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.
As the famous saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. For many contemporary artists, however, words themselves are an integral part of visual art practice: a powerful tool with which to explore concepts in partnership with — or opposition to — more traditional images. TEXT brings together prints, paintings and sculptures from the QUT Art Museum’s permanent collection that use text in varied, often surprising ways. In some, words serve to emphasise meaning. In others, meaning is skewed, or obscured, by their inclusion. In others still, the text acts as tactile poetry, where the words themselves are art and the method of display becomes secondary — such as in Shaun O’Conner’s ‘Untitled (INA LA)’, a stark, cryptic message in simple, bold print. TEXT opens at QUT Art Museum on 11 September, and continues to 8 November. Image: Madonna Staunton, Numbers game (detail) 2002, metal palette markers, ink bottles and timber box, QUT Art Collection. Purchased 2006 through the Betty Quelhurst Fund.
There is nothing better than a sing-a-long to make you realise why you love live music in the first place. The people, the coming together – it's pure magic. This is exactly what the packed tent felt at Splendour last year when Foster The People took to the stage and made everyone in attendance blissfully happy with their set. Known for the stand out single that made them stars, 'Pumped Up Kicks', Foster The People are a trio from LA, and who have shown no signs of slowing down. If you hadn't checked out their debut album Torches, you would be surprised to know that these guys are actually immensely talented and have singles bursting right out of the record. For a band that struggled for many years to make it, they have had largely positive reviews and have become one of the biggest names of the past year. They've even been nominated for an MTV Music Award – and all from one track that cemented their careers and thrust them into the global limelight. Here in Australia for the Big Day Out national tour for the first time, this will be an amazing opportunity to see them in action before they explode and you have to scramble to get arena tickets.
We've hit peak 2017 — where virtual cocktails are a thing, there's a karaoke Ferris wheel and dogs have been invited to chow down on beautifully presented raw fish with chopsticks. A sushi bar for dogs is popping up in Auckland. Dog sushi has been a thing since the early 2000s as a way for owners to ensure their pup is enjoying a holistic, all raw, all natural, preservative-free diet. Auckland's version, the appropriately-titled Poochi Sushi, will take place at the December edition of Parnell's weekend market just for (very good) dogs. There will be three sittings of ten to 12 pups on the day. Small dogs have been recommended to register for the 11am sitting, and medium and large varieties for 11.30am and 12pm. The main course will be a platter of sushi, sashimi and Pawl Ale for $15. The way to any dog's heart is through food, so the platters will of course use premium king salmon direct from the Marlborough Sounds along with hoki from the Coromandel. None of that cabinet stuff. Seeing as Sydney has a bakery just for dogs and Melbourne has a cafe that exclusively serves up dog treats, we're sure that pooch sushi isn't far away.
The Hold Artspace is presenting two concurrent exhibitions in May, Reorganising Principles and Bald, Bald Head and Other Stories. Beau Allen's Reorganising Principles explores the lives of colonial settler woman in Australia's historical narrative using the medium of jewellery. Meanwhile, Kellie O'Dempsey's Bald, Bald Head and Other Stories will manipulate the Hold Artspace into a playful installation of drawing, video and performance. Exploring relationships between artist, studio and muse — as well as private versus public — this exhibition will be presented in light-filled, interactive means. Both exhibitions will launch Friday, May 29, from 6-8pm, and will show until June 6.
It's been a good month for the women of Queensland. We're indulging in the likes of the works of many creative females with the Contemporary Australia: Women exhibition at GoMA, Susie Bubble strutting her stuff this week at the State Library and now the launch of C Gallery's most recent showcase, Three Captivating Women. If you've not yet been to C Gallery on James Street, this week's launch is the perfect opportunity to pop you're cherry. The unique, Brisbane gallery space specialises in hand-blown Australian glassware, paintings, ceramics, sculpture and handmade jewellery. Sounds like a treat huh? Three Captivating Women features the illustrations and paintings of Queensland's leading female arts educators, Helen Tanish, Dale Leach and Reginal Dolan, who have all made extraordinary contributions to the local art scene. Here a little low down on our local ladies - Tanish was the one of the founding members of the Queensland pottery society, Leach has been a local arts teacher for fifteen years and Dolan was a co-founder of Brisbane's Artists Academe. All with an impressive amount of experience in the creative industry, the exhibition is sure to be an insightful eye opener to keen artists. Featuring over 30 imaginative pieces, Captivating Women will run from 27 April to 13 May. Check it!
Real and imaginary. Animal and human. The everyday and the subconscious. Because life is about the in-between, not the extremes, these are just some of the divides interdisciplinary artist Zoe Porter considers in her latest exhibition. Homunculi uses drawing, sculpture, installation and performance to create a hybrid of forms, myths, ideas and environments — and to explore the concept of solo work versus collaboration, too. That's under the spotlight at the show's opening night on March 24, when Ali Cameron, Olivia Porter and Ben Ely woll join Porter for an evening of live sound, percussion, dance, circus and more.
The Great Sphinx in Egypt faces the Pizza Hut logo. The Queen's holiday house, Windsor Castle, is directly opposite a McDonalds billboard. And KFC, amongst others, have beamed their logo on to the moon. We undoubtedly live in an advertiser's world and if you are an average person living in the city you have probably encountered 5,000 or more advertising messages in the last 24 hours. So where did these these omnipresent eyesores and icons of American cultural imperialism come from, and how much did they cost? While today the design and redesign of logos is often massive business, with the much-derided London Olympics logo setting the organisers back a whopping 400,000 GBP, many of the most recognisable brands in the world cost nothing or next to nothing to create. It is hard to believe, but the Coca-Cola logo, perhaps the most recognisable brand in the world, was made by the company's first bookkeeper in the late 1800s for the very generous price of $0. In this nifty little infographic we can compare and contrast the price tags of some of the world's most iconic logos. Take a look at Trendland if you want to find out more about the stories behind the cost and design of these logos.
Indian Mehfil in Taringa has vegans and vegetarians spoilt for choice with a huge offering of curries. The restaurant is based in an old heritage-style building and seats up to 150 people. With the philosophy of 'guest is god', Indian Mehfil has a knack for serving its customers with the utmost attention to detail, even those ordering from home. The extensive menu takes care of vego guests with over 12 vegetarian curries on the menu, including a malai kofta (with potato and cheese balls with roasted dried fruits), pumpkin masala and vegetable madras. And for vegans, there is a choice of seven curries, but you can't beat the dal tadka (lentil curry).
Definitely kill 164 people, or potentially see casualties of up to 70,000? It's a choice no one wants to make, but what's the better option? And if you were faced with passing judgement on a man who chose the former over the latter, what would you decide? At Terror, you can find out, with the international smash coming to Australia for the first time. In its exclusive Brisbane Festival-only run, the debut play by German defence lawyer and author Ferdinand von Schirach runs through the trial of a fighter pilot who thought he was thinking about the greater good. Audiences will be asked to vote on his sentence, with the creative team adhering to their choice. The narrative changes accordingly, and has been performed in more than 70 theatres around the world since 2015. Image: Stephen Long.
Laughter can't solve all of the world's troubles, but it can provide a decent way of momentarily coping with weighty topics — the advance of climate change and the onset of mass death included. That's one of the operating theories behind The Dead Devils of Cockle Creek, anyway. And if it seems like those topics aren't usually the subject of jokes, the play takes its black comedy cues from In Bruges and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri's Martin McDonagh. Written by Kathryn Marquet and staged for the first time ever from February 10 to March 3, with La Boite the production's world-premiere venue, The Dead Devils of Cockle Creek tells the tale of George, an environmental scientist trying to save the Tasmanian Devil. Making a difference is all she has dreamed of since she was a girl, and she's not going to let the chicken-obsessed ranger Harris stop her from trying. "I'd rather laugh than cry," says Marquet of her approach. Her script was developed through Playlab, which helps support new work from Aussie playwrights, while actress Emily Weir takes on the show's starring role.
Festivals seem to be a dime a dozen these days, with no weekend complete without some sort of celebration of film, music, food or all three. However, only one event sends most of Brisbane flocking to Musgrave Park en masse. That'd be Paniyiri Greek Festival, the city's source of autumn fun for 39 years and counting. Paniyiri is a kaleidoscopic cultural explosion. More than 50,000 people descend upon West End each year for the annual two-day tribute to the Hellenic Republic, and it's not hard to understand why. First, there's the entertainment, featuring dancing lessons, traditional music, comedy, fireworks, amusement rides and then some. Then, there's more spanakopita, baklava, Greek salad, haloumi and other tasty treats than you can possibly devour — including both olive and honey puff eating competitions, if you really want to try. Finally, there's the laidback vibe of people feasting, drinking and just being merry. There's a reason there's no other Brisbane festival quite like it, and not just because of the grape stomping. Yes, that really is part of the Paniyiri shenanigans.
Every suburb needs a good watering hole, eatery or hangout — or, all of the above combined into one, ideally. On the corner of Moordale Street and Moggill Road, prepare to find Chapel Hill's latest addition to the fold. Prepare to grab a tasty bite, knock back a few brews and while away the hours as well. Indeed, Suburban Social Neighbourhood Bar + Kitchen boasts two levels of eating and drinking goodness, as well as the kind of casual vibe you'd expect in Brisbane's leafy west. Think a brightly painted mural enlivening the walls, communal tables aplenty and a courtyard for outdoor relaxing and indulging. As far as the morsels that will take care of your hunger and thirst are concerned, think crafty twists on familiar menu items, as well as a heap of local brews. The culinary spread includes the mouth-watering morsels that are pork belly paddlepops (no ice cream is involved, sadly), hot and spicy chicken wings that don't come from a fast food grease trap, plus mac and cheese nuggets, house-made pickles, chorizo and rosemary pop corn, and double cheeseburgers. Then, wash it all down with cocktails, craft beers and Newstead Brewing Co. on tap.
You don't have to stray far from the inner city to get back to nature in Camp Hill. Bowies Flat Wetland is a manmade park that has seen picnickers, walkers and nature lovers visit since 2001. This little suburban oasis features a boardwalk, plenty of grass and shade as well as wildlife to admire and look out for. Set up your picnic blanket for the day with the fam or do as the locals do and make this track a part of your daily stroll. The wetlands were built for a project which aimed to lessen the amount of flooding in the area and prevent polluted water from making its way to Moreton Bay. The space is free for public use — all the council asks is that we keep it clean and don't feed the ducks.
Brisbane, you thought you were done with burgers. You thought the city couldn't get any more burger obsessed. No way. We're not done here — we're importing burgs from interstate. Melbourne's favourite burger chain Mr Burger is finally, finally coming to town. The crew have announced that one of their famous mobile burg dispensing units (or 'truck') will be hitting out streets this week and flooding the market with their famous burgers and trucker chips. Mr Burger started their tenure in Melbourne as a no-frills truck that served up killer burgers. Now their vehicles dot the city, they work with university students to deliver burgers by drone and they've launched a food truck revolution in the form of the Welcome to Thornbury community hub. Their trucker chips (famously slathered in three kinds of cheese, secret sauce and crispy bacon) and the pizza variant (think of a pizza and swap out the base for a load of French fries) are notorious for being gloriously and deliciously OTT. Mr Burger owner Daragh Kan says the full menu will be available in Brisbane and they're hoping to stick around for a while. "We'd love to be up in Brisbane permanently," he says. "At this stage we've just got the truck but if we find the right site we'll definitely consider a store as well. When we opened in Tasmania, we were originally just looking at a truck but we're currently in the process of opening a store, so there's definitely precedent." Hallelujah! In the meantime, they're rocking a six-month permit so don't be afraid to get on board with Mr Burger — he's not going away anytime soon. Best break out your finest elasticated pants and prepare for a quite an experience. Mr Burger will be hitting Brisbane over the weekend, starting with a session at Green Beacon Brewing Co. on Friday, August 26. Keep an eye on their Twitter for more information about where to catch the orange truck (and free celebratory burgs!).
The world is undeniably sick. But why? The Sydney Film Festival introduces Green Screen, a suite of four films tackling today's environmental issues with different and undeniably fresh perspectives. Cool It, follows Bjorn Lomborg, leading but controversial environmentalist, as he explores the world's response to climate change. Windfall analyses the complex issues behind clean energy and it's effect on communities. Letters from the Big Man, by director Christopher Munch, tracks a young woman's infatuation with Big Foot as she searches the great green wild of southwestern Oregon. Finally, If A Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front chronicles a radical environmental group that has been dubbed by the FBI as 'domestic terrorists'. How To Enter If you wish to learn more about the challenges the environment is facing, looking for fresh perspectives on climate change or just want to watch an interesting film, Concrete Playground has a double pass to each of the 4 films. To go in the running, simply subscribe to our newsletter and tell us which one of the four films you'd like to see by email at hello@concreteplayground.com.au. Entries close on Wednesday, June 1 at 5pm. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qRGYc2_4s3U
If you're reading this article, you almost certainly know about food and craft beer matching and you may know about locations and craft beer matching, but have you heard of (or tried) books and craft beer matching? There are a number of elements to this growing trend. In the US, for example, book bars are becoming part of the urban landscape. Operating on the same principle as book cafes, only with craft beer instead of coffee, these establishments have a strong craft element. The books stocked are often non-mainstream, much like the beers served to accompany them. Elsewhere in North America — Canada, to be precise — beer and book clubs are being formed "for those who like to read a good book, drink a good beer, and maybe combine the two once in a while". Meeting at various pubs within a certain area, these gatherings bring a craft beer twist to the traditional book club. And then, of course, there’s the internet — where all manner of unlikely combinations get together. You'll find blogs about the right beer to drink while following the adventures of your favourite comic book hero, or about craft beers to match to certain authors. But in sites like Book and Beer, you'll also find recommendations for a particular beer to enjoy with a particular book. (For the record, the author — Jason Hensel, a writer, musician and comedian living in Dallas — reckons American Gods by Neil Gaiman is best enjoyed with a glass of James Squire Jack of Spades Porter.) So which book (or series of books) is best suited to the various beers in the James Squire craft beer range? Get reading and sipping this summer, there's Kerouac-paired beers afoot. F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby "It’s a great advantage not to drink among hard drinking people." Pair with James Squire The Chancer Golden Ale. Joseph Heller: Catch-22 "He knew everything there was to know about literature, except how to enjoy it." Pair with James Squire Jack of Spades Porter. Ian Fleming: The James Bond series "You only live twice: Once when you're born. And once when you look death in the face." Pair with James Squire Four 'Wives' Pilsener. J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings "Ho! Ho! Ho! to the bottle I go, to heal my heart and drown my woe." Pair with James Squire Nine Tales Amber Ale. Fyodor Dostoyevsky: Crime and Punishment "The darker the night, the brighter the stars." Pair with James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale. Alexandre Dumas: The Count of Monte Cristo "All human wisdom is contained in these two words: wait and hope." Pair with James Squire Stowaway IPA. Jack Kerouac: On the Road "The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars." Pair with James Squire Orchard Crush Cider. Ian Rankin: The Inspector Rebus series "Rebus drank his coffee and felt his head spin. He was feeling like the detective in a cheap thriller, and wished that he could turn to the last page and stop all his confusion, all the death and the madness and the spinning in his ears." Pair with James Squire The Constable Copper Ale. Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves "Open Sesame!" Pair with James Squire Hop Thief American-style Pale Ale. Jon Cleary: The Sundowners "Do me a favour, will you? If you're gonna be a drover, look like a drover. Get rid of that silly flaming hat." Pair with James Squire Sundown Australian Lager (what else?).
Strip the cash, labels and cheap tricks from rock'n'roll, restore the reckless danger and what you're left with is the pulverising, barraging band that is Drunk Mums. Since the release of their debut thumper, 'Eventual Ghost', they've been placed at the forefront of an important musical plight — bringing pub rock back to the people. They hold the prodigious ability, through sporadic riffs and rock-heavy tunes, to create a sound so rough and rampant it can only be played in venues that serve 'tinnies' or 'tallies'. With part Braithwaite, part Billy Thorpe, Jake Doyle on vocals, Dean Whitby on guitar, Adam Ritchie on bass, Johnny Badlove on drums and Isaac Forsyth on tambourine, the dynamics of Drunk Mums are quite extraordinary. They sweat VB, sport stubbies and singlets, and look like they've been been plucked from the pokies of the Cunnamulla Hotel. Look at them, and you'll either hold no expectations, or ones too wild to function. Listen to them, and you'll be blown away by the crunches, crazed riffs and corruptive melodies that transcend rum-pig-pub-rock, to something quite Bon Scott-esque. Now, with a self-titled album under their belts, performance slots in just about every Melbourne watering hole and mullets to match, Drunk Mum's have a ripper new single out and a tour to complement. We chatted to Adam about what we can expect from Plastic, the tour and their visit to the home of the XXXX Bitter Angels (Queensland, obviously). 2014 - new single, new clip, same hairdos. How have things changed from the days of house gigs in Cairns to riding the high life in Melbourne? First of all, Isaac shaved his head, so the hair is different. Can we move this along please (and stop talking about Cairns)? Height is the measurement of vertical distance and though our legs have grown from rigorous rock climbing, our outlook has yet to change. But the lack of Mi goreng is close to a blessing, acid shits are for the foolish and we moved on to well better sustenance. Tell us a bit about how new tune 'Plastic' came about? It's about Adam being drunk and thinking he was hearing something then finding out that the sound was coming from the little bit of plastic in a birthday card. It's pretty simple but we're sick of hearing people's problems in songs, tell me a story would ya? Can you describe the crux of your sound? If I were to repeatedly call you a 'garage surf pop band' how strongly would you hit me? 'Garage surf pop' is not really something that describes us. We're just playing what we like, putting in the energy is what we want to see come alive with our music. A lot of people seem to try make music thinking about what an audience wants to hear and we have no time for that. We are definitely influenced by classic Oz rock, but we make our music. What are the plans for the Queensland leg of the tour? A return to Cairns? Nah, just Brisbane on Saturday, June 7. The only people that would probably watch us in Cairns are our parents and respective family members. We'll go there on a later date when we can arrive in separate helicopters. Your sound is something pretty incredible on its own, but combine it with your live performance and you guys really become something else - stage convulsions, spitting, crowd surfing. How out of control can we expect this tour to be? It doesn't just depend on us! Everybody has to get involved. We wanna see homemade fireworks, beer bongs, naked people, frothing at the mouth. We're too busy playing rock songs, I mean c'mon! Help us out would ya? Any post-Plastic tour plans? More kids, more Ceno payments. Get the kids to go undercover and play our shows for us while we sit on the patio drinking shandies and reciting episodes of Neighbours. Kylie era. Finally, Drunk Mums the name? Is it so all those who Pirate Bay you get inundated with freaky, alcohol-fuelled, maternal-based pornography? We are all actually middle-aged women with kids we don't want. We replace the baby with the bottle. Wine bottle that is. Drunk Mum's are playing following dates at these fine pubs and drinking establishments for their Plastic Tour: 10/05 - GEELONG: The Barwon Club Hotel 17/05 - MELBOURNE: The Tote 24/05 - BALLARAT: Karova Lounve 25/05 - MELBOURNE: Cherry Bar 29/05 - SYDNEY: Frankie's Pizza By The Slice 30/05 - NEWCASTLE: The Small Ballroom 31/05 - SYDNEY: @ Tokio Sing Song / Live performance + Dj set till 4am 06/06 - BRISBANE: HOUSE SHOW (details posted closer to date) 07/06 - BRISBANE: Trainspotters 13/06 - WARNAMBOOL: The Loft 14/06 - ADELAIDE: The Edinburgh Castle Hotel
Sorry AFL, NRL and all other types of kicking a ball around. Football fever is sweeping through Brisbane right now, and soccer is the main focus. When the Matildas are competing in the 2023 Women's World Cup and smashing it — topping their group, making it to the Round of 16 and now lined up for a quarter-final showdown against France — no other form of sport really counts. Brisbane has been playing host to games, too, but not everyone can make it along. Missed out on a match ticket, but still want to enjoy the football frenzy? Try soccer ball-shaped pastries, riverside brews and chicken salt-flavoured chicken wings. They're all on our list of ways to get into the Women's World Cup spirit around Brisbane, no matter which team you're cheering for, how you feel about Sam Kerr's calf and how tense you get watching penalty shootouts. Recommended reads: The Best Things to Do in Brisbane This Week The Best Things to Do in Brisbane This Weekend Brisbane's Best Beer Gardens
Brisbane is a river city, and there's plenty that you can do to make the most of that fact. You can picnic by the water, hang out at a riverside precinct, sink beers at a riverside brewery and head to an overwater bar. You can also cycle along the waterside, go for a stroll on the riverwalk, hop in a kayak and catch a CityCat. Thanks to Riverlife Brisbane Outdoor Adventure Centre's newest addition to its lineup, you can also pedal a water bike across and along the river, too. Yes, on the water — not merely next to it while soaking in the view. If you're new to the whole water bike concept, here's how they work: they're stable vessels that float on the water, and feature a mounted seat and pedals on top. You move your legs and the bike moves. Yes, it's that simple. Also, riding a water bike means that you can hop along the river without getting wet. Riverlife has introduced the new watercrafts to Brisbane just in time for summer, with the bikes available to hire from its Kangaroo Point location. You have two choices, too: book one out yourself for a 30-minute session from Wednesday–Sunday, which'll cost you $39, or enquire about private guided group bookings. For those keen to start cycling on the river around Kangaroo Point, South Bank and the CBD, your water bike hire includes access to the bike, of course, as well as a personal flotation device (in case you do manage to fall into the water), sunscreen and a safety briefing by Riverlife's staff. You can also use the facility's showers and change rooms. Unsurprisingly given Brisbane's sunny climate, the Kangaroo Point spot predicts that the water bikes will have a heap of fans. "We've been delivering amazing kayaking experiences on the Brisbane River for over 15 years," said owner John Sharpe. "These new water bikes are a unique new offering which allows us to showcase the incredible Brisbane river and city to visitors and locals. We're expecting it to be our most popular experience this summer." For more information about Riverlife's water bikes — or to make a booking — head to the company's website.
Dalby. World famous (somewhat) for its coal mining, wheat production and cattle trade, is set to become famous for an entirely different reason. Dalby can now lay claim to being one of the select few towns nominated to host the annual Triple J One Night Stand. Fortunately for us city slickers, this year’s event is slightly more accessible. Located just over two hours west of Brisbane, it is but a mere road trip for anyone looking for a fun filled day of outstanding Australian music. Touring for the first time since their breakthrough in 2010, Temper Trap are set to play the headline slot. Supporting them for the evening will be 360, who’s song ‘Boys Like You’ reached number 8 in this year’s hottest 100. Prior to his performance, Stonefield, the four sisters from rural Victoria will no doubt unload a blistering set that has seen them perform at none other than the Glastonbury festival. Second on the bill is Matt Corby, the talented Idol reject who came good, reaching number 3 in this year’s hottest 100, and finally, opening the evening is recent Unearthed winners, Mace and Motor. So load your car with your least annoying mates and head west to where the stars shine both in the sky and on stage.
Nutella has a legion of fans. Peanut butter, too. But for those who are't so fond of nuts, or happen to be allergic to them, Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread has emerged as a very worthy alternative. It's made from the crumbs of Lotus Biscoff caramelised biscuits, comes in creamy and crunchy varieties and, understandably, has picked up quite a following. Last year, Australians were also able to enjoy Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread in their gelato, thanks to a limited-edition flavour at Gelatissimo. In 2021, another team up is bringing the spread to your tastebuds in a creative fashion — this time thanks to Krispy Kreme's new range of Lotus Biscoff doughnuts. If you've ever had trouble choosing between slathering Belgium's Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread over bread or munching your way through a circular baked good or two, you no longer need to pick — at least while stocks last at Krispy Kreme stores around the country, and at 7-Elevens as well. Two types are available, with the 'Lotus Biscoff Ring' taking an original glazed doughnut, smothering it with Lotus Biscoff spread, and adding a swirl of Lotus Biscoff crème on top. As for the 'Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake' version, it's dipped in the spread, filled with cream cheese frosting, and then topped with Lotus Biscoff crumbs and chocolate ganache. The Lotus Biscoff doughnuts are also available via Krispy Kreme delivery, click and collect, Uber Eats, Menulog and Deliveroo. Krispy Kreme's Biscoff doughnuts are available from all stores nationwide while stocks last (including via Krispy Kreme delivery, click and collect, Uber Eats, Menulog and Deliveroo) and at 7-Eleven stores nationally.
Simone Hine and Clare Rae are Melbourne artists whose coupling has spawned an art exhibition nothing short of comfortable oscillation – Stages. As a collaborative piece, the work investigates the broader ideas related to the conditions of feminine representation. It explores stillness, motion, the relationship between the two and how they exist with the mediums of photography and moving images. Hine’s motif follows a practice of pictorial tradition, whilst creating new narratives out of cinematic tropes. She works beyond the linear expectation of cinema and image, to take what is familiar and generate new ideas and definitions. Rae uses stop-motion animation, photography and performance to navigate and expand the limitations of each mode, and the everyday environment we inhabit. She performs fleeting actions, suspended in time, and creates a tension between what is present and apparent, and the implied. Together, Stages presents new works with their own individual aesthetics and lines of questions. They redefine the space of Boxcopy, to something that dives beyond location, to something more abstract and oscillatory.
Back in 2021, Brisbane scored a new riverside market. Thankfully, it wasn't a once-off. Portside's markets returned in 2022 and 2023, because everyone likes shopping and hanging out by the water. And, they're back in 2024 as well — including with an Easter version. The Portside Wharf Easter Market doubles as an excuse to see real-life adorable bunnies, with a petting zoo onsite with its furry friends. How do you know that it's really Easter? When you're up close with a rabbit from 10am–2pm on Saturday, March 23 If you and your treat-loving mates/date like browsing and buying, taking in the riverside air, and having a reason to stop for a bite and a drink — with or without seeing bunnies — then you'll want to head to Hamilton to shop, stroll, sip and purchase sweets. Thanks to The Market Folk, more than 35 stalls will be offering up everything from art and plants to ceramics and accessories — and more. Live tunes will provide a soundtrack, too, while workshops will teach you new skills. Plus, if those hunger pangs strike — or you're just keen on having a drink — the precinct's usual restaurants and bars are right there, including everywhere from Rise Bakery and Fosh to Byblos and Bird's Nest Yakitori. Rosé Gelateria has an extra-special treat, as well: free Easter crème caramel gelato to the first 100 people.
In Harlem in the '20s and '30s, everyone was doing a brand new dance — and no, it wasn't the locomotion. Usually performed to big band music and known for being acrobatic, it was the Lindy Hop, which fused parts of jazz, tap, breakaway and the Charleston. If you've seen the music video to the Elvis Presley vs. JXL remix of 'A Little Less Conversation' from back in 2002, then you've seen it in action — now, you can try it for yourself. With Singapore artist Loo Zihan and his collaborators taking up the dance style over a decade ago, they're hosting an Australian-first, Brisbane-exclusive participatory performance class. 50/50 isn't just a way to learn new moves, though — it's an exploration of authenticity, identity, sexuality and culture.
A visit to Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast doesn't usually involve frolicking through giant dandelions as they sway in the sea breeze, watching huge coins glisten by the shore, walking through a towering plastic archway or spying an old truck on the sand. For ten days across Friday, September 6–Sunday, September 15, 2024, however, it will. Each year for 22 years now, Swell Sculpture Festival fills a one-kilometre stretch of the coastline with massive artworks — and the aforementioned pieces are just some of this year's highlights. Hit the beach and you'll also spot a tribute to jellyfish, an interactive cube that's inspired by mix-and-match picture books and features Australian native species, multicoloured scarves, fungi furniture and even the GC itself (well, a likeness of it) buried under sand. The list of works goes on, including a large sweet myrtle flower, Aussie blowflies, a sea dragon, breathing exhaust pipes and a sandstone sphere. Some pay tribute to southeast Queensland history. Many explore humanity's impact on the earth. Others honour Australia's First Peoples. There'll be more than 60 pieces in total, all dotted along the sand — with each one putting the regular sandcastles that you might spot on any beach to shame. If this seems like the kind of event that not only engages the crowds of people who hit up Currumbin each spring, but also inspires them, that's because it is. 2024's Swell Sculpture Festival has broken its own record for the most artists involved, eclipsing 350 — with 250 local, interstate and international talents contributing to the sculptures. When they craft the fest's eye-catching sights, Swell's roster of artists use everything from concrete, stainless steel, copper, bronze, wood, glass, plastic and natural fibres to fibreglass, bamboo, wire, silk, stone and aluminium — and plenty of other materials. The many ways that different folks can fashion these substances into new pieces of arts is also among the event's takeaway musings. 2024's festival wants to get patrons engaging more than just their eyes, too, starting with a kayak listening experience on Currumbin Creek. Swell also spans a beachside fringe fest, guided walks, a bar, yoga among the sculptures, tai chi, pilates, drawing sessions, other art and craft classes, a silent disco under the stars, a sing-along and more. Images: Leximagery.
The World Press Photo Foundation is a global platform connecting professionals and audiences through raw visual journalism and storytelling. The organisation was founded in 1955 when a group of Dutch photographers organised a contest to expose their work to an international audience. Since then, the contest has grown into the world's most prestigious photography competition and global travelling exhibition. The 67th edition of the World Press Photo Exhibition is touching down in Brisbane in 2024 at Brisbane Powerhouse, displaying from Saturday, July 6–Sunday, August 4. The winners from this year's contest were chosen by an independent jury that reviewed 61,062 photographs by 3851 photographers from 130 countries — and while the exhibition only showcases a selection, get ready to peer at the best of the best. [caption id="attachment_961797" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Gay Space Agency © Mackenzie Calle.[/caption] At the free exhibition — which is open from 9am–5pm Monday–Tuesday and 9am–late Wednesday–Sunday — attendees can spy eye-catching images in a heap of categories, including contemporary issues, the environment, general news, nature, portraits and sports. No matter which corner of the earth these photos are capturing, or what's filling the frame, both the winners and other highlights comprise a stunning bunch of imagery — some arresting in their beauty, some hauntingly striking, many pivotally important. Two Australians feature in this year's winners, too, with Eddie Jim from The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and Aletheia Casey both recognised in southeast Asia and Oceania. [caption id="attachment_961796" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Saving the Monarchs © Jaime Rojo, for National Geographic.[/caption] Top images: A Lost Place © Aletheia Casey // Red Skies, Green Waters © Adriana Loureiro Fernandez, for The New York Times.
Okay, so perhaps there's not such a marked shift between seasons in the Sunshine State as there is in other parts of Australia. Brissie gets that perfect balmy weather almost all year round. But that means we certainly know how to make the most of warm days. And with a spate of new venues and outdoor activities popping up on the scene, Brisbanites are spoiled for choice when it comes to summertime adventures. To make sure you don't miss a sight, sound or sip this sunny season, we've partnered with Tanqueray to pull together a lineup of activities that'll see you enjoying the best of the Brisbane with, of course, a refreshing gin beverage in hand. From a virtual jacaranda garden to $1 oysters and a rooftop pool, we've got your summer well and truly sorted. SEE A FLICK AT BRISBANE'S MOONLIGHT CINEMA To catch the latest and greatest films in the great outdoors this summer, head along to the Moonlight Cinema at The Amphitheatre in Parkland till March 31. The openair cinema's program shows both recent releases and cult classics on the silver screen; from Crazy Rich Asians to Dirty Dancing, there's a film for any kind of movie buff. Once the flick has finished, meander down to the water's edge and grab a drink at upscale wine and cocktail bar Mr and Mrs G. To really get into the summer spirit, order a Bartender's Punch with Tanqueray gin, Fernando De Castilla brandy, spices and lemon. Or, grab a bottle of Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla and opt for your own Seville orange spritz at home. Cheers, cinephiles. TUCK INTO $1 OYSTERS AT THE TERRACE BY E'CCO It may be one of the newer bars on Brisbane's wining and dining scene, but what it lacks in experience, it makes up for with top-notch cocktails. Oh, and $1 oysters. That's right, The Terrace by E'cco has a 4–6pm happy hour (Tuesday through Sunday) that promises $1 oysters with any drink purchase. We suggest ordering the pretty Cherry Blossom featuring Tanqueray, elderflower liqueur, dry vermouth, violette liqueur, rose syrup and lime juice. And if the shellfish just isn't your thing, there are also a few other reasonably priced snacks available, including barbecue buns, milk buns, prawn toast and, for the super hungry, pork ribs. WANDER THROUGH A VIRTUAL JACARANDA GARDEN AT GOMA The only bad thing about jacarandas is the fact that they last for such a short time; it feels as though you could blink and miss these lavender blooms. Well, now, jacaranda season can last forever (or a couple of months, at least) as the trees have been immortalised in digital form. Gary Carsley's Purple Reign exhibition is now blooming inside the Gallery of Modern Art until April 28. Spend the day getting lost in this idyllic installation, then head across the river to Treasury Casino for a post-exhibition tipple — a Tanqueray and tonic, perhaps? [caption id="attachment_697417" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Gerwyn Davies, Prawn. 2016. Archival inkjet print. Image courtesy the artist.[/caption] CHECK OUT THE 'DRESS CODE' EXHIBITION AT THE MUSEUM If you've ever wondered whether or not we are what we wear — we like your existential thinking, friend — head along to the Dress Code at the Museum of Brisbane to find out. Running till January 28, the exhibition is a deep dive into our relationship with clothes, highlighting the impact fashion has on culture, gender and identity. It'll certainly make you question the very shirt on your back. Entry to the exhibition is free, which means more money for post-exhibition cocktails. Take yourself, and your clothes, over the river to Stokebar Q and grab a Short Stack cocktail. The delightfully fruity concoction features Tanqueray, Mandarine Napoleon, falernum, quince syrup, lime juice and grapefruit powder. COOL OFF AT SOLEIL POOL BAR Since it's summer, we have to include a pool. But this isn't your run of the mill, kids screaming, public pool-style affair. No, we've found a chic poolside hang-out, fit for you summertime revellers. Soleil Pool Bar is set on a sprawling inner-city rooftop and boasts incredible panoramic views of Brissie, as well as an elegant pool and deck area. As sister venue to Brisbane culinary gem Bacchus, Soleil, unsurprisingly, serves up stellar cocktails and tasty eats. In the warm weather, don't go past a Tanqueray No. Ten with a splash of tonic and a plate of the porcini arancini. Celebrate the return of summer with a Tanqueray tipple in hand at home or around your city. Top image: Terrace by E'cco.
You know there’s a big difference between drinking vodka because it's Friday and drinking vodka for its silky smooth tang. Ketel One knows it because they’ve spent the last 300 years refining family recipes that make Turducken look about as complex as 2 Minute Noodles, and now they’re on a quest to find one Australian craftsman who’s been equally zealous in turning a traditional craft into a contemporary masterpiece (though probably over a lesser period of time). This quest is called the Ketel One Modern Craft Project and it bears a legacy of $100,000. The winner will be someone who’s making the world a little more exciting to be in by blending a traditional craft with a modern entrepreneurial sprit. Deciding who that person is will be Ketel One’s 11th Generation Distiller, Bob Nolet, plus three experts who have earned complete license to judge you unreservedly: Gelati artisan Nick Palumbo of Gelato Messina, bespoke jeweller Lucy Folk of Lucy Folk Jewellery, and Christian Condo from the Modern Motor Cycle Company. The top 10 finalists will be filmed and showcased via a small bar exhibition in Sydney and Melbourne so that those skilled in the art of drinking can too pass judgement before the experts cast their final vote. Ketel One's Modern Craft Project is open to residents of Australia aged 25 and over, and you have until 1 December to get your entries in via themoderncraftproject.com
