What would Mean Girls have been like if it was made 22 years ago? Well, let’s take the Lindsay Lohan of the 80s (Winona Ryder, dur) who longs to be part of the high school in-crowd – the holy grail of adolescence. Combine her with the three most popular girls in school, all called Heather, and create that Plastics-esque super-popular-girl-posse that is often more feared than revered. Then this whole thing gets totally 80s when Winona (well, Veronica) starts hooking in with Christian Slater (sorry, Jason Dean), who’s absolutely crazy, by the way. And then they start killing people. Damn Africa, what happened? The film completely bombed when it was released in 1989, but like a fine wine, it’s one of those films that get better with age. The Tribal Theatre, in true Tribal Theatre fashion, are holding a one-night-only screening of the cult classic. There ain’t no burn book, but you can expect a tumultuous and bloody rollercoaster of high-school social politics. So fetch.
Looking for a spot of brightness in this testing year? Thanks to Brisbane Festival, one has literally popped up in West End. If you've spent more than a bit of time in 2020 pondering what might be lurking over the rainbow, too, this luminous installation will be right on your wavelength. Created by Japanese Australian artist Hiromi Tango, Rainbow Circles (Healing Circles) brightens up West Village's garden space by adding a colourful walkway — in the form of glowing, multi-hued and definitely eye-catching rainbow arches. Wander through between 10am–10pm daily until Sunday, September 27, soak in the colour and light, and just try not to feel joyous. Like much of Tango's work — including her fellow Brisbane Festival piece Brainbow Magic — this installation stems from years of research and experimentation into light and colour, and how they can help boost our mental health. Head by for free, and expect to have company — getting everyone pondering how communities interact is another aim of Rainbow Circles (Healing Circles). Rainbow Circles (Healing Circles) is on display from 10am–10pm daily until Sunday, September 27. Images: Joe Ruckli.
If you can't picture Brisbane without Shingle Inn slinging coffees and baked goods, there's a reason for that. Unless you're 89 years old or over, the River City as you know it has always been home to the brand. In fact, Shingle Inn is celebrating its 88th anniversary this year — and on Friday, April 5, that means free butterfly patty cakes. The cakes themselves are a Shingle Inn favourite, but they aren't on the regular menu at present. So, as well as scoring one without paying a cent for it, you'll be getting a bite of nostalgia that isn't normally on offer. Your destination: Shingle Inn's City Hall cafe. And the caveat: you do have to make a purchase, but you'll get the cake for free if buy something else. The giveaway is only on offer for the day, which means that you've got the perfect excuse to add something sweet to your Friday — and to revel in Brisbane's history while you're at it.
The pandemic, an idea and a twist. That's the path that brought Rita's, Teneriffe's new — and proudly unauthentic — taco and tequila joint to fruition. First, when COVID-19 started wreaking havoc in 2020, Aleks Balodis and Ollie Hansford were made redundant from their jobs as Head Sommelier and Executive Chef at Stokehouse Q. That inspired them to open Vernon Terrace spaghetti bar Siffredi's; however, they also kept being asked to whip up cocktails. So, they decided to take over the space next door, and to go heavy on tortillas and everyone's favourite agave spirit — but neither had been to Mexico, and nor had Daniel Pennefather (ex-Blackbird Bar & Grill), who joined the venture with them. Rather than try to serve up traditional dishes, the trio decided to embrace that lack of first-hand experience by coming up with their own blatantly unorthodox Australian-influenced taco menu. And they really have taken their cues from local sources, complete with a braised kangaroo tail taco that comes with Sriracha mayonnaise, salsa and pickled apple. The biggest Aussie nod: the kransky taco, which is Rita's ode to the humble Bunnings snag. Featuring both caramelised and crispy onions, as well as curry sauce, the highly creative taco came about exactly as you'd expect, with Balodis and Hansford spending a heap of time at the hardware chain. On Saturdays, they tucked into snags during their visits, naturally. That led to Balodis joking that they should do 'snag and mustard' on a taco, a concept the pair ran with. Other Rita's menu highlights include Korean cauliflower tacos with macadamia cream, crispy buffalo bug tacos with pickled red onion and grilled snapper tacos with potato. Patrons can also tuck into oysters with mezcal mignonette, grilled scallop and caramelised cashew skewers, raw tuna tostadas, and black bean and goat's cheese empanadas, as well as a tres leches cake made with salted tequila caramel for dessert. As for those much-requested cocktails, Rita's mixes up three types of signature margs thanks to Balodis and Pennefather, so you can sip versions with vanilla and coconut, prosecco and Aperol, and honey and lemon citrus. Or, there's both classic and Tommy's options, two Mexican lagers and Rita's own pale ale. And, obviously, tequila is a big feature — heroing small-batch boutique tipples. Find Rita's at 36 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe — open from 12pm–late Tuesday–Sunday.
Welcome to Theatre Republic, the space where anything stage-based goes. Indeed, if the folks behind independent, avant-garde, experimental and just all-round out-of-the-box productions branched out and made their own nation, we can only hope it would be as great as this showcase of offbeat works from around the globe. Here, you can enjoy the take on celebrity culture that is the scathing Dead Royal, remember that you're not dead yet at Funeral, play with the artistic experience that is Perception, and find out why Adrienne Truscott, one-half of the infamous Wau Wau Sisters, says she's Asking For It. You can also witness the artists chat about their work at free chat sessions, listen to free music from MKO, Ayla, Cheap Fakes and more, or partake in the food and drink delights in the garden bar. If this really was a separate country, we'd want to be citizens.
'Big call' we hear you scoff. Well, yes, it seems like every Brisbanite has a ride-or-die sushi joint they are loyal to. But hear us out: Sushi Kotobuki has got some serious game. What started as a tiny East Brisbane standalone has expanded to include a sparkly new sister venue in the CBD. But hey — you are a discerning sushi connoisseur! You aren't easily swayed by shiny new things! Fair call, but we challenge you to try the cream cheese chicken roll and not be impressed. It's that darn good. Takeaway Tuesday be damned — this food deserves to be enjoyed on a plate, not in plastic.
Winter in Brisbane — it's not exactly the coldest place to be at this time of year. But hey, when your home lacks insulation and there seems to be only one fireplace per 1000 people, it's tricky to stay warm even if temperature rarely go below 10 degrees. One way to heat up when the temp drops is with a good old-fashioned party and a tasty gin in hand. We've teamed up with Tanqueray to let you know the best things happening in Brisbane worth getting out from under the doona for. Whether you're more of a G&T person or a Tom Collins kind of drinker, you're bound to enjoy these winter soirees, events and festivities while sipping on your favourite gin-based drink. CELEBRATE WORLD GIN DAY What better way to kick off winter (aka gin season) than with a whole day dedicated to your favourite spirit? Saturday, June 8 is World Gin Day, and there's no better way to experience it in our beautiful city than with a gin in hand. Celebrate this momentous date by catching up with friends at your favourite bar or restaurant, while sipping on a G&T. Or, really lean into the occasion with an OTT cocktail — an appropriately festive option is the Mad Tea Party from Canvas in Woolloongabba, which features raspberry, crème de cacao, lemon and rhubarb. Alternatively, stay at home, fix yourself a Tanqueray martini and watch the sun go down from your balcony while listening to Powderfinger's 'My Happiness' on repeat. What's more Brisbane than that? SALUTE YOUR UNIQUE FIND AT A LOCAL DESIGN MARKET WITH HIGH TEA No matter the time of year, you can always count on GOMA to host some killer free creative events in Brisbane. And its Winter Design Market is no exception. On June 8, head down to the GOMA Forecourt to shop the wares from some of the best ceramicists, jewellers, designers, craftspeople and makers that call Brisbane home. Armed with an enviro bag full of beautiful local creations, make your way to Covent Garden for a sophisticated high tea. Enjoy the triple-tier platter of sweet and savoury bites coupled with its twist on your classic G&T — a Gin and Tea — made with Tanqueray, creme de mure, grapefruit, strawberry and cream tea soda. Now that's a tea we wouldn't mind drinking on the daily. UNLEASH YOUR INNER FRANCOPHILE AT BRISBANE FRENCH FESTIVAL Looking for a unique outing that celebrates all things French food, music and culture? Then the Brisbane French Festival or Le Festival is an event you won't want to miss. Happening across Friday, July 5–Sunday, July 7, South Bank will come alive with the diverse music, food, education and lifestyle of the French. Celebrate Bastille Day over three days of markets, bars, tasting trails, masterclasses and a VIP lounge. Once you've indulged in all things French, make your way to South Bank's Aquitaine Brasserie, which makes one of Brisbane's best Tanqueray No.10 dirty martinis. COMMEMORATE 10 YEARS OF TENERIFFE Promising a diverse range of programming — from folk music to punk rock — plus, health and fitness, decadent food offerings and historical celebrations, the Teneriffe Festival is celebrating ten years of Teneriffe's official suburb status on Saturday, July 6. Check out the hidden laneways, entertainment, food vendors, and market stalls, then make your way to the local bars and restaurants in the area to wet your whistle. Hello Gorgeous, Gerties Bar, The Dalgety Public House and At Sixes and Sevens are standouts for great drinks and nibbles. And, of course, Fortitude Valley is only a hop skip and a jump away if you want to keep the celebration going. [caption id="attachment_707134" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Naomi Blacklock, Padma. 2018. Performance documentation from NETHERWORLDS exhibition, Spring Hill Reservoir, Brisbane, 9 June 2018. Photo: Charlie Hillhouse. Courtesy of the artist.[/caption] DELVE INTO THE DARK SIDE AT AN ENCHANTING WITCHCRAFT EXHIBITION Hosted by the University of Queensland, Second Sight: Witchcraft, Ritual, Power is a unique exhibition showcasing artists who explore the themes of witchcraft, sorcery and magical practices. The supernatural themes are sure to build up a thirst, so make your way to Merles Bar at Regatta Hotel and ask the bartender to mix up a potion of your very own. Or, you could order a Southside — this simple (yet very special) tipple has a dark past, having been invented during the Prohibition era with possible connections to Chicago mobsters. It'll keep the sinister theme going well into the night.
Since 2015, Brisbane musical fans have enjoyed several ways to express their love for Hamilton, the 21st century's biggest smash-hit stage sensation. Listening to the soundtrack non-stop has been the easiest. Watching and rewatching the recorded version on Disney+ became an option in 2020 as well. Parties dedicated to the show have popped up, too, plus online trivia sessions. And, since January 2023, seeing the Australian production at QPAC has finally been on the cards. Brisbane has enjoyed quite the Hamilton season so far. Lin-Manuel Miranda himself even came to town to see the Aussie show — his first trip Down Under to do so, in fact — and hosted a fan Q&A chat that you can stream online right now. Alas, the musical's local run will come to an end on Sunday, April 23, with the production then hopping over to New Zealand. So, it really is "don't throw away your shot" time. Here's something else you won't want to miss out on: a Hamilton-themed dessert as part of the pre-theatre dining menu over at South Bank fine-diner Bacchus. Chef de Cuisine Isaia Dal Fiume is whipping up a mascarpone, savoiardi and coffee tiramisu that comes topped with a Hamilton-themed star — and, unsurprisingly, it's proving a hit with QPAC attendees. It too will only be on offer until Sunday, April 23, as one of a trio of dessert options. There are also three entree and three mains picks, spanning cuttlefish, tartare, and pumpkin and chilli ravioli, plus risotto, snapper and a petite wagyu tender. The two-course menu costs $69, while you can tuck into three courses for $89. "With theatre and live entertainment well and very truly back and booming, our pre-theatre dining menu is proving the be the room where is happens, before the curtains go up!" said Bacchus' Food and Beverage Manager Kevin Puglisevich. The Hamilton dessert gives Brisbanites another reason to stop by the restaurant, which was among the River City's go-to spots for an indulgent restaurant experience before the pandemic, then reopened its swanky, old world-style digs in May 2022. Find Bacchus on level one at Rydges South Bank, 9 Glenelg Street, South Brisbane. For more information about the Hamilton-themed dessert until Sunday, April 23, or to make a booking, head to the restaurant's website.
Eager to take your dog for a drink? Keen to help support an organisation that assists animals in need? Fancy adding some canine cuteness to your Saturday-afternoon sipping session? Then look no further than Pups and Pints, which will deliver exactly what it sounds like — including adorable fluffballs to pat if you don't have your own to bring along. Taking place from 2–6pm on Saturday, April 6, the event sees Slipstream Brewing Company and Safe Haven Animal Rescue Inc join forces — bringing four-legged friends to the Yeerongpilly watering hole to mark Safe Haven's tenth birthday and raise funds. Just by drinking from the karma keg, you'll be doing your part. Entry is free, but you'll obviously need your wallet for the brews. And for your barking bestie, there'll be barkuterie bards, plus mini sessions with a professional pet photographer. Also, your dog might win a prize, with best dressed, best tricks, best smile and best pet-owner look-alike awards up for grabs. A vet and a dog trainer will also be in attendance answering questions, giving the arvo an informative spin. Of course, there's another way that you can lend a hand: not just cuddling Safe Haven's pups, but adopting one.
Does your version of celebrating the festive season involve eating more of the things you love? Do pork belly, chicken schnitzels, chicken wings and German sausages fall into that category? If so, The Bavarian has an all-you-can-eat special that'll tempt your tastebuds — because a bottomless feast is on the menu. On Thursdays between November 18–December 23, the German-themed chain is serving up all-you-can-eat meat platters. They come stacked with all of the aforementioned meats — and yes, the pork belly includes crackling — plus mashed potato, sauerkraut and red cabbage as sides. And, once you've finished your board, you'll get a whole new serving. There's no time limit to your eating, so you can pace yourself — and it'll cost you $35 per person. There is a two-person minimum, however, so you'll need to take at least one meat-loving pal along with you. You'll find The Bavarian at Eagle Street Pier, Chermside, The Barracks, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Robina, Broadbeach, Coomera, Mackay and Rockhampton in Queensland. And if you want to all that meat with German brews — which is understandable — you'll pay extra for the drinks.
If you haven't yet made the trip to Agnes in Fortitude Valley for dinner or a drink, Brisbane's current lockdown obviously isn't the time to start. You can't anyway, as the city's restaurants are only presently allowed to open for takeaway and delivery orders. But, if you'd like to load up on baked goods — and you live within ten kilometres of the venue — you are still able to hit up the restaurant's pop-up bakery. A lockdown favourite, after making appearances during previous stay-at-home stints, the eatery's bakery is back up and running between Wednesday, August 4–Sunday, August 8. You'll need to head along to 22 Agnes Street from 7am, and you'll likely want to get in early, as its tasty pastries — including danishes — are only available until stocks last each day. Social distancing is in effect for those queuing up, so prepare to stand two metres apart from your fellow baked goods fans. Whether the pop-up will continue if Brisbane's lockdown is extended again is yet to be revealed. [caption id="attachment_801126" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Chatfield[/caption]
Ben Quilty has had a pretty colourful life. He grew up in Sydney's north-west, graduated from the Sydney College of the Arts at the University of Sydney and from the University of Western Sydney with a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication. In 2011, the artist was deployed to Afghanistan as an official war artist. In this role, it was his responsibility to listen to the stories of the Australian soldiers and express them through art giving the public a direct insight into the realities of war. After returning home he spent six months creating his collection. His stunning pieces capture the internal battles these men and women have experienced and his art portrays the holistic toll that war has on a person. The Archibald Prize winner's (2011) work will be showcased at Griffith University Art Gallery in South Bank as part of the Australian War Memorial’s travelling exhibition. Quilty's story was investigated by Australian Story in 2012. For a more detailed view of his interesting life, have a read of the transcript.
Radiohead are going down in history as one of the greatest bands of all time. This ground-breaking group of musicians have awakened imaginations and expanded the appreciation for alternative music globally, thanks to their inspired and diverse catalogue of music. The Oxford-bred five piece haven’t been to Australia in nearly a decade, so it is safe to say their current Australian tour is highly anticipated. For more than 20 years Radiohead have been masters of reinvention and sonic exploration; Their live shows have been hailed as ‘must-see’ by critics and fans; their latest album 2011’s King of Limbs saw the band delving into the depths of computer driven music and synth laden soundscapes. They are playing the Brisbane Entertainment Centre for one night only. The sad news is that tickets have already sold out, but, I’d highly recommend that you keep an eye out for re-sales or any spare tickets - this chance may not come again for many years.
Slip into a colourful world with the help of artists Elizabeth Beppie and Michael McDermaid. In their first exhibition together, this mother and son duo will share their unique artistic styles. Their wide range of skills span the genres of surrealism, abstract, naïve, expressionism and photography. The pair share a love for vibrant colours and intricate detail. Michael's portion of the exhibition will include his photography which captures nature, portraits and stills of the world around him. Being a multi-talented artist, Michael's paintings which express surreal scenes will also be featured. His mother, Beppie, will be showing her highly stylised and naïve paintings. They drip with colour and playfully capture the viewer's imagination. The Essence of Presence's opening night will be held on Friday 13 December 6pm. Where else are you going to find vibrant artwork, bands and a drumming circle, what's more, all of the proceeds go towards Mens Line Australia.
More than four centuries since it was first written, William Shakespeare's Othello still simmers with potency and relevance, as a tragedy about a power struggle, personal turbulence, war, betrayal, envy and revenge always will. But in Jimi Bani and Jason Klarwein's hands, the Bard's classic should echo with particular force for Australian audiences — moving the story to the Torres Strait during World War II, and paying tribute to the 800 Torres Strait Islander men who volunteered to hep protect the country's northern tip in the process, will do that. Staged by Queensland Theatre and treading the boards as part of this year's Brisbane Festival, this take on Othello also sees Bani step into the titular part. He plays Captain Othello — as the Imperial Japanese Navy heads towards Far North Queensland, and while his marriage to Desdemona (Emily Burton), the daughter of a cane farmer, is causing ripples. Cue the spurned Roderigo's (Matt McInally) scheming with the jealous Iago (Andrew Buchanan), all in a trilingual production spoken in Kala Lagaw Ya, Yumpla Tok and English. Same tale, brand-new setting and context: that's the end result, which plays the Bille Brown Theatre from Saturday, September 10–Saturday, October 8. Bani and Klarwein's version of Othello initially premiered at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in 2021, and now makes its way to Brisbane for the first time.
When you eat the ocean's finest, you really do want to look at the ocean. As great as your local fish 'n' chippery no doubt is, suburban greasy spoons can't offer that. Morgan's Seafood can, and has for 31 years. While you're eating fish, prawns, oysters and more fresh from the trawler, expect views of Moreton Bay — and the Glasshouse Mountains if one scenic sight isn't enough. While grabbing takeaway is an option every night of the week if you're a Scarborough local or find yourself in the area often, between 1pm and 5pm on Sunday afternoon is the best time to plan a long stay. That's when this northside favourite serves up platters of hot and cold food made for two, and cranks up the live music. Once you're done, stop by the on-site seafood market, pick from 180 products and go home with dinner for another day.
You can tell a lot about your life by your choice of New Year's Eve drink. Passion Pop, brews, rose, frose, cocktails — whatever your preferred beverage, it's always a perfect encapsulation of the year you've had. So, if your 2017 has been a gin and tonic kind of time, or a Champers annual calendar, or a cocktails-on-tap-filled twelve months, then you might want to see it out at Covent Garden. The lush gin bar Brisbane didn't know it needed has only been open for a few months, but it has the goods for NYE. $120 per person gets you four hours of drinks from 9pm, plus food to keep your stomach happy. Happy new year indeed.
Fresh Cut is just that: an exhibition showcasing Queensland’s freshest crop of artists, all of which have been cut from the local emerging art scene. The Institute of Modern Art’s Director, Robert Leonard, has handpicked the exhibition’s artists, meaning audiences can expect to see some excellent art. This year’s crop features Sean Barrett, Antoinette J. Citizen, Yavuz Erkan and David Nixon. Sean Barrett’s photography installation, The Gathering, showcases a selection of seemingly perfect photos, all placed out of context. Antoinette J. Citizen, inspired by Mayan calendar predictions, has put together Project Alpha, in which she has played with film, Google Calendars and writing. In his installation, Unorthodox Aphorisms, Yavuz Erkan has photographed himself enjoying a range of odd sensual experiences, such as holding a handful of jelly. Who knew?! Finally, David Nixon’s video and photography installation, Immanence, plays with creating abstractions from everyday objects – like the good old plastic bag.
Tucked away from the busy and bustle of Milton Road, Cafe Auchenflower serves up simple but satisfying fare for brunch and lunch seven days a week. Whether you are grabbing a takeaway coffee on the run or stopping by to stay a while, the staff are as charming as the decor and will be more than pleased to oblige you. The winter brunch menu is full of humble but hearty options. From a simple serve of banana bread, toasted with sweet cinnamon butter and a walnut crumble ($9), to the more indulgent Belgian waffles with plum, blueberry and star anise compote ($14), the kitchen at Cafe Auchenflower is here to sweeten any chilly Brisbane morning. However, if it's savoury you crave, old favourites like smashed avo on rye ($12) and eggs Benedict ($13) make a well-received appearance. The BLEAT burger with bacon, lettuce, egg, avocado and tomato ($13) is possibly the best way to straddle morning-to-midday hunger, and the counter cabinet is always full of fresh daily specials, including salads and sandwiches for your lunchtime tasting. Gluten-free bread is available on request. BlackStar coffee is the bean of choice, and the printed takeaway cups are simply darling. All in all, Cafe Auchenflower is cute and cosy, and the perfect place to get your caffeine fix if you find yourself around the inner-city suburb.
It isn't easy to eat fried chicken in moderation. The same applies to bao, too. So if you're planning to take advantage of Bao Bar's new all-you-can-eat night, we have two tips for you: wear something comfortable and stretchy, and arrive hungry. Every Tuesday evening from 5–9pm, the South Brisbane eatery is welcoming in patrons with ravenous stomachs, all for its new weekly bottomless Korean fried chicken and bao sessions. Over the course of an hour, you'll munch your way through four types of chicken, including original, soy garlic, and both regular and spicy sweet chilli. You'll also tuck into two different kinds of chicken karaage bao, as well as prawn crackers, cheese fries, kimchi fries and braised pork fries. The full all-you-can-eat feast will set you back $26.90 for your 60-minute feed, and you'll need to eat in — and that's all that's on the menu on Tuesday evenings. If you need something to wash all that chicken down with, Bao Bar is also doing $5 Young Henrys' Newtowner tinnies on Tuesday nights, too.
Brisbane is a river city, and there are plenty of things that you can do while you're on, near or around the Brown Snake that winds through the centre of town. But Brisbane's Art Boat, which returns for a second year in 2022 as part of Brisbane Festival, just might be the brightest option — because it'll have you moseying along the waterway while checking out dazzling installations. Unsurprisingly, this cruising art party proved a hit in 2021, which is why it is back again this year. Once more, it'll set sail from Northshore Brisbane, doing a 105-minute loop — although some sessions will hit the water from South Bank instead, and run for 90 minutes, while 135-minute Northshore-to-South Bank routes are also available on some dates. Whichever one you pick, Australian visual artist Lindy Lee will be doing the honours in supplying the art part of Brisbane's Art Boat, decking out the floating venue as part of a festival-first collaboration. Get ready to be surrounded by celestial floating art thanks to installation The Spheres, which takes inspiration from Ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras. While it'll be cruising along all across the fest, Brisbane's Art Boat will host a midnight voyage on Saturday, September 10 so that patrons can peer up at that evening's full moon — perhaps after you've hit up the Museum of the Moon at West End's West Village? Also on the bill: dawn cruises, a mindfulness program and open docked sessions on Tuesday evenings (where you can hop onboard and see The Spheres without sailing away). Plus, Northshore's Brisbane Festival hub will host performances, a pop-up riverside bar and plenty to eat, so you can extend the fun before and after your boat jaunt.
In 2010's How To Train Your Dragon, the Vikings of Berk learned the virtues of embracing fears and looking beyond the surface when the plucky Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) made a friend out of one of their most fearsome foes. His fellow villagers eventually came to an accord with their fire-breathing enemies, refashioning their society to fly atop and frolic with the scaly organisms. Five years later, that lifestyle persists within the veritable dragon haven. Alas, now another challenge confronts the peaceful settlement, with not all inhabitants of the surrounding lands and territories embracing their newfound fondness for the pests turned pets. As a trapper, Eret (Kit Harington), hunts the benevolent beasts for an evil warmonger, Drago (Djimon Hounsou), and his army of controlled creatures, Hiccup is called upon to fight for their survival once again. Like its predecessor, How to Train Your Dragon 2 continues the page-to-screen journey of the 12-strong children's book series by Cressida Cowell; however, it uses its source material as little more than inspiration. Returning franchise writer/director Dean DeBlois goes it alone in bringing to life the second effort in a planned trilogy, not only in losing his co-helmers and scribes from the first feature, but also in shaping a story more indebted to family-friendly film formula than anything that happens to have the same name. Of course, the template here is obvious, with a tale of the bond between animals and humans simply expanded by medieval lore and fantastical embellishments. That doesn't make it any less affecting or endearing as Hiccup strives to save his best friend, tamed dragon Toothless — just overtly familiar. The insertion of family drama continues in the same vein, more so when competing dynamics come into play. Hiccup becomes sandwiched between his chief father (Gerard Butler), who wants to anoint him his successor, and the enigmatic Valka (Cate Blanchett), with whom he shares his against-the-odds kindness. From DreamWorks Animation, beautifully rendered visuals enliven all character interactions and their accompanying environment, but it is the sights of soaring the skies and following in Toothless's cute footsteps that fare best. Thankfully, How to Train Your Dragon 2 balances the spectacle and the intimacy, creating an effort as comfortable with its advanced action stakes as it is with its increased sweetness and sentiment. The diverse voice cast also creates just the right emotional moments, from the high-profile additions to the repeat supporting contributors of Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller and Kristen Wiig offering more of the same. That's How to Train Your Dragon 2 all over — the new overlaid upon the far from original with ample warmth and wit, creating an agreeable animated offering never remarkable but always affable. https://youtube.com/watch?v=tGFUmPhVhtU
Do your usual trips to Minjerribah, also known as North Stradbroke, involve hitting the beach? Of course they do. That's one of the island's biggest drawcards — but soaking up the destination's arts scene deserves to be on your list as well. And if you don't quite know where to start, there's a four-day arts trail dedicated to that very topic. Thanks to the returning Straddie Arts Trail, there are plenty of places to begin between Friday, August 11–Monday, August 14. The event will showcase more than 60 artists over 38 stops across Straddie's scenic expanse, covering folks in Dunwich, Amity and Point Lookout. Visitors will head to community and museum galleries, wander into open studios and scope out pop-up galleries. Also, plenty of Straddie's retailers, restaurants and cafes get into the spirit of the trail, too, featuring pieces by the island's artists and makers, and hosting events as well. If you're keen to learn a few skills while you're there, you can book into workshops on everything from sand art and crochet to native flora embroidery and beekeeping. Some sessions are free, but others vary in price.
If there was ever an event tailor-made for those with limited attention spans, it's Short + Sweet Festival. You know that feeling you get when you're 15 minutes into something that you're not all that into? Well, you won't find that here. In the fest's 2018 Brisbane run over June 20–30, more than 40 new works will take to the stage across multiple strands of theatre and cabaret. Yes, that sounds like a lot, but there's a twist. Each and every different performance spans a maximum of 10 minutes. There's no idea that probably hasn't featured among this heaving program of bite-sized theatre delights over the years, with south-east Queensland's best and brightest always eager to showcase their condensed skills. Of course, they're not just offering up a sample of their talents for the fun of it; they're also hoping you'll vote to send them through to the Short + Sweet gala final on September 1.
They're taking the hobbits to Isengard at Palace Cinemas James Street this spring, with one movie marathon to rule them all. Round up the Fellowship, stock up on lembas bread for sustenance and hide your finest pipe-weed from the Southfarthing for one sitting of all three of Peter Jackson's beloved OG Tolkien film adaptations on Sunday, September 8. Kicking off with The Fellowship of the Ring and ending with The Return of the King, this cave troll of a marathon clocks in at 686 minutes, starting the journey at 10am and including short breaks between each (for breakfast and second breakfast, if you will). If you make it to the final handful of endings, you can pat yourself on the back and smash a ringwraith screech at the nearest CBD resident on your way home (note: do not actually screech at the residents). Without a ticket, expect at least one overenthusiastic cinema staff member to make an example of you, thundering "you shall not pass!" to raucous applause. So buy a ticket, precious, for $25 (or $20 if you're a Palace movie club member). CORRECTION: AUGUST 27, 2019 — Palace Cinemas has announced that it'll be screening the extended versions of all three Lord of the Rings flicks, so the movie marathon will be going for 686 minutes plus breaks, not 558. The above article has been updated to reflect this.
With names like Pixar and Dreamworks playing king pins in the world of animation, we tend to forget the little guys. From the Academy Award winners and nominees of the Best Animated shorts — watch 2014’s winner Mr Hublot — to our own Brisbane-creations, born at the hands of dozens of local talents, animation is something that has long deserved its own celebration. And QUT’S creative showcase ANtIMATION is just that — three weeks of hip-hip-hooray for all things pixelled. Presenting a huge range of creative work, ANtIMATION highlights the many materials, techniques, and languages that animators tend to utilise when it comes their craft. The work of international artists Philipp Artus (GERMANY), Piotr Duma?a (POLAND), Dustin Grella (USA), Max Hattler (UK), Don Hertzfeldt (USA), jonobr1 + lullatone (USA), Aaron Koblin (USA) and nerdworking (ISTANBUL) will be on show. And from our own haul, there’ll be Igor Coric, Chris Howlett, Jules & Miles, Isobel Knowles & Van Sowerwine, Merri Randall and Georgie Roxby-Smith. There’s a huge world beyond Disney and Pixar, and ANtIMATION invites you to discover just that.
Put on your finest lederhosen and yodel to the high heavens, because Oktoberfest is back. Sure, you mightn't be sinking steins in Germany, but you can celebrate the booze-fuelled Bavarian festival right here in the sunshine state. There are two events going down this month: one is taking over The Island, located on the Gold Coast, and the other at Fortitude Valley's supremely OTT Cloudland. The Island's party is taking place on Saturday, October 24 and, on Saturday, October 31, you can head to Cloudland's affair. Whichever bar you decide to make tracks to, you can expect the digs to resemble a German beer hall, complete with an oompah band and a heap of games to keep you entertained. But, really, you're here for the oversized beers and tasty food, which will be in abundance at both shindigs. As part of your $95 ticket, you'll get a drink and feasting board on arrival. Then, you'll get more share-style German fare — think pretzels, schnitzels, sauerkraut, pork knuckles and bratwurst. Of course, you'll be able to order brews, too, via a COVID-appropriate contactless drinks service. Round up your mates and celebrate Oktoberfest at The Island on Saturday, October 24 or at Cloudland on Saturday, October 31, from 5–9pm. Get your tickets for The Island here and here for Cloudland.
The beloved drive-in theatre simply refuses to fade into nostalgic memory. After bursting onto the scene in the late '50s, then relatively disappearing after being widely condemned as being unsustainable and obsolete, drive-ins have more recently had a resurgence becoming a novelty way to re-watch your favourite films and re-live the golden era. With drive-in theatres few and far between on the Brisbane scene, where can a crazy kid turn to get their Happy Days on? Our Village Foundation plan to bring back the good old days with a unique drive-in event as part of this year’s Pine Rivers Festival. Everyone’s favourite retro stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John will be setting the scene as this year’s festival sees 70’s classic Grease as the movie of choice. Aside from inevitable sing-along’s, the night will also include $2 amusement rides, food stalls and a Rock n’ Roll Diner to get you in the retro mood. There’s no need to employ some shifty friends-in-boot smuggling either as entry is only $5 per car or FREE for walk-ins. Don’t be stranded at the drive-in, bring along your whole crew! Gates open at 5pm with the movie beginning at 7pm.
Every year, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre becomes a culinary, boozy wonderland. An alley dedicated to cheese, wine almost as far as the eye can see, an array of food and beverage stalls serving up samples — yep, it's a reality. That's the Good Food and Wine Show in a nutshell, with 2017's event hitting the city from October 27 to 29. If you've been before, you'll be eager to head along again. And if you haven't, perhaps a 400 Gradi masterclass on the world's best pizza and a new area dedicated to Korean food will whet your appetite. Basically, it's the Ekka of food and wine — without the rides, the flu and the goldfish. A word from the wise: you'll be eating and drinking all day, so make sure you have a light breakfast beforehand. You'll thank us later.
This Mother's Day at W Brisbane's Living Room Bar, you and the maternal influence in your life can think, drink and eat pink. Across Friday, May 9–Sunday, May 11, 2025, the Pretty in Pink Mother's Day High Tea is back, complete with small bites and hot beverages — plus a cocktail or some champagne if you like. Forget lunch, because you'll need to head by between 11am–3pm, which is when everything from red velvet cupcakes with rose petals and raspberry opera cake with ruby pearls to mac 'n' cheese croquettes and shredded chipotle chicken on brioche are on the menu. This is an interactive event, getting you playing with your food — yes, literally. For the Pretty in Pink theming, you'll decorate your own vanilla buttercream cake before you eat it. The icing is coloured pink, obviously. W Brisbane's high teas whip up a signature cocktail for the occasion as well, this time using gin, raspberry cordial, lychee liqueur, lavender, honey and lime juice. You'll pay $130 per person for the food, plus endless tea and barista-made coffee, one cocktail (or mocktail or glass of champagne) and a gift for mum. Extra cocktails cost $25.
Calling all cocktail lovers — especially anyone that's been dreaming of knocking back beverages in Singapore, but can't turn their fantasies into a reality. For two nights only, the world-famous Tippling Club is heading to Brisbane to take over Gerard's Bar with the delicious boozy concoctions. To be specific, Tippling's acclaimed bartender Jonathan Lee will be spending a couple of evenings in Fortitude Valley, whipping up a storm of drinks for eager Brisbanites to devour. It's all in celebration of their new 'Dreams & Desires' menu — and if their last lineup is anything to go by, it promises to be something special. 2017's tipples were called 'Sensorium', and all featured their own scents as well. To find out just what their 2018 selection will involve, you'll have to go along from 5pm on December 1 and 2. It's the next best thing to jumping on a plane and experiencing the real bar, and it's easy as wandering down to James Street.
February might be synonymous with romance, but the second month of the year is also home to another celebration-worthy occasion: International Margarita Day. You don't just need to settle for devoting a single 24-hour period to the festivities, however. And, don't go forgetting to line your stomach before you sip. The Mama Taco x WET Deck collaboration at W Brisbane takes care of all of the above. Running throughout February 2025 — available from 11am–9pm Sunday–Thursday and 11am–late Friday–Saturday, right up until Friday, February 28 — it sees West End's Mama Taco cross the river, set up shop at the luxe CBD hotel and whip up a special menu. If you haven't tried a nori kimchi peking duck taco before, here's your chance, complete with toasted seaweed, daikon kimchi, corn mousse and guacamole. Or, go with the cheese jalapeño nacho if your tastebuds can handle the heat. To drink, the taco margarita couldn't be a more-perfect option — and yes, with its blend of tequila, corn liqueur, tomato water, lime and jalapeño, it's designed to taste like taco in a glass.
If enjoying live music while having a couple of pints is your idea of a perfect night out, then you'd best mosey on over to The Triffid on Thursday, March 24. Sure, both are on the bill at the Newstead venue most nights of the week, but their pre-Easter shindig has a little something extra. On the tunes front, The Belligerents, Good Oak, Deena, Michael David Thomas, DEEDS, and DJ Black Amex will serve up a free sonic smorgasbord for your ears — but that's still not the best part. Knock back a few of The Good Beer Co.'s Great Barrier Beer while you're watching their sets, and help put your drinking money to good use. All proceeds from the beer go towards the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
Sundays may be considered the day of rest, but not in West End. After spending a good chunk of last year unveiling the many features of West Village — including a dining precinct, cooking school and arts and events centre — the folks behind this huge new development are using every opportunity they can to show them off. Case in point: the greenery-filled outdoor area, The Deck WV. The space is taking advantage of both the exceptional Brissie weather and our penchant for the old weekend wind-down with a series of fun-filled Sunday sessions. Across the first three Sundays in February, the space will host an afternoon of food, drinks and entertainment inspired by one of The Garden Pantry's (West Village's dining precinct) retailers. And it's all kicking off with a huge Lunar New Year celebration thanks to the bao-masters at Mr Bunz. Across two hours, the eatery will serve a three-course roaming feast of Asian-inspired eats — including its much-loved peanut butter and jelly buns — alongside a selection of beers and bubble tea cocktails. The area will also be decorated with Chinese dragons and draped lanterns plus baskets of fortune cookies (which means hunting until you get a fortune you like the sound of — that's how it works, right?). Lunar New Year at The Deck WV will run from 3–5pm on Sunday, February 3. Tickets cost $55 per person and can be purchased here.
Homespun local radio station 4ZZZ has provided roots for more blooming Brisbane bands, artists and journalists than you count on your hands and toes, and that’s something worth being happy about. Now, 38 years since their first broadcast, they’ll be celebrating the launch of their soon to be available On Demand service – something else to be happy about. Plus, the government has announced a $6 million boost to community radio funding in the next 3 years – put a smile on that dial! What better way then to celebrate all things happy than with in a good ol’ fashioned Happy-Fest, led in strong 4ZZZ form with a wowing lineup of musicians and artists. Starting at 3pm at Winn Lane, the party will venture right into the evening with The Zoo playing host from 7pm onwards. Leading the fun will be Sydney’s Raw Prawn, Melbourne’s Forces, synth twins Multiple Man, old-fashioned beer-fueled rockers Happy Times, and alienwave indie-rock band Barbiturates – a line up hand picked by a group who really know who we should be looking out for. Neglect community radio and you cripple arts and culture at its most nascent stage, but support it, and expect... happiness!
They've given you all the chicken you can handle, both in a poultry-packed menu and in a one-off all-you-can-eat wings day. Next on The Coop's agenda: cheap tacos. When Thursdays roll around, that's your lunch and dinner plans sorted thanks to Bueno Bueno. When it was first announced back in January, Bueno Bueno was an evening affair — but thanks to popular demand, it's now happening all day and all night every single Thursday. Each week, seven types of taco will be on offer for $3 each. And it's not just a few spoonfuls of mince in a crunchy shell, aka the kind of thing you could make at home, either. Their menu includes the Demonio Blanco (24 -hour pulled cola pork with beans, pickled red cabbage and chipotle mayo) and The Generalisimo (BBQ pulled beef taco with caramelised onion, pickles and parmesan cheese). Or, have some karaage in your tortilla with the Gallo Fantástico (chicken, diced pickled onions, blue cheese and chipotle BBQ sauce), or opt for a beetroot-filled meat-free option with the Verde Delicioso (beetroot patty, pearl couscous, diced tomato and onion, parsley, smoked ketchup and tahini dressing). Wash it all down with an appropriate beverage — Dos Equis stubbies, sangria, margaritas and tequila shots — and call it a prelude to your weekend.
If you're heading out for Christmas drinks, you may as well make them true Christmas drinks. 'Tis the season to sip themed cocktails that take the festive spirit to heart in multiple ways. At South Brisbane bar Midtown, that means martinis that couldn't better suit this time of year. A cranberry-flavoured Orna-martini served in a Christmas ornament, anyone? Also on the menu: festive candy cane and gingerbread-flavoured sips. The first tastes like peppermint bark but boozy, while the second gives the espresso martini a seasonal shakeup. On offer all throughout December — so from Friday, December 1–Sunday, December 31 — Midtown's flight of Christmas martinis can be enjoyed separately for $24 each, or delivered as a flight for $36. Martinis are this recent addition to Manning Street's speciality, with 15 types on offer usually, plus the ability for customers to tell the bar's staff exactly how they'd like it. So, Christmas versions aren't just a festive gift, but a no-brainer.
UPDATE: MARCH 2, 2021 — Creed Bratton's Australian tour has been postponed to September 2022, with The Office star now playing Brisbane on Wednesday, September 21. Current tickets will still be valid for all upcoming tour dates. The below article has been updated to reflect this change. Dunder Mifflin's most eccentric employee is coming to Brisbane, and he has plenty of stories to share. Best known for playing a highly fictionalised version of himself on the US version of hit sitcom The Office, Creed Bratton isn't someone that viewers will forget quickly — and if you enjoyed his antics as a quality assurance director at everyone's favourite Scranton paper company, then you just might want to check out his live stage show. Beyond The Office, the real-life Bratton has quite a history. He started as a travelling musician, played lead guitar on the first four albums by American rock group The Grass Roots, and has released his own solo records, too. On-screen, he has also popped up in Grace and Frankie, western flick The Sisters Brothers, and Comedy Bang! Bang!. Bringing his variety show to Brisbane's The Triffid on Wednesday, September 21, Bratton is continuing what he's doing for years — solo stage shows, that is. As well as music and comedy, he'll chat through the ups and downs of his career, including the obvious: his time on The Office. If you've ever wanted to know why Creed loved spider solitaire so much, whether he actually did any work and if the character was ever really in a cult ("you have more fun as a follower, but you make more money as a leader," he once claimed), this might be your chance.
Beer is a booming business in Brisbane; however, it's not every day that the city gets a new brewery, even if it seems otherwise. Ballistic Beer Co is the latest yeast and hops-loving establishment aiming to take care of your thirst, and they're kicking things off in beer-loving style. In fact, to celebrate their launch, Ballistic is asking an age-old question: how can anyone stop at just one cold craft brew? You won't need to worry about that as you become one of the first to try their Australian Psycho IPA, Pilot Light, Dirty Word Lager, and Grandfather Old Ale. Why? Because they're spreading their foamy goodness across three days and three venues. Just head to Bosc in West End from 5pm on January 6, Fitz + Potts in Nundah from 6.30pm on January 7, and The Scratch in Milton from 11am on January 8. That's where you'll find drinks aplenty, plus something even better. It's not every day (or every three-day beer party) that you discover your new favourite beverage, now is it?
The festive season is upon us, again, which means that Christmas shopping is about to become everyone's favourite pastime. Thankfully, trawling the mall isn't your only option when it comes to finding a gift, either for your loved ones or yourself — or grabbing ingredients for a delicious meal. Returning for another year from 4–10pm on Saturday, November 18, the Carseldine Markets is hosting a twilight event brimming with the spirit of the season. Get your list ready, because all the art, craft and fresh produce stalls you know and love will be on site, just waiting to help you out of a festive fix — there'll be more than 200 of them, in fact. Prepare to tuck into festive treats, too (because you'll need to eat while you browse), as well as ample entertainment. Yes, it's a Christmas wonderland, with the decorations and carols to prove it. Warning: if you're more of a Grinch than one of Santa's elves, you'd best prepare yourself for an overdose of holiday cheer. Entry costs $3, and there's free parking onsite.
When Dorothy Gale was whisked somewhere over the rainbow, she learned just how much she loved her life and her home. In Motherland, Queensland Theatre Company plays with the same themes — but without wicked witches, cowardly lions or flying monkeys. Instead, the Katherine Lyall-Watson-written play intertwines the tales of three women in three different times and places, with their yearning for their homelands their uniting factor. Drawn from real life, the historical drama jumps from Russia to France to Brisbane in search of the one thing we all want, even if we don't know it: a place to belong.
Open up your eager eyes, Brisbane: The Killers are headed our way. The Las Vegas-born rockers will hit up a heap of arenas Down Under to cap off 2022, and destiny is calling you to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, November 29 and Wednesday, November 30. Given the band's lengthy back catalogue, Brandon Flowers and company won't just be playing 'Mr Brightside' on repeat, but will be making a hot fuss over plenty of their hits — including tracks from their 2020 album Imploding the Mirage. The tour is named after that record, even though they released another one, Pressure Machine, in 2021. That's what happens when live gigs get put on hold during a pandemic, clearly. [caption id="attachment_831494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Remember: somebody told you that you'll be dancing along to 'Somebody Told Me', 'Smile Like You Mean It', 'When You Were Young', 'Bones', 'Human' and 'The Man' as well. Fancy seeing The Killers in a winery instead? They're also playing A Day on the Green shows in the Barossa and Geelong, if an interstate trip is on your agenda.
One of life's simplest, purest pleasures gets a day to shine when May 21 rolls around each year — and in 2023, Brisbane Art Design is celebrating. The River City's annual creative festival is pouring cuppas to mark International Tea Day, taking over Fortitude Valley's Ring a Bell with both a one-day shindig and a weeklong exhibition. On the date itself — a Sunday, nicely — the Brunswick Street spot will host a special tea tasting, as well as a mini makers market, with both running from 9am–1pm. From 11–11.45am, you can also listen to an in-conversation chat about tea over brunch. Whether you can make it to this communi-tea focused day or not, art showcase To the Beauteaful You keeps the celebrations hot from Sunday, May 21–Saturday, May 27. Here, you'll peer at pieces by up-and-coming photographer Lam Ha Tran, ceramic artist Georgia Richards, and visual artists Tanya Ashworth and Sariah Christensen. Yes, the theme is tea. The exhibition runs from 7am–2pm Monday–Friday, and from 8am–1pm on Saturday.
Since setting up its local base back in 2019, BrewDog has been serving Brisbanites plenty of cold ones, with the Scottish beer behemoth making this sunny city of ours its Australian home. Over that time, you've probably sat by the river and knocked back the company's brews — but at its annual Collabfest festival, you'll be encouraged to try yeasty bevvies from other breweries. Running from Thursday, October 21–Sunday, October 24, this weekend-long event will celebrate brews from five other beer-making outfits from across southeast Queensland: Currumbin Valley, Helios, Land & Sea, Slipstream and Terella. They'll be brewing brand new (and unique) beers for the occasion, too, so expect to taste something that you haven't sipped before. There are two parts to the shindig. First, it all kicks off with a Thursday night launch, which is obviously when the party begins. Then, until Sunday, you'll be able to drop by and drink the Collabfest brews whenever you like. Although BrewDog is making a big deal of teaming up with other brewers, this fest is simply an expansion of its current approach. Already, its DogTap taproom serves up other tipples from the Sunshine State — but when it comes to beer, any excuse for a party will do. Images: Pandora Photography
If you're all about thinking green, living in a more eco-conscious way and doing your utmost for the planet — as we all should be — then you likely already know about Brisbane's Green Heart Fair. Twice a year, the event pops up, and usually takes over a leafy public space. The aim: to celebrate sustainability in every way that it can. For its September edition, that includes going digital, all thanks to the Virtual Green Heart Fair. From Monday, September 20–Sunday, September 26, you'll be getting all your tips and information online via the event's website — covering topics such as energy efficiency, recycling, being green at home, water conservation and getting moving without impacting the environment. Looking for free plants? They're a popular part of the IRL fairs, and they're still available this year — in-person, obviously. So, if adding some greenery to your yard always piques your interest, there'll be 3000 native plants on offer on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll need to hit up the Queen Street Mall outside the Wintergarden from 11am–2pm on Monday, September 20; Westfield Carindale near Coles from 9am–5pm on Wednesday, September 22 and Thursday, September 23; and King George Square (at the Brisbane Twilight Markets) from 4–9pm on Friday, September 24.
For the past five years, festival-loving Brisbanites have descended upon a secret Sunshine Coast location for the Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival, which combined a laidback atmosphere, a campground surrounded by luscious greenery, plenty of stellar tunes and performances, and the chance to go for a swim in the creek while you watch a gig. Alas, it's no longer happening; however Yonder Festival has sprung up in its place. A three-day celebration of creativity, Yonder takes Jungle Love's vibe, runs with it and shapes it into something new. Running between Thursday, November 28 and Saturday, November 30 in a yet-to-be-revealed spot in the Mary Valley, the new fest boasts everything from a stacked music lineup across four stages; to a feast of roving, theatrical and visual artists; to a heap of workshops and panels on wellbeing. It also places a huge focus on Indigenous producers, artists and communities, as well as local creatives. It's the kind of event where you can dance to Asha Jefferies, Buttercats, FeelsClub, Felivand, Jaguar Jonze, Requin, Sycco and The Jensens, then check out Ruckus Slam's poetry, watch large-scale puppetry, and browse the boutique food and market stalls. Pick up a cocktail from the bar, then explore installations by the Brisbane Street Art Festival crew, get caught up in a scavenger hunt, take part in water aerobics and enjoy a stint of laughter yoga. Camping and glamping are also part of the fun, whether you choose to bring your own tent or campervan, or prefer to book a glamping spot. Tickets are on sale now — and check out the full music lineup below: A Love Supreme Alex Intas Alinta McGrady APEman Asha Jefferies Avaxa Belt Ullrich Boom Boom Bean Selecta Buttercats C O L T S Captain Dreamboat Carlo Xavier Chakra Efendi CHURCH Cigany Weaver Cloe Terare Cool Sounds Dear Doonan Desmond Cheese Dream Coast DRMNGNOW Fascinator Feelsclub Felivand Fight Ibis Full Flower Moon Band Glasshead Great Sage Gypsy Cats Hannah D Harmon Hazards of Swimming Naked Herbal Infusers Imbi the Girl Jaguar Jonze Jono Ma & Cosmo Ritmo DJs Kallidad Kaylah Truth Kenta Hayashi Luminescence Lying Down Mantashade Middle Name Dance Band Mufaro Mumbles Omegachild Party Dozen Penelope Two Five Pocketlove Pocketmoth Requin Selecta Savage Simon Bird Strange Seed Sycco The Ancient Bloods The Dead Maggies The Deltafish (JPN) The Jensens The Oogars The Stragglers Tijuana Cartel Viscous Image: Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival, Aimee Catt.
It takes less than two hours for Brisbanites get to one of Queensland's best glamping spots — and its most exclusive. At Nightfall in Lamington National Park in the Scenic Rim, only eight guests can stay at any one time, with each of the permanent safari tents located in its own private clearing. When you're not enjoying your own space within the lush thickness of nature, everything from creek-side lounging and dining to a waterfall walk and taking a dip in the swimming hole is on the agenda. Unsurprisingly, this kind of outdoorsy luxury doesn't come cheap, so expect to pay $795 per couple per night (with a minimum two-night stay), which includes all meals and an open bar. [caption id="attachment_726970" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morans Falls Lookout- by Jason Charles Hill[/caption]
Almost five decades ago, a filmmaker wanted to journey to a galaxy far, far away, and he needed a republic cruiser's worth of epic tunes to go with it. Enter John Williams and the theme everyone now knows. When the first notes of Star Wars: Episode VI — A New Hope's score started playing over the film's opening crawl, movie and music history was made. Neither Williams nor George Lucas could've known just what they'd unleashed, nor that Luke and Leia, Han and Chewie, plus the next generation of wannabe jedis and empire lackeys, would be gracing cinema screens years and years later. They also couldn't have known that the Star Wars movies, classic and recent alike, would keep hitting the big screen in a new concert format — pairing all those space-opera antics with a live orchestra playing the soundtrack. Thankfully, that's what's been happening on this very planet — alongside oh-so-many other reasons to embrace The Force, including TV shows such as Andor and The Mandalorian — and one such gig is returning to Brisbane in 2023. Get ready to revisit the first film in the franchise's third main trilogy, the seventh movie in the saga all up, and the one that brought in Daisy Ridley (Chaos Walking), John Boyega (The Woman King), Oscar Isaac (Moon Knight) and Adam Driver (White Noise) alongside a host of returning faces: Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens. We don't need to have a good feeling about what promises to be a force-filled evening of sound and vision, because it's been doing the rounds for a few years now. Still, on Saturday, April 22 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra will pick up their instruments to perform the corresponding score as The Force Awakens plays. The flick itself is already epic, and so is this experience. QSO will bust out Williams' Oscar-nominated music live across two concerts, thanks to a 1.30pm matinee and a 7.30pm evening gig. Down south, both A New Hope and Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back are both getting the orchestral treatment again, so cross your lightsaber-wielding fingers that they return to Brisbane after Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert. Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert will play the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, April 22. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the QSO website. Images: Lucasfilm.
Think Australia's winter arts festivals, and glowing sights in chilly places likely come to mind. That combination works for Vivid in Sydney, RISING in Melbourne, Dark Mofo in Hobart and Illuminate in Adelaide, after all. The weather will be frostier than usual on the Gold Coast in August, and dazzling lights are also a part of the Bleach* lineup; however, this annual Sunshine State event is its own unique midyear cultural celebration. One of Bleach*'s key aims is to showcase the Gold Coast in all of its glory. The popular tourist destination's beaches get some love, of course, as do its valleys and the Nerang River. Sun, surf, sand, tree-surrounded sheds, leafy gardens, radiant sights wherever they'll fit, rollerskating musicals, dance parties with waves as a background: they're all on the hefty just-announced 2023 program. [caption id="attachment_786592" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Art Work Agency[/caption] Marking its 12th year, Bleach*'s latest go-around will run from Thursday, August 3–Sunday, August 13, and it is indeed sizeable. Across that 11-day span, more than 300 artists will unveil their work at 218 performances. That includes the familiar festival focus on specific spots around the city: North Burleigh, for events by the beach; the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, which means that more grassy shows await; Broadbeach, in the new cultural precinct; HOTA, Home of the Arts, the Goldie's go-to year-round; and the Currumbin Valley, where Acoustic Life of Sheds will set up for another year. That said, one of Bleach*'s big events for 2023 will hit the road, because that's what cement mixers do. These ones have been turned into works of art by Gold Coast-based artist Dion Parker, with a convey of eight vehicles adorned with monstrous but playful sights. Yes, they're monster trucks but in a different guise, as inspired Stephen King's horror short story Trucks, and they'll be taking to the streets all throughout the fest's dates. [caption id="attachment_903407" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Mathew[/caption] In North Burleigh, the esplanade is again the place to be, starting with the First Light opening service by William Barton and violinist Véronique Serret at 6am on launch day. After that, the Your Local North Burleigh Hub will feature eight hours of live tunes daily, while installations Pulse / Connect and Light Lines are meant to be interacted with — one turning your pulse rate into a vibrant sight at a beachside pyramid, the other shimmering like a kaleidoscope with over 1000 luminous lines. Then there's Looks Like a Tourist, which pops people in inflatable orange suits, gets them roaming, and wants everyone to consider the impact that its namesake has on scenic spots. Also a highlight: the self-explanatory ten-minute dance parties, again with a stunning backdrop. Over at Broadbeach, expect everything from cabaret and comedy to drag and theatre — and a floating barge concert series, Lebanese cafe with traditional food and music and Studio 54-style queer performance. Social Muscle Club will get you chatting with strangers, while The Pageant riffs on children's beauty pageants, as part of a lineup with more than 20 shows. [caption id="attachment_903405" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jorge Serra[/caption] For Bleach*'s stint at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, Katie Noonan will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Joni Mitchell's Blue, and a free daily afternoon sound and meditation experience will help festival attendees find their bliss. HOTA's contribution to the lineup gives the festival rollerskating music theatre show Roller Coaster, which will take over the venue's outdoor stage, features plenty of action on four wheels and is inspired by true tales. And, it'll also host The Imaginary Aviary, where musicians improvise musical pieces as guided by the architecture of and art at the HOTA Gallery. [caption id="attachment_903403" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Light Vines[/caption] [caption id="attachment_903404" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nadia Achilles[/caption] Bleach* 2023 runs from Thursday, August 3–Sunday, August 13 at various locations around the Gold Coast. For further information, head to the festival website. Top image: Pekka Makinen.
You know that feeling where you're begrudgingly up before dawn only to have your heart warmed by a surprise sighting of a hot air balloon set against the sunrise? Well this one's for you — and if you haven't ever experienced such a dawn, this one is really for you. In April, the Canowindra International Balloon Challenge sees the skies above the historic central-west town come alive with the roar of burners and the kaleidoscope of colourful hot air balloons in the atmosphere. The full event takes place over a whole week in April, with official balloon competitions happening throughout the week. The comp involves a number of difficult tasks, the most entertaining of which is the key grab — the aim is to fly your balloon in to try and pluck a large novelty key from the top of a flagpole, with the winner receiving some major dollar bills. There'll also be a campfire cookout and concert on Anzac Day evening (25th April). The final Saturday night sees the Balloon Glow and Night Market, where balloon operators light up their burners in the dark and in time to music.
