-wise, the restaurant will focus on woodfired Australian cuisine — heroing seafood and plant-based dishes — when it opens in Ada Lane beside the newly opened The Calile Hotel this November. An all-day eatery, Beaux Rumble will sprawl across 400 square metres over two levels in the newest part of James Street. While Wise is keeping quiet on menu specifics for now, diners can expect a full New York-style brunch from the open kitchen, which'll feature a sizeable custom grill. Also on the agenda are cocktails, dinner and everything in-between. [caption id="attachment_694716" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile Hotel by Sean Fennessy[/caption] You'll be able to enjoy all this on a dining terrace overlooking Ada Lane, in a ground-floor main dining room or in one of the two private dining room upstairs. If you're wondering just how Beaux Rumble's various spaces will nod to Grand Central Station, they'll take inspiration from the 1913-built transit hub's Beaux-Arts architecture. Think ornate vaulted metal, marble benches and tiles, brass fittings and oak flooring, as well as archways, domed ceilings and intricate Art Deco touches. Designed by s.t.udio's Sally Taylor, the restaurant's fit-out favours materials that won't just stand the test of time, but will also age appropriately. As for the Victorian-born Wise, his arrival in Brisbane marks the latest stop in a global career that started in London in the 90s, includes stints in regional Victoria, Vancouver and Dublin, and saw him work through top restaurants such as Picholine, Juni, Public and Rouge Tomate Chelsea. It was during his sting as executive chef at the latter in 2017 that Wise earned his Michelin star. Beaux Rumble is set to open in Ada Lane, James Street, Fortitude Valley from November. We'll keep you updated with an exact opening date once it is announced. Top image: Alan Wise
The problem is, with technology these days, all your friends are ‘photographers’ because they can afford cameras, or at least iPhones. But that’s like saying all your friends are ‘guitarists’ just cause they can play Wonderwall. The point is, neither of these two artforms should be archived away because lots of people are trying their best to ruin them. Long story short, amongst scrums of Instagramers there are still some very talented photographers out there, and some of them are emerging out of their dark rooms to show off during the Brisbane Festival's GOA Billboards Exhibition. The location to splurge on this talent is the Judith Wright Centre’s Shopfront, a more than fitting space to pay homage to some of Brisbane's brightest photographers and their art. In this context, those to be splurged on are a bunch of incredibly talented highschool students who were challenged to capture Brisbane’s beauty from as many fun angles with as much flare as possible under the theme Brisbane Parks: Garden Cities and Urban Jungles. Curator Henri Van Noordenburg picked the best ones and put them in a room, the afore mentioned Judith Wright Centre. You've the freedom to enter this room from 10am to 4pm from the 17th to 28th of September. And it's free!
There's perhaps an unintentional double-meaning in the title of Pixar's new film Brave. Thematically, bravery naturally forms the substance of the lead character's development, but the name's also an interesting take on the company's creative direction. Not only is this Pixar's first film to centre around a female protagonist, it's also the first with a female director (Brenda Chapman). At least... it was until Chapman was replaced by Mark Andrews halfway through. So, 'Brave-ish' perhaps? But then you recall Andrews co-wrote and worked as second unit director on John Carter, which takes us back to plain old Brave (or possibly insane). Of course replacing directors is almost a tradition at Pixar, with this now the fifth time it's happened, and usually the contradictory approach somehow works. On this occasion, however, it's not quite as effective since the competing visions fail to marry quite so seamlessly. The story follows Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald of Trainspotting and Boardwalk Empire fame) as a princess in training, though her attention and discipline run as wild as her Rebekah Brooks locks. She favours riding over reading, archery over tapestry and mischief over miss congeniality - all to the amusement of her father King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and the chagrin of her Queen mother Elinor (Emma Thompson). Tensions come to a head when it's announced three eligible clansmen will be competing for her hand in marriage, and in defiance of her mother she shuns tradition and sends the kingdom into turmoil. It's no surprise the 'animatography' in Brave is exquisite. Pixar's ability to imbue its characters with rich emotions, even when they're inanimate, is as impressive as it is now assumed, and the opening shots of the highland vistas are so photorealistic they could easily be mistaken for the opening shots of Prometheus. Ultimately Brave is probably Pixar's worst film to date. However, anything by Pixar will still be better than most of the other films that have (or will) come out this year. That's because the teams at its San Francisco-based headquarters know their story structure, character arcs and emotional triggers better than most, as well as how to make an audience laugh. And laugh you most certainly will. https://youtube.com/watch?v=TEHWDA_6e3M
Music venues are a dime a dozen in Brisbane these days. You’ve got the decades old institutions that everyone knows, the genre specific hidey-holes that bring out each requisite fan base, and then you have the eclectic off the beaten track locations that you hear whispers of but have never been able to track down. What doesn’t help matters is that a lot of these amaze venues only pop up for one show and then disappear again. However we’ve got word that this Thursday Secret 33 will be housing (the fittingly called) Can You Keep a Secret? in conjunction with Fete de la Musique. A vintage affair in which bands The Phoncurves will be playing '60s flower child pop, and Golden Sound '70s psychedelic funk to soothe your eardrums. Add in the fact that the food truck The Bun Mobile will be on site servicing your tummy’s needs. It’s BYO, and entry is free, and it’s obvious why we certainly couldn’t keep both the venue and event a secret.
