UPDATE: APRIL 30, 2018 — In news that is really not that surprising, Kendrick's Melbourne and Sydney shows sold out in less than an hour this morning. To meet demand, two more shows have been added — one in Melbourne on July 14 and one in Sydney on July 25. Tickets go on sale at 2pm today, and will no doubt sell out as quickly as the first batch. We had a feeling this might happen. Off the back of an appearance at an already sold-out Splendour in the Grass, Kendrick Lamar will also headline four Australian shows in support of his fourth album DAMN.. Lamar is one of the most critically acclaimed and successful hip hop artists of our generation. The Compton rapper most recently became the first ever artist to take out the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for contemporary music. He's also the beholder of 12 Grammys, has clocked up more than six million album sales worldwide, and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine. Lamar will return to our shores for Splendour on the weekend of July 20–22 and four headline shows: one in Perth on July 10, one in Melbourne on July 13, one in Adelaide on July 15 and one in Sydney on July 24. Having recently taken the DAMN. tour across the UK and Europe, set lists included his extensive catalogue, including good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), To Pimp A Butterfly (2015) and his most recent effort DAMN.. DAMN. AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES 2018 Tuesday, July 10 — Perth Arena, Perth Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Sunday, July 15 — Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Tuesday, July 24 and Wednesday, July 25 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Kendrick Lamar will visit Australia in July. Tickets will go on sale at local times on Monday, April 30 here.
It's made from pickle relish, mustard, soybean oil, egg yolk, onion, garlic and vinegar, has been slathered on burgers for more than half a century, and boasts as passionate a following as any condiment can have. Yes, we're talking about Big Mac Special Sauce, which goes mighty well with two beef patties, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions and a sesame seed bun — and, for McHappy Day, it's being bottled up and sold separately. If you're keen to squeeze the famous sauce on your own homemade burgers — or whatever other everyday meals it happens to go well with — then head along to a McDonald's eatery ASAP. A 500ml bottle will set you back $12, and there'll be more than 144,000 available. That seems like plenty; however, folks tend to go a little overboard when it comes to the condiment. Case in point: back in 2015, when limited-edition bottles were put up for auction on Ebay, one sold for more than $20,000. This isn't the first time that Maccas has packaged its famous sauce and put it up for sale, with the chain doing so in 2018 to celebrate the Big Mac's 50th anniversary. Still, it's not the kind of condiment that you can buy everyday. And, while there's plenty of recipes online that explain how to whip up a version at home, your tastebuds can probably tell the difference. Profits from all sales will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities, which McHappy Day raises money for each year. If you're buying an actual Big Mac with your bottle of Big Mac Special Sauce, $2 from your burger will also go to the cause, with other merchandise on offer and gold coin donations also accepted. Bottles of Big Mac Special Sauce are now available to purchase in store at McDonald's stores nationwide. For more information, visit the McHappy Day website. CORRECTION: OCTOBER 28, 2019 — This article previously stated that the Big Mac Special Sauce would be available from Saturday, November, but it is actually available now (Monday, October 28) until sold out. The above article has been updated to reflect this.
In Blackrock, a night of beachside booze-swilling fun ends with more than a hangover when a young woman is found dead the next morning. Many a murder-mystery and crime thriller has started this way, but Nick Enright's stunning classic isn't any old tale of lives lost, witnesses scared and a community scrambling — it draws its drama from real-life events. Enright first penned a play called A Property of the Clan back in 1992, which was inspired by the murder of a 14-year-old in 1989. It became Blackrock, which was initially staged in 1995, and then turned into a movie in 1997. Indeed, the latter marked the first credited film appearance of Heath Ledger. Now, two decades after the film adaptation, La Boite is joining forces with QUT Creative Industries for a new version of one of the most powerful pieces of Aussie theatre from the past three decades. The uni's final year acting students join forces with veteran performers to bring the haunting tale back to life, creating a must-see production that touches upon everything from small-town malaise to cultures of violence to class and generational conflicts.
Pastry fans of Brisbane, it's time to get excited — because Lune Croissanterie will launch its first-ever Brissie shopfront in early August. It's been a big nine years for the brand, after starting a tiny store in the Melbourne suburb of Elwood in 2012. Since then, Lune has grown into a converted warehouse space in Fitzroy (with perpetual lines out the front), opened a second store in the CBD and was even dubbed "the finest you will find anywhere in the world" by The New York Times. Late in 2020, founder Kate Reid, who co-owns Lune with her brother Cameron and restaurateur Nathan Toleman (Dessous, Hazel, Common Ground Project), confirmed that the brand had signed the lease on space in South Brisbane to expand their empire to the Sunshine State — and permanently. Now, that new venue is set to open on Fish Lane before winter is out. The Brisbane site will mark Lune's first outside of Melbourne, and will serve up the pastries that have earned it such a following down south. An ex-Formula 1 aerodynamicist, Reid brings scientific precision to her craft, including the climate-controlled glass cube that Lune croissants are made and baked in, and the time-consuming process used to perfect each flaky pastry. The Brisbane store will become the chain's Brisbane's flagship store — obviously with a menu of Lune Croissanterie favourites. Coffee will be on offer as well, and Brisbanites can look forward to a range of specials that'll rotate monthly. The Lune team also has plans in the works to open a Sydney store, but they have been pushed back due to COVID-19 restrictions. Our mouths and stomachs are ready for twice-baked croissant aux amandes (stuffed with almond frangipane and generously topped with flaked almonds) and the Ferrero cruffin: a muffin-croissant hybrid filled with hazelnut and chocolate custard, dipped in chocolate ganache and sprinkled with roasted hazelnuts. Oh, and Lune's perfectly flaky traditional croissant, of course. Lune Croissanterie's flagship South Brisbane store will open its doors in Fish Lane in early August 2021. We'll let you know when an exact date is announced. Images: Marcie Raw.
One of the many 80s comedies on Tom Hanks' resume, Turner & Hooch has already been remade in 2021 as a low-stakes streaming series with nothing worth wagging one's tail about to show for it. Still, it gains a big-screen spiritual successor in Dog, Channing Tatum's return to cinemas after a five-year absence (other than a brief cameo in Free Guy, plus voice-acting work in Smallfoot and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part). Sub out a police investigator saddled with a canine witness for an Army Ranger transporting a dead colleague's ex-working dog; swap Hanks' uptight everyman for Tatum's usual goofy meathead persona, obviously; and shoehorn in a portrait of America today that aims to appeal to absolutely everyone. The result: a good boy of a movie that Tatum co-directs, isn't without its likeable and affecting moments, but is also a dog's breakfast tonally. Like pouring kibble into a bowl for a hungry pooch each morning, Dog is dutiful with the basics: a man, a mutt, an odd-couple arrangement between seeming opposites with more in common than the human among them first thinks, and an emotional journey. Comedic hijinks ensue along the way, naturally, although Turner & Hooch didn't involve anyone getting cock-blocked from having a threesome with two tantric sex gurus by its four-legged scamp. Given that Tatum's Jackson Briggs needs to take Belgian Malinois Lulu 1500 miles from Montana to Arizona by car — she won't fly — Dog is also a road-trip film, complete with episodic antics involving weed farmers and fancy hotels at its pitstops. That's all so standard that it may as well be cinema's best friend, but this flick also reckons with combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder of both the human and animal kind, and ideas of masculinity and strength attached to military service. When Dog introduces Briggs, he's working in fast food by necessity — think Breaking Bad's fate for Saul Goodman, with Tatum even channelling the same stoic demeanour — as he waits to get redeployed. All he wants is to head back on active duty, but his higher-ups need convincing after the brain injury he received on his last tour. But his direct superior (Luke Forbes, SWAT) throws him a bone: if Briggs escorts Lulu to their former squad member's funeral, after he drove himself into a tree at 120 miles per hour, he'll sign off on his re-enlistment. Lulu has also been changed by her service, so much so that this'll be her last hurrah; afterwards, Briggs is to return her to the nearest base where she'll be euthanised. Given that Dog is exactly the movie it seems to be, its ending is never in doubt. Accordingly, fretting about Lulu is pointless. The journey is the story, of course, so Tatum and co-director/screenwriter Reid Carolin — also making his helming debut, and reteaming with the former after penning Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL (and the upcoming Magic Mike's Last Dance) — endeavour to make the small moments matter. That's a line of thinking on par with Briggs' readjustment to civilian life, and similarly howling through his burgeoning bond with Lulu past simply playing chauffeur. Yes, Dog is that obvious. An emotional throughline doesn't need to be novel to strike a chord, though, and this film yaps the message loud and clear. That said, it also trades more in concepts than in fleshed-out characters, making an already-broad story even broader. Some films see the universal in the specific (see: 2008's also pooch-centric masterpiece Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams), but Dog isn't one of them — it's too eager to please, and widely. So, when it attempts to rove beyond a feel-good person-and-pupper road-trip heartwarmer, it still goes broad and blatant. Here, caricatures of Portland women sneer at Briggs for his service, military camaraderie and purpose is his be all and end all, and dialogue riffs about "getting our murder on" on deployment. The armed forces are adamant about checking the boxes required for Briggs' return, but care little about his post-war life otherwise — and see Lulu as expendable. And, this is a feature where a gag involving Briggs pretending to be a person who is blind segues into an attack on a Middle Eastern man, as Lulu was once trained to do, which sparks congrats from a racist cop and Briggs' horror. Dog presents rather than significantly interrogates most of the above, however, proving jumbled in both mood and meaning. Tatum, Carolin and co-screenwriter — and former soldier — Brett Rodriguez are far more careful with depicting the effects of war on Briggs and Lulu. Sharing a 14-year history with the subject dating back to 2008's Stop-Loss, which Tatum acted in, Carolin helped produce and Rodriguez worked on as a military consultant, the trio have been building to Dog; they also collaborated on 2017 documentary War Dog: A Soldier's Best Friend, too. Perhaps that's why, even playing a character with plenty of complications but little texture, Tatum still makes Briggs feel lived-in. He's long been great at unpacking and softening engrained notions of machismo — the Magic Mike films dazzle for exactly that reason — and he's as charismatic and graceful at it here as he's ever been. Tatum also conveys the simmering desperation driving Briggs, who only knows how to fight, and the leap it takes to see open himself up to his new barking bestie. Affable, thoughtful, sometimes muddled, a bit adrift: they all describe Dog, and apply to Briggs and Lulu as well. Indeed, it'd be half the movie it is without Tatum, and benefits from a fine supporting turn by Ethan Suplee (The Hunt) as another veteran and dog handler — plus the always-welcome Jane Adams (She Dies Tomorrow) and ex-wrestler Kevin Nash (a fellow Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL alum) as the aforementioned pot-growing duo — as well as never-overplayed canine acting. A familiar but still poignant score from Thomas Newman (The Little Things) also does its part, and the expectedly scenic yet nonetheless vivid cinematography by Newton Thomas Sigel (Da 5 Bloods) with it. Dog mightn't convincingly teach its underlying formula new tricks, doesn't always have much bite and rarely knows what to stop shaking its tail at; however, even just for its 101 minutes, it's an easy-enough movie to sit and stay with.
Break out the cake, candles, streamers, party hats and lolly bags, because someone's having a birthday. Well, not just someone, but somewhere. And not just anywhere, but one of Fortitude Valley's favourite hangouts. Yes, that slice of music heaven on Brunswick Street that is Black Bear Lodge has now been part of the inner-city scene for 11 years. If that's not cause for celebration between Friday, June 3—Saturday, June 4, then we don't know what is. Trust the BBL crew to throw its own shindig (and cry if it wants to) to mark the occasion. And trust it to rope in a whole lot of other folks to make the two evenings something extra special, too. On the lineup: Benny Chiu, David Versace, Doggie Heaven and Gratitude Cowgirl, as well as Great Sage, Jimmy Ellis, Paulie Marinos and Simi Lacroix — plus Square and Sugar Leaves, too. The party runs till late on both nights, and tickets for each evening cost $15 on the door.
There's nothing quite like the thrum of a crowd at a live gig, but we often forget to acknowledge all the incredible work that goes into putting on a show. Australia's live music scene is growing, and we owe so much of that to not only the musicians but also their managers, agents, crew and others working tirelessly behind the scenes. Support Act props up the music industry with mental health and wellbeing initiatives, like the Wellbeing Helpline, short-term financial aid and dedicated First Nations support. On Thursday, November 30, it's asking you to help continue to raise funds for music workers by showing your support on Ausmusic T-Shirt Day. Don your favourite Ausmusic tee on Thursday, November 30 and donate to Support Act to boost Australia's music industry. If you don't have a shirt, you can buy one on the website for $50. Take your pick of designs created by local artists, featuring musos such as Kylie Minogue, Nick Cave, Paul Kelly, Gang of Youths and John Farnham – but get in quick, as stocks are limited. All proceeds go directly to Support Act. You can get additional merch from celebrated stars such as Jess Mauboy, Tame Impala, Tash Sultana, INXS, RÜFÜS DU SOL and Ocean Alley, who are donating a percentage of sale proceeds to the campaign. Find the full list of merch partners at the website. In showing your support, you'll become a part of something bigger. Upholding the cause are some notable names in Aussie music — lead ambassadors Amy Shark, Budjerah and Jimmy Barnes are joined by Alex Lahey, Baker Boy, Client Liason, Gretta Ray, Jet, Josh Pyke, MAY-A, Voyager and more. ARIA, Triple J, Heaps Normal, Gildan Brands and AAMI are also backing the cause. "November 30 is a day where we can all rally together, show our support of Aussie music and raise much-needed funds for Support Act who do amazing work for artists, crew and music workers across the industry," shares Amy Shark. Donate and get involved at the Ausmusic website.
Did you know Australia is the world's seventh-largest market for champagne? And, because we never do anything by halves, we're also the largest consumers of champagne per person outside Europe. We also seek quality over quantity, with drinkers choosing sparkling and champagne from vineyards with high quality vines. Avid champagne drinkers may have noticed an increasing number of rosé champagnes in their favourite bars and bottle shops, too. This is thanks to a rosé revolution — a surge in popularity for not only still pink wines but also for sparkling and champagne rosé — which is why we've partnered with Moët & Chandon to bring you a quick guide to the complex drink that can range from amber to hibiscus pink in colour, and from red currant to strawberry in flavour, and pair surprisingly well with sashimi and roast chicken. Read on to find out why your next glass of champagne should be pink. [caption id="attachment_760242" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pinot meunier grapes; Fred Laures[/caption] PINK CHAMPAGNE IS MORE COMPLEX THAN YOU THINK It's also drier and has layers of flavour. Winemakers use red wine grapes pinot noir and pinot meunier as the basis for rosé champagne; they take the intensity and structure of the pinot noir and combine it with the opulent flavours of meunier — think wild strawberry and cranberry characters — which creates a champagne that has freshness as well as layers of flavour. [caption id="attachment_758615" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lasseter Winery[/caption] IT'S THE ONLY TIME WINEMAKERS ARE PERMITTED TO BLEND RED AND WHITE WINES No, really. Making rosé champagne is the only time when it is permitted to blend still red wine and still white wine together to make rosé. The process is called rosé d'assemblage and winemakers combine a percentage of red wine (usually pinot noir or meunier) with the cuvée. Taking it a step further, Moët & Chandon trains its winemakers to master the specific techniques necessary to make red wines, giving them a devoted space, amenities and resources to allow them to focus on the nuances of crafting red wine. No other rosé champagne producer in the Champagne region has taken comparable steps. ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE DATES BACK TO THE 1700s The first documentation of rosé champagne was on March 14, 1764. It was discovered in entries from historic champagne house Ruinart's accounts book, which detailed a shipment of "a basket of 120 bottles", 60 bottles of which were Oeil de Perdrix ("Eye of the Partridge"), refers to "a delicate pink coppery colour." Some champagne houses like Moët & Chandon are celebrating their 43rd vintage of rosé champagne. IT PAIRS WITH MORE THAN JUST OYSTERS Rosé champagne comes alive with food. There's a common misconception that both champagne and rosé champagne should only be drunk at the beginning of a meal (with oysters or as an aperitif), but ask any sommelier or champagne lover and they will tell you that the vibrancy and delicate lines of acid are perfect for freshening the palate after foods like roasted pork, cured meats, or even after devouring a delicious burger. It makes the ideal brunch wine alongside fruit platters, which highlight the wine's natural fruit characters, and its minerality and acidity pairs well with a smoked salmon blini. Get creative and come up with a few unusual pairings at home. [caption id="attachment_762305" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] THE POP PRESSURE IS INTENSE The pressure in a bottle of rosé champagne (or any champagne for that matter) is equivalent to three times the pressure in your average car tyre (around 96psi) — which is why you should never take your hand off the cork when opening a bottle. This pressure is created through the process of fermentation within the bottle; when the yeast eats all the natural sugar in the grapes to produce alcohol, carbon dioxide is the by-product of this process and it gets trapped within the bottles of champagne. In rosé champagne the result is delicate pink bubbles that dance on your tongue. TWENTY PERCENT OF MOËT & CHANDON CHAMPAGNES ARE PINK One in five bottles (or around 20 percent of champagne production) from Moët & Chandon House is rosé. It takes the crafting and production of the blend very seriously. Its focus on higher quality champagnes shines through in the wine, which shows various vinous characters in different vintages with each new release. The non-vintage (NV) styles are made to a 'house style' and are consistent from year to year. [caption id="attachment_760219" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moet and Chandon Vineyards at the Loge Mont Aigu[/caption] IT'S (SURPRISINGLY) EXCEPTIONAL VALUE FOR MONEY Truly. Hear us out. Only the most outstanding pinot noir grapes, harvested from the House's own highly rated premier crus and grands crus vineyards (read: highly rated in French classification terms), are made into the red wines to be blended into Moët & Chandon's Grand Vintage Rosé Champagne. So you're always guaranteed incomparable quality every time you pop a bottle open. Moët & Chandon's Rosé Impérial is a fruity and elegant champagne with gooseberry, raspberry and wild strawberry notes. Find out more here. Top image: Boudewijn Boer.
What do you do when wild weather hits, Brisbanites? Watch the radar to see just when and where it'll strike? Stay glued to your couch? Come up with a new festival of contemporary dance? We're guessing only two folks can claim the latter, although everyone can enjoy the end result. Yes, things are about to get stormy on the stage instead of in the sky (although, given that it's summer, the latter is still likely to happen too). From February 18 to 25, SUPERCELL: Festival of Contemporary Dance Brisbane will take over the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, as co-founded and curated by Kate Usher and Glyn Roberts. The fresh venture celebrates Queensland's place in the dance world by bringing together local and international artists, performances, workshops and conversations. Highlights include a five-woman piece from Switzerland's Simone Truong; a triple bill by Australia's Bridget Fiske and the UK's Joseph Lau; dancers from China, Indonesia and around Australia; and a three-day workshop with Gold Coast outfit The Farm. SUPERCELL: Festival of Contemporary Dance Brisbane runs from February 18 to 25 at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. For more information, visit the festival website.
From Monday through till Friday each and every week, the aroma of freshly made coffee wafts from Botero House. Come Tuesday, June 1, we expect that it'll smell a little stronger. Just for this specific date, the CBD cafe will be serving up free brews — so expect its baristas to be busy. The free coffee is in honour of winter. It's no longer coming — it's here. Really, that's as good a reason as any to share the hot caffeinated beverages around, although Botero's new app is also launching as well Unsurprisingly, there is a caveat: to nab the coffee, you need to download the app from the App Store or via Google Play. The first 1500 people to do just that will get a $7 credit in their account to use for their free coffee — but only on June 1. Still any free coffee is better than no free coffee, especially when you're on your way to work, craving your morning hit and not really feeling like you're awake just yet. And if you're an early bird, good news — the Adelaide Street cafe opens at 6.15am on weekdays. [caption id="attachment_590382" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Botero[/caption]
As well as having a catchy name, Kangaroo Point's One Fish Two Fish always serves up a decent catch. If you're fond of shellfish, you'll particularly agree with that statement throughout April and May. Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the end of the autumn, the seafood eatery is focusing on crab and crayfish. Unlike in previous years, the special is available for lunch in 2021 — so get ready to treat yo'self with a fancy five-course midday meal. There are two Crab and Cray Cray options: with booze or without. The first costs $69, and the second $99 — with the latter covering a two-hour beer and rosé package. Whichever one tempts your tastebuds, you'll tuck into Fraser Isle spanner crab bisque, crayfish rolls with saffron mayonnaise and brown butter, more spanner crab — but in a warm soba noodle salad — and blue swimmer crab with potato and bacon hash. For dessert, a warm white chocolate blondie with raspberries and passionfruit is on the menu (and yes, that's the one course that doesn't include crayfish or crab). Bookings are essential by contacting the venue, with sittings from 12–2pm and 2.30–4.30pm.
The incredibly talented Alex Gillies will show off the fruits of his labour at, This Is How Memories Are Made. This marks Gillies' third solo exhibition and showcases his creativity and skills beautifully. An array of intricate wood cuts will be on show and serve to reflect brief moments of history that are shared amongst us. Each image included in the exhibition represents a meticulous process that Gillies undertakes. It may take weeks to produce a wood carving but that is only the beginning. The next part of the process is to print the images which is done by hand. Upon finishing carving and printing, the remaining image will feature rich textures and capture a point in time. This Is How Memories Are Made includes a variety of images from depictions of Wild West folklore to Australian wildlife and much more. Be impressed by both the patience and immense talent of Gillies at his latest exhibition. In the mean time, check out Gillies' diary here to whet your appetite.
Is it just us or has the concept of romantic dinner dates gotten a little stale? When did dating get pigeonholed to just romantic dinners anyway? While we're all for enjoying a good meal, when it comes to scheduling your next date, we recommend opting for something a bit more adventurous instead. Brisbane is brimming with plenty of options to get your heart racing and take your relationship to the next level. Whether it's your first date or your 31st, inject a little excitement into your next outing with your special someone. We've taken care of the heavy lifting with this adventure-packed itinerary, in partnership with Adrenaline. You and your lover can thank us later. [caption id="attachment_720391" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matthew Taylor, Tourism Events Queensland[/caption] START YOUR DAY WITH A SUNRISE HIKE There's no better way to start a full day with your bae than watching the sunrise with the cityscape in the background. Kick the date off nice and early with a hike up Mount Coot-tha. Just a short drive from the CBD, Mount Coot-tha is home to some of the most scenic hiking trails in Brisbane. Our favourite is the Summit Track, which will take you all the way up to the observation deck. The view alone makes for a great reward after sweating it out on the hilly terrain below. Time it perfectly and you'll bear witness to a killer sunrise as the city wakes up. [caption id="attachment_694715" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] REFUEL WITH BRUNCH ON JAMES STREET All that exercise is sure to get your appetite up, or at least have you in desperate need of a caffeine hit. Make your way to James Street, where the people-watching is equally as impressive as the dining and shopping. Head to Lobby Bar, on the ground floor of The Calile Hotel — easily one of the most celebrated (and photogenic) hotels our city has — for a breakfast that's as delicious as it is aesthetically pleasing. Here, plush interiors are rivalled only by the menu — think fresh seasonal fruit platters, granola, and house-made crepes served with your choice of Nutella, strawberry compote, or salted caramel. TAKE A SCENIC HELICOPTER FLIGHT TO A WINERY How does the thought of arriving at a winery in your own personal helicopter sound? Bougie, right? Take your romance — and your lunch plans — to new heights with a scenic helicopter flight to Sirromet Winery. As you depart from Archerfield Airport, travelling at a deceivingly steady 270 kilometres-per-hour, take in the incredible views of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Mount Cotton and even the Gold Coast in the distance. It sure makes for one scenic flight. Once you arrive at Sirromet, you'll have 90 minutes to spend as you please. You can opt to dine at one of the two on-site restaurants or enjoy a leisurely wine tasting, where you'll expand your knowledge as you sample the award-winning Granite Belt wines — try the 2019 Tempo Verita Montepulciano. Or, you could do a full winery tour. The choice is yours, but these are an additional cost, so make sure you make a reservation before you take off. GET COMPETITIVE WITH A ROUND OF DARTS There's nothing wrong with adding a little healthy competition to your date. And what better way to really get to know your partner than with a friendly game of darts? At Oche, it's not about the game, it's about the experience. But this is no ordinary darts board you'd find in your local pub. Oche is a high-tech alternative that takes the simple game to the next level. Rustic yet luxe interiors — we're talking dark wood panelling, red leather bench seats, and 14 cosy booths to take your pick from — really add to the vibe. Once you've been assigned a booth, it's game on. The best part? Since it's all electronic, you don't have to keep track of your score, which also means less opportunity for cheating. And should you need a little extra energy to hit the bullseye, there's an extensive food and drinks menu on offer. FINISH YOUR DAY WITH SUNSET DRINKS We're spoiled for choice when it comes to new bar and restaurant openings here in sunny Brisbane. And the latest to arrive on the scene certainly doesn't disappoint. Perched on the legendary Kangaroo Point cliffs, Joey's is the perfect spot to unwind from your action-packed adventure date with a cocktail in hand — there are five spritzes, three margaritas and a bunch of other cocktails to choose between. Be transported to Palm Springs with the charming decor, while you take in the unparalleled 180-degree view of the city skyline. Feeling peckish? Take your pick from woodfired pizzas, prawn sandwiches, or mezze boards perfect for sharing. To explore all of the Adrenaline experiences available in Brisbane and beyond, head over here. Top image: Oche
Gelatissimo brought us ice cream for dogs, a Weet-Bix flavour and a 100-percent vegan range and, now, for Easter it's getting suitably paschal. It's not only releasing a new flavour, but it's giving it away for free. The gelato chain has just launched a new Choc Cross Bun flavour, which, like its name suggests, combines traditional hot cross bun spices, chocolate gelato and chunks of actual chocolate hot cross buns. You can pick this up from one the gelato chain's 37 Aussie stores nationwide, or get it delivered to your door via UberEats, Deliveroo or DoorDash (yes, it's almost as omnipresent as God himself). It's giving away free tubs of this new flavour, too. In a new initiative called Scoop It Forward, Gelatissimo is inviting you to nominate someone who deserves some free dessert. So, if you've got a friend or family member who is working as a health professional, had to cancel their holidays or has just had a tough week, now may be the time to brighten up their month with a little bit of sweetness. You just need to head on over to the Gelatissimo website between now and midnight on Monday, April 13, add in some details about the person you think deserves free Choc Cross Bun gelato and the company will deliver as many boxes as they can to deserving folk across the country. It'll also be kicking off its Easter giving by donating some tubs to the nurses at the Prince of Wales Hospital. To nominate someone for free Choc Cross Bun gelato, head over to the Gelatissimo website before midnight on Monday, April 13. You can buy some for yourself over here.
Why drink at one watering hole, when you can head to two, three, six or nine? That's always been the motivation behind everyone's favourite boozy journey, aka a pub crawl. And, it's the exact same type of thinking behind the Urban Wine Walk. Taking another wander around Brisbane, it's the bar-hopping excuse every vino lover needs — if you need an excuse, that is. From midday until 4pm on Saturday, November 20, you'll saunter around the CBD — and between the likes of La Valle, The Prince Consort, Savile Row, Bisou Bisou, Gerard's Bar and more — sampling wines and having a mighty fine time. As for the tipples at each of the nine spots, they'll be taken care of by a heap of top wineries such as Gerler Wines, Noisy Ritual, La Petite Mort and Clandestine Vineyards, so prepare to get sipping. Tickets cost $79.99, and are on sale now, with places limited. This moving cellar door will not only serve up around 27 wine tastings, but also your own tasting glass — plus a voucher for some food.
Coming up at the University Art Museum at the University of Queensland is an exciting exhibition fresh from the National Gallery of Australia. Defying the traditional divide between gallery and ‘other’ art, the UAM will present Space Invaders, an Australian street art retrospective. Think of street art and the mind most likely jumps to international street artists Banksy, Blek le Rat, Shepard Fairey and Swoon, whose works embrace the stencilling technique so common among street artists of today. Lesser known is that Australia itself has a strong street art culture and has produced a number of innovative and now internationally recognised artists. Whilst street art is certainly a slightly newer phenomenon in Australia as compared to the United Kingdom and the United States, Australian street art has grown out of a hip-hop graffiti culture that has been around since the 1980s. Artists utilise mediums such as stencilling, paste-ups, stickers and posters, often to challenge paradigmatic social norms and initiate social and political change. This is done either through overt methods (Meek’s Keep your coins, I want change) or through the strategic positioning of works in an urban environment. Space Invaders will bring together 150 works from over 40 Australian street artists, including Reks, Anthony Lister, Adrian Doyle, Sync, and James Dodd.
Spending your Saturday night in a laundromat isn't most people's idea of a good time. Understandably so, but let The Ironing Maidens convince you otherwise. You won't be doing any washing or drying from 7pm on June 16 — rather, you'll be catching an electronic music performance that's based around housework, complete with on-theme advertising samples, actual laundry sounds and lyrics that probe gender roles. The Ironing Maidens have won awards, toured local and international festivals, and generally wowed crowds by using ironing boards as instruments — and now they're hitting up the Morningside Laundromat on Wynnum Road. It's part of their latest tour, which, as you might've guessed, only involves places where you'd normally wait for your clothes to finish their spin cycle. As for their story, The Ironing Maidens main duo Patty Preece and Melania Jack have taken inspiration from British composer and electronic music pioneer Daphne Oram, the first woman to direct an electronic music studio back in the 1950s. Accordingly, you'll not only witness an inventive and unique live performance, but you'll be paying homage to a part of history you probably didn't know about.
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 has just welcomed a Michelin-starred chef to the area. Chef Alan Wise has returned to Australia from New York to open Beaux Rumble, which fittingly takes its design cues from Grand Central Station. Food-wise, the restaurant focuses on woodfired Australian cuisine — heroing seafood and plant-based dishes — from its digs in Ada Lane beside the newly opened The Calile Hotel. Sprawling across 400 square metres over two levels in the newest part of James Street, Beaux Rumble will eventually operate as an all-day eatery. For now, it's open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday. The menu changes daily; however diners can expect smokey tastes from the open kitchen, which includes a sizeable custom grill. Think cherry wood-smoked oysters with dashi jelly, champagne crayfish ceviche, grilled scallops with roasted enoki mushrooms, wood-roasted sirloin paired with potato terrine, and iron bark-charred leeks with truffles and almond cream. From November, New York-style brunches will also be on offer, complete with plenty of champagne. Full brunch details haven't been revealed as yet, but Beaux Rumble boasts 20 sparkling wines on its menu — plus whites, red, beers, ciders, spirits and cocktails, with the latter spanning boozy concoctions like the Berri Lane (with acai, vodka, blueberry, mint and lime prosecco) and alcohol-free sips such as the Yuzu Grey Tea (with yuzu, earl grey tea, lemon and bitters). Patrons can enjoy all of the above 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 nod to Grand Central Station, they take inspiration from the 1913-built transit hub's Beaux-Arts architecture. Features include 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 now open in Ada Lane, James Street, Fortitude Valley — open from 5.30–9.30pm Tuesday–Saturday.
The National Gallery of Australia is no stranger to big names. Last year saw a short-term showcase of pre-Raphaelite masterpieces from London's Tate Britain and Yayoi Kusama's infinity room become a permanent fixture. Earlier this year, it played host to Monet: Impression Sunrise. Now, perhaps some of the most celebrated artists in history — Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso — are coming to the nation's capital. Kicking off on Friday, December 13 and running till Monday, April 13, 2020, Matisse & Picasso will give art fans the chance to see iconic works by two major artists in the same space. Drawing pieces from more than 40 collections around the world, the exhibition will feature more than 200 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, illustrated books and costumes by the 20th century artists. Plus, it'll highlight the artistic rivalry and the famously turbulent friendship between the two figures, as well as their influence on 20th century Western European art, both individually and collectively. The NGA's fondness for Picasso shouldn't come as a surprise — the gallery is already home to a rare set of 100 of the artist's works on paper, called The Vollard Suite, which has been touring the country with stops in both Brisbane and Victoria. Matisse & Picasso will be on display between December 13, 2019 and April 13, 2020. For further details and to book tickets, visit the NGA website. Images: Installation view of Matisse & Picasso, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, © Succession Picasso/Copyright Agency 2019, © Succession H. Matisse/Copyright Agency 2019.
You don't have to go to Tokyo to enjoy an immersive Japanese experience. You can, of course, and you should at some point — especially now that Japan is slowly opening back up to tourists — because there's really nowhere else in the world quite like it. But if you're eager to eat like you're already there, watch performances and take part in cultural activities, you can save yourself the airfare at the Matsuri Japanese Festival. Your bank account will thank you, and you'll take care of that nagging travel envy for an afternoon. A one-day celebration returning to Mount Gravatt Showgrounds from 11am–5pm on Saturday, September 3 after past fests proved such a hit pre-pandemic, it's Brisbane's own ode to the country that brought us sushi, katsu, yakitori, sake, matcha lattes and more. Expect to find more than a few things from that list on offer, and plenty of things to see and do as well. Admission is free and, like every great cultural festival, you can expect a little bit of everything that makes Japan so ace.
It appeared true when The French Dispatch dropped its first trailer, and it definitely is true now that the film is out in the world: with his tenth release, Wes Anderson has made his most Wes Anderson movie ever. And yes, while editors fictional and real may disagree — The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun's Arthur Howitzer Jr (Bill Murray, On the Rocks) among them — it's incredibly easy to use Wes Anderson's name as both an adjective and a verb. In a sentence that'd never get printed in his latest feature's titular tome (and mightn't in The New Yorker, its inspiration, either), The French Dispatch is firmly the most Wes Anderson movie Wes Anderson has ever Wes Andersoned. It's also now available to stream at home, even though it's still currently screening in cinemas Down Under. The star-studded affair is the latest big-name flick to get fast-tracked from the silver screen to whatever-sized device you watch along with at home, alongside everything from Dune to The Matrix Resurrections in Australia — and has just landed on Disney+. All of the usual Anderson touches are all covered in The French Dispatch: the immaculate symmetry that makes each frame a piece of art is present, naturally, as are gloriously offbeat performances from an all-star cast that also spans Tilda Swinton (Memoria), Owen Wilson (Loki), Timothée Chalamet (Dune), Adrien Brody (Succession), Frances McDormand (Nomadland), Léa Seydoux (No Time to Die), Jeffrey Wright (also No Time to Die), Elisabeth Moss (The Invisible Man), Saoirse Ronan (Ammonite), Edward Norton (Motherless Brooklyn), Willem Dafoe (Nightmare Alley) and Jason Schwartzman (Fargo). And yes, as it spins stories set in the fictional French town of Ennui-sur-Blasé in the mid-20th century, where Arthur Howitzer Jr. (Murray) has turned a series of travelogue columns into a weekly American magazine — as a supplement to the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun, The French Dispatch, staffed by top expatriate journalists, and covering everything from life in France, world politics, high and low art, and diverse stories of human interest — the film proves equally dreamy and precise with its pastel- and jewel-hued colour palette. Also covered: the miniatures and animated interludes and split screens, the knack for physical comedy, and the mix of high artifice, heartfelt nostalgia and dripping whimsy, too. Anderson knows what he loves, and also what he loves to splash across his films — and it's all here. With The French Dispatch, he also adores stories that say as much about their authors as the world, the places that gift them to the masses, and the space needed to let creativity and insight breathe. He likes pictures that look as if someone has doted on them and fashioned them with their hands, too, and is just as infatuated with the emotional possibilities that spring from such loving and meticulous work. Indeed, each of his films expresses that pivotal personality detail so clearly that it may as well be cross-stitched into the centre of the frame using Anderson's hair, this one included. Obviously, as has been the case in every Anderson film from Bottle Rocket and Rushmore to Isle of Dogs and now this, every frame in The French Dispatch looks like it belongs on a wall — or in Anderson's own recent museum exhibition. Now, it can screen on yours, all as part of a regular Disney+ subscription. Check out the trailer for The French Dispatch below: The French Dispatch is now available to stream via Disney+. Read our full review.
What's better than celebrating pink-hued wine for an entire afternoon? Spreading the love across a month. That's the plan for Rosé Revolution 2022, which has popped up as a one-off event in the past — but is keeping the pink drink-fuelled fun running across October this year, starting on Saturday, October 8, all at Fish Lane. In fact, the afternoon of sipping that's usually called Rosé Revolution isn't on the lineup; instead, it has been replaced with six different excuses to indulge in the titular wine, as well as three all-day (and night) offers that run until Monday, October 31. So, it's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of shindig, where you can decide to spend an afternoon, several or even longer getting into the rosé spirit. Among the specific events, it all starts with a tasting — and drinking — pop-up party from 2–6pm on Saturday, October 8, which'll take over Fish Lane Town Square with vino from more than 32 wineries around Australia, New Zealand, Italy and France. Tickets start at $55 per person, but you'll pay for your tastings from there — or you can opt for the $89 option, which includes an hour or sampling. Chu the Phat provides two other highlights: a rosé-themed paint and sip evening on Wednesday, October 12; and weekly Sunday-afternoon banquets across the month with two hours of rosé, rosé spritzes, sparkling rosé, Aperol spritzes and more for $60. Or, you can pick from two different four-course lunches with matching rosés at two different venues: at La Lune Wine Co on Saturday, October 15 (for $170 per person) and Maeve on Saturday, October 23 (for $150 per person). Billykart West End is also hosting a bottomless rosé brunch on Sunday, October 30 for $85 per person — and those ongoing specials cover rosé margaritas at Kiki and rosé martinis at Bar Brutus. Warm weather, rosé for days, hanging out in Fish Lane: yes, it's a classic Brisbane spring experience. Rosé Revolution 2022 runs from Saturday, October 8–Monday, October 31. For more information, or to buy tickets, head to the event's website.
If Luke Mangan has his way, some of the globe's famous bridges will double as restaurants — including Brisbane's own Story Bridge. It's a dream that's already become a reality in Sydney, and now the River City is in the celebrity chef's sights alongside the Golden Gate Bridge and London Bridge. Back in 2022, Mangan launched Luke's Table at the Pylon Lookout, aka a unique sky-high spot atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A collaboration with BridgeClimb that keeps booking out quickly, it gets patrons climbing up 200 stairs, listening to details about Sydney's history, then eating a three-course meal paired with matching wines while sitting at a 20-seat communal table 87 metres above sea level — and looking at panoramic vistas of the Sydney Opera House and the city skyline. Now, the idea is to take the concept elsewhere. Accordingly, instead of just using Brisbane's Story Bridge to cross from Kangaroo Point to Fortitude Valley by car or foot, or to climb up high to score a killer view of the Queensland capital, you'd be able to eat there as well. "After opening Sydney's Luke's Table on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, I'm keen to expand in iconic locations — which would be the the Story Bridge, the Golden Gate and London Bridge, to name a few," Mangan tells Concrete Playground. "So to open in Brisbane would be amazing." When the Sydney version of Luke's Table initially launched, it was billed as a one-of-a-kind dining experience — but that obviously doesn't mean that other cities can't get in on the action. There are no concrete announcements about a Brisbane iteration as yet, but the hunger on Mangan's part is clearly there. Down south, patrons who are lucky enough to snap up a reservation — it's currently booked out until the end of August — enjoy a welcome mocktail, a guided climb up to the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon, a glass of champagne and canapes. And, of course, the three-course meal with paired wines by twilight. As well as attracting interest from Glass Brasserie and Luke's Kitchen chef Mangan, Brisbane has recently welcomed Guy Grossi's first Queensland restaurant and a meat-heavy eatery from Adrian Richardson. Also, Andrew McConnell's Melbourne restaurant Supernormal is launching a Brissie outpost in 2023. So, if Luke's Table does open on the Story Bridge, it'll have ample celebrity chef-backed company. Dating back to 1940, the steel cantilever structure itself is no stranger to hosting more than just vehicles, pedestrians and climbers. Back in 2015, to celebrate its 75th birthday, it became a food market for a day. We'll update you on Luke Mangan's Story Bridge plans if and when they keep developing. To stay up to date with the chef's work and ventures — and to book a meal at Luke's Table at the Pylon Lookout on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the interim — head to his website.
Farewells are important. When something you love is coming to an end, you want to say goodbye in as fitting a way as possible. That's clearly the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art's plan with the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, which finishes its season on Monday, April 25 — after the two-day APT10 Festival takes over both South Bank sites first. Since early December, Brisbanites have been able to head to QAG and GOMA to see 69 artworks from more than 150 Asia-Pacific creatives, covering more than 30 countries. That remains the case right through until the exhibition's closing day, of course. But make a date with the exhibition across the weekend Saturday, April 23–Sunday, April 24 and a huge (and free) art party featuring more than 140 artists and performers across 40-plus events is also on the agenda. Highlights include pop-up performances by APT10 artist Brian Fuata and the Brisbane Pride Choir, as well as art-making workshops that've been designed by Phuong Ngo, Shannon Novak and Vipoo Srivilasa — all of which have pieces on display in the exhibition, too — as well as the Brisbane Tongan Community. Or, there's a story garden with Gordon Hookey, writers Nadine Chemali and Sandhya Parappukkaran, and members of The Pacific Climate Warriors, which'll let you hear tales about the Asia-Pacific region as told by local storytellers. [caption id="attachment_836710" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'The 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' (APT 10) Members Preview, GOMA, C Callistemon.[/caption] Former Masterchef contestant and chef Emily Yeoh will be teaming up with the aforementioned Srivilasa for a cooking demonstration that'll highlight the importance of food in celebrating culture, too. Still on all things culinary, there'll be food trucks serving up international cuisine — and pop-up bars quenching your thirst. Plus, the onsite GOMA Bistro, GOMA Restaurant and QAG Cafe will be doing what they normally do, naturally. If you're eager to see a show, gig, both or several, make plans for 2–5pm on the Sunday afternoon. That's when drag performers Shivannah (Fez Faanana) and Kween Kong (Thomas Fonua) will also host the Performance Extravaganza, which'll showcase Queensland dance troupes and musicians. On the bill: Digi Youth Arts doing a clap stick flash mob, Dance Masala breaking out some Bollywood moves, local Pasifika performers Conscious Mic, and sitar sounds from Sudha Manian and YATRA. Or, there's Japanese drumming team Kizuna Taiko, Filipino-Australian folk dancers Hiraya Performing Artists, the House of Alexander's ballroom performances and the five-piece Shanasheel Arabic Music Ensemble. [caption id="attachment_849401" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shivannah (Fez Faanana) & Kween Kong (Thomas Fonua) / Image courtesy: Fez Faanana & Thomas Fonua[/caption] Also on the lineup: a series of talks with titles such as 'So…where are you from?', 'Art Futures', 'Wit: A Weapon of Mass Disruption' and 'I'm Not Racist But…' to get everyone thinking. The whole event is free — other than whatever you feel like eating and drinking — and much of it will be outdoors. Or, if you can't make it along to say goodbye to APT10 in-person, everything hosted on the Maiwar Green outside GOMA will be live-streamed. Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art's 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art runs until Monday, April 25, with the APT10 Festival taking place from Saturday, April 23–Sunday, April 24. For more information, head to the GOMA website. Top image: The 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT10). 04 Dec 2021 – 25 Apr 2022. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. QAG Gallery 4, installation view, C Callistemon. Vipoo Srivilasa, Thailand/Australia b.1969. Shrine of Life / Benjapakee Shrine 2021 Mixed-media installation with five ceramic deities / Installed dimensions variable / Commissioned for APT10 / Purchased 2021 with funds from the Contemporary Patrons through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane.
Next time you sip gin, you could be hanging out in a double-decker bus in scenic surroundings — and either enjoying free tastings of strawberry eucalyptus-flavoured gin on the vehicle's bottom level, or heading upstairs to work your way through a three-drink cocktail flight. Thanks to Brisbane Distillery, this very experience is now on the menu, with the West End-based spirits company launching its new True Spirit of Brisbane bus. Hitting up the Riverside Markets in the City Botanic Gardens every Sunday, the True Spirit bus sports a blue exterior, serves samples out of the window and features booth seating under the pop-up roof on the top deck. For those happy with a tasting (or several), you'll be able to choose from Brisbane Distillery's Game of Eucalyptus Gin, Queensland Dry Gin and Brown Snake Rhum. You'll also be able to buy bottles to take home with you, too. Fancy hanging for a bit longer? The cocktail flights cost $24.99, and feature three beverages, each coming in at half a standard drink. Two different flight menus are available — both starting with a G&T, of course. From there, you can opt for a tomato-flavoured tipple and a citrusy drink called Parks and Recreation. Or, you can channel your inner Paddington with a marmalade cocktail, then follow it with a pink concoction.
Start the lunar new year as you intend to continue it: with a bottomless feast of dim sum and cocktails. Throw in non-stop Tsingtao beers and non-alcoholic beverages as well, and you'll be welcoming the year of the tiger in style. That's something we all want every time any calendar resets, and it's also something we could all do with after everything the past 12 months has thrown the world's way. Those drinks and dumplings are on the menu for two hours at Emporium's sky-high The Terrace, as part of the South Bank venue's Lunar New Year party. While you're eating and drinking, you'll be on the 21st level, scoring a mighty fine view over the city — and being entertained by a lion dance performance. The food menu includes pork buns, siu mei, dumplings and gyoza, while the cocktail list spans the lychee-heavy The Spring Bloom and the Cai Shen Dao!, which is made with sugarcane spirit, rosé vermouth, grapefruit and lemon myrtle. It all happens across multiple sessions from 6pm on Tuesday, February 1, with tickets on sale for $80. Emporium's lunar new year shenanigans are usually popular, so nabbing a ticket quick smart is recommended.
Is buying vinyl is part of your Christmas shopping plans this year? Whether you're scouring the racks for the perfect gift or looking for a bargain for yourself, make a beeline to King George Square. For the first time, the CBD spot is hosting a record fair — and you can bet there'll be plenty of tunes waiting for a new home. Taking place from 9am–3pm on Saturday, December 21, City Record Fair is an offshoot of Brisbane's regular monthly record fair in West End — just in quite the striking CBD location. Expect a whole range of sellers, including folks travelling up from Sydney to offload their vinyl to avid shoppers and collectors. Entry is free, and it'll all be happening next to King George Square's huge Christmas tree. Looking for last-minute pressies? If your loved ones own a turntable, going hunting for records is bound to throw up a few treasures. You can find all manner of delights at a record fair, from old classics your parents will love, to retro wonders that'll look great in your bestie's collection — and whatever you're looking to add to your own pile, obviously. Top image: Brisbane City Council.
First, one piece of good news: Easter upon us for another year. Now, another: because every occasion and holiday is now an excuse to set up markets, this chocolate-loving period is being celebrated in a big way at the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets. While more than a few similar events are slinging Easter eggs and other sugary treats this April, this one also happens to be by the beach. And, Easter on the Esplanade is running for three nights — from 4–9pm between Friday, April 7–Sunday, April 9. Head on down to The Esplanade to shop, eat, soak in the scenic setting, listen to tunes and checkout handmade wares — all underneath twinkling lights and with the sea breeze doing its thing. There'll be over 100 stalls selling everything from fashion items to pet accessories, as well as roving entertainment and dance performances to help spread the Easter mood as far along the beachside as possible.
For the past decade, fans of Asian fusion cuisine have had a delicious reason to hit up Treasury Brisbane. Since 2012, Fat Noodle has been serving up Executive Chef Luke Nguyen's dishes, with his menu heroing authentic southeast Asian family recipes made with fresh Australian produce — and treating Brisbanites' tastebuds to everything from peking duck wraps and caramelised pork belly through to seafood laksa and Luke's famed pho. How do you celebrate ten years of such mouthwatering cuisine? By whipping up more of it, of course. From Friday, December 9–Saturday, December 24, open for lunch and dinner Tuesday–Sunday, Fat Noodle has a limited-edition favourite's menu stacked with past dishes that've tempted in diners — and including new and future hits as well. Expect all of the aforementioned bites, as well as seafood stir-fried udon; grilled pork skewers; chargrilled scallops with burnt butter, fish sauce and green mango; and chargrilled beef with Asian chimichurri and bok choy. The cha ca tacos feature banh xeo 'taco shells' filled with turmeric-marinated coral trout, and salmon sashimi and pepper beef also sit among the savoury options. For something sweet, get ready for a Vietnamese–style mille feuille, banana fritters and pandan brulee. Bookings are recommended — and if you're keen to celebrate ten years of Fat Noodle on the venue's exact birthday itself, head along on Monday, December 12. There'll be entertainment, too, and meet-and-greets with Nguyen.
It has been 12 years since RuPaul's Drag Race first premiered in the US, and its mission to unearth the next drag superstars shows no signs of stopping. Currently, the original series is reaching the pointy end of its thirteenth season, while international versions also exist in the UK — also hosted by RuPaul — plus Thailand, Holland, Chile and Canada. Next, it's finally making the leap to Australia and New Zealand. RuPaul's Drag Race already airs locally, but now it's being made here as well. The eight-part RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under will focus on Aussie and NZ drag queens battling for supremacy, and will air on Stan in Australia and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand. That was announced back in January, with the show's debut set for Saturday, May 1. If you've been wondering exactly what's in store, though, you've probably hanging out for a trailer. And, just a couple of weeks out from the show's arrival, a proper sneak peek is finally here — complete with drama and eye-catching outfits, naturally. While not all overseas iterations of Drag Race are hosted by RuPaul, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under definitely is. RuPaul is also taking on judging duties, alongside show veteran Michelle Visage and Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson. Ten contenders will strut their stuff for drag supremacy, spanning seven Australians and three New Zealanders. So, prepare to see plenty of Art Simone from Geelong, Melbourne's Karen from Finance, and Sydney's Coco Jumbo, Etecetera Etcetera and Maxi Shield. Newcastle's Jojo Zaho and Perth's Scarlet Adams round out the Aussie queens, while Auckland's Kita Mean, Anita Wigl'it and Elektra Shock comprise the NZ contingent. Fans already know the format, which features fashion challenges, workroom dramas and lip sync battles aplenty. If you're a newcomer to all things Drag Race, you'll watch these Australian and NZ competitors work through a series of contests to emerge victorious, and join the likes of US contenders Jinkx Monsoon, Sasha Velour and Sharon Needles in being crowned the series' winner. Check out the RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdcgf5I6Qb8&feature=youtu.be RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under will start streaming via Stan and TVNZ from Saturday, May 1, with new episodes airing weekly. Top image: RuPaul's Drag Race.
At this stage in the pandemic, we're no longer spending all of our time at home. That doesn't mean we can't treat ourselves to impressive desserts when we are just staying in and kicking back on the couch, though. After serving up plenty of tasty specials during 2020's lockdowns, Gelato Messina is still tempting everyone's tastebuds with its limited-release sweet treats — and, if you've enjoyed its big Iced VoVo, Viennetta-style, choc-hazelnut and cremino tubs in the past, you're going to want to try its new basque cheesecake version. Initially, the gelato chain made a small batch of this dessert hybrid for Sydney's Firedoor; however, now it's scooping a heap more into tubs and making it available across the east coast. The catch: like all of its specials, it'll only be on offer for a short period. Wondering what exactly Messina's basque cheesecake tub entails? It combines basque cheesecake gelato, naturally, then tops it with a slice of toasted basque cheesecake. In other words, it's the ideal option for when you can't pick between gelato and cheesecake — a choice that no one ever wants to make. The latest release in Messina's new 'Hot Tub' series, the basque cheesecake tub can only be ordered online at 9am on Monday, May 17, with a one-litre tub setting you back $30. You can then go into your chosen Messina store — other than The Star — to pick up your tub between Friday, May 21–Sunday, May 23. Gelato Messina's basque cheesecake tubs will be available to order at 9am on Monday, May 17, for pick up between Friday, May 21–Sunday, May 23 — keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
Fans of Green Beacon Brewing Co are used to hanging out in their Teneriffe digs, but that's not the only venue these beer merchants have. A second Geebung facility joining the fold earlier this year; however it's usually all about making brews rather than letting the public in to drink them. Usually. From midday on August 26, Green Beacon will be throwing open their northside doors for a pop-up day of beverages and fun. Whether you live on that side of town and can't be bothered heading into the city, or you want to check out their other site, you'll find all plenty of beer-filled goodness, plus a few extra inclusions. That'd be tasty bites to eat from Mr Burger, GB's own The Whaler spring seasonal release to wet your whistle, and local wines if that's your preferred tipple. Arrive early for a tour of the production site, which will set you back $35. Entry to the rest of the shenanigans is free.
Every December, the Geminids meteor shower lights up our skies. Considered to be the most spectacular meteor shower of the year, it's caused by a stream of debris, left by an asteroid dubbed the 3200 Phaethon, burning up in Earth's atmosphere. The shower is expected to be visible from around 10.30pm in Sydney, 11pm in Melbourne, 10pm in Perth and 9pm in Brisbane on Saturday, December 14 through to the early morning on Sunday, December 15. The best time to catch an eyeful will be after midnight, when the moon has set and its light will not interfere, and before sunrise. While some years you could catch as many as 120 meteors every 60 minutes, this year, unfortunately, there's almost a full moon (a waning gibbous), which will make it harder to see as many. [caption id="attachment_699423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Jeff Dai.[/caption] But the Sydney Observatory says it's "still worth a try". So, get as far away from bright lights as possible — this could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. To see the meteors, you'll need to give your eyes around 15–30 minutes to adapt to the dark (so try to avoid checking your phone) and look to the northeast. The shower's name comes from the constellation from which they appear to come, Gemini. So that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Gemini, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Geminids. The Geminids meteor shower will take place during the night on Saturday, December 14. Top image: A composite of 163 photos taken over 90 minutes during the Geminids by Jeff Smallwood for Flickr.
Back-to-back festivals, day spa dates, Sunday markets, afternoons at the pub: sounds like a busy social calendar, doesn't it? Lock 'em into your diary, but prepare to take a friend of the four-legged variety. If your pupper isn't just generally bounding with excitement because all puppers always are, then Brisbane's hectic array of doggo-friendly events is certain to do the trick. In fact, it'll have your furry BFF barking with excitement. Whether your pooch likes pampering, is the tiniest mutt you've ever seen or has a few party tricks, there's something on offer.
El Camino Cantina's approach to margaritas is like Gelato Messina's to frozen desserts, taking inspiration far and wide from other beloved foodstuffs. In the past, the lively Tex-Mex chain has served up candy-flavoured margs, Long Island iced tea-flavoured ritas and soft drink-influenced tipples. Next on the list: Vodka Cruiser versions. On offer at the chain's Queensland venues at South Bank, Bowen Hills, Chermside, Robina and Sunshine Plaza: nine flavours of its beloved ritas that pay tribute to the ready-to-drink staple. You'll be able to knock them back until Saturday, September 30 — in 15-ounce ($21) and 24-ounce ($25) glasses topped with a Grand Marnier float, and as happy-hour specials from 4–6pm Monday–Friday (costing $12.50 and $15). Flavours on offer include Summer Peach, Lush Guava, Pure Pineapple and Wild Raspberry — and also Ripe Strawberry, Sunny Orange Passionfruit and Bold Berry. Or, you can sip Juicy Watermelon and get some tang with Zesty Lemon Lime. If you're a fan of its margs, you'll probably have noticed that El Camino mixes up its menu regularly with specials like these — which gives you more excuses to try more flavours.
The Museum of Brisbane really does love Brisbane; let's face it, their affection is right there in their name. In 2016, they're showing their love in another way as well. As part of their calendar of events for this year, the City Hall-based showcase of the Queensland capital's living history is staging a semi-permanent interactive exhibition that uses the people of Brisbane as its basis. Running for three years from July 15, 100% Brisbane doesn't just turn the spotlight on the city — it deconstructs the population and reflect the real face of the community. Using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it has scoured the city for 100 everyday folks that represent the entirety of Brisbane. It all started with one chosen local, who then sparked a search that spanned over 100 days. That resident will then had 24 hours to recruit the next Brisbanite, who then selected the another person and so on, until 100 people were connected. Fans of globally renowned theatre company Rimini Protokoll might recognise the concept, given that the Berlin-based group has rolled out the project all around the world, including in London, San Diego, Paris, Copenhagen and Amsterdam. Their Brisbane stint marks the first time they've ever collaborated with a museum, as well as being one of the biggest undertakings to date by the Museum of Brisbane. As acting director Christopher Salter puts it, 100% Brisbane presents "the story of Brisbane today in an authentic way, through 100 of our city locals. The heart of the experience is real people with real stories and their experiences in our city today." Those who didn't make the final 100 also have their chance to participate now that the exhibition is open, of course. Attendees can share their information and opinions to compare themselves with the participants. In fact, beyond the performance aspect, the project aims to map how attitudes and perceptions change within the city over its three-year run. 100% Brisbane alsos feature a documentary covering the history of the city's population, as written and narrated by author and actor William McInnes, plus Brisbane-focused contemporary art commissions from Australian artists.
There are plenty of ways to cut a rug — different styles, spots and reasons among them — but the best way is just to hit the dance floor and go for it. That hasn't always been possible over the past two years; however, that's not the only motivation to bust out your fanciest footwork at the The People's Dance Party. The number one reason to head along: because there's nothing like losing yourself to the music. Losing yourself to dance is firmly the main aim at this inclusive shindig hosted by Bring a Plate. Here, it doesn't matter how you dance — or why. Whichever shapes you choose to make, you'll be showing off your smoothest dance floor movies amid professionals and community performers, with this 75-minute party also including pop-up showcases that just might teach you a thing or two to try out yourself. It all takes place at Metro Arts' New Benner Theatre, with tickets costing $25 and two parties being held on Saturday, April 2. If your afternoon could use some cutting loose, make a dance floor date at 3.30pm — which'll be a relaxed show with reduced lighting and sound. Or, strut your stuff to start your night at the evening session at 8.30pm. Images: Janna Imperial.
Roll up, roll up, Brisbanites — circus, comedy, cabaret, theatre, music, burlesque, games and art are taking over Brisbane Powerhouse. At Wonderland, aka the venue's celebration of all things weird and wonderful, you'll feel like you're stepping into the big top and falling down a rabbit hole all at once. Returning for its latest annual instalment, this year's festival runs from November 23 to December 3, offering up the kind of out-of-the-box performances and experiences that you won't get anywhere else. Think you saw it all last year? Think again. And if you can't decide what to head along to in 2017, here's our seven must-sees.
Usually when a hungry Brisbanite wants to tuck into dishes whipped up by e'cco Bistro's Philip Johnson, Lyndon Tyers at Donna Chang and Tuan Nguyen at Ngon, then sip City Winery's vino thanks to winemaker Dave Cush, multiple stops around the River City are in order. But for the month of March, a simple trip to Brisbane Powerhouse will do the trick — all thanks to Night Feast, the waterside New Farm venue's new neon-lit food market. At an event that's as much a festival as a market, the above Brissie culinary names will be joined by Lek Senee from Lek's Thai and Patricio Sarno from Mary Mae's Kitchen & Bar on the inaugural lineup, which'll debut from Wednesday, March 1–Sunday, March 26, 2023 — operating 4.30–9.30pm Wednesday–Sunday. As initially announced in 2022 among a slate of additions and changes to Brisbane Powerhouse, Night Feast will pop up twice a year after its first-ever run, with a second 2023 fest already locked in for Wednesday, October 4–Sunday, October 29, 2023. The market's just-announced March headliners join the already-revealed Martin Boetz from Longrain, as part of a full bill that's set to span Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Italian, Greek and modern Australian cuisine — and more. Also included: 20-plus gourmet food stalls, an open fire pit for roasting and a dedicated dessert bar, plus cocktails and a top-notch wine list to wash it all down with. [caption id="attachment_886619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ngon's Tuan Nguyen, by David Kelly.[/caption] Communal feasting will be one of Night Feast's big focuses — and getting the restaurants taking part in Night Feast to dish up the absolute top thing on their menus is another. "Night Feast gives visitors an opportunity to sample the best of Brisbane's gourmet food scene within an immersive, outdoor neon-noir environment," said the event's food curator Lizzie Loel. "Our handpicked restaurants have been invited to showcase their signature dishes only, meaning you can experience the city's most exclusive gastronomic delights in one location." [caption id="attachment_850754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atmosphere Photography[/caption] Night Feast's autumn kickoff isn't just about enjoying a bite and a sip, however. Also on the menu: installations, DJs, live music and roaming performances, plus work from visual and performance artists. That'll all take over the Powerhouse forecourt and surrounding parks, which'll be decked out with Blade Runner-meets-Queensland theming — with a dash of Cantonese culture. The entire event is aiming for a dreamlike multi-sensory experience across its own temporary village. As for the design of the site itself, that comes courtesy of Bruce McKinven, with Night Feast capitalising upon his experience at Dark Mofo. From an arts lineup also overseen by Brisbane Powerhouse Arts Program Director Brad Spolding, Amanda Parer leads the bill so far, which likely means more glowing, towering, eye-catching pieces (see: her past Brisbane works Intrude, What's That, Lost and Fantastic Planet). Night Feast's premiere overlaps with Powerhouse's also-debuting "festival of other music" ΩHM, and is set to share Australian audiovisual artist Robin Fox on its program with that other newcomer. And, Swiss site-performance designer and fog artist Tom Mùller will also bust out his best for Night Feast. [caption id="attachment_827164" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Night Feast follows Brisbane Powerhouse's new Pleasuredome, a riverside events and performance space with bars and al fresco lounges that popped up permanently in late 2022 — as well as the temporary Kaleidoscope, a 700-square-metre maze of mirrors which stopped by last year. A permanent outdoor cinema was also announced back in June 2022, initially to launch this past spring and run year-round, screening movies under the stars — and taking advantage of the fact that that's something you can do no matter the season in Brissie, even in winter. Exactly when that'll now arrive hasn't yet been revealed. Night Feast will debut at Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm, from Wednesday, March 1–Sunday, March 26 — operating 4.30–9.30pm Wednesday–Sunday. For more information, head to the Brisbane Powerhouse website. Night Feast will then return again from Wednesday, October 4–Sunday, October 29 — plus twice a year after that. Top image: Bruce McKinven Design.
Truffle season has arrived at The Star Brisbane, with the venue's signature restaurants — Aloria, Sokyo and Cucina Regina — transforming beloved dishes and degustations with aromatic, earthy bliss. Overlooking the Brisbane River, this exclusive destination's first truffle takeover features a myriad of ways to indulge in one of the world's most sought-after ingredients. For instance, Sokyo serves prawn and scallop ravioli with truffle and shellfish butter, while the A5 wagyu and truffle toban makes an extravagant meal even more special. At Aloria, there's another quartet of truffle-elevated dishes, like Fraser Island spanner crab and pork jowl. Moreover, guests can order the Truffle Set Menu, featuring all four dishes with added snacks. Then, Cucina Regina's Italian-style comfort food is a natural fit for this truffle-led experience. Featuring limited-time dishes like crispy polenta and mousse di cioccolato, savoury and sweet interpretations are fused with bougie umami flavour bombs. Indulgent and luxurious, expect sensory overload from every bite. However, The Star Brisbane isn't finished with its truffle experience yet. With 70 dishes served across the three restaurants, guests can request that truffles be shaved tableside on any à la carte dish for $5 per gram. Showcasing some of Australia's best truffles from Manjimup in WA and the NSW Southern Highlands, this fleeting winter feast is an immense truffle celebration.
Spring, plus light- to medium-bodied red wine: what a pairing. It's the duo that not only sits at the heart of Australian wine-tasting festival Pinot Palooza, but has helped the vino-swilling event become such a hit. The weather is sunny, the tipples are heady, and sipping your way through a heap of the latter is on the menu — including in 2023. Earlier in 2023, the beloved wine fest announced that it was not only returning for 2023, but also settling back into that coveted spring timeslot. Now, it has locked in venues and put tickets on sale. The Melbourne-born wine tasting festival will celebrate its 11th year by hitting up Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane again. To close out winter, it'll also make its debut in Perth. On offer at Claremont Showgrounds in Perth, Sydney's Carriageworks, Brisbane Showgrounds and The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne: more than 50 winemakers slinging their wares. Pinot Palooza will spread the party over three August days in Western Australia, as well as three October days in the Sunshine State. In New South Wales and Victoria, it'll be a two-day affair. In its decade of life until now, the fest has welcomed in thousands of vino lovers. Indeed, an estimated 65,000 tickets were sold globally before its 2022 events. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the popular celebration was shelved for two-and-a-half years, before making a comeback last year. The response? More than 12,000 folks heading along around the nation. 2023's vino-sipping fun will cover organic, biodynamic, vegan and low-intervention wines, and more. Set to share their tipples among producers from Australia, New Zealand and further afield: New Zealand's Burn Cottage and CHARTERIS; Small Island, Ghost Rock and Meadowbank from Tasmania; M&J Becker from NSW and Moondarra from Victoria. The food lineup will feature cheese, salumi, terrines, patê, olives and other perfect vino accompaniments, with Tasmania's Grandvewe Cheese and Victoria's Mount Zero among the suppliers. And, while Pinot Palooza is a standalone fest only across the east coast dates, in Perth it's part of an already-announced collaboration with cheese festival Mould. PINOT PALOOZA 2023: Friday, August 25–Sunday, August 27: Centenary Pavilion, Claremont Showgrounds, Perth Friday, October 6–Saturday, October 7: Carriageworks, Sydney Friday, October 13–Sunday, October 15: John Reid Pavilion, Brisbane Showgrounds Friday, October 27–Saturday, October 28: The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne Pinot Palooza will get pouring around Australia from August–October 2023. For more information and tickets, head to the event's website.
Riverside bars are hardly rare in Brisbane. We are a river city, after all. But if you haven't had an excuse to stop by Blackbird Bar and Grill recently, World Gin Day might just be the reason you need. We know, we know — another day ending in 'y', another food or booze-fuelled celebration. These kinds of days pop up all the time. At this one, though, you'll be saying cheers to juniper spirits. Blackbird is even welcoming in Brookie's Gin, who'll be setting up a pop-up bar for the occasion. From 2pm on Saturday, June 12, gin cocktails will be flowing. Blackbird's usual food lineup will be on offer, too, so you won't go hungry. You'll be paying as you go for both your drinks and your bites to eat, of course — but that gorgeous view over the river is free.
Here's the exceptional thing about being a movie lover: you're never short on stuff to watch. And, because where you see something can have a big imprint on your viewing experience, you're rarely lacking great places to get your cinema fix. Brisbane's latest: the city's riverside CBD brewery. On Tuesday nights until July 25, thanks to its returning Cinema Sessions, Felons Brewing Co is turning its Barrel Hall into a cinema and showing classic flicks — for free. From 7pm, you can lock your eyes on the big screen and enjoy a movie fave, all without paying a cent. You can also get comfy on a bean bag and reserve your seat at the same time; however, that part will cost you $25. That amount is redeemable on the night, though, on food and drinks. Either way, sipping beers with your movie isn't free unsurprisingly. There'll be cinema snacks on offer as well and, again, you'll need your wallet. As for the films flickering across the screen, it's an impressive retro lineup. The season includes plenty of nostalgic delights — Night at the Museum (May 30), Flubber (June 6, and outdoors) and The Princess Bride (June 13) included. Or, check out The Greatest Showman (June 20), Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (June 27), Legally Blonde (July 4) and The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy (July 11), plus We Bought a Zoo (July 18) and National Treasure (July 25).
Halloween is here for 2024 — and if you'd like to celebrate with music trivia, Not On Your Rider has the night for you. The event runs regularly throughout the year, but it themes up its October session. The date: Thursday, October 31, of course, from 6.30pm at The Triffid. If you like music and you like trivia, then TV shows such as Spicks and Specks and Never Mind the Buzzcocks likely sit high on your favourites list, with both combining tunes, musicians and questions about them. But in Brisbane, you don't have to confine your music trivia fix to staring at a screen. One of the city's most reliably entertaining evenings out comes in the form of this IRL quiz show that's also filled with well-known faces — but staged live in the River City, with Brisbanites invited not only to watch but to also play along. This pop-culture delight has been doing the rounds for a few years now, and testing its contestants via rounds of questions. If you're not already acquainted with Not On Your Rider, it takes something that everyone loves — showing off their music trivia knowledge — and dials it up a few notches. Here's how it works: the event is hosted by The Creases' Aimon Clark, and features Velociraptor's Jeremy Neale and The Grates' Patience Hodgson as team captains. Also, while the two on-stage teams are always filled with musos, comedians, drag queens and other guests, anyone can buy a ticket, sit at a table and answer questions along with them. Previous events have boasted folks from Powderfinger, Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants, The GoBetweens, Dune Rats, DZ Deathrays, The Kite String Tangle, Butterfingers, Last Dinosaurs, The Chats and more, because you never know which music figures might be involved on the night. Guests change each show, but the past lineup has also spanned Robert Irwin, Kate Miller-Heidke, Ben Lee and Steven Bradbury, as well as Trent Dalton, Ranger Stacey, Mel Buttle and Ian 'Dicko' Dickson. And as for the quiz itself, it's accompanied by chats about the music industry, plus other mini games involving attendees — and, at the October event, Halloween touches, of course.
Plenty of different noises have echoed across South Bank over the years, from the excited splashes of folks swimming around in the precinct's manmade beaches through to the echoes of jazz by the river, food festivals filled with munching Brisbanites and everything that the piazza has ever hosted. The next sounds that the inner-city spot will hear: the Ministry of Sound, thanks to its huge dance music orchestra show. When anyone hits 30, they tend to look backwards — to reminisce, lament leaving their twenties behind and avoid accepting that they've just hit a big milestone birthday. Ministry of Sound marked that occasion last year, and it's also getting nostalgic. The brand that started as a London club night back in 1991 has been touring an orchestral gig around Australia, in fact, that's filled with three decades of dance music bangers. First announced last year, and finally heading to Brisbane's Riverside Green from 2–10pm on Saturday, November 19, Ministry of Sound Classical is the answer to a question you didn't know you had. Ever wondered what classical renditions of Basement Jaxx, Darude, Röyksopp, Robin, Underworld, Moby, Fisher and more — played by an orchestra, and with live vocals — would sound like? This is your chance to find out. On the bill: the Ministry of Sound Orchestra, of course, as well as Groove Terminator, Sneaky Sound System, Touch Sensitive and John Course. Other DJs and performers set to do their thing include Vinyl Slingers, GRVES, Rousey, Jen E and Matt Kitshon. Conductor Vanessa Perica will lead the musicians, while live vocals will hail from Sneaky Sound System's Miss Connie, plus Reigan, Rudy, Karina Chavez and Lady Lyric. There'll also be food trucks slinging bites to eat, picnic hampers for you to graze through while you listen, a champagne bar pouring the obvious and cocktails to sip, too. Oh, and a killer riverside backdrop. As for what you'll be listening to, the list of tunes getting the orchestral treatment also spans songs by Robert Miles, Cafe del Mar, Laurent Garnier, Shapeshifter and Temper Trap.
When the middle-of-the-week blues hit, there are two solutions. Hitting a bar for a midweek drink is a tried-and-tested pick-me-up, while listening to someone else sing away their troubles also remains an old favourite. Acoustic Wednesdays, The Triffid's Wednesday night acoustic session, combines both — and the free music series is livening up your hump day every week. The music lineup changes each time, but that just means that you've got multiple excuses to head along . The Triff usually announces its artists in monthly batches — and if you make a music date for Wednesday, August 25, you'll be seeing Meg Ripps take the mic, as well as Anna and Jordan. These talented performers will do their unamplified thing and make your midweek brighter, with the laidback festivities taking over the Newstead hangout at 7pm. The venue's relaxed beer garden proves the perfect place for it, and an ideal spot for grabbing a few beverages — and even a bite to eat. Updated August 23.
When Suicide Squad reached cinemas screens back in 2016, it garnered plenty of attention. Critics largely hated it, fans loved it and some folks tried to shut down Rotten Tomatoes because of it. Come awards season, it picked up an Oscar (for best achievement in makeup and hairstyling) as well as two Razzie 'worst' nominations. The divisive reactions just kept coming, although there were two things that almost everyone agreed on. Firstly, most people rightfully loathed Jared Leto's interpretation of the Joker. Secondly, the majority of viewers adored Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. While the DC Extended Universe hasn't gotten a whole lot right in its attempts to emulate the Marvel Cinematic Universe (see Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, for example), its powerbrokers did seem to pay attention to the super-sized Suicide Squad debate. In response, they're giving the world what it wants: more Robbie as everyone's favourite ex-psychiatrist turned antihero. In Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), Harley Quinn has moved on from the clown prince of crime (much like DC has moved on from Leto, at least for now, with Joaquin Phoenix playing the character in last year's standalone Joker film). In the aftermath of their breakup — an explosive event, as the film's just-dropped new trailer shows — she rounds up a crew filled with other fearsome Gotham ladies. Prepare to spend time with Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), the Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) as they try to thwart supervillain Black Mask (Ewan McGregor). Directed by Cathy Yan (Dead Pigs), also co-starring Chris Messina and Ali Wong, Birds of Prey marks Quinn's first solo cinematic outing — and as the both the first sneak peek and the new trailer demonstrates, it's going big, bold and over-the-top. Bright, vibrant, fun and frenetic are all terms that apply, too. When it hits theatres next month, expect plenty of colour, chaos and formidable gals wreaking havoc, in what's been rumoured to be the first in a Quinn-focused trilogy. With Suicide Squad getting a sequel in 2021, confusingly titled The Suicide Squad and helmed by Guardians of the Galaxy's James Gunn, the pigtailed prankster definitely isn't leaving screens anytime soon. Check out the new trailer for Birds of Prey below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygzqL60kvwU&feature=youtu.be Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) will hit Australian cinemas on February 6, 2020.
When the time came for Hannah Gadsby to follow up her international smash-hit show Nanette, that seemed a rather difficult task. After all, the one-woman stand-up performance copped serious praise on its 18-month travels across Australia and the UK, even scooping the top honours at both the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe — and spawning its very own Netflix special. But, then Douglas was born, with the beloved Aussie comedian returning to the stand-up stage with a performance named after her own pet pooch. While Nanette pulled apart the concept of comedy itself, dishing up an insight into Gadsby's past, Douglas took comedy fans on a "tour from the dog park to the renaissance and back". It toured stages across Australia and New Zealand in late 2019 and early 2020, and then hit Netflix a year ago. Next on the agenda: following up both of those supremely popular shows, and doing so in-person. Between July and November this year, Gadsby will be doing just that thanks to her new stand-up set Body of Work. It'll tour Australia in 2021, before heading to the UK, European and North America in early 2022. Despite spending the past year sitting out the pandemic, as we all have, Gadsby's humour won't have lost its charms. She'll be kicking off her tour in Canberra, then heading to Albury, Newcastle, Hobart, Launceston, Darwin, Bendigo, Albany, Bunbury, Mandurah, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. And yes, she'll be playing Sydney, too, although those dates and details haven't yet been revealed. https://twitter.com/Hannahgadsby/status/1391545052564914176 HANNAH GADSBY 'BODY OF WORK' TOUR DATES: July 23–24 — Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra July 26 — Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury July 29 — Newcastle Civic Theatre, Newcastle August 5–7 — Theatre Royal, Hobart August 15–16 — Princess Theatre, Launceston August 22 — Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin August 27 — Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo September 1 — Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany September 3 — Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury September 4 — Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah September 10–11 — Regal Theatre, Perth October 26–31 — Comedy Theatre, Melbourne November 26–27 — QPAC, Brisbane Dates TBC — Sydney Hannah Gadsby's 'Body of Work' will tour Australia from July to November 2021. For further details — and to buy pre-sale tickets from Wednesday, May 12 and general tickets from 9am on Friday, May 14 — head to the comedian's website.
Feeling a little chilly, Brisbanites? That's understandable — the sky is grey, rain keeps drizzling down and the cooler weather isn't expected to lift until tomorrow. But it's not just a cold spell in summer that's making the city shiver, but the fact that Brisbane just experienced its coldest February day since 1961. Yesterday, the mercury didn't pass 22 degrees. And if you can't remember the last time it was this cool at this time of year, that's because it has been 15 years since anything came close. Back in 2003, Brisbane hit a top of just 22.1 degrees one February day, but we're usually sweltering through 30.2-degree average temperatures. In fact, some parts of south-east Queensland recorded their lowest-ever maximum February temperatures yesterday, Brisbane Times reports, including Oakey, Gatton, Warwick, Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Gayndah, Stanthorpe, Applethorpe, Gympie, Archerfield and Coolangatta. To put the dip in context, 21.4 degrees is the month's average minimum temperature — but yesterday's top temp only exceeded it by 0.6 degrees. And, the drop comes after a warm and dry January, with the Bureau of Meteorology stating that "daytime temperatures were much warmer than average overall," over the past month. Indeed, Brisbane experienced 30-degrees-plus temperatures at the beginning of this week, but is expected to hit the same low maximum of 22 degrees today. Showers are expected to hang around all week, but temps will start creeping up again from Sunday, though exceeding 30 degrees isn't forecast until Friday. Via Brisbane Times / 7 News / Weatherzone / Bureau of Meteorology.
