No one should ever need a specific excuse to celebrate Australia's First Nations culture, but Quandamooka Festival offers one anyway: a three-day event on Minjerribah, also known as North Stradbroke Island, that heroes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, music, dance, food, stories and more. Returning to Country for the first time since 2019, this year's event is jam-packed with highlights — including Roger Knox, Shakaya and Electric Fields leading the music lineup. Also on the bill: Sycco , Emma Donovan and the Putbacks, Joe Geia, Benny Maza, Georgia Corowa, Keely and CKNU. And, given that the festival also heroes Quandamooka talent — with the Quandamooka Peoples hailing from the Moreton Bay region — local musicians Sachém, Nix Grose and Maibre Grenfell will also perform. They'll take to the stage across the fest's three-day run between Friday, August 26–Sunday, August 28, as part of a wide-ranging program that'll spans everything from eco boat tours and art exhibitions through to whale watching and cultural tours — and more. Dance groups will come from across southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales to perform, and storytelling, plus insights into the region's cultural heritage, will fuel the lineup as well. There's plenty to celebrate; the Quandamooka Peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Quandamooka Estate, have ties to Minjerribah dating back 20,000 years. Quandamooka Festival also highlights the diverse landscape across the Redlands and Moreton Bay islands, and the creatures that call it home, as explored from a First Nations perspective. The festival includes food stalls and artisan market stalls, too, alongside fibre art and weaving workshops, plus Kunjiel (corroboree).
Lock up your bowler hats and crack pipes, Babyshambles are coming to town! Already announced as part of a whopping Splendour in the Grass lineup, Pete Doherty and co have added a run of sideshows to take place in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. Originally a side project for Doherty when he took some time off from his first band, The Libertines, Babyshambles have had a tumultuous existence, releasing two occasionally brilliant albums while on a rollercoaster of substance abuse, no shows and lineup changes. But when they are at the top of their game, there are few better writers of Britpop than Pete Doherty — just listen to 'Fuck Forever' or 'Albion' for proof. Who even knows if they'll be able to keep it together throughout the tour, but with a new album planned and Doherty seemingly in good health (maybe living with Macaulay Culkin helps?), these sideshows could be something special. Thurs 25 July – Palace Theatre – Melbourne Fri 26 July – Splendour In The Grass – Byron Bay - SOLD OUT Sun 28 July – Enmore - Sydney Mon 29 July – HQ - Adelaide Wed 31 July – Metro City – Perth https://youtube.com/watch?v=IpeJFVvwz6A
Fashionistas take your marks, get set, go! Yes, it's that time of year again when Blonde Venus and The Outpost drastically reduce their prices and open their doors for the hoards of fashion hungry trend setters eager to snatch a bargain. Held from Friday to Sunday, this bi-annual sale has developed a bit of a rep around our town. Known for its awesome brands and super duper cheap prices, missing out on this sale means you will spend the next six months kicking yourself and drooling over the pretty pieces your friend picked up. Brands on sale include Karen Walker, Lover, Antipodium, Dr Denim, Cheap Monday, House of Cards and many more. Plus, the stores have slashed their prices by as much as 80%. Head to 65 James Street this weekend and get your hands on some gorgeous goodies. Both your wallet and your wardrobe will thank you!
In the year of the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday, the seventh annual Festival of Tibet returns to Brisbane. As one of the most educational, moving and finely curated events to be hosted in Brisbane, the festival is an enriching experience regardless of your level of knowledge about the country. From art to even more celestial experiences, this six-day celebration brings us so much of the beauty that defines Tibet. The Powerhouse will be transformed for the event, with a mix of free and ticketed events. Witness the creation of a superb sand mandala from millions of grains of coloured sand, learn to cook Tibetan dumplings, paint, meditate, contemplate and be swept up in beautiful music. The younger sister of the Dalai Lama, Jetsun Pema, lovingly known as ‘Ama la' (Tibetan for Mother), will be the celebrated guest of this year’s Festival of Tibet. UNESCO medal winner and first female Minister of the Tibetan Government in exile, Ama la will reflect on her experiences at a special forum and concert. All proceeds from the Festival of Tibet go to the Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharamsala, India.
If you are feeling like your wardrobe needs a bit of an update, then you're in luck. Australian clothing brand Assembly Label is hosting an online warehouse sale for a limited time, so you can buy some new linen pants, simple tees and easy breezy button-ups without going too hard on the wallet. Known for its timeless, minimalist pieces, Assembly Label is a go-to for top-quality staples that'll take you from your morning coffee to working in your living room (aka the office), lounging around on weekends and going out for lunch with mates — really, you won't need much else. The online warehouse sale kicks off Monday, March 7 with a wide range of both men's and women's wear on offer. If you've not quite accepted that summer's over — or if you're planning ahead for a mid-year trip to the northern hemisphere — you can stock up on Assembly signature summery linen dresses, swimwear, skirts and shorts. Best of all, the selection will be on sale at up to 70 percent off for a limited time only with free shipping across Australia, too. Shipping to New Zealand costs $15. Assembly Label's online warehouse sale runs from March 7-9. To check what you can nab for up to 70 percent off, head here.
When blissed out, soon-to-be-married American couple Nica (Hani Furstenberg) and Alex (Gael Garcia Bernal), set off on a hiking adventure in Georgia's remote Caucasus Mountains, they have little idea that their seemingly idealistic world is about to be profoundly challenged. To all appearances, the two share an unshakeable connection — spiritually at ease yet sexually charged. Nica is spirited and independent, and Alex adores her. They toy with language games, compete playfully over who is fastest or strongest, and are in free pursuit of their mutual wanderlust. Local guide Dato (Georgian actor and real-life expert mountaineer Bidzina Gujabidze) leads them through one breathtaking scene after another. Then, halfway through the film, a single event (not to be delineated here, for fear of giving too much away), corrupts the couple's bond, raising questions of trust, betrayal, and guilt. Russian-born, American-raised director Julia Loktev's intention is to carry us into the film's mental and physical world, one in which time seems to stretch on forever and all conviction has been thrown into doubt. Thanks to Palace Films, we have 10 double passes to give away to see The Loneliest Planet. To be in the running, subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email us with your name and postal address at hello@concreteplayground.com.au. Read our full review here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SIIMFHcC1Fc
When the Australian Government announced on Sunday night that pubs, bars and nightclubs would be closing the following day to help contain COVID-19, it led to the mass-buying of booze across the country. Bottle shops are not impacted by the closures, but it didn't stop Aussies stocking up just in case. Booze is just the latest item to be targeted by panic-buying, with toilet paper going first, then essential food items. Supermarkets across the country have since introduced strict two-pack-per-person limits on coveted items, such as eggs, sugar, white milk, frozen desserts and canned tomatoes, and now bottle shops are following suit. BWS and Dan Murphy's, who are both owned by the Woolworths Group, introduced temporary limits on alcohol. A statement on the Dan Murphy's website reads, "these limits are in place to ensure everyone has access to the drinks they love". Thankfully, the limits aren't quite as strict as those on food. https://twitter.com/BellTowerTimes/status/1242662405701660672 At Dan Murphy's in NSW, Vic, ACT, Qld, NT, SA and Tas, the limit per customer per day is 18 bottles of wine, three casks of wine, six bottles of spirits and three cases of beer, cider and premix. BWS has implemented similar restrictions, with all states and territories (except for WA) having per customer, per shop limits of 12 bottles of wine, three casks of wine, four bottles of spirits and four cases of beer, spirits, premix and cider. WA has stricter limits, in-line with state regulations, with customers able to buy a maximum of two from the following categories: 11.25 litres of beer, cider or pre-mix spirits; 2.25 litres of wine; one litre of spirits; and one litre of fortified wine. Both chains are also encouraging social distancing, have introduced maximum capacities at their stores, and are offering pick-up and delivery services. The temporary alcohol limits are now in place at stores across the country. To order pick-up and delivery head to the BWS and Dan Murphy's websites. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Stephen Dann via Flickr.
If there's one film festival that the big-screen adaptation of Tim Winton's Breath was made to play at, it's the Gold Coast Film Festival. The book and movie might be set on the other side of the country, but screening an Aussie-made surfing-focused effort at the southeast Queensland beachside tourist spot's annual celebration of cinema just makes sense, really. Hitting up the fest before the film's general release in early May — with director and actor Simon Baker in attendance, alongside young up-and-comers Samson Coulter and Ben Spence — Breath is one of 40 features screening at this year's GCFF, which runs from April 17 to 29. Other Australian highlights include opening night's The Second and closing night's Brother's Nest. The former was made in Queensland, is destined for streaming service Stan, and stars Rachael Blake, Susie Porter, Vince Colosimo and Martin Sacks in a tale of two female friends and one tricky second novel. The latter black comedy comes from brothers Shane and Clayton Jacobson, and stumbles into much darker territory than the title they're best known for, aka Kenny. Still on the local front, the festival's 2018 program also features the South Australian-shot, Martin Freeman-starring zombie thriller Cargo, plus queer body-swap effort Pulse, two films that have been doing the rounds of the fest circuit. Scoping out flicks from the rest of the globe, German coming-of-age effort Axolotl Overkill, Cannes hit I Am Not a Witch, Oscar-nominated Russian drama Loveless, acclaimed art-house epic Zama, and the Paul Rudd and Steve Coogan-starring Ideal Home are also on the lineup. On the special events front, GCFF will once again venture onto a boat, to a brewery, by the water and more, spreading the cinematic love wherever it can. Fancy revisiting American Pie while you're cruising the Goldie waterways (and thinking of your schoolies exploits, admit it)? Or catching Fight Club at Burleigh Brewing Co.? Or the dance flick duo of Strictly Ballroom and Happy Feet by Kirra beach? They're all on the bill, as is the festival's first virtual reality showcase and two days of free anime at the Broadbeach mall. The Gold Coast Film Festival runs from April 17 to 29 at HOTA, Home of The Arts (the former Gold Coast Arts Centre) and other venues on the Gold Coast. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
What do The Simpsons, Star Wars and Shrek have in common? They've all graced the big screen, they clearly share a love for the letter S and they're each huge hits. Oh, and they've all inspired their own firmly adults-only stage parodies, as pop-culture favourites starting with the 19th letter of the alphabet happen to do in Australia, it seems. Somebody once told us that Swamplesque is the burlesque and drag satire of pop culture's favourite green ogre that you didn't know you needed — and we're telling you that now. (And no, nobody informed you two decades ago that the animated hit would turn out like this, because no one could've predicted it.) On the bill at the aptly named show: a irreverent and raunchy take on all things Shrek, which might share a general storyline and a fondness for the colour green with the much less satirical — and actually family-friendly — Broadway hit Shrek the Musical that came our way a few years back, but couldn't be more different in a heap of ways. Swamplesque returns to Brisbane as part of Wynnum Fringe 2023, playing George Clayton Park from Friday, November 17–Sunday, November 19. Wearing green is obviously recommended — although you'll be seeing plenty of it on-stage anyway. And if this is exactly your sense of humour when it comes to beloved pop-culture commodities, all that glitters is gold, naturally. Images: SomeFX.
Since late 2016, the One Day crew has been hitting the road, bringing their famous daytime block parties to live music venues around Australia. Now it's time for round two, with DJs from the beloved Sydney hip hop collective bouncing back to Brisbane for a One Day Sundays session on January 8. Taking its cue from the group's massive monthly blowouts in Sydney, One Day Sundays will see the One Day crew team up with local DJs and artists as they roll through Ric's in Fortitude Valley. Expect food and booze, live graffiti and a whole bunch of hip hop. And, in even better news, there'll be more where this came from. That's right, One Day Sundays will become a regular Brissie event in 2017. Keep your eyes peeled for future dates.
Emily Brontë’s much-loved classic Wuthering Heights is the latest story to be celebrated and reimaged through the creative eyes of the Shake & Stir Theatre Co. The love story soured by lust and obsession, Wuthering Heights follows the story of street rat Heathcliff, who is brought into the care of the Earnshaws, forming an unbreakable bond with daughter Catherine as well as a loathing for her brother, Hindley. As Heathcliff grows more and more passionately obsessed with Cathy, he finds that Cathy is married to another man. Filled with rage and vengeance, Heathcliff desires nothing more than to enact justice upon anyone found to stand in the way of his happiness. Shake & Stir’s artistic director Nick Skubij says, "We love the challenge of adapting and presenting much loved classics on the stage, especially one as huge as Wuthering Heights. There is a lot of risk but we are used to that now and don’t shy away from it." Previous well-received adaptations of Shake & Stir’s include George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm, as well as Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts.
Coldplay is currently in the middle of their Mylo Xyloto Australian tour, which has seen them pack out arenas with adoring fans, treating them to a stunning show of music and light. The band was in the country last year for a brief festival appearance, but promised to return and give the numerous fans a show to remember. Mylo Xyloto (Coldplay’s 5th studio album) has continued the trend of success for Coldplay, with singles such as ‘Paradise’ and ‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall’ charming long-time fans and casual listeners. The album has been called ‘uplifting’, ‘inspirational’ and ‘music that aims for the heart’. Coldplay will be supported by The Temper Trap and The Pierces. There are still tickets available for the show at Suncorp Stadium, but don’t count on them still being there at the last minute. Get in quick before they are gone!
In between running one of Brisbane's favourite vintage cafe bars and teaching us where the best bits of Brisbane are, longtime Aussie music go-to The Grates are back for their first national headline tour since 2011. Brisbanites Patience Hodgson, John Patterson and Ritchie Daniell will be taking their Team Work Makes The Dream Work tour down Australia's east coast with Sydney punk garage band Straight Arrows and Brisbane punk/synth duo Pleasure Symbols. Described as "fun and thrashy pop punk at its best" by triple j, these three have a reputation for giving an incredible live show that'll have you on your feet. The Grates have been seriously productive over the last few months; after releasing their fourth celebrated studio album, Dream Team last year, they went on to absolutely crush it at Splendour In The Grass. The Grates' long-awaited return to the stage is sure to be one of those dance-till-you-drop affairs — here's hoping for a furious '19-20-20' throwback singalong to obliterate our vocal chords once and for all. Want to win tickets to see The Grates? Head over here.
On New Year's Eve, Brisbane comes alive with parties — however only one will take you out on the river. Okay, okay, so you can stand by the bank elsewhere. You can probably get on a boat somewhere. But at Riverlife, you can take an illuminated night kayaking tour, then enjoy a post-paddle BBQ. Sounds like the thing chill New Year's Eves are made of, right? If it sounds like your kind of thing, you're in luck. Plus, after your 90-minute watery jaunt, there'll be grilled meat, dessert and drinks — then a Champagne toast and fireworks to follow.
Summer has had a blistering start, with the country yesterday clocking its hottest ever day on record. Australia's average maximum temperature soared to a whopping 40.9 degrees, barrelling past the previous record of 40.3 set back on January 7, 2013. But, things are looking much more bearable for December 25, as Christmas Day promises some balmy mid-20 conditions for Australia's barbecuing, beach-going and festive-feasting adventures. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne's the big day is set to hit a maximum of 28 degrees, with partly cloudy skies and only a ten-percent chance of any rain. It'll not only be cracking beach weather, but a welcome change of pace, after this coming Friday's expected top of 43. It's also a jump above Melbourne's December average, which clocks in at 24.2 degrees. [caption id="attachment_651722" align="alignnone" width="1920"] St Kilda Beach by Josie Withers for Visit Victoria[/caption] Sydney is on track to enjoy similar conditions, with an overall maximum of 27 degrees and a 40-percent chance of showers on the cards for Christmas Day. However, if you're venturing west, you'll probably want to line up a swim (or air-conditioning) of some sort, as Penrith hits an expected top of 32 degrees. It comes after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a seven-day State of Emergency on December 19, handing over executive powers to the RFS Commissioner, because of predicted worsening bushfire conditions. It's the second State of Emergency declared this fire season, too, which has been particularly devastating, with 768 homes lost and more than 2.7 million hectares burnt at last count. Those travelling over the festive period are being told to prepare for possible road closures, diversions and delays as a result. And before you head out of town, it's suggested you check Fires Near Me and heed any instructions and warnings. Further north in Brisbane, things are looking especially balmy with a sweaty forecast max of 33 degrees. It's just another in a long string of mid-30 days the city's been through this month, though Christmas Day is bucking the trend with a forecast 40-percent chance of rain. You might want to have a contingency plan for that outdoor barbie. [caption id="attachment_703464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bunya River Crossing[/caption] Perth's set to unwrap a sticky top of 36 degrees for Christmas, way beyond the average December maximum of 29.1. With zero chance of rain forecast, it'll likely be the hottest day locals will have had all week, rounding out a string of high-20s and low-30s. Darwin is in for a similarly steamy maximum of 35 degrees with the added bonus of potential thunderstorms — pretty much the exact conditions it'll see every day in the lead-up. Meanwhile, Adelaide folk will be ringing in Christmas Day with a festive top of 32 degrees and Canberra is wrapping up a week of low-40s and mid-30s with a partly cloudy 33. As usual, Tasmania's playing things a little cooler, with Hobart in for a partly cloudy, potentially drizzly maximum of 23 degrees.
Every tropical holiday needs a fruity cocktail to cap off a balmy day. The local legends at Wolf Lane Distillery have you covered with boutique batches of gin, infused with locally sourced ingredients. The tropical gin features 13 botanicals plus vapour-infused mango, finger lime and ruby grapefruit. Run out of room in your suitcase to stash your distillery purchases? Wolf Lane offers free delivery Australia-wide on orders over $30, so you can order online and have the drinks waiting for you when you arrive back home. Our pick is the bottled Davidson Plum Negroni cocktail. The on-site bar is open from Thursday to Sunday, with distillery tours also available. Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
When bands have been around for a while they sometimes end up being pigeonholed into one genre, target audience and general career path. Which for some is horrible, but for others it suits them just fine – knowing who they are leads to amazing music time after time. Death Cab for Cutie and certainly fall into labels such as emotional, melodramatic and full of angst. Which is fair enough, all things considered they do have some fantastically titled emotive songs – Your Heart Is An Empty Room, The Ice is Getting Thinner and Someday You Will be Loved for example. But before you put genre stereotypes so far into play that you disregard the band, a little brainstorm about their discography and longevity in the music industry should be in order. Those two reasons alone are more than enough reason to respect Death Cab for Cutie. Finally returning to Australia after three years, the band is back to promote their seventh album (lucky seven!) entitled ‘Codes and Keys’. Already receiving a great response from fans and critics alike, their trademark sensitive indie pop rock is out in full force. They’ve also brought out an EP remix, set to introduce new audiences to their music. Alas, per usual their tour is sold out. If you are currently without tickets it’s probably best for you to create a sad playlist and enjoy Death Cab from the comfort of your own bedroom. Breaking into the Tivoli is not recommended.
There have always been similarities between art and wine. You could even call wine 'drinkable art'. To understand the merit of a piece of art — and have a deeper appreciation for it — you have to consider when it was created and what societal or contextual factors influence how you view it. Where are you are viewing the work, are you standing on the street or in a museum? Who was it created for? What is it made out of? These are similar to the questions wine critics ask when assessing wine and the questions sommeliers ask when creating a wine list. What food will guests be eating with the wine? What techniques were used to create this wine? What is the wine's terroir? Looking at wine through this lens creates a new appreciation for what's in your glass. But what about the art on the outside of the bottle? There are often hidden meanings and stories behind the images. Next time you're in a bottle shop, restaurant or even browsing online — take time to discover the stories within the labels, it adds to the sensory adventure you're about to embark upon. The five wines below are a selection of wines that are not only delicious but whose wine labels also tell a story. SHOPPING LIST (from left to right) 1. 2017 Unico Zelo 'Halcyon Days' Nero d'Avola, Riverland, SA, $35 Illustrator Ruben Ireland's images were used for all of Unico Zelo's latest releases of nero d'avola ad fiano. The above 'Halcyon Days' label is from Ireland's artwork 'Here Before'. It depicts an ethereal woman with feathers in her hair, sitting with a butterfly lightly perched on her fingertips — a visual representation of winemaking and the delicacy of the grape's style. 2. 2016 Somos 'Tintito' Grenache Blend, McLaren Vale, SA, $24 from Different Drop Behind this label is a young Australian artist from Melbourne called Eddy Sara — an absolute legend, bone cancer survivor and now, creator of amazing art. The label was originally created for a small batch syrah experiment by Somos winemakers Ben Caldwell and Maurico Ruiz. It was a big inky tannic variety, which is reflected in the label — a kraken battles with a bird of prey, representing the battle between the depth of the variety and the light, freshness of the winemaking. The label tells the story of the wine's new blend, too, with grenache being the base, like the ocean giving stability and drinkability, and then the octopus and eagle fighting it out to make the wine intriguing and interesting. 3. 2017 Yetti and the Kokonut 'Brose' Rose, Barossa Valley, SA, $25 from Different Drop Brose celebrates the bromance between the wine's founders Dave Geyer (the Yetti) and Koen Janssens (the Kokonut), who spend more time together during vintage than they do with their own partners. Drawn by the incredibly talented Emma Shearer (who is also Janssens's fiancée), the range of labels all feature the yetti and his trusty sidekick, the coconut, in various hijinks. This label has them holding long-stemmed roses in their teeth. 4. 2017 Vinteloper Pinot Gris, Adelaide Hills, SA, $29 It's no secret who creates the labels for David Bowley's entire Vinteloper range of wines, as it is stated boldly on the label — his wife Sharon (Shaz) Hong. The pair discuss the label's design (over many bottles of wine) at dinner, talking about the flavours, the senses and the seasons. Hong translates that feeling onto paper through her unique artistic style, using symbols to describe the wines characters. The label itself becomes a visual representation of not only what's inside but also what it means to share wine with your loved ones. 5. 2015 Athletes of Wine 'Vinero' Chardonnay, Macedon Ranges VIC, $44 For the Athletes of Wine label, founders Matt Brooke and Liam O'Brien wanted a caricature that would represent their alter-egos. The boys came across Melbourne street artist David Booth who had his very own alter-ego called Ghostpatrol. When Brooke and O'Brien first saw it, they knew they'd found the perfect person to create their labels. Booth created for them the Vineyard Superhero, a character holding a tool that's equal parts ancient pruning tool and equal parts a corkscrew — the superhero is a vigneron by day and sommelier by night. The Oeno Files is our new bi-weekly wine column keeping you up-to-date with the latest wine trends happening around the country. Samantha Payne is a Sydney based wine consultant, writer and sommelier who has worked in the industry for over a decade. She travels, both locally and internationally, to chat with winemakers (and occasionally lend a hand in winemaking), write wine lists and hosts wine events. Images: Lucia Braham
You'll soon be able to get a new view over some of Australia's most scenic terrain, courtesy of a walking and cycling track that'll connect Palm Cove and Port Douglas in far north Queensland. Already among the country's top tropical holiday destinations, the coast between the two spots has been earmarked for the Wangetti Trail. It'll span 76 kilometres through both bushland and ocean-adjacent territory — and showcase the region's rainforest, World Heritage-listed sites and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef. At present, the Queensland Government has committed $950,000 towards funding a design and business case for the trail, "to firm-up the trail's design and to verify its economics," according to Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones. While the cash support was announced at the end of May, work started in June, with Cairns headquartered-business World Trail overseeing the task. The Yirrganydji people, the traditional owners of most of the land that the trail will pass through, will be consulted during the planning process. Construction could start as early as 2019, with both highlighting the natural splendour of the area around and to the north of Cairns, and opening up the stretch to more sightseers among the project's aims. Once completed, "it's expected the trail could be walked in six days and five nights from end-to-end and done in two days and one night for riders," says Jones. Even better — visitors won't just be able to trek along its expanse, but stay there as well. Accomodation facilities — including camping, glamping and lodges — are expected to be included on the track, well, down the track. Image: esodude via Flickr.
Thanks to everything that the last few years have served up, 2019 seems like a lifetime ago. So, waiting for anything since that innocent pre-pandemic time feels like waiting forever. On the top of the list: the next movie by Korean director Bong Joon-ho, after Parasite became the film of 2019. It won almost everything that it could, such as the Palme d'Or at Cannes, the Sydney Film Festival Prize and four Oscars. Thanks to the latter, it became the first film in a language other than English to win Best Picture. The acclaimed filmmaker's next feature is Mickey 17, and it's been in the works for a while. It even dropped an initial teaser trailer at the end of 2022. Back then, the Robert Pattinson (The Batman)-starring flick was targeting a March 2024 release date. Now, however, it won't be hitting the big screen until 2025. Earlier in 2024, Warner Bros took the film off its slate for the year, but it's only now that it has been given a firm new date with picture palaces, as per The Hollywood Reporter. In the US, it will release on Friday, January 31, 2025 — so if Australia and New Zealand get it day-and-date with America, it'll arrive here on Thursday, January 30. Of course, any new Bong Joon-ho movie is biding your time for, as his impressive cinematic resume attests. He's also the filmmaker behind stunning crime procedural Memories of Murder, creature feature The Host, dystopian thriller Snowpiercer and the offbeat Okja, after all. And on his new feature, at least as far as the first sneak peek makes plain, he's embracing sci-fi intrigue. [caption id="attachment_844763" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Batman[/caption] Directed, scripted and produced by Bong, Mickey 17 looks set to mark his third movie mostly in English after Snowpiercer and Okja, with Pattinson leading a cast that also includes Steven Yeun (Beef), Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody), Toni Collette (Mafia Mamma) and Mark Ruffalo (Poor Things). Story-wise, it adapts Edward Ashton's book Mickey 7 — and no, why the title has added ten to its number isn't revealed in the debut trailer. The novel follows an 'expendable' being sent to colonise an ice world, who doesn't want to let his replacement take his place. On the page, the lead character is the seventh clone trying to fend off the eighth, but Bong has clearly upped that to the 17th version of his lead character. [caption id="attachment_706462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] High Life[/caption] Science-fiction fans will spot that the premise alone gives off big Moon, Sunshine and Voyagers vibes — and brings High Life, RPatz's last exceptional sci-fi flick, to mind. That said, Bong isn't a filmmaker to follow in anyone else's footsteps. How he makes this concept his own will be a treat to see. Mickey 17 will be a return for Pattinson, too, given that he hasn't been seen on-screen since his debut turn as Bruce Wayne — although he could be heard in the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron, adding a movie by another iconic director to his filmography. Check out the first trailer for Mickey 17 below: Mickey 17 now has a Friday, January 31, 2025 release date in the US — we'll update you with local details when they're announced. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
Because you’re reading this, we know you’re not someone who received a pet for Christmas, only to decide it wasn't for you. We know you're one of the good folks. You're probably wishing that you did receive a loveable animal as a gift, even if you already have one — or several — that you adore. We understand your yearning, and so does RSPCA Queensland. In trying to find permanent homes for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens surrendered into their care from all over the state, they’re bringing all those cuddly creatures to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday 16 January for their second pop-up adoption event. Entry is free, and includes demonstrations, entertainment, food, and activities, as well as RSPCA stalls and information. And then there’s the hundreds of animals waiting for your affection — and for you to take them home with you. Although you can't put a price on the happiness a new four-legged friend will bring, discounted rates do apply on the day for those willing to adopt an older cat or dog. Kittens and puppies aged under four months will also be looking for someone to love them. The time and place is perfect for many a Brisbane resident, coinciding with the first day of the biannual secondhand free-for-all that is Lifeline Bookfest. Who doesn’t want to go out for a day of book browsing, puppy perusing and cat patting? You might just come home with six month's worth of reading, and a new pal to keep you company. There's more to pet adoption than overdosing on cuteness, of course, with making the commitment to care for an animal serious business. For further information, read RSPCA Queensland’s FAQs.
This article is sponsored by our partner lastminute.com.au. Ah, New York City. 'The City that Never Sleeps'. 'The Big Apple'. 'The Capital of the World'. Whatever you call it, you know it. Recognised as the cultural capital of America, NYC is a melting pot of peoples from all over the world. It's home to some of the best arts, eateries, events and scenes in the world. Its impressive landmarks make it impossible to be mistaken for any other city. We all know the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, and of course, Lady Liberty — even if only from our living rooms. Shows like Sex & the City, movies like When Harry Met Sally and songs such as 'Empire State of Mind', have enraptured most of us with the thrill of New York City. If you've every wanted to see what the hype is all about but haven't the slightest idea where to go in the mega-metropolis, travel and lifestyle site lastminute.com.au has you covered. They've scouted out a variety of hotels in the city's many unique neighbourhoods, from the Upper East Side's Gossip Girl style to the low-key, artsy Brooklyn vibe. Here are their favourites. (They're also offering an opportunity for Aussies to 'Win NYE in NYC', so don't miss that.) The Surrey Stars: 5Best for: Classic Upper East Side elegance Once home to some of New York's most high-profile celebrities — including JFK, Bette Davis and Claudette Colbert — the Surrey is valued for its excellent service and discretion. The hotel also offers the finest amenities, including a private rooftop garden, spa service and gourmet dining. Venture out of your room into the nearby Central Park or shop along Fifth Avenue; the best of Manhattan living is right outside your door. Affinia Manhattan Stars: 3.5Best for: Apartment living in the heart of the mid-town scene Have bad FOMO? Then this is the place for you. Spot on in the middle of the city, the Affinia Manhattan is centred around all the action. Madison Square Garden, the Empire State Building, Broadway, Times Square, Fifth Avenue shopping and Chelsea art galleries are all just a step away. The Affinia has all the old-school charm of a New York hotel, but with a modern update. So when you’re exhausted from a big day out, relax and enjoy the skyline view from your room. Sohotel New York Stars: 2Best for: Funky slice of downtown with reasonable rates Located in a unique area of lower Manhattan, the Sohotel is in a prime location for urban adventure. Enjoy world-class shops, historic cultural landmarks, delectable eats or vibrant nightlife on the historic Bowery Boulevard. Or discover the quirky neighbourhoods of Nolita, China Town and Little Italy that give the area some cultural flair. You can enjoy it all because the Sohotel offers some pretty affordable rates. Comfort and style are not compromised though — the hotel is a quirky mix of old and young New York style, which in our opinion just adds to the experience. The Greenwich Hotel Stars: 5Best for: Oasis of calm and luxury in the heart of Tribeca Planted in the heart of Tribeca, the Greenwich Hotel is a stone's throw from Wall Street, SoHo, the Meatpacking District and Chinatown. But it could be hard to leave the hotel. A true haven for relaxation, the Greenwich features an authentic Japanese spa with a lantern-lit swimming pool, luxurious lounge and treatment rooms — you might start to believe you’re at a retreat rather than a city. Also, the rooms are all so unique, comfortable and liveable that you might want to think about an extended stay. The Box House Hotel Stars: 3.5Best for: Quirky cool in Brooklyn If you're looking for something a little more offbeat, check out the Box House Hotel in Brooklyn. Located in the industrial chic area of Greenpoint, this hotel offers a variety of quirky and brightly decorated apartments (be sure to request one with a patio or terrace for views of Greenpoint or the Manhattan skyline). A short walking distance to some of Brooklyn's best restaurants and bars, the Box House Hotel offers an authentic Brooklyn experience that's anything but boring.
Hankering for something sweet, fluffy and moist, but of the healthy (or healthier) variety? Finding something that ticks both boxes is usually no easy feat — except when it comes to Nutri Hitt. You could even say it's now a piece of cake (couldn't help it). The Ascot-based cake shop specialises in tasty morsels that are actually good for you, which includes raw, vegan and paleo options, as well as goodies free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar. If you've been to a market or deli around town, you might've tried their wares. Now, like many a stall before them, they've got a permanent store. You'll find all the raw cakes that you could want, including the slice of white chocolate heaven that is the Snow White, childhood nostalgia in the form of the Rainbow Swirl, and everything from lemon, lime and coconut and tiramisu too. If you're after a smaller bite, don't despair — you'll still find slices and cupcakes at Nutri Hitt's stockists around the city, like Pawpaw Cafe and House of Hygge. Nutri Hitt started out when owners Candi Coonan and Tamara Lord just wanted to serve delicious treats without the kilojoules. As their success shows, they've achieved that aim — and now everyone keen to have their cake but avoid the not-so-good ingredients has become a winner.
New music festivals aren't the first thing that springs to mind when anyone thinks about the pandemic, but Brisbane did indeed score one back in 2021. To encourage River City residents to get out and support the city's live music scene, which needed the love during a tough period, Brisbane Winter Sessions was born — and it's now back for 2023. During its first run, the fest ran for six days, held 30-plus gigs and took over 16 venues. The numbers are a bit different in 2023; however, the same aim and spirit remains. So, Brisbanites will have ten days between Friday, July 28–Sunday, August 6 to hit the dance floor around Fortitude Valley, Newstead and Woolloongabba, including at both free and ticketed events. [caption id="attachment_909090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] katexjean[/caption] The highlights start with two days of blues, roots and soul tunes at The Triffid, where the Newstead Roots Weekender will take over with two stages, more than 25 musicians getting behind the microphone, DJs spinning tunes till late and the venue's kitchen pumping out snacks. Or, over at The Princess Theatre, a pair of big ticketed events will make the most of the revamped 130-plus-year-old space: Ngaiire teaming up with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, which also falls under this year's Open Season program; and Set Roulette, another Open Season inclusion, this time featuring Kwame, Hatchie, Jesswar, RVG, BIG WETT, Andy Golledge, Party Dozen and Safety Club. At the latter, a giant wheel will be spun onstage to decide who plays when. [caption id="attachment_870971" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zennieshia Butts[/caption] Brisbane Winter Sessions will also include a street party-inspired DJ night at Hey Chica!, Dizzy Days at Finn McCool's and Fluffy All Stars at Cloudland. The Tyrone Noonan Trio is headed to Black Bear Lodge, as is Some Folk Event feauturing Alivan Blu, Myki Jay and Milk Buttons. This fest mightn't be debuting this time, but Brisbane is still scoring more new music events — such as Sweet Relief!, which is locked in for September during Brisbane Festival with Australian-exclusive Groove Armada and The Avalanches sets. [caption id="attachment_707293" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Black Bear Lodge[/caption] Brisbane Winter Sessions will take place between Friday, July 28–Sunday, August 6 across venues in Fortitude Valley, Newstead and Woolloongabba. For further details and to grab tickets, head to the Brisbane City Council website. Top image: Zennieshia Butts.
Head to The Hold Artspace for the latest solo exhibition from Nathan Corum. Cinema Faux Ever will make you think differently about cinema as it invites you to re-examine the major components of this art form. Corum strips back theatre and everything it encompasses in order to shake up any preconceived ideas you may have developed. Corum treats cinema as a shared experience and as playing both an important and interesting role in our busy lives. Think beyond the choc-tops and popcorn and join Corum as he delves into the individual components of the cinematic space. This exhibition is held at West End's The Hold Artspace. Owned by Luke Kidd and Kyle Spear, this gallery showcases the work of early to mid-career artists and whole-heartedly fosters local talent. Cinema Faux Ever is running from Wednesday 26 – Saturday 30.
Who doesn't like a trip to Tassie? The riesling is crisp, the oysters are fresh and the landscapes are stunning. It's a popular destination, with eager travellers regularly making the trip across the Bass Strait in search of rolling vineyards, empty beaches and contemporary art. This weekend, an adventure down to the island state will be a lot more affordable thanks to Spirit of Tasmania's first ever Black Friday sale, with 30 percent off passenger fares. Over the Black Friday weekend sale, starting Friday, November 29, and ending at midnight on Monday, December 2, you can secure tickets for the ship from just $62 per adult, or $21 for kids, each way. All you have to do is select travel dates between February 3 and June 30, 2020 (with exceptions over the Easter period). Those of you planning on going to Dark Mofo 2020 will notice those dates cover the 12-day winter festival. So, round up the crew to bag a Mofo bargain — well, at least on the travel. Perks of travelling with Spirit of Tasmania include the ability to drive your car onto the ship, so you can embark on a dream Tassie road trip without the hassle of hire car fees and luggage restrictions on planes. Plus, your holiday starts as soon as your feet hit the deck. If you're looking to save on accommodation costs, book a night voyage and make the most of the three bars, restaurant, two cinemas and live music on board, too. If you don't want to let this offer sail you by, jump online between Friday, November 29 and Monday, December 2 to snap up tickets.
Finally, the lobster pop-up our bank accounts have been waiting for. Y'know... relatively speaking, anyway. It's all happening at Lobster Shack, which is taking over Petrie Terrace — across from the Barracks and right near Fritzenberger — for a very limited period. And, there's even proper Champagne to go with it. For $35, you can experience Maine lobster confit in a freshly baked roll with buttermilk and fennel slaw. The lobster tails are slow-poached in butter before being placed inside a brioche bun. You'll also receive parmesan-dusted truffle fries on the side. If you still don't feel like a baller, you can step up the fancy factor with a glass of Veuve Clicquot on the side for an extra $15. They'll be serving from midday between Thursdays and Sundays across September 6–23. Drop by until 3pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and then again between 5–9pm the same day. Or, head along from 12–9pm on the weekend. Just remember: the lobster is only available until sold out each day.
Antebellum opens with a sprawling, roving and weaving single-take shot that's designed to garner attention from the get-go. Constantly roaming — and saturated with both sunlight and colour, in case you aren't instantly glued to its vivid sights — it surveys a stereotypical-looking plantation in America's south. This is where resident belle Elizabeth (Jena Malone) lives. A troop of Confederate soldiers under the leadership of Captain Jasper (Jack Huston) also call it home, too. And when the latter aren't in combat, they join Elizabeth in imposing their might on the property's other residents: its enslaved Black workers. Watching this conspicuously eye-catching introduction, it helps to know what Antebellum's title actually means. The term refers to a time before a war, and is typically used in relation to the American Civil War — but, in the movie's first sequence, it certainly seems as if that historical conflict is raging away. Indeed, that'd explain the soldiers' presence, as well as the cruelty and brutality meted out to the plantation's slaves for daring to speak while picking cotton, refusing to acquiesce to every single order or trying to escape. First-time writer-directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz haven't chosen Antebellum's moniker by accident, though, and that clash between the word's definition and the sights seen on-screen is crucial to their movie. Yes, Antebellum hinges on a twist, endeavouring to use the horror genre to explore US race relations in the manner that Jordan Peele has recently perfected. Alas, this copy-cat flick consistently proves far less surprising, powerful and clever than it thinks it is. Here's the setup: attempted runaway Eden (Janelle Monáe) is one of the property's enslaved workers, and subject not just to beatings, brandings and forced labour, but also raped regularly by the general (Eric Lange) who has claimed her as his own. She's planning another escape; however, thoroughly unexpectedly given the surroundings, a mobile phone suddenly rings. Now Monáe's character is called Veronica Henley, and she's a well-known activist and author. Also, everything about her life — including the conference in New Orleans she attends, meeting up with her outspoken best friend Dawn (Gabourey Sidibe) while she's there — is firmly set in the 21st century. Obviously, how Monáe's dual roles intertwine is best discovered by watching, as is the reappearance of Too Old to Die Young's Malone as a modern-day caller for Veronica. But even if you'd hardly call yourself a horror or thriller fan, or even just a movie buff, the big shift here isn't hard to guess. Bush and Renz rely so heavily on their one twist that the film resembles M Night Shyamalan's more forgettable works more than Get Out, Us or TV series Lovecraft Country, and suffers noticeably as a result. Their aim is undeniably bold, smart and timely, unpacking systemic racism by not only looking at how Black Americans have been treated both in the present and in the country's history, but by finding a way to firmly, unmistakably connect the two. And yet, Antebellum feels more like an exercise in making a provocative genre film than a feature that actually says something substantial about engrained prejudice in the US — a topic that sadly continues to remain relevant, but is treated here as stock-standard horror fodder. Take the movie's always-lurid, often-violent imagery as an example. Visually, Antebellum isn't easily forgotten, but its parade of grim frames is a double-edge sword. On the one hand, it reinforces how horrific the idea of slavery is, and shows the audience exactly why in graphic detail. Of course, viewers already know this, even without such heavy-handed reminder. Accordingly, Bush and Renz seem to revel in startling sights almost for the sake of it. If its main victim didn't seem so much like a symbol — more than a fleshed-out character, that's for sure — Antebellum might've succeeded in getting viewers to stare unflinchingly at her pain, experiencing it with her like Australian standout The Nightingale did so expertly, but it really just appears to put her through the wringer to evoke shocks rather than emotion. Most of Antebellum's cast are only asked to fit a specific type, too, as Malone, Huston and Lange all demonstrate. In fact, although Kiersey Clemons (Hearts Beat Loud) pops up as a new arrival at the plantation and Tongayi Chirisa (iZombie) also features among the property's fellow captives, the film tasks them with little more than being present and distraught. The exception is Monáe, with the Moonlight and Hidden Figures star turning in a masterly performance. That's a credit to the musician-turned-actor and her all-round excellence more than the material, though. And if everything around her didn't feel so formulaic and calculating, this'd be a far better film — rather than just an ambitious one that mistakes jumping on a bandwagon for actually making a meaningful statement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nf--afqelY
Tucked behind Harveys Bar and Bistro on the bright lights of James Street, Tinderbox Kitchen is staking a claim as one of the city's pizza frontrunners. Using free-range pork, Moree stoneground-wheat and seasonal produce, Tinderbox ticks many boxes when it comes to tasty ethical pizza. Crowd favourites, including mushroom arancini and pork and veal meatballs, kick off proceedings. Mains include a small selection of Italian classics, such as duck pappardelle and veal scallopini, but we know you're really here for the pizza. Expect authenticity here — bases are crisp and smoky courtesy of the custom-made woodfired oven. The toppings are simple yet inspired, including 'nduja, roasted corn and handmade ricotta. The Tinderbox signature sports Mooloolaba prawns, chilli and zucchini. Adjacent to the Palace Centro cinemas, Tinderbox Kitchen is an ideal pre-movie stop-off.
When you’re good friends with notorious photographer Mark the Cobra Snake, your sister Devon is a supermodel, you count The Bloody Beetroots as co-workers and a day at the office is behind the decks, life can’t help but seem like one giant party. Living this hotshot lifestyle is Electro House DJ and party professional Steve Aoki. The Californian shot to fame thanks to his reputation as a DIY party maker and his highly danceable remixes of tracks by Drake, Bloc Party, Robin Thicke and Kid Cudi. He is also the founder of Dim Mak Records, the label responsible for MSTRKRFT, Klaxons, Mystery Jets and The Bloody Beetroots. Not bad for a kid who once played on his high school’s Badminton team eh? If you’ve attended on of Steve Aoki’s highly energetic, highly memorable shows, you’ll know very well that just about anything and everything goes. If you’re yet to see the mix-master in action, now is your chance. In the country on tour with the Future Music Festival, Steve Aoki will be treating Brisbane to a special sideshow thanks to merry makers The Arcade Creative. Supporting him behind the decks will be fellow Dim Mak friend Tai as well as the very best local acts. BYO dancing shoes.
If you haven't heard of Das Racist, you need to stop what you're doing right now and go on YouTube. For a band that rose to fame with 'Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell', a song that I can't tell is genius or just really really annoying. One thing it is is hilarious, so we're lucky Das Racist are in the country so we can laugh along with them as they laugh at us with their witty cultural references and weed edge/hare krishna hard core/art rap/freak folk music. It is easy to dismiss Das Racist as joke rap, but this trio from Brooklyn are actually legit. Their name comes from a popular internet meme (“That's racist!” - a little boy in the corner of a questionable photograph), just as I suspected. Their rap style has gained momentum since the group's inception in 2008, with Rolling Stone naming their album Relax one of the best of 2011. As well as being talented music artists, they are all creative in other areas, hosting radio shows, comedy gigs, competing in cartoon-offs and writing retorts to nay-sayers. It's easy to just scratch the surface and look at Das Racist's songs as being hip hop fodder, but they are actually incredibly insightful and perceptive, making Das Racist the band not to miss when they hit our shores, both for the Big Day Out and their sideshows.
Occult is a vibrant and engrossing project started by two imaginative individuals hoping to share a bit of their creative flair and eye for culture with the rest of Brisbane. The pages of their creation, Occult, contain a wide cross-section of written pieces, lively illustrations, design, music and fashion — all sourced by Brisbane’s best and brightest. The team behind the zine are throwing a party to celebrate their fourth issue, released recently, and are inviting the whole town to attend. Located at The End, the night will feature live music by Karl S. Williams, Millions DJs and a few artists yet to be announced. It is an 18+ event, but it is free. Come along and rub shoulders with some creative types and make sure you pick up a copy of the latest issue of Occult if you see one around town.
The Centipede Cinema is way less creepy than it sounds. The Bartlett School of Architecture in Portugal has designed a cinema in which each moviegoer manoeuvres his or her body into one of the yellow tubes that makes up the giant centipede structure to view the film. Located in Guimarães and conceived by Professor Colin Fournier with artist Marysia Lewandowska, the Centipede Cinema was commissioned by the 2012 European Capital of Culture. The design team for the project included NEON founders, George King and Mark Nixon. Resembling a sort of futuristic alien spaceship, this highly unique cinema invites people to enter one of the 16 nozzles poking out from below the cork structure. The viewer's entire upper body is encompassed by the nozzle, however the legs are out in the open for the rest of the world to see. This creates what looks like a giant cork centipede but is really just 16 people enjoying a film.
Brisbane has a new temporary home of tricks, magic and illusions: South Bank's Maritime Museum. The riverside spot has welcomed three immersive pop-ups, each making their return to the Queensland capital, and all aiming to give attendees a multi-sensory reprieve from their routines — and one of them is Maho Magic Bar. If you not only like magic, but also cocktails, neon lights and feeling like you're in Tokyo, head to Maho Magic Bar between Thursday, October 3—Sunday, December 22, 2024 (in a season extended by two weeks due to demand). As the River City discovered on its past visits, it's a bar, a performance space and a show all in one — all thanks to Broad Encounters, aka the folks behind eerie Edgar Allen Poe-inspired warehouse experience A Midnight Visit, too. Here, glowing lighting sets the mood, cherry blossoms hover above, and sake cocktails and shōchū lead the drinks menu. Also, magic shows happen at your table. An immersive event from the moment that you approach its luminous exterior, it's designed to replicate a night out in Shinjuku, and to conjure up an 'anything can happen' feeling. The ace thing about the setup: whether you adore magic or don't think it's your thing, you'll still be entertained given the atmosphere (and the drinks and those lights) are a massive part of the allure. Still, magic is nonetheless a big part of it. Busting out illusions: a lineup that includes the gender stereotype-busting Kaori Kitazawa, Japanese TV staple Shirayuri, actor and Maho Magic Bar's hostess Spica, sleight-of-hand mixologist Jun Nakamura, the engineering-driven Wambi and close-up magician Sarito. Images: Peter Wallis, Mike King, Anna Kucera and Nathaniel Mason. Updated: Thursday, November 21, 2024.
Kinky things are afoot behind proverbial white picket fences. Made with the financial assistance of the Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund, the directorial debut of acclaimed local short film and music video director Stephen Lance takes your typically angst-ridden, po-faced Australian teen drama, and dresses it up in a full-body latex suit. A BDSM-themed coming of age story, My Mistress gets points for an eyebrow-raising premise and some bold stabs at Blue Velvet-style erotic voyeurism. Unfortunately, weak dialogue and clumsy characterisation soon leave the film feeling limp. The leafy suburbs of Queensland provide the backdrop for the story, one that begins when delinquent high-schooler Charlie (Harrison Gilbertson) discovers his father's body hanging in the garage. Stricken with grief and consumed with anger towards his mother (Rachael Blake), on whose shoulders he places the blame for his father's suicide, Charlie seeks comfort in an unlikely relationship with Maggie (Emmanuelle Beart), a professional dominatrix who has recently moved to town. It's a seriously strange set-up that, frankly, should have yielded far more interesting results. Lance shows adeptness behind the camera, and all three of the lead performances are quite strong. The problem with My Mistress lies instead with its screenplay, co-written by Top of the Lake creator Gerard Lee. The dialogue more often than not rings false, particularly when people are arguing, which they're doing almost all the time. There's also a baffling lack of consistency in the behaviour and personality of the characters, with Maggie and Charlie's relationship going from stable in one scene to downright hostile in the next. It's also disappointing to see Lance adopt the very boring, narrow-minded position that the sort of niche sexual behaviour exhibited by his characters must be a symptom of some sort of dysfunction or inner pain. Charlie's emotional dependence on Maggie obviously has its origins in the breakdown of the relationship with his mother. Likewise, the film goes to great lengths to make us understand that Maggie is damaged: a former drug addict who has lost custody of her infant son. Wouldn't it be nicer to see a movie about S&M practitioners who are just in it for a rip-roaring good time? Fingers crossed for 50 Shades of Grey. https://youtube.com/watch?v=6jZeKiaE04c
They promised to turn the humble act of enjoying a pint into something that could make a difference, and they've delivered. Now, after amassing around $37,000 through a successful crowdfunding campaign, and then brewing a beverage that will help support the Great Barrier Reef, The Good Beer Co.'s maiden beer is coming to bottleshops around Australia. First stop: Queensland. The Great Barrier Beer is a Queensland-brewed beer designed to raise funds for one of Queensland's natural wonders, after all. In addition to being able to order the brew online and find it at a range of pubs, restaurants and other booze-serving establishments (including in New South Wales, with more there and in Victoria to follow), you'll now find it at 1oo BWS stores around the Sunshine State. And if you're wondering why that's a big deal, keep reading. As Australia's first social enterprise beer company, The Good Beer Co. is on a mission to match nice drinks with nice deeds. The company aims to pair the nation's top craft brewers with worthy causes, as the Great Barrier Beer demonstrates. It's brewed in Bundaberg by the local legends at the Bargara Brewing Company, and it does more than increase awareness. The Good Beer Co donates 50% of the profits of every beer sold to the Australian Marine Conservation Society, so expanding the number of places it's available is a massive step. That's not the end of their efforts, however. Another thirst-quenching Great Barrier Beer will soon be a-brewing courtesy of Bargara Brewing Company — and to get to that point, though, The Good Beer Co. is asking for your help again. This time, there's a choice of three different options, each backed by top chefs from around Queensland, that you can also vote for. Of course, whether you prefer a Kölsch, a blonde-style brew or a cider, supporting a good cause and helping save a natural icon is the real winner. For more information about The Good Beer Co, including a list of Great Barrier Beer stockists, visit their website. To support their next beverage, check out their new crowdfunding campaign.
Whatever you're doing this weekend — gardening, partying, doing your tax return — you're going to need a killer soundtrack. This is that soundtrack. <a href="http://fbiradio.bandcamp.com/album/song-reader-sydney-sessions" mce_href="http://fbiradio.bandcamp.com/album/song-reader-sydney-sessions">Song Reader Sydney - Sessions by Aidan Roberts</a> 1. AIDAN ROBERTS - NOW THAT YOUR DOLLAR BILLS HAVE SPROUTED WINGS Last year, American indie hero Beck released an album called Song Reader. Nothing exciting there, except that he released it as sheet music only, the idea being that to listen to the music, you needed to be a part of a community, and to sit around with musician friends and create the music together. Beck's imagining of a community inspired a small, dedicated group of Australian music industry folk to put on a show late last year, where the likes of Sarah Blasko, Jonathan Boulet, Josh Pyke and Caitlin Park came together to play the 'album' in full. Now, some six months later, our friends at Sydney's FBi Radio have released perhaps the world's first full Song Reader album, available on iTunes and via FBi's Bandcamp page. And they are doing it for charity, with all money raised going to the Sydney Story Factory — an organisation that encourages and fosters creative writing among marginalised and disadvantaged young people. This — from Aidan Roberts of The Maple Trail and Belles Will Ring — is just beautiful and heartbreaking and all those wonderful words. (Oh, and that wailing guitar noise you hear in the background? That's local legend Brian Campeau dragging kitchen scissors across his guitar strings.) 2. PAPA - YOUNG RUT They haven't even released an album yet, but PAPA are a group to keep an eye on. The two-piece from Los Angeles make perfect indie-pop, but there's always something fascinating going on just on the edges that stops it sinking in to dullness. On 'Young Rut' it's those guitars in the chorus that crash in and transform the song from mid-tempo and forgettable to urgent, driving and absolutely indispensable. And more than one reviewer has noted a touch of the Springsteen in drummer/singer Darren Weiss's voice. It's time to hop on board the PAPA bandwagon, because they're pulling outta here to win. 3. KANYE WEST / TAME IMPALA - BLACK SKINHEAD vs. ELEPHANT In case you hadn't noticed, Kanye West recently released a new album. Whatever you think of him as a human being, there's no question that his desperate need to be A Serious Artist has led to some of the best hip hop of the past decade — 'Jesus Walks', 'Stronger', almost all of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 'Gold Digger', 'Touch The Sky', and so many more. 'Black Skinhead' is another such song, one that seems to be tearing down everything Kanye has built up around him: gold chains, designer clothes, even his own celebrity. And this mashup — essentially just Kanye's vocals over Tame Impala's 'Elephant' — works really well and demonstrates that Kanye really can do anything, even if that is rapping over an Australian psych/rock band. 4. JESSICA PRATT - HOLLYWOOD Originally released at the end of 2012 in the US, Jessica Pratt's self-titled debut has only just made its way to our sunny shoes. But it's well worth the wait. 'Hollywood' recalls nothing more than the folk of the late 1960s, Pratt sounding for all the world like Joan Baez, or a young Joni Mitchell. With just a guitar and her voice Pratt presents incredibly vivid descriptions of the world around her, and manages to capture the excitement and confusion of being young and arriving in a new city, redolent with possibilities. If you enjoyed the Laura Marling track we featured here a few weeks ago, then you will absolutely love this. https://youtube.com/watch?v=unNa-9qGkfI 5. NEKO CASE - MAN You might know Neko Case from The New Pornographers or from her amazing solo albums (if you don't, you need a copy of Twin Cinema and Middle Cyclone right this second), and she's always seemed like that one awesome older sister/aunt/friend you always wished you had: wry, badass and full of knowledge of the ways of the world. And now she's back with her newest solo album, The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You. The title might be hard work, but the record won't be: Case's combination of country, indie, folk and rock and roll influences has led to a handful of absolutely essential albums, with her beautiful, clear, bell-like voice able to adapt itself to the music. She's also a shredding guitarist, gives no fucks, and once revealed on Spicks and Specks that her grandmother was one of America's first professional female wrestlers. All the types of rad.
Fifty years, oh-so-many epic campaigns, and everything from movies to video games, too: that's the Dungeons & Dragons story. 2024 marks half a century since the tabletop roleplaying game first had its players rolling the dice and spinning fantasy tales, a milestone that's being celebrated Down Under with the Australasian premiere of Dungeons & Dragons' leap to the stage. Get excited about DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern. Normally a trip to the theatre means engaging via watching, not by playing a part; however, that fittingly isn't the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern experience. Audience members don't simply view this version of the game — they also play along, choosing the characters and helping shape the story. Here's how it works, as Australians have been able to discover at the Sydney Opera House Studio since Sunday, December 15, 2024: when you take your seat, you're a key aspect of the show. Entering the Forgotten Realms, you also pick the experiences and other elements of the performance using Gamiotics software, with more than 30 playable characters, 34 backgrounds and 28 combat effects involved. Still on numbers, the production also features 40-plus custom character illustrations, 40 item cards and over 300 individual pieces of content. Five actors take to the stage to bring all of the above to life, including via games, combat, puzzles and riddles — and, because of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern's interactive nature, they're not just performing the same roles each time. Shaking things up for the audience and the cast alike, this experience is never the same twice. Images: Daniel Boud.
The Brisbane area is damn lucky to have an ever-growing list of craft breweries right on its doorstep. But with so many awesome spots popping up all around Queensland, why not expand your horizons beyond the city? The state is home to breweries of all kinds, from the small and family-run operations to ones focusing on wildlife conservation and making beer with rainwater — you name it, you've got it. Here are seven Queensland breweries that are worth a road trip. MOFFAT BEACH BREWING COMPANY Sunshine coast mainstay, Blackwater Trading Co. opened its own brewery last year in the form of Moffat Beach Brewing Company, showcasing the beers of long-time homebrewer and owner Matt Wilson. The bar is a favourite of locals with its regular live gigs, from jazz and rock to funk and blues bands, along with the classic combo of pub grub and fresh seafood. Now, the guest taps hang alongside the Moffat brews on an extended eight-tap bar — one of which is the newly released grapefruit and blood orange IPA, a seasonal brew that is even more incentive to take that road trip sooner rather than later. If you miss out, their Voodoo Lady chocolate milk porter is a great reason to travel in cooler months — let's face it, who wouldn't want chocolate milk in beer form? 12 Seaview Terrace, Moffat Beach. FORTITUDE BREWING COMPANY Fortitude Brewing Company was created back in 2012 and their emphasis is on consistency. Situated at the top of Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast hinterland, the location immediately makes the beer taste fresher and crisper. The building itself has a log cabin vibe and is overall an ideal spot to laze the day away. The company trades under two names, the second being Noisy Minor, which is the creative, loud cousin of the sessionable Fortitude brews. On the Noisy Minor side, go for the limited release Bad Wolf IPA — a big, bold beer at 8.8 percent ABV and a must-try for hop lovers. For the sensible folk, the Drifter summer ale is perfect for balmy weather. 165 Long Road, Eagle Heights. HEMINGWAY'S BREWERY Hemingway's Brewery is all about keeping it local and embracing its Port Douglas surroundings. Using all Australian hops, locally-sourced malts and water from Mossman Gorge, Hemingway's is a truly Aussie as. It's the perfect stop on a road trip, as the owners are lovers of adventure and there's no greater adventure than a beer one. The Kick Back ginger beer should be on that journey — infused with ginger, the drink is a fruity and spicy combo. On the food side, they've got southern fried popcorn chicken ($14) and ginger steamed mussels ($16), along with the requisite burgers ($22-24) and stone-fired pizzas ($19-24). Their boardwalk and upstairs deck overlook the pristine marina, allowing patrons to enjoy a nice seaside breeze with each sip which is a hard experience to beat. The Reef Marina, 44 Wharf Street, Port Douglas. 4 HEARTS BREWING PUMPYARD BAR AND BREWERY 4 Hearts Brewing is the first production brewery in Ipswich since the early 1900s and is located in a 100-year-old heritage building. The interior plays to its industrial roots with a lofty, warehouse fit-out and exposed brick interior. It isn't just the space that celebrates history, either — 4 Hearts' throwback beers do the same. This is especially true of the Nineteen Ten, an old-world, barley wine-style beer, named for the year the pumpyard was built. They're also using beer extensively in the menu, which consists of bar food like the chilli barbecue-glazed chicken wings and chorizo empanadas ($12 each). Don't forget about the burgers and hand-rolled pizzas ($14–18), which are made using 4 Hearts pale ale breads and dough. 88 Limestone Street, Ipswich. BARGARA BREWING COMPANY Bargara Brewing Company is worth a visit for its eco-friendly nature alone — all of their beer is made using 100 percent rainwater, a boast we doubt many other breweries can make. They also give you the chance to do some good with your beer bucks — 50 percent of all profits on their Great Barrier Beer, an unusual and delicious mid-strength IPA, goes towards the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Another beer to seek out while you're up here is there Ginja Ninja, brewed using three additions of locally-grown ginger. Once you get peckish, a simple menu of pizzas and beer snacks will keep your beer belly happy. 10 Tantitha Street, Bundaberg. BARRIER REEF BREWING CO. The Barrier Reef Brewing Co 's owner Cameron McPherson is, strangely enough, a qualified veterinary surgeon. His brewery splits his love of wildlife with his passion for brewing and nicely bridges the gap between conservation efforts and good beer — their flagship pale ale was brewed in association with the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and the turtles of the area are featured in their logo. The beers are created with the tropical Cairns climate in mind, with a focus on refreshing, bright fruity notes like passionfruit and citrus. If you only have one beer here, it has to be the pilsner, which won the TNQ Beer Awards 2016 for best overall craft beer. 17 Johnston Street, Cairns. GRANITE BELT BREWERY Granite Belt Brewery focuses on the small batch brews, only brewing 20 kegs of any given beer at a time. This includes their Stanthorpe Apple Ale, which is brewed using fresh apple juice and is a major drawcard to the brewery in itself. If you're keen to try a few, the four-course 'beeregustation' includes the best of the menu, along with four beer tasters ($50-55). If you're more into classic pub food, the fish and chips ($19) and the truckload of wings ($20) will hit the spot and both go well with the Granite pilsner. The best day to come up is Saturdays, when live music a go, with a separate kids room keeping both singles and parents happy. 146 Glenlyon Drive, Stanthorpe.
Life is full of golden moments. An early-morning swim and sipping beers in the afternoon sunshine are some of our favourites. But what comes out on top for us is a long weekend. This April, we're being treated to two long weekends in a row. Luckily, we know a thing or two about making the most of our time out of office. Whether you're seeking luxury experiences in Victoria, a multi-day hike in the wilderness or an excuse to soak up the best of the harbour city, we've got your back. Our mates at Ferrero Rocher love a long weekend, too. So much so that the chocolate company has released a range of Easter treats including creamy hazelnut-filled Ferrero Collection Easter Eggs, an impressive Golden Easter Egg Gift Box and more (ideal for indulging in while on holiday if you ask us). To celebrate our mutual love of a long weekend, we've teamed up with the chocolate connoisseurs to give you a $1000 gift card to spend on a long weekend away. But it doesn't stop there. You'll also receive a stack of delicious chocolate from the Ferrero Rocher Easter range. Egg hunt anyone? If you miss out on the major prize, don't fret. We've also got 29 Ferrero Rocher chocolate prize packs up for grabs. The packs include one grand Ferrero Rocher, a boxed egg, three packs of Easter eggs and one dark chocolate grand Ferrero Rocher. To enter, simply tell us in 25 words or less what your ultimate long weekend looks like. Want to nab one of these incredible prizes? To enter, fill out your details below. [competition]849038[/competition]
After spending 12 years in New York, Australian multimedia artist Tracey Moffatt returned home to continue her creative journey. Spirited showcases the result, the Gallery of Modern Art compiling her most recent, locally crafted work into an exhibition that explores how we inhabit places and are inhabited by them. Commencing with an opening keynote conversation and discussion tour, the exhibition premieres Moffatt’s major new video work, Art Calls 2014, in which she plays a TV talk show host. Also featuring is Spirit landscapes 2013, comprised of five photographic series and a digital photo frame. Alongside her own pieces, Moffatt has chosen 13 works from the QAGOMA collection by artists including Doreen Reid Nakamarra, William Robinson, John Pule, Ian Fairweather, Simryn Gill and Bridget Riley. Each complements Moffatt’s contemplation of the connection between the landscape and the mind and spirit, as does the specially selected screenings of John Ford’s celebrated 1952 film, The Quiet Man.
UPDATE, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25: Since releasing its initial list of places visited by positive COVID-19 cases connected to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, Queensland Health has issued an update, adding further locations. The below article and list has been amended to reflect this. Sneezing into our elbows, maintaining a 1.5-metre distance from other people, and washing our hands thoroughly and often: they're just some of the practices that Australians have adopted in 2020 in response to COVID-19. So is paying particular attention to where we've all been, which links into ongoing contact-tracing efforts — because naming locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited is a crucial part of the country's containment strategy. That includes in Queensland, where state authorities have been issuing health alerts outlining places that residents should note. By now, it has become a familiar routine: if you've visited these spots on the dates and during the times outlined, you should monitor your health, and self-isolate and get a test for COVID-19 if you start suffering from even the mildest of symptoms. Today, Sunday, August 23, Queensland Health has released its latest list, in response to a growing number of cases it is calling the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre cluster. Spanning places in Brisbane's west and southeast, and dating between Sunday, August 9–Friday, August 21, it's a lengthy rundown. The big ones: IKEA in Slacks Creek, covering anyone who went looking for affordable Swedish furniture between 11am–2pm on Friday, August 14; various stores at Browns Plains Grand Plaza, spanning different dates and times; a number of shops at Forest Lake Shopping Centre, again at varying dates and times; and a selection of retailers at Westfield Carindale on Wednesday, August 19. But again, this is a very comprehensive list — with places in Birkdale, Browns Plains, Camp Hill, Carina Heights, Carindale, Crestmead, Forest Lake, Greenbank, Greenslopes, Marsden, Mt Gravatt, Slacks Creek and Wacol all named. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1297328838536437761 Check out the full list of places, dates and times below: Sunday, August 9, from around 6.30–6.40am: IGA Express, Forest Lake Sunday, August 9, 11am–12.10pm: Anytime Fitness, Village Square, Browns Plains Sunday, August 9, 11am–12pm: Woolworths, Browns Plains, Grand Plaza Browns Plains Monday, August 10, from around 9.30–9.45am: Spotlight, Browns Plains Monday, August 10, from around 10–10.15am: Coles, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Monday, August 10, 10.15–11.25am: Anytime Fitness, Village Square, Browns Plains Monday, August 10, from around 11am–12.30pm: Woolworths, Browns Plains, Grand Plaza Browns Plains Monday, August 10, 5.30–5.40pm: Greenbank Takeaway, Greenbank Monday, August 10, times unknown: Woolworths, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Tuesday, August 11, from around 6–6.15am: BP Wacol (Corner of Boundary and Progress roads), Wacol Tuesday, August 11, from around 10.30–11.45am: Mt Gravatt Swimming Pool, Mt Gravatt Tuesday, August 11, from around 12pm until an unknown time: Dami Japanese Restaurant, Mt Gravatt Wednesday, August 12, from around 4.30–5pm: Woolworths, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Wednesday, August 12, 6–6.15pm: Thai Antique, Carina Heights Wednesday, August 12, from around 7.15pm until an unknown time: Coles, Browns Plains, Grand Plaza Browns Plains Thursday, August 13, 11am until around 12am: Australian Nails, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Thursday, August 13, 11am–3pm: Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Thursday, August 13, from 12pm until an unknown time: Fig Tree Bakehouse, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Thursday, August 13, from after 12pm until an unknown time: Nandos, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Friday, August 14, from around 10–10.10am: Officeworks, Browns Plains Friday, August 14, from after 10am until before 11am: Coles, Browns Plains Grand Plaza, Browns Plains Friday, August 14, 11am–2pm: Ikea, Slacks Creek Friday, August 14, from around 11.15–11.30am: Woolworths, Marsden on Fifth shopping centre, Marsden Friday, August 14, 2.20–3.30pm: Anytime Fitness, Village Square, Browns Plains Friday, August 14, from around 2.30–3pm: Bunnings, Browns Plains Friday, August 14, from around 4–4.30pm: Aldi, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Friday, August 14, from around 4–4.30pm: Coles, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Saturday, August 15, from around 9.30–9.45am: K-Mart, Browns Plains Grand Plaza, Browns Plains Saturday, August 15, 10.25–11.35am: Anytime Fitness, Village Square Browns Plains Sunday, August 16, from around 10–10.15am: Woolworths, Marsden on Fifth shopping centre, Marsden Sunday, August 16, from around 10.30–11am: Coles, Browns Plains Grand Plaza, Browns Plains Sunday, August 16, 12.10–12.15pm: 7-11 service station, Springfield Sunday, August 16, 1.20–2.30pm: Anytime Fitness, Village Square, Browns Plains Sunday, August 16, at an unknown time in the morning: Riverlink Shopping Centre, Ipswich Sunday, August 16, at an unknown time in the morning: The Reject Shop, Ipswich Sunday, August 16, at an unknown time in the morning: Jamaica Blue coffee shop, Ipswich Monday, August 17, 11am–1pm: Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Indooroopilly Monday, August 17, 11am–1pm: BUPA, Indooroopilly Monday, August 17, 11am–1pm: Origin Kebabs, Indooroopilly Monday, August 17, 11.30–2pm: Calamvale Shopping Centre, Calamvale Monday, August 17, from around 6.30–6.40pm: Greenbank Takeaway, Greenbank Monday, August 17, at an unknown time in the afternoon: Costco Bundamba self-service fuel station, Bundamba Tuesday, August 18, from around 12.30–1pm: BCF, Greenslopes Tuesday, August 18, from 1pm until an unknown time in the afternoon: Rock and Roll Butcher (formerly Brisbane Bulk Meats), Logan Road, Greenslopes Tuesday, August 18, at an unknown time in the afternoon: Chemist Warehouse (on Waratah Drive), Crestmead Tuesday, August 18, 5.45–6.15pm: Uncle Bill's Takeaway, Brassall Tuesday, August 18, 6.05–6.12pm: United Fuels, Springfield Tuesday, August 18, at an unknown time in the evening: BP Wacol (Corner of Boundary and Progress roads), Wacol Wednesday, August 19, 8–9.30am: 12 RND Fitness, Birkdale Wednesday, August 19, from around 9.30am until an unknown time: Woolworths, Browns Plains Grand Plaza, Browns Plains Wednesday, August 19, 10.30–11.45am: The Jam Pantry, Greenslopes Wednesday, August 19, 11–11.10am: Officeworks, Ipswich Wednesday, August 19, 12.30pm until around 1pm: Red Cross Op Shop, Sherwood Road, Sherwood Wednesday, August 19, 12.30–1pm: Sherwood Transport and Main Roads Customer Service Centre, Sherwood Wednesday, August 19, from around 1–3pm: Westfield Carindale Shopping Centre, Carindale Wednesday, August 19, from around 1–3pm: Bras 'n' Things, Westfield Carindale, Carindale Wednesday, August 19, from around 1–3pm: Ghanda clothing, Westfield Carindale, Carindale Wednesday, August 19, from around 1–3pm: Myer, Westfield Carindale Carindale Wednesday, August 19, 1–4pm: Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Indooroopilly Wednesday, August 19, 1–4pm: Myer, Indooroopilly Wednesday, August 19, 1–4pm: David Jones, Indooroopilly Wednesday, August 19, 1–4pm: Touch of Indian, Indooroopilly Wednesday, August 19, 1–4pm: Sweets from Heaven, Indooroopilly Wednesday, August 19, 1.10pm until around 1.20pm: Newsagent on Sherwood Road, Sherwood Wednesday, August 19, from around 5.30–5.40pm: Baskin Robbins, Camp Hill Market Place, Camp Hill Wednesday, August 19, from around 5.30–5.40pm: Pho Inn, Camp Hill Market Place, Camp Hill Wednesday, August 19, 7.30–7.35pm: 7-11, Springfield Wednesday, August 19–Thursday, August 20, 11pm–6.19am: Ipswich Hospital Emergency Department, Ipswich Thursday, August 20, from around 10–10.15am: Woolworths, Marsden on Fifth shopping centre, Marsden Thursday, August 20, 12.05–12.13pm: USQ Campus Cafe, Springfield Thursday, August 20, 3.15–4pm: Coles, Forest Lake Friday, August 21, from around 10.30–10.45am: Woolworths, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Friday, August 21, from around 10.45–11.15am: The Chop Shop, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Friday, August 21, from around 10.45–11.15am: Best & Less, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Forest Lake Friday, August 21, 4.15–5pm: Orion Shopping Centre Springfield, Springfield Qld Health is maintaining an active register of locations that have been visited by positive COVID-19 cases, which you can check out on its website. You can find a rundown of testing clinic locations online as well. Today's alert follows the announcement yesterday, Saturday, August 22, of reinstated social gathering restrictions in the Greater Brisbane area — capping visitors to homes at 10 people, and limiting groups amassing in public to the same number. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. Top image: IKEA; Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
Somewhere, between the heady romantic drama of Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise trilogy and the good-natured bawdiness of the American Pie franchise, sit the films of Cédric Klapisch. Released in 2002, Spanish Apartment first introduced us to Xavier Rousseau (Romain Duris), a French university student on exchange in Barcelona. Four years later, Russian Dolls picked up with Xavier again, as he continued to search for love and direction in an increasingly complicated world. Chinese Puzzle turns the series into a trilogy, although Klapisch ensures the story is more or less accessible to newcomers. Now an author at the tail-end of his 30s, Xavier is marginally more mature than the last time we saw him, although no more lucky in the romance department. As a matter of fact, the film begins just in time for us to witness his marriage, to Englishwoman Wendy (Kelly Reilly), fall apart. When she takes their kids to live in Manhattan, Xavier decides to cross the Atlantic as well, crashing with his old friend Isabelle (Cécile de France) and her new girlfriend, Ju (Sandrine Holt), until he can find accommodation of his own. As with the previous films, Klapisch keeps the tone buoyant, livening Xavier's voiceover musings — on life, love, family, ageing and the cultural stewpot in which all of us are ingredients — with plenty of visual whimsy. Read our full review of Chinese Puzzle here. Chinese Puzzle is in cinemas on Thursday, April 17, and thanks to Transmission Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=M2a8vuQABd8
Dance Energy is the result of three notable dance organisations working in tandem - Dancenorth, Expressions Dance Company and Queensland Ballet. The premiere performance of Dance Energy will showcase some of Queensland’s best dancing talent in a display of transcendental choreography and music. With a score written by great Australian composer, Peter Sculthorpe and choreography by London based choreographer Cameron McMillan, Dance Energy has all the components to be a Brisbane Festival highlight.
It's one of the most iconic movie musicals ever made — and one of the best rom-coms to grace a screen, plus one of the greatest films ever made in general — and it's also a key reason that singing and dancing when the weather is wet seems like a glorious idea. And, like plenty of song- and dance-filled big-screen hits, the now 70-year-old cinema gem has been adapted beyond cinemas, including as a stage show that last hit Brisbane back in 2016. We're talking about Singin' in the Rain, of course — and, this spring, there's another way to soak in this stone-cold classic's wonders. The Gene Kelly-starring 1952 flick has now scored an onstage concert version, which'll see theatre production company Prospero Arts play through all of the movie's hit tunes. Set to echo through QPAC's Concert Hall: all of the tracks that helped make the movie such a winner, including 'Good Morning', 'Make 'em Laugh', 'Gotta Dance' and, of course, the titular 'Singin' in the Rain'. They'll be accompanied by dance choreography, because trying not to tap your toes to this film and everything inspired by it — which also spans La La Land, in fact — is impossible. For those who've somehow missed the 1920s-set big screen classic so far, Singin' in the Rain charts a story of romance and stardom, as silent film star Don Lockwood (Kelly) tries to adjust to the age of talking pictures, and aspiring actress Kathy Selden (the great Debbie Reynolds) tries to make her big break. It was actually crafted around a heap of existing songs, such the eponymous track, 'Make 'Em Laugh' and 'Good Morning'. And yes, the recent Downton Abbey: A New Era definitely took inspiration from it as well. Running from Friday, November 11–Sunday, November 13, Singin' in the Rain – In Concert will feature including Bobby Fox (Jersey Boys, Hot Shoe Shuffle) as Don, Angelique Cassimatis (A Chorus Line, Strictly Ballroom) as Kathy Selden and Mark Hill (West Side Story, Muriel's Wedding the Musical) as Cosmo Brown, Don's best friend. Just four shows will splash into QPAC for this brief season — and, while there's no trailer for the concert, you can check out the trailer for the film that sparked it all below: Singin' in the Rain – In Concert will hit QPAC's Concert Hall from Friday, November 11–Sunday, November 13, with tickets on sale from 9am on Thursday, August 25.
We all know the type: the seemingly regular folks who love nothing more than a crack-of-dawn start time. The people that live for early mornings and consider 7am a sleep in. They're busy saluting the sun and chugging a green juice while the rest of us are waging war on the snooze button. So for those chipper early birds — we love you, we truly do. For those among us that prefer sunset over sunrise, however, Brisbane is a completely different place. We don't need that extra-strong coffee to get us charged up, because we're enjoying the other end of the day and raising a toast to Brisbane's finest spots for a sundowner.
Florists are a dime a dozen in Brisbane, but it's worth arguing that Flour and Bloom is a cut above the rest. The Camp Hill florist and greenspace is filled with seasonal blooms, indoor plants and greenery that are sure to brighten up both your day and your living room. It offers same-day delivery from Tuesday to Friday to selected suburbs in Brisbane and the Bayside area. Choose from a set range of flowers and exquisite bouquets or, if you're looking for something even more personalised, talk to the team about creating a custom arrangement. Alongside its floral selections, you'll also find decor items and homewares — think ceramic pots and bowls, premium bath products from Salt By Hendrix, candles and organic wines, too. Make sure you keep an eye on its Instagram page for updates on seasonal flower arrivals — peony season is particularly popular. Images: Kiel Wode
What a difference two years can make. For all the reasons we all know and have lived through, that's been the theme during since March 2020. Jump back to January that year and no one would've even dreamed that Australia's international borders would close for almost two years, for instance — or that getting swabbed for a respiratory virus would become a requirement for entering the country. The nation reopened its international borders to double-vaccinated travellers back in February 2022, so that's one step back to normality. Come Sunday, April 17, the COVID-19 testing requirement will be scrapped, too. At a press conference today, Friday, March 25, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced that the Commonwealth Government would no longer be renewing its biosecurity emergency determination — aka the legal implement that allows a number of our recent pandemic rules and restrictions to be put in place — which means that pre-departure testing for international travellers will cease. "The country is ready to move on from the emergency declaration made two years and one month ago. I will not be renewing the biosecurity emergency determination," said Hunt. "That's on strong advice from Professor Kelly [Professor Paul Kelly, Australia's Chief Medical Officer] and our other medical advisers; the unanimous advice that was given to me and discussed with the national security committee of cabinet," he advised. So, whether you're jetting off on an overseas getaway — perhaps to a spot like Bali that no longer has quarantine requirements for holidaying Aussies — or you've got friends and family who've been putting off visiting, it's all about to get easier. At the very least, it won't involved getting swabbed before you hop on a flight Down Under. Also, the prohibition on cruise lines operating out of Australia will lift as well — if that's the kind of trip you've been dreaming of. That said, testing requirements for other countries are obviously still up to them. As a result, wherever you're heading to — if international vacations now look much more enticing — may still have its own testing requirements. Proof of double-vaccination will still be required to enter Australia, and masks will remain mandatory on domestic and international flights. Australia will drop its pre-departure testing requirement for entering the country from overseas on Sunday, April 17. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
