If dressing up in costume is your favourite part of Halloween, then your wardrobe is getting a workout right now. And, you clearly already know one of the ace (and related) standout things about this time of year: it's perfectly acceptable to wear those costumes anywhere and everywhere. On Friday, October 28 from 8pm, that includes kitting up to head to iconic Brisbane music venue The Zoo. Just over a month out from its big 30th-anniversary celebrations, the venue is marking Halloween by hosting Creepshow — a one-night-only music fest that's all about live tunes and eerie vibes. Yes, dressing up is encouraged — heartily. There'll even be prizes, including for best solo costume and best group. So, either showing off your individual Halloween look or gathering the gang for a combined stint of scary style should be on the agenda. That said, whatever you're wearing, obviously the music is the real star of the show. Get ready to listen to Girl and Girl, Radium Dolls, Citypiss, Talk Heavy and The Dandys, all taking to the stage in Creepshow's second year. Images: The Zoo.
When you're a winery that's located in the inner city — without vines, but still with plenty of stomping — you've already given Brisbanites a very good reason to drop by. Fortitude Valley's City Winery doesn't just stand out because of its concept, however. It also serves up plenty of other excuses to get sipping, such as its new Sunday sessions. Every week from 2.30pm, the Wandoo Street spot is now pouring frosé slushies to wrap up the weekend. 'Tis the time of year to get your booze in frozen form, thanks to the weather. It's also an excuse to get slurping at the oyster bar, and to listen to live tunes by local saxophonist Ryan Livings. A DJ will also be on the decks, so expect plenty of music. City Winery's chefs are hosting streetside barbecues as well, so you'll have something to tuck into other than seafood. Bookings aren't necessary, which means that you just need to gather the gang, head to the Valley, get comfy and grab a glass — or several.
Named one of the best places in the world to visit in 2022, southeast Queensland's Scenic Rim region isn't short on highlights, whether it's gorgeous scenery or farm-fresh produce you're after. Keen on the latter but can't make the trip south from Brisbane on Saturday, May 6?Don't worry — Bee All Natural, Canungra Creek Finger Limes, Cauldron Distillery, My Mountain Farm and more are coming to you. Save the road trip for another weekend — instead, head to the Farm Gate to City Door Scenic Rim Markets: Mother's Day Edition at the Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct. It'll operate from 8am–12pm, serving up everything from fruit and vegetables, honey straight from the hive and cheese through to craft beer, boutique spirits and fresh ice cream. You can also nab handmade bath and body products, as well as some seedlings to help start your own garden. This country-meets-city event returns to Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct after debuting in 2022 — and, if it gets you thinking about holidaying in the Scenic Rim, there's a stall for planning that as well. Live music will provide a soundtrack, plus Mica Brasserie will be doing coffees. Feel like hitting the river afterwards, and tucking into some of the produce you've just bought? GoBoat and its picnic boats is also right there. And, because this market is all about Mother's Day, expect plenty of gift ideas, as well as a yoga class from 7.30–8.30am.
Buy this for a dollar: a history-making gay rom-com that's smart, sweet, self-aware and funny, and also deep knows the genre it slips into, including the heteronormative tropes and cliches that viewers have seen ad nauseam. Actually, Billy Eichner would clearly prefer that audiences purchase tickets for Bros for more that that sum of money, even if he spent five seasons offering it to New Yorkers in Billy on the Street while sprinting along the sidewalk and yelling about pop culture. Thinking about that comedy series comes with the territory here, however, and not just because Eichner brought it back to promote this very movie. Starring and co-written by the Parks and Recreation and The Lion King actor — with Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the Bad Neighbours franchise's Nicholas Stoller directing and co-scripting — Bros both presents and unpacks the public persona that helped make Billy on the Street such a hit: opinionated, forceful and wry, as well as acidic and cranky. No one person, be it the version of himself that Eichner plays in the series that helped push him to fame or the fictional character he brings to the screen in Bros — or, in-between, his struggling comedian and actor part in three-season sitcom Difficult People, too — is just those five traits, of course. One of Bros' strengths is how it examines why it's easy to lean into that personality, where the sheen of caustic irritability comes from, the neuroses it's covering up and what all that means when it comes to relationships. The movie does so knowingly as well. It's well aware that Eichner's fans are familiar with his on-screen type, and that even newcomers likely are also. Accordingly, when Bros begins, Eichner's in-film alter ego is shouting about pop culture and being adamant, grumpy and cutting about it. In fact, he's on a podcast, where he's relaying his failed attempt to pen a script for exactly the kind of flick he's in. A mainstream, studio-produced gay romantic comedy that starts out riffing on the difficulties of making a mainstream, studio-produced gay romantic comedy? Yes, that's Bros. ("Am I going to be in the middle of some high-speed chase and all of a sudden fall in love with Ice Cube?", Eichner asks as the feature's protagonist Bobby Lieber.) A film about a gay man known for a biting and droll disposition, starring a gay man similarly known for that type of biting and droll disposition? Yes, that's Bros as well. It's also a movie that makes fun of Hallmark rom-com schmaltz while featuring one of the US network's go-tos — that'd be Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen, A Shoe Addict's Christmas, Christmas in My Heart and The Mistletoe Promise's Luke Macfarlane — and a flick blasting Schitt's Creek some scorn while charting a comparable queer storyline. So, it's a feature that wears its obviousness and its contradictions in tandem, purposefully and proudly. Eichner's Bobby is 40, just received an LGBTQIA+-community Best Cis Male Gay Man award and has a dream gig setting up America's first national queer history museum. Rom-com logic, which Bros heartily subscribes to, means he has to discover his seeming opposite in a memorable way: a gay dance party where he complains to shirtless probate lawyer Aaron Shepard (Macfarlane) and finds sparks flying. How Stoller and Eichner handle this scene says plenty about the film, and the authentic view of gay romance, dating and sex it's committed to. Neither man — Grindr-swiping, emotionally unavailable, hardly content as they both are — is anything but himself. For Bobby, that means awkwardly flirting, getting furious when Aaron disappears mid-conversation, tracking him down and telling him about it, but also being non-committal and even angry for being attracted to him. For Aaron, it involves continuing to breeze around the party like nothing out of the ordinary has happened; "I'm supposed to fuck him and his husband later," he tells Bobby about two other buff, sweaty guys on the dancefloor as they're chatting. Even when the genre isn't giving the world the first romantic comedy about two gay men to be released by a major Hollywood studio — the first romantic comedy both written by and starring an openly gay man as well, and also one with an entirely LGBTQ+ main cast — rom-coms adore Bros' basic scenario. In the broad strokes, there's plenty that's universal in the overarching storyline about opposites attracting, the chaos that springs, and the risks and vulnerabilities it takes to love someone. Still, even when it's nodding to Meg Ryan's filmography and also managing to be a Christmas flick as well — and when it's brightly shot and bouncily paced, which is always — this is never a movie where its leads just happen to be gay. A straight couple couldn't just be subbed in with zero changes, and the chief aim is never to show that the same stock-standard struggles plague everyone in matters of the heart regardless of sexuality. Instead, Bros is brimming with detail specific to being a gay man today. That's true in the throuples, group sex and "must see pic of ass" dating-app requests that spark a hunt for ring lights and razors, and in the commentary about tragedy-heavy mainstream queer movies that typically catapult heterosexual actors to Hollywood awards. And, it echoes in the short but hilarious gag about a fictional new app called Zellweger, "for gays who want to talk about actresses and go to bed". Bros spans further, however, examining how Bobby has internalised a lifetime of homophobia directed his way, how that's shaped the persona he projects to the world, its influence over his romantic outlook and his underlying self-criticism. When the film also ponders why he's so conflicted about Aaron, and so acerbic and cynical towards parts of queer culture and its stereotypes, it digs into the same ideas — with a joke always mere seconds away, but with both thoughtfulness and heart. Bros remains unashamedly frothy, although never syrupy or saccharine. It's predictable, even if you've somehow only ever seen one rom-com before now. It runs on charm, care, warmth and insight, though — and more than enough eagerness to make the most of making history. There's just as much willingness, too, to add weight and heft to the picture's gay take on rom-com conventions, all amid Debra Messing appearances, Cher gags, Fire Island's Bowen Yang having all the fun as a rich investor, and the savvy bickering between Bobby's museum colleagues about the infinite shades of the rainbow gleaming in the LGBTQIA+ community. Crucially, there's an engaging and heartfelt boy-meets-boy story at the core of it all, as brought to the screen with two well-matched and affecting performances, in a movie that's determined to be equally honest, pioneering and entertaining.
"I kneel before no one," says Teth-Adam, aka Black Adam, aka the DC Comics character that dates back to 1945, and that Dwayne Johnson (Red Notice) has long wanted to play. That proclamation is made early in the film that bears the burly, flying, impervious-to-everything figure's name, echoing as a statement of might as well as mood: he doesn't need to bow down to anyone or anything, and if he did he wouldn't anyway. Yet the DC Extended Universe flick that Black Adam is in — the 11th in a saga that's rarely great — kneels frequently to almost everything. It bends the knee to the dispiritingly by-the-numbers template that keeps lurking behind this comic book-inspired series' most forgettable entries, and the whole franchise's efforts to emulate the rival (and more successful) Marvel Cinematic Universe, for starters. It also shows deference to the lack of spark and personality that makes the lesser DC-based features so routine at best, too. Even worse, Black Adam kneels to the idea that slipping Johnson into a sprawling superhero franchise means robbing the wrestler-turned-actor himself of any on-screen personality. Glowering and gloomy is a personality, for sure, but it's not what's made The Rock such a box office drawcard — and, rather than branching out, breaking the mould or suiting the character, he just appears to be pouting and coasting. He looks the physical part, of course, as he needs to playing a slave-turned-champion who now can't be killed or hurt. It's hard not to wish that the Fast and Furious franchise's humour seeped into his performance, however, or even the goofy corniness of Jungle Cruise, Johnson's last collaboration with filmmaker Jaume Collet-Serra. The latter has template-esque action flicks Unknown, Non-Stop, Run All Night and The Commuter on his resume before that, and helms his current star here like he'd rather still directing Liam Neeson. That said, Black Adam, the character, has much to scowl about — and scowl he does. Black Adam, the film, has much backstory to lay out, with exposition slathered on thick during the opening ten minutes. As a mere human in 2600 BCE in the fictional Middle Eastern country of Kahndaq, its namesake was among an entire populace caught under a cruel ruler hungry for power, and for a powerful supernatural crown fashioned out a mineral called 'eternium' that said subjects were forced to mine. Now, 5000 years later, Black Adam is a just-awakened mortal-turned-god who isn't too thrilled about the modern world, or being in it. Bridging the gap: the fact that back in the day, one boy was anointed with magic by ancient wizards to defend Kahndaq's people (the word "shazam!" gets uttered, because Black Adam dwells in the same part of the DCEU as 2019's Shazam! and its upcoming sequel), but misusing those skills ended in entombment until modern-day resistance fighters interfere. The above really is just the preamble. Black Adam is freed by widowed professor Adrianna (Sarah Shahi, Sex/Life), who is trying to fight the Intergang, the mercenaries who've been Kahndaq's new oppressors for decades — and, yes, Black Adam gets caught up in that battle. But being out and about, instead of interred in a cave, gets the attention of the Justice Society. The DCEU already has the Justice League and the Suicide Squad, but it apparently still needs another super-powered crew. Indeed, Suicide Squad and The Suicide Squad's Amanda Waller (Viola Davis, The First Lady) even shows up to help put this new gang together. That's how Hawkman (Aldis Hodge, One Night in Miami), Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan, The Misfits), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell, Voyagers) and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo, the To All the Boys movies) don their caped-crusader getup and try to stop Black Adam, or convince him to stop himself. Another blatant act of kneeling on this film's part: its new team. The Justice Society isn't new on the page, and some of its number pre-date their patent Marvel counterparts — but reaching the screen now, after the MCU and the X-Men movies, makes this bunch seem like a rehash. Wings like the Falcon, seeing the future like Dr Strange, controlling the weather like Cyclone, changing size like Ant-Man: that's all covered here, and it's impossible not to make comparisons. That Hawkman, Doctor Fate, Cyclone and Atom Smasher are also given little personality doesn't help. The cast behind them visibly commit, and there's a better flick to be made with far more Brosnan waving around a golden helmet in it (a welcomely sillier one, too), but character development clearly wasn't high among screenwriters Adam Sztykiel (Scoob!), Rory Haines (The Mauritanian) and Sohrab Noshirvani's (also The Mauritanian) priorities. As often proves the case in this genre, because superhero movies have been their own genre for years, the main aim of Black Adam is laying the groundwork for more to come. The titular figure gets an origin story, then an entryway into the broader DCEU, then sets up future franchise appearances, then teases the next step via the obligatory post-credits sting — stop us when this doesn't sound familiar. It's little wonder, then, that everyone around Black Adam feels like filler, including Adrianna's son Amon (Bodhi Sabongui, The Baby-Sitters Club), as well as the villain of the piece. And it's hardly surprising that any attempts at thematic relevance or resonance are thinner than Black Adam's smile. This tries to be a picture about the great responsibility that comes with great power (yep, again), choosing to do the right thing, and the thorniness of being an anti-hero, and also about the merits (or not) of throwing American force around (or not) in other countries; 'tries' is the key word. Collet-Serra does give Sabongui the best action sequences, though, all involving sneaking out of, skateboarding around and skirting attacks in his apartment/building. There's a tactile sense to these moments — as lively and as lived-in as the film gets, too — that's thoroughly absent in the bland, generic look and feel elsewhere. That Black Adam kneels before and could simply be mashing up parts of 300, Clash of the Titans and Tomb Raider for much of its running time, especially visually, just makes a dull movie duller (the DCEU really can't move on from Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League director Zack Snyder, so it seems). When the feature busts out The Rolling Stones' 'Paint It Black', because of course it does, it's both as obvious a choice as there is and a rare dose of energy. And when it shows iconic spaghetti western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on a TV screen, wishing you were watching that instead comes swiftly — or watching Aquaman's gleeful ridiculousness, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)'s rampant flair, or the non-DCEU weightiness of Joker or The Batman, actually.
Aside from that time Bart Simpson called Australia and learnt that Australian toilets drain clockwise (and subsequently had to travel out 'ere to apologise), The Simpsons hasn't really uncovered many of our country's truths. But that's not true anymore with a new Simpsons short — which takes place outside the Sydney Opera House — released online yesterday. In the video, Homer manages to take down our accents, diss Rupert Murdoch, meet the Sydney seal and get attacked by seagulls in little more than a minute. It was created by Matt Groening ahead of his appearance at the Sydney Opera House for their GRAPHIC festival, which will run over one weekend in November. The fest celebrates pop culture and graphic storytelling, animation and music. Groening will be doing a keynote (which has already sold out), as well as a talk with fellow cartoonist Lynda Barry. Finally, the rest of the world can know the truth: the Australian animal to be afraid of isn't snakes — it's seagulls. Watch the full short video below. Video: THE SIMPSONS TM & ©2016 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.
Australia's annual Alliance Francaise French Film Festival marked its 30th year back in 2019, and celebrated the big occasion with no troubles at all. Proving that no one loves entering their 30s, however, the event hit a few struggles when it turned 31. That happened in March 2020, when Australia started to go into lockdown. The fest was already underway, so AFFFF had to stop screening, postpone its plans, then pick things up again in July and August after cinemas started reopening. Here's hoping that 2021, the fest's 32nd year, all runs smoothly. AFFFF has 37 films on its hefty lineup this time around, and it's touring them around the country from March 2–April 22. The event will be making its usual capital city stops, so French movie fans in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart can start blocking out time in their diaries. There'll also be seasons playing in Byron Bay and Parramatta as well. As for what you'll be seeing, AFFFF will open its 2021 lineup with Eiffel, a new biopic starring Romain Duris (All the Money in the World) as the civil engineer who gave Paris' most famous attraction its name. At the other end of its program, the fest will close out with rom-com #Iamhere, which follows a French chef who falls in love via Instagram. And, in-between its two big bookending events, viewers can look forward to a heap of movies starring recognisable faces — including Monica Bellucci, Lupin's charming Omar Sy, the incomparable Isabelle Huppert and Kristin Scott Thomas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXVezkYnDL0 Highlights include The Man Who Sold His Skin, a twisty tale about a Syrian refugee, a tattoo artist and an unusual bargain; Summer of 85, the latest film from acclaimed director François Ozon; and police drama Night Shift, which dives deep into not only law enforcement, but alsoits handling of immigration matters. Or, there's Fahim, the Little Chess Prince, about the Bangladeshi refugee who became a national French chess champion; The Godmother, which sees Huppert tussle with the drug game; and Aline, which is inspired by the life of Céline Dion. Elsewhere, the story of France's first restaurant hits the screen via 18th-century-set period drama, Delicious; Final Set sees an ageing tennis player try to win the French Open; Miss follows a boy who'd like to enter the Miss France beauty pageant; and delightful animated feature Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary imagines Calamity Jane's early years. Fans of Deerskin filmmaker Quentin Dupieux can also check out his latest, Mandibles — and, because AFFF always shows at least one absolute classic French flick, this year it's screening Jean-Luc Godard's 1959 masterpiece Breathless. Check out the festival trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBm8ztOVnC4 The Alliance Française French Film Festival tours Australia from March 2–April 22, screening at Sydney's Palace Central, Palace Verona, Palace Norton Street, Chauvel Cinema and Hayden Orpheum Cremorne from March 2–April 5; Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Astor Theatre, The Kino and Pentridge Cinema from March 3–April 5; Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Windsor Cinema, Luna on SX and Camelot Outdoor Cinema from March 10–April 11; Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace James Street from March 17–April 15; and Adelaide's Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas from March 23–April 22. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the AFFFF website.
Usually when you're at a bar choosing which kind of cocktail to sip, you're picking between multiple different styles. That's still the case at Sasso Italiano, the new Woolloongabba bar and trattoria in the inner east suburb's South City Square precinct — but selecting one of the 11 different negronis on the list is the most tempting option. Opening on Thursday, November 18, this Logan Road newcomer pours classic negronis, fig negronis, negroni sodas and negronis made with Campari and orange sorbet — and they're just some of the options. There's also the vintage birthday negroni, which features a different gin, vermouth and Campari from between the 60s and the 00s, depending on the year you were born. Sasso Italiano does more than drinks, of course — although its beverage lineup also spans a tiramisu martini made with mascarpone and amaretto foam, a G&T that features peach bitters, and the venue's own take on manhattans and margaritas. There's also three types of spritzes, three non-boozy cocktails (including a nogroni, of course), and a sizeable range of natural wines. And, beer-wise, it's serving a bespoke Birra Cazino from Aether Brewing that's made exclusively for the bar. With former Ovolo and QT Food and Beverage Directors Vincent Lombino and Jared Thibault behind the eatery, and Head Chef Gabriele Di Landri (ex-Dolphin Hotel, Chiswick Restaurant and Aria) leading the open-plan kitchen, Sasso Italiano's food menu is also a big drawcard. Think: 11 types of pizza, pastas including spaghetti cacio e pepe and linguine marinara, and bistecca alla fiorentina, Tuscan steak and Mediterranean-style half roast chicken among the mains. For those after a smaller bite, the starters selection includes gnocco fritto and arancini, while the crudo lineup features oysters, king salmon and and yellow fin tuna tartare. Or, opt for 50-gram charcuterie servings, house-pickled sardines, confit octopus and the trusty favourite that is burrata. Desserts span tiramisu — to pair with one of those aforementioned tiramisu martinis, perhaps — plus cannoli, bomboloni, a range of gelato and sorbet, and a cheese selection. And, if plenty of Sasso Italiano's dishes sound like classics, that's because the restaurant and bar is going for an old-school, neighbourhood-style, 70s-inspired feel. Dim lighting suits the mood, as does the warm-hued colour palette and wraparound seating. Sasso Italiano marks the first of Lombino and Thibault's planned eateries in South City Square, with more set to open by May 2022. Find Sasso Italiano at South City Square, 4/148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba, from Thursday, November 18 — open for lunch from 12–3pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and for dinner from 5–10.30pm from Tuesday–Saturday.
Based on James Patterson's world wide best selling novels, Alex Cross follows the action-packed journey of young detective/psychologist (Tyler Perry) as he meets his match in a serial killer (Matthew Fox) who is fascinated by pain and specialises in torturing his victims. In this psychological thriller Cross is pushed to his moral limits and when the mission gets personal, he is willing to protect his family at all costs. Alex Cross (previously played by veteran Morgan Freeman in Kiss The Girls & Along Came A Spider) embarks on a high-stakes mission to put an end to a vicious serial killer in this high-speed, suspenseful action thriller. Concrete Playground has 15 double passes to giveaway to see Alex Cross. To go in the running just subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au
It can be difficult to unearth quality gifts for our paternal figures — especially when it's at a distance. No matter how many times your pops insists on "not wanting any presents" this year, you know that deep down he does. To take the guesswork out of gift giving on Dad's big day, we've compiled a list of six interesting presents you can send the father figure in your life. Whether you're near or far from the human you'd like to celebrate this September, these gifts will ensure you attain favourite child status from the comfort of your couch. THE BEER-LOVING DAD When Father's Day rolls around, the Beer-Loving Dad will want to spend it with a cold one in hand. But, being a special occasion, it's likely he'll want to go beyond his usual brew. To mix things up for your dad this Father's Day, consider sending him a BoozeBud Hops and Socks for Pops Gift Pack. Inside, he'll find 16 delicious types of beer to try, including pale ales, IPAs, lagers, sours and a comfy pair of socks to match. The pack includes independent brewery mainstays like Stone & Wood and Coopers, plus newer kids on the block such as Capital Brewing Co and Atomic Beer Project. THE ACTIVE DAD Know a dad that really loves being active? Like, a lot. You know the type — they're up at the crack of dawn for a lycra-clad, early morning cycle or a surf before they head to work. If you've got one of these in your life, then there's a good chance he could do with a new pair of running shoes because the Active Dad is known to keep a close watch of their step count. So, why not help them hit their daily 10000 strides in style with a pair of new Nike kicks. They're practical, versatile and, if you choose wisely, could elevate your dad's street cred tenfold. THE MASTERCHEF DAD Some dad's are famous for whipping up one-pot wonders. If you've never heard of this culinary creation before, lucky you. Typically, this dish consists of an assortment of limp vegetables tossed into a singular pot with stock and whatever herbs and/or spices happen to be in the pantry. Then, after being boiled within an inch of its life, dinner is served. Other dads, however, take their cooking much more seriously. Whether the father figure in your life is merely an expert in tinned things on toast or could be a serious contender on the next season of MasterChef Australia, sending a quality cookbook his way this Father's Day is top-tier gift idea. Not sure which one to buy? Try Cooking with Koori by Nathan Lyons or The Chin Chin Book bursting with recipes and intel from Benjamin Cooper. THE OUTDOORSY DAD Have a dad who's obsessed with the great outdoors? He's a loveable character who's a huge fan of getting out of town, off the grid and into good ol' fashioned nature. Perhaps this human is still reeling over the cancellation of the TV show of the same name back in 2009. If that's your guy, consider slinging him a lil something that'll level up his outdoor adventure set up and help fill the Ernie Dingo-shaped hole in his heart. We suggest sending a lightweight camping hammock or the latest cooking gear so he can test it out at home — even if the backyard is the furthest he can travel this Father's Day. THE DAD JOKE DAD A lot of dad's consider themselves comedic masterminds. Maybe there's an anonymous course they attend right before the birth of their children that instils a wacky sense of humour in them. Or, perhaps simply becoming a dad unlocks something that was within them all along. Either way, the Dad Joke Dad is a sucker for top-notch merch to help to show off his kooky personality. Thankfully, the BoozeBud Hops and Socks for Pops Gift Pack contains a pair of sidesplitting socks that dad will never want to take off. THE MUSO DAD The Muso Dad often considers himself as a rebellious type. But, despite his desire to be counter-cultural, he is somewhat easy to spot in the wild and typically exhibit one or more of the following behaviours: a history of taking you to live gigs; owning Rage merchandise; and unironically throwing around the phrase "back when music was good". Sorting out a few tickets to your muso dad's favourite band is a lil trickier this year, so we suggest taking his advice and digging into the music archives. Do your darndest to find that vinyl he's been chasing for years; sort him out with a Spotify membership complete with personalised playlists of his faves; or, if you've got a bit of extra cash to splash, send him a record player so he can dust off the record collection and put it to good use. We recommend checking out Sydney's Repressed Records, Melbourne's Discrepancy Records or Rocking Horse Records in Brisbane. Learn more about BoozeBud by visiting the website here. Top image: Discrepancy Records, Tracey Ah-kee
If you've ever felt guilty about staying at home on a Saturday night to play video games, learn Beyoncé dance moves off YouTube or watch six straight hours of Netflix — don't. The Sydney Opera House has just announced that they'll be hosting an epic overnight 24-hour festival dedicated to binging on pop culture in a totally acceptable social setting. Think Buffy marathons, Street Fighter, Shia LeBeouf — and cats. Bingefest is a brand new festival for the Opera House (their first newbie in five years) and will pull together this year's pop culture phenomenons to discuss, celebrate and — most importantly — enjoy them for what they are when it comes to the Opera House for 24 hours (or so) this December 17 and 18. The biggest announcement is that actor and artist Shia LeBeouf — along with collaborators Nastja Säde Rönkkön and Luke Turner — will be coming along to the fest. Best known for their live performance art like Take Me Anywhere, where they posted their coordinates and waited for the first people to find them and pick them up, the trio will be creating a work especially for Bingefest. No word on what it is yet though. The program — which will run from about 3pm on Saturday until 6am on Monday morning — includes a whole range of things we consume on the Internet, from TV and video games to podcasts and viral videos. Running overnight on the Saturday will be a Buffy marathon, in which lovers of the kickass femme vampire can relive the best episodes all over again (and all night), as well as a 24-hour Street Fighter session. Those familiar with the cult '80s video game will be able to drop in at any point in the night for a go. Other highlights include a talk from The AV Club, where four of their editorial staff will take you through all the TV you should have watched by now. Community's Dan Harmon and Luke McGregor and Celia Pacquola (from the soon-to-air ABC show Rosehaven) will write a TV-show from scratch in front of an audience, Serial producer Julie Snyder will discuss binge-worthy journalism and Amrita Hepi will hold two Rihanna and Beyoncé dance clases in the Opera House's ballet rehearsal room (perfect post-Buffy binge). Redfern Convenience Store will even be holding a pop-up snack store. Also, in what could be the most captivating performance the forecourt has seen this year, the Internet Cat Festival will make its Sydney debut on the Saturday night. It will be held in partnership with the RSPCA and will be goddamn adorable. Bingefest founder and curator Danielle Harvey says the festival is an opportunity for people to consume pop culture together as a community. As something that's largely consumed personally at home, the live participation of festival makes it a whole different experience. Danielle is a co-curator of other Opera House events like All About Women and the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, but unlike the other festivals that incorporate elements of pop culture, Bingefest will be 100 percent dedicated to featuring it in a more celebratory way. Bingefest will take place at the Sydney Opera House from the afternoon of Saturday, December 17 until the morning of Monday, December 19. FOr more info and to buy tickets, visit bingefest.sydneyoperahouse.com.
Whether you're a longtime Brisbane local or just in town for the week, the possibilities to feel as though you're experiencing a new city are endless. From brand-new bar openings to immersive experiences popping up, this city can surprise you and make you want to stay just that little bit longer. In partnership with online travel website Wotif.com, we've rounded up a bunch of happenings across the city that you might not have checked out yet. But, look sharp: some of them are here for a good time, not a long time. Complete a Pop-Up Escape Room Challenge for the Chance to Win Big on Travel If you're in need of a holiday (aren't we all?), we've found a way to make those dreams a reality even sooner. Between Wednesday, March 26 and Friday, March 28, King George Square is hosting a very exciting free pop-up that will give you the chance to score a $5000 Wotif Domestic Travel Credit. All you have to do to be in the running is enter The Wotif Great Summer Escape, a multi-sensory escape room with a series of puzzles waiting for you to crack. Each puzzle solved unlocks a door with views of beautiful Australian locations, which in turn earns you a token to enter the draw. There are also spot prizes up for grabs, such as hotel coupons valued between $250-500, but if you can't make it down, the competition can also be entered online. Visit Brisbane's New Self-Pour Wine Bar Being able to sample some of the world's best wines for a fraction of the price? We'll say cheers to that. That's the driving force behind Woolloongabba's new wine bar, Stickybeak. From the crew behind BTG Wine, Stickybeak has over 80 labels on offer across its two-level venue, ranging from local drops to bottles from Germany, France and New Zealand. It offers pours in 25-, 75- and 150-millilitre amounts, so you can sample a bunch without breaking the bank. And we haven't even gotten to the best part yet: no need to stress about waving down a bartender because the venue has ten self-serve dispensing wine fridges. You just tap your card, select your pour size and it does the rest. If you happen to be watching the two upcoming Brisbane Lion games, why not stay at a hotel nearby and enjoy this bar pre- or post-game? Explore Antarctica Without Leaving the City Tourism to Antarctica seems to be having a moment on social media but it's not without its ethical and environmental challenges. So here's a way to visit the big white continent guilt-free. As part of World Science Festival Brisbane, QUT The Cube is hosting a free experience across Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29. It uses 29 multi-touch screens to immerse you in the vast Antarctic landscape and demonstrate how various robotic systems are helping to explore and research this fragile ecosystem safely and efficiently. Eat Dinner Prepared by an Internet-Famous Japanese Chef If your social media algorithms are tuned to food content, you've no doubt come across Motokichi Yukimura before. As flamboyant as his pink-hued hair, Yukimura has been cooking for over 45 years and made a name for himself for perfecting one dish, omurice (omelette rice), which he serves at Kyoto restaurant Kichi Kichi. Though, we think it's as much about the performance he puts on as it is about the actual food. Between Sunday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 25, Brisbane locals can get the Kichi Kichi experience at Harajuku Gyoza with Yukimara hosting a series of "meet and eat" sessions, which includes the viral omurice dish, a bunch of other Harajuku Gyoza signature plates and meeting the chef. Be fast though, there are only a few booking slots still available. Need a place to stay nearby? Try one of these South Brisbane hotels. Then Enjoy a Campfire-Inspired Cruffin for Dessert Although summer is almost over there are some elements of winter worth getting excited about. Not having to pump the air con, for one. Another? Winter getaways. And one of the best things about an off-grid escape is getting cosy by a campfire. To get you in the wintery mood, the masters at Lune have whipped up a monthly special inspired by the classic campfire treat, s'mores. The Toasted Marshmallow features a cruffin rolled in biscuit sugar, filled with choc-fudge sauce and a toasted marshmallow whip, then topped with mini marshmallows and strawberry sherbet. Give us five. The Wotif Great Summer Escape is running from March 26-28 between 8am-6pm. For more information or to enter the competition online, head to the website. AU residents 18+ only. Runs 26-28 March '25 Entry method 1: during promo period, go to game room activation at King George Square, Bne (8am – 6pm) & solve puzzles (in 3 mins) to unlock doors to find tokens - each token = 1 entry into draw (must fill in entry form via Rep's iPad onsite). Max 1 turn in game p/person p/day. Play as individual or as a team (max. 6 ppl). For teams, each person in team (18+) gets same # of entry/ies into draw as any token/s collected by team. Entry method 2: during promo dates (between 12.01am – 11.59pm AEST) visit www.wotif.com/vc/blog/summerescape & solve puzzle on screen to fill out entry form to get 1 entry into draw. Max 1 entry p/person for this entry method. Entries from both entry methods combined for draw, held at 12pm AEST 01/04/25, L13, 447 Collins St, Melb Vic. 3 prizes: 1st drawn wins $5000AUD Wotif.com Travel credit, 2nd drawn wins $500 Wotif hotel coupon, 3rd drawn wins $250AUD Wotif hotel coupon (use coupons to make booking by 31/08/25. Max 1 prize p/person (except in SA). Winners told by email & published on website 28/04/25. See website for full conditions incl. privacy statement. Promoter: Expedia Australia Pty Limited (ABN 12 101 694 946). SA Permit: T25/306 ACT Permit: TP25/00409
There’s more to Chicks on Speed than 'We Don’t Play Guitars', the 2003 single so catchy that you probably have it stuck in your head just from reading its title. They pioneered the electroclash style of 1980s disco meets 1990s synth pop, but that’s still only the beginning of their feats. Since forming in Munich in 1997, the multidisciplinary art collective has dabbled in performance, collage, photography, textiles, short films and more. By more, we mean smashing records while DJing, and founding illegal bars. We also mean creating wearable sound sculptures, called objektinstruments. Now you can sample just what makes the music and fine art ensemble great across the audio and visual spectrums. In their first exhibition with Milani Gallery, they’ll present a selection of new and recent efforts from their range of artforms. Expect a little bit of everything — and, in keeping with Chicks on Speed’s style, expect surprises.
Prepare yourself for a serious dose of girl power: Janelle Monáe and Kimbra are joining forces for an Australian tour. The two pop heavyweights, who bonded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland last July, are coming to Australia for The Golden Electric Tour at the end of May. Scheduled for four shows throughout Australia, the dynamic duo is hitting up the Brisbane Convention Centre on Wednesday, May 21. The award-winning pop powerhouses will co-headline the tour, combining forces for a portion of the show while also playing individual sets. Kimbra and Monáe first made sweet music together at an impromptu bar gig when they met last year. Their taste for eccentric pop music coupled with fierce vocals proved a heavenly match, thus the idea for a joint tour was born. To (successfully) hype us all up for the endeavour, the pair released an unfathomably adorable video singing a mash-up of Aretha Franklin's 'Rock Steady' and Michael Jackson's 'Wanna Be Startin' Something', both of which are sure to be on the set list. Monáe will feature tracks from her 2013 release The Electric Lady, as well as her celebrated 2010 debut album The ArchAndroid. Kimbra is expected to release the follow-up to her 2011 album Vows later this year, so fans should expect some new gems amongst the singalongs. Tickets go on sale 10am on Thursday, April 17 via Live Nation. Pre-sale is available for My Live Nation members at 10am on Monday, April 14. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SyqltX5lRhQ
As well as its prime riverside spot on Brisbane Powerhouse's ground level, the city's new all-day watering hole boasts something that most other bars don't: one hell of a tomato juice bill. Now open in the space that was previously home to WATT Bar and Restaurant, Proud Mary slings southern-inspired fare and bloody marys as its drink of choice. Other cocktails, craft beers and wines are also on offer, but there's no doubting what the house favourite is. Choose from five different types of bloody mary, both as single drinks and in jugs to share — or tuck into a $45 five-course bloody mary brunch every Saturday, with optional bottomless booze (for an extra $30), too. Focusing on New Orleans-style and other French-influenced southern meals, Proud Mary's culinary lineup is heavy on both seafood and comfort. Think oysters with gazpacho, king salmon ceviche and oyster po'boys sliders, plus griddled crab cakes, pork belly sandwiches, and poutine with cheese curds and gravy. On the share platter front, you can build your own brisket tortillas, opt for a spread of the ocean's finest or feast on buttermilk fried chicken. Opening at 9.30am on weekdays and 8am on weekends, the brunch menu features croque monsieurs and madames, with specific weekend-only additions including goat's cheese tartine burgers, and hazelnut and almond-filled omelettes. And if you'd like a little entertainment with your meal, Proud Mary's will also host live music every weekend — between 2–6pm on Saturdays and 1–5pm on Sundays. Find Proud Mary on the ground floor of Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm, open from 9.30am–9pm Mondays to Wednesdays, 9.30am–9.30pm on Thursdays, 9.30am–10.30pm on Fridays, 8am–10.30pm on Saturdays and 8am–9pm on Sundays.
Maybe you hop on the ballot the moment that it opens each year. Perhaps you wait to find out who'll be behind the mic before trying to nab tickets. Either way, Golden Plains dropping its lineup is always big news. In 2025, get ready to see PJ Harvey, Fontaines DC, 2manydjs and Kneecap — and also Wet Kiss, Durand Jones & The Indications, Magdalena Bay, Osees and Thelma Plum. And yes, that's just the beginning. Come Saturday, March 8–Monday, March 10, 2025, it'll be time to dance among the autumn leaves in regional Victoria again, at the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre in the same place that Meredith Music Festival also calls home. And now that the lineup is here, you still have the chance to put your name down to get tickets. This round of Golden Plains will mark the fest's 17th year. The ticket ballot has been a part of the event since its debut — and this year's is now open until 10.17pm AEDT on Monday, October 21, 2024, which means that clicking ASAP is recommended. Catering to 12,000 punters each year across three days and two nights, the fest has long proven a favourite for its one-stage setup, which skips the need for frantic timetabling. And, like Meredith Music Festival, its sibling, Golden Plains is also known for the Aunty crew's star-studded bills. [caption id="attachment_976058" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Theo Cottle[/caption] Golden Plains 2025 Lineup PJ Harvey Fontaines DC 2manydjs Wet Kiss Durand Jones & The Indications Magdalena Bay Osees Kneecap Thelma Plum Grace Cummings Bahamadia Hermanos Gutiérrez Ela Minus Bonny Light Horseman Adriana Mulga Bore Hard Rock CCL Teether & Kuya Neil Skeleten Zjoso Jada Weazel Elliot & Vincent Storytelling with Uncle Barry Sun Ra Arkestra Golden Plains images: Chip Mooney and Ben Fletcher.
Spontaneity and Gelato Messina's special desserts don't usually go hand in hand. Normally when the ice cream chain drops a limited-edition dish, you need to order it days or even weeks in advance, then collect it at an allocated time. And, that was indeed the case with its new honey joy version of its bake-at-home sticky scroll, which was announced earlier this week. The key word: was. Messina baked too many, so now you can also nab one across the weekend of Friday, September 22–Sunday, September 24. This brand, nostalgia and limited-edition desserts go together quite nicely. The cult-favourite ice creamery not only loves making one-off specials in general — it adores whipping up delights based on the dishes you loved as a kid. Scrolls — or snails, as Messina calls them — are no strangers to the brand's range. Neither are honey joy treats, after it made a honey joy cookie pie in 2022. But combining the two is indeed a new development. Yes, it'll take you all the way back to your tuckshop days, and ensure that you can skip your next cereal breakfast. So, what exactly is a honey joy sticky snail? It's a scroll-like dish that's made to feed several people — four-to-six is Messina's recommendation — as filled with vanilla crème pâtissière. On top, you'll find honey joy clusters and honey caramel. And to go with it, because Messina is all about frosty desserts, is cereal milk gelato. This is another of the chain's Frankenstein's monster-style indulgences — and the entire pack includes the snail and a one-litre tub of gelato. If you're keen to get yourself a piece, you can order online to collect in store over the weekend, get it brought to your door via Uber Eats or try your luck by heading into your nearest Messina in person. Apparently the scroll serves four-to-six people, but whether that proves true or not is up to you. You can order Gelato Messina's honey joy stick snail packs online to collect in store over the weekend of Friday, September 22–Sunday, September 24, get it brought to your door via Uber Eats or try your luck by heading into your nearest Messina in person.
A collaboration that's immersed in colour and vibrancy, Sydney-based visual artist Dreamcatchersdreamtime, aka George Barnes, regularly teams up with the brains behind Think Positive Prints, Emilie Cacace. And they'll be doing so again for another iteration of the Miller Design Lab — an innovative event series we're hosting with Miller Genuine Draft at SoHigh Gallery in Melbourne, featuring some of the most exciting contemporary artists and musicians Australia has to offer. Here, we speak with Barnes and Cacace about creative inspirations and their latest project that brings a colourful, experimental spectacle to the Miller Design Lab on Saturday, March 23. George Barns and Emilie Cacace are more than just artistic collaborators. They're also partners outside of work, having recently turned their duo into a trio, with the arrival of son Louie, who has become a helpful source of inspiration. "I'm generally working on a few projects at once," says Barnes. "I always have creative chats with Emilie, talk about dream projects with my friends, and our son Louie always keeps me feeling inspired." As Dreamcatchersdreamtime, Barnes constructs powerful narratives that explore the universe through art, culture, lifestyle and ideas, all while he moonlights as the senior textile designer for much-loved Australian fashion label Sass & Bide. These collaborations between him and Cacace are something of a match made in heaven; she plays a leading role at Think Positive Prints, an internationally renowned digital printer specialising in ultra high-coloured and detailed fabrics. "I've been working with digital printing for the past 12 years, and I want my next major thing to be figuring out how to bring new life into the industry," explains Cacace. "I still want to create beautiful textiles and products, but treat them differently and not so literally." Since the pair has lived and worked together over the last nine years, they find great satisfaction whenever they have the chance to combine their skills."I watch George working on creative projects every night, dreaming up his next creation and collaboration — it's exciting to be able to print what he comes up with," explains Cacace. So for their latest collaboration, the Sydney-based duo is turning to a variety of unconventional fabrics to produce a spectacular array of new textures and patterns. They'll take over the SoHigh Gallery on Saturday, March 23, hosting a Miller Design Lab event that's set to stimulate audiences with intense music, light projections and flickers of gold. "Emilie and I are producing two large-scale textile pieces that will be integrated into the space down in Melbourne," says Barnes. "I think they're going to look really wonderful — rippling moire textures meet high-gloss, golden goodness!" Outside of their own work, the duo finds much artistic inspiration all over the world. Some of their favourites include the large-scale resin installations by Sterling Ruby, the environmental works of Olafur Eliasson and Jedda-Daisy Culley's spirited paintings. They also have a few regular Melbourne spots that they often gravitate towards whenever they need to recharge. "Baker Bleu has the best bread in Australia," says Barnes. "But we also love heading to Supernormal for a dope snack or Bar Americano for one of their next-level cocktails. And if we're after something a bit fancy, there's great French cuisine and vino at France-Soir." Despite all their successes, neither Barnes nor Cacace are thinking about slowing down. Soon, the pair are moving their creative practices to the United States. However, in the meantime, they have a range of projects to finish up in Australia. Undoubtedly an exciting time for the young family, they offer some advice for any hopeful artists out there: "do what you love doing deep down," says Barnes, before Cacace adds, "Start somewhere, grow and be proud of each stage. Experience is everything, so give it your all and talk, collaborate and get involved." Images: Kitti Gould.
If jungle vibes inside a Brisbane warehouse sounds like your perfect outing, head along to the Jungle Collective's indoor plant sale on Saturday, December 1. It's the second greenery-filled Brissie market from The Jungle Collective, a Melbourne nursery that stocks all kinds of weird and wonderful species. Yes, its trucking its way up north again for another Queensland venture. Whether you're after a hanging pot plant, some palms for the garden or a giant Bird of Paradise, chances are you'll find it here. Have a reputation for killing your cacti? Overwatering your ferns? Don't worry — there'll be horticulturalists on site on the night to give you advice and chat through any questions you might have. At a yet-to-be-revealed secret location, you can be inspired by greenery aplenty and learn to incorporate plants into your home and living spaces, all while browsing and soaking up some tunes. Best get in quick though — these markets are always popular, with more than 150 different species usually on offer. Due to expected demand, the sale will be held in four sessions on both days (8-10am, 10am-noon, 12-2pm and 2-4pm), and attendees will need to register for free tickets from noon on Monday, November 26. Plus, given that it's timed right in the lead up to Christmas, if you dress up like Aussie Santa — however you choose to interpret it — you'll get $5 off your purchase.
If jungle vibes inside a Coorparoo warehouse sounds like your perfect outing, head along to the Jungle Collective's indoor plant sale on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25. It's the latest greenery-filled Brissie market from The Jungle Collective, a Melbourne nursery that stocks all kinds of weird and wonderful species. Yes, it is trucking its way up north again for another Queensland venture. Whether you're after a hanging pot plant, some palms for the garden or a giant Bird of Paradise, chances are you'll find it here. Have a reputation for killing your cacti? Overwatering your ferns? Don't worry — there'll be horticulturalists on site on the night to give you advice and chat through any questions you might have. Get inspired by greenery aplenty and learn to incorporate plants into your home and living spaces, all while browsing and soaking up some tunes. Best get in quick though — these markets are always popular, with more than 150 different species usually on offer. Due to expected demand, the sale will be held in four sessions on Saturday (8-10am, 10am-noon, 12-2pm and 2-4pm) and two on Sunday (10am-noon, 12-2pm), and attendees will need to register for free tickets in advance. Plus, if you wear a onesie — and spend at least $10 — you'll get $5 off your purchase.
If jungle vibes inside a Brisbane warehouse sounds like your perfect outing, head along to the Jungle Collective's indoor plant sale on Saturday, October 20. It's the latest greenery-filled market from The Jungle Collective, a Melbourne nursery that stocks all kinds of weird and wonderful species. After opening up their warehouse, which isn't usually open to the public, for a markets on home turf and in Sydney, they're trucking their way up north for a one-off Brissie venture. Whether you're after a hanging pot plant, some palms for the garden or a giant Bird of Paradise, chances are you'll find it here. Have a reputation for killing your cacti? Overwatering your ferns? Don't worry — there'll be horticulturalists on site on the night to give you advice and chat through any questions you might have. Here, you can be inspired by greenery aplenty, and learn to incorporate plants into your home and living spaces, while browsing and soaking up some tunes. Best get in quick though — their Melbourne and Sydney markets are always popular, so we can only imagine that their first Brisbane appearance will be as well. Due to expected demand, the sale will be held in four sessions on both days (8-10am, 10am-noon, 12-2pm and 2-4pm), and attendees will need to register for free tickets from noon on Monday, October 15. Plus, if you wear a jungle-inspired print, you'll get $5 off your purchase.
The '90s really are the decade that just keeps on giving. You lived through the outfits and the music, then looked back with astonishment after they passed. Now, enough time has elapsed that you can embrace them again with the affection you’ve always been secretly harbouring. You know it's true. That’s where the ‘90s Music Video Party comes in, celebrating the decade everyone once pretended to forget but now loves to remember. Nostalgia is unavoidable as three hours of your favourite tunes set a retro mood, accompanied by the corresponding music videos on the big screen. Yes, the bubblegum pop of Aqua and the grunge of Soundgarden will combine, and the MMMbop of Hanson and the room shaking of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince too. Hop on to the event’s Facebook page in advance to request your must-hear track, then make like The Spice Girls and say you’ll be there.
What's better than swapping your pre-loved favourites for new goodies and finding hidden gems along the way? Helping out a charity while you shop! Alpha's Swap and Shop for Charity is a day for fashion lovers who are looking for gorgeous pieces that you won't find anywhere else. The goal of the day is to raise $100,000 for the children's charity, Variety. Lovers of vintage will be pleased with what's on offer at Swap and Shop. Not to mention, delicious designer pieces will also be up for grabs. Gorgeous dresses, tops, bottoms and accessories will be available and the quality of each item is checked before the day to ensure shoppers and swappers will be pleased with their new pieces. Not only are vintage and contemporary pieces on offer but everyone who attends the day gets a bag of treats worth $100. The day will be a fun fashion event with food, live entertainment and prizes. The main prize is a seven day getaway in the beautiful Northern New South Wales. So what are you waiting for, book your tickets online as they are sure to be snatched up quickly.
If you're of an age when you can remember burning your friend's So Fresh CD so you could stay up to date with the coolest songs of the season, congrats. You're old now. But also, congrats, because you will seriously enjoy this So Fresh shindig. Returning for yet another round, the old-school get-together to end all old-school get-togethers is coming to The Wickham from 10pm on Saturday, April 13, 2024 — and it'll be playing bangers strictly of the 2000s and early-2010s vintage. You can expect a sing-along to The Veronicas' 'Untouched', a 'Macarena' flashmob (even though the song dates back to the 90s) and, of course, 'Mr Brightside' as a finale. Tunes from High School Musical, Glee, One Direction, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Kelly Clarkson and LMFAO will also feature. And, just throwing this out there: we're desperately hoping for a comeback of the Duff sisters duet 'Our Lips Are Sealed'. As always, the retro tunes will come with plenty of party fun — such as 00s-themed drinks, a balloon wall for photos, a free glitter station, and even free fairy floss and lollipops. And the dress code? Donning threads from the era is recommended. Tickets are on sale now, and of course it's obviously 18 and over — because if you're under 18 you definitely don't know what So Fresh is. Or CDs, probably. If you need some motivation, let the Duff sisters take care of that:
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 — RNB Fridays has this morning unveiled its mystery act for this year's throwback tour: Brandy. The chart-topping R&B singer will be belting out 90s and 00s hits such as 'Never Say Never', 'Wanna Be Down' and, of course, 'The Boy Is Mine'. So, don't try and hesitate and snap up tickets before it's too late. Put down your So Fresh CD. Crack open your teenage piggy bank. Keep practising your Janet Jackson shimmy. Because a full-blown R&B frenzy is set to sweep the nation this November as live party tour RNB Fridays returns for five mammoth shows. Descending on stadiums in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth between November 8 and 16 (not all on Fridays, mind you), the event has managed to pull a pretty serious lineup of international music legends straight from the 90s and early 2000s. Last year, the event saw tens of thousands of people snap up tickets to see Usher, Salt-N-Pepa and T-Pain. Heading the bill this time around is none other than singing, songwriting, dancing royalty Janet Jackson, in what will be the 30th anniversary of her award-winning album Rhythm Nation. Expect to hear bangers such as 'That's The Way Love Goes' and 'Got 'Til It's Gone'. She'll be joined by Grammy Award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas, 'In da Club' rapper 50 Cent, plus Jason Derulo, Keri Hilson, J-Kwon, Fatman Scoop and Sisqo — who will be performing his 90s smash hit 'Thong Song'. All of them. Together. In one show. RNB FRIDAYS 2019 LINEUP Janet Jackson The Black Eyes Peas 50 Cent Jason Derulo Keri Hilson Sisqo J-Kwon Hosted by Fatman Scoop Brandy RNB FRIDAYS 2019 DATES Perth — HBF Park, Friday, November 8 Melbourne — Marvel Stadium, Saturday, November 9 Adelaide — Adelaide Showground, Sunday, November 10 Brisbane — Brisbane Showgrounds, Friday, November 15 Sydney — Giants Stadium, Saturday, November 16 RnB Fridays Live 2019 pre-sale tickets are up for grabs from Monday, August 12 with general admission on sale from August 19. Image: Janet Jackson 2015 Unbreakable Tour via WikiCommons, RNB Fridays by Mushroom Creative House.
Forget watching your way through the Step Up franchise — if you want to see top-notch street dancing, you just need to make your way to the Mad Dance Festival. For three days between Thursday, May 6–Saturday, May 8, it's bringing a feast of fancy footwork to Metro Arts in West End, complete with performances, talks and classes. If you're keen on checking out a heap of talented performers and their smooth moves, you have options. M.I.N.D.E.D. combines break and freestyle dancing in a boundary-pushing fashion — and pairs its hip hop choreography with an original score by Regurgitator's Ben Ely. Also a highlight: Anti Fischer's Love Letters in (e)Motion, which pushes back against the narrow ways in which women in love are depicted in movies. It's playing as part of a double bill with Cool Asian Mum's Guide to Life, with Amy Zhang taking her cues from life lessons and old Chinese wives' tales passed down by her mother. For those eager to learn a few tips and tricks, an artist talk session will let you hear from the folks doing the dancing. Or, you can join dancer Sheru Bharadwaja for a community dance class on the West Village green. [caption id="attachment_810999" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Kate Pardey[/caption] Top image: Chris Cielo
How many times have you busted a move on the dance floor to Rihanna and thought you really should do this more often? Well now it's time to put your money where your mouth is. Mad Dance House runs a weekly world dance course, where a style from around the world is taught for six weeks before rotating on to the next one. This week it's reggaeton, which blends reggae, hip hop and latin techniques — so you'll have to get your hips moving and lose any of those lingering inhibitions. All levels are welcome, including absolute beginners.
If you've been to the Brisbane Powerhouse, you've probably been to WATT. The restaurant on the venue's lower level is the kind of place where whiling away a bright afternoon feels like a breeze — and not just because of the zesty riverside air. Next time you head there before a show, a tasty brunch or just because you're in the area, prepare for a refreshing atmosphere on two fronts. The relaxed vibe remains the same, as does the name, but everything else has been transformed. Playing on its enviable location, WATT has decided to bring the outside in, complete with sunny dining areas, outdoor seating and a retractable roof. They’ve spruced up the bar snack, share plate-heavy menu to match, of course, with chilli popcorn, mini hot dogs, soft shell fish tacos and salt and pepper cuttlefish among their delicious-sounding offerings. And, in news certain to thrill arts lovers and theatre attendees everywhere, a special pre-theatre option has been added — plus, it's guaranteed to be ready before the curtain rises. For those looking for something more substantial — or with more time to spend eating and drinking— WATT also welcomes a sibling eatery to the fold. At New Farmer’s Kitchen, a produce-to-plate focus sees food fresh from the sea, farm and garden made into mouthwatering meals, including seafood chowder, Cone Bay barramundi, Caboolture roasted beetroot salad and a vegetarian antipasto board. Come September, the duo of dining establishments will start playing host to Sunday sessions with live music and DJs, if you needed any more reasons to stop by. After a few month's absence from Brisbanite's routines, WATT is back and better, it seems. Expect crowds of people finding out why. Find WATT and New Farmer’s Kitchen at 119 Lamington Street, New Farm, or check out the WATT website.
Films about humanity's affinity with animals are films about our ties to the natural world — and doesn't Blueback splash that truth around. Plunging from The Dry into the wet, writer/director Robert Connolly reteams with Eric Bana for another page-to-screen adaptation of a homegrown book; this is another movie inseparable from its landscape, too, again exploring the impact people have upon it. This time, however, Bana isn't the star. He's memorable as larrikin abalone diver and fisherman 'Mad' Macka, and this Tim Winton-based feature would've benefited from more of his presence, but the Dirty John actor is firmly in supporting mode. Set against the enticing Western Australian coast as the author's work tends to be, this is a picture about the sea's thrall, existential importance and inherent sense of connection — as filtered through the bond between a girl and a wild blue groper, plus the evolving relationship between that same child and her eco-warrior mother. Mia Wasikowska (Bergman Island) plays Blueback's fish-befriending protagonist as an adult, with the text's Abel becoming Abby here. Radha Mitchell (Girl at the Window) shares the screen as Dora, her widowed mother, early in the film's year-hopping timeline. Still, in their second of three movies in succession — arriving before upcoming The Dry sequel Force of Nature — Connolly and Bana dip back into familiar territory. Obvious swaps are evident, including a beachside rather than a farming community, and atrocities against the planet and its wildlife instead of crimes against people, but it's easy to see Blueback's appeal as a reunion project. Among the key differences as Abby and Dora fight to save their town and its aquatic treasures, still battling wrongs to strive for what's right: this is an overtly and eagerly family-friendly affair. When Blueback introduces Abby, she's a marine biologist trying to stop the earth's coral reefs from being destroyed. Then comes a call from home about her mum. In Longboat Bay, Dora (played in her elder years by Liz Alexander, Clickbait) has suffered a stroke — and, in a too-neat move, that medical situation is used to inspire Abby's memories of why she chose her line of work in the first place. While Winton's novella initially hit shelves in 1997, justifying someone caring for the environment is a very 2020s touch. Being concerned about the planet doesn't require an origin story for a second, but they're the tales that flicker across screens in droves of late. Not all heroes wear capes, yet movies about valiant deeds and worthy attitudes keep feeling obliged to couch them in such terms. Wasikowska is sincere and affecting as the older Abby, her performance bathed in equal parts melancholy and determination, but Blueback's best sequences don't always involve the Judy & Punch and Crimson Peak talent. Connolly has cast his three versions of Abby well; taking on the character as a pre-teen and then a high schooler, and conveying resolve buoyed by curiosity and youthful hope in the process, Wolf Like Me's Ariel Donoghue and screen debutant Ilsa Fogg are each commanding and compelling. The biggest scene-stealers? The intricate mechanised puppetry by Creature Technology Company, which brings the movie's namesake to life, plus Rick Rifici's (Facing Monsters) wondrous underwater cinematography. Indeed, Blueback's lack of subtlety about Dora's health is so unnecessary because the film's strikingly shot and staged moments between a kid and a mesmerising fish communicate everything that needs saying anyway, and genuinely make the audience feel as Abby feels. Having read Winton's book over the past quarter-century isn't a prerequisite for knowing how Abby and Blueback's connection flows. Although this is just the latest movie sparked by the writer's prose — see also: Dirt Music, Breath and anthology The Turning in the past decade alone, the latter of which Connolly produced and Wasikowska directed a segment of — spying Winton's usual love of water, the WA coast, the environment and coming-of-age tales isn't, either. The author's regular hallmarks float through Blueback, but a child forging a sense of fellowship with another critter, loving their domain and discovering themselves along the way is its trusty anchor. Cinema in general, and Australian cinema specifically, is so fond of this storyline that the resulting flicks are practically their own genre. Where the two versions of Storm Boy, the Red Dog pictures and Oddball have all paddled before, this feature now swims (with ripples of overseas efforts Free Willy and Pete's Dragon as well). On a varied resume that spans The Bank, Balibo, and TV shows The Slap and Barracuda, too, Connolly also helmed Paper Planes. Consequently, as that film illustrated with its underdog chronicle about mastering a new skill in the pursuit of childhood glory, he knows a thing or two about working with well-worn all-ages formulas that've been sweeping over screens for generations. As glaringly as the sun bouncing off a glistening expanse of blue as far as the eye can see, oh-so-much about Blueback fits an easy template. Chief among them: the conflict between the younger Dora and shady developer Costello (Erik Thomson, How to Please a Woman), who wants to snap up the land that Abby's family's shack stands on, reshape the shoreline to the detriment of its marine life and make a bundle, all with help from nefarious spearfishers. Thankfully, there's also an ocean's worth of heart beating within Connolly's current release, especially whenever the titular creature makes an enchanting appearance. An unflinchingly earnest movie about valuing the natural world and stopping its decimation, as told with visual splendour that helps make its point through spectacular below-the-sea imagery, yet struggling with nuance: yes, add Avatar: The Way of Water to the lengthy list of films that Blueback recalls. This Aussie feature premiered on the festival circuit before James Cameron's 13-years-in-the-making blockbuster, though. It's also a quieter and more tender experience. Nonetheless, while scenic lensing by Nude Tuesday's Andrew Commis catches the eye on dry land as well, Blueback similarly gets caught adrift above the tide. Blunt eco-focused flicks aren't going anywhere, however, and nor should they. As Dora and Abby do for their patch of sand, friendly groper and the blue rock we all call home, this movie is campaigning — broadly, simplistically yet still engagingly, and as a fable for viewers young and old alike.
While Brisbanites don't experience winter quite as much as our southern counterparts, we can still celebrate the chilly weather. To help you do so, Customs House is bringing back its popular igloo pop-up with fine French bubbly label Veuve Clicquot. The wintry wonderland is inspired by the French Alps, so you can get your winter escape without even having to leave the city. Opening from Friday, July 24, the aptly named Winter Chalet pop-up will see three igloo chalets take over the riverside spot. You can choose to stay out in the crisp air or book a night in your own private haven with your crew. Each igloo can fit between four and six people and has a minimum spend of $50 per person, which will be easy as long as you're willing to indulge in a few cocktails, glasses of champagne and snacks. In celebratory fashion, you'll be sipping glasses of Veuve Clicquot NV ($22) or, if you're keen to party, bottles of the fine bubbly ($120). Or, order yourself an espresso martini or Polish Mule, with vodka, elderflower, bitters, lime and ginger beer (both $20). Bottles of Veuve Clicquot Rosé ($130) and Veuve Clicquot 2008 Vintage ($260) will also be available, if you're keen to splash that cash, as well as a selection of wine, beer and spirits. For food, there'll be decadent snacks such as oysters ($5 each), scallops with chorizo crumb ($8 each), baked brie served with thyme and crostini ($18) and, the star, a croissant stuffed with citrus-poached Moreton Bay bug, lettuce and lime mayo ($18). Also available will be a selection of cheese — from goats brie to aged cheddar — served with truffled honey, pear, walnut bread and house-made lavosh. Or, you can opt for a set menu for $40 a head, which includes the Moreton Bay bug croissant, chips served with truffle aioli and a glass of Veuve each. Winter Chalet is taking over Customs House on Friday, July 24 and will run till the end of winter. If you're keen to book a private igloo, head here.
Got beef? The answer is yes at the latest addition to West End's West Village, but no one will be quarrelling. Rather, the just-opened Rich & Rare wants to fill Brisbanites' plates with steaks, steaks and more steaks — so much so that 15 different cuts are on the menu. The focus: prime beef. The vibe: high end. The wild card? Upscale surf 'n' turf combinations are encouraged. Hailing from the Tassis Group, Rich & Rare also goes big on seafood, as the hospitality company's Fatcow Steak & Lobster did over at Eagle Street Pier before it was torn down for a yet-to-be-built new riverfront precinct. Clearly, this crew isn't letting its expertise with steak and the ocean's finest go to waste. Announced back in July and open to diners from Friday, September 29, Rich & Rare serves up its favourite types of protein both indoors and out, seating 150 people. The new Manhattan-style joint joins the array of eateries settling in at the park-filled West Village precinct, including the Tassis Group's own Yamas Greek + Drink since 2022. "We want diners to have the best of all worlds," explains restaurateur Michael Tassis about his beef-and-seafood spot, while also noting the venue's levelled-up but still casual approach. "Top quality produce demanded a purpose-built kitchen and a luxurious but welcoming environment." The look and feel: sleek and sophisticated, with both a cylindrical glass walk-in dry-aging room and a temperature-controlled walk-in cellar greeting patrons as they arrive, plus manicured gardens. In the kitchen, Tassis has assembled a culinary team led by Cameron Croad, who was most recently General Manager at Spicers Hidden Vale, plus Head Chef Felipe De Souza Oliveira (Urbane, Greca) — as well as Kadu Imbroisi (Cha Cha Char, Fatcow Steak & Lobster), who trained at Parisian culinary school École Ducasse, also hails from Brazil like De Souza Oliveira and has been nicknamed "the grill master". Their menu unsurprisingly makes prime dry-aged steaks the star, using cuts from Australian farms as well as Japan. If you only try one, the wagyu tomahawk steak looks to be it; it's cooked over an open flame, rested to up its juice game, then carved and served at your table — although it does come with a hefty $190 per kilogram price. Eight other wagyu options are on the menu, alongside 180- and 250-gram eye fillets, a 400-gram scotch fillet, 600-gram rib on the bone and dry-aged sirloin, and a MB4+ t-bone. For adding seafood to your beef, picks include Alaskan king crab legs, king prawns and whole lobsters. The latter from the tank is a highlight in general; however, the seafood range also spans oysters that are opened 'on order', caviar, seafood platters for two, raw kingfish and Mooloolaba swordfish steak on the bone — which Rich & Rare hopes will become one of its signature dishes. Woodfired beets, steak tartare, beef tataki and seared scallops also sit among the entree choices; bone marrow mash, truffle mac 'n' cheese and rosemary-salted fries with the sides; and steak sandwiches, truffle mushroom spaghetti and lamb cutlets amid the mains. To wash down your choice of protein, Rich & Rare's bar is packed local and international whisky, other spirits, plus wine from the cellar, including for after-work tipples, pre-dinner cocktails and late-night digestifs. And yes, it's proving a busy time for Tassis, which already boasts not only Yamas but Massimo and the newly revamped Opa Bar + Mezze in its stable. The group's Hamptons-inspired seafood restaurant Fosh launched at Portside Wharf in August, and overwater restaurant and bar Bombora, plus landing cafe Mulga Bill's, will be part of Kangaroo Point's new green bridge in 2024. Find Rich & Rare at West Village, 97 Boundary Street, West End, from Friday, September 29 — operating from 11am–late daily. Images: Allo Creative and Markus Ravik.
Over the past few years, the Victoria Park Putt Putt Course has given itself a themed makeover on several occasions. The best way to celebrate Christmas, Halloween and Valentine's Day here? Tap, tap, tapping through a temporary revamp to suit the date. Easter is no different, much to the delight of mini golf-loving Brisbanites — and in autumn 2023, the venue's Candyland setup is making its return. Fancy getting into the Easter spirit by hitting a few balls around a candy-themed course? That'll be on offer from Friday, March 24–Monday, May 1. The Herston site will sport greens with names like 'Candy Corner', 'Ice Cream Court', 'Bakery Bunker, 'Fairy Floss Fairway', 'Gumball Green' and 'Bunny Hop'. In past years, rabbits have featured heavily — plus giant ice creams, Easter eggs, lollipops and other sweet treats. This year's fun will also feature gummy bears, candy necklaces, lifesavers, cupcakes, doughnuts, gum balls and Easter eggs — and that Ice Cream Court is all about sundaes and their toppings. Basically, if it's sweet and can somehow be worked into a themed mini golf course, you'll find it here. Bookings are essential, with the course open from 6am–10pm Sunday–Thursday and public holidays — because there's more than a few of those during its run — and 6am–11pm Friday–Saturday. Fancy a few holes before work? Want to add some fun to your lunch break? Need something to look forward to come quitting time? They're all options. Expect plenty of company, because Brisbane sure does love themed mini golf courses — as seen at the city's Holey Moley sites in Fortitude Valley, the Wintergarden and Chermside; Redcliffe's underwater-themed spot; North Lakes' venue with Coachella and Oktoberfest-inspired holes; and Tingalpa's recently added 16-hole jungle-themed green. At Victoria Park, you can follow up your game with a bite to eat and drinks at the onsite bistro, too, including Sunday sessions with live tunes and Wednesday night trivia nights. Candyland Putt Putt takes over the Victoria Park Putt Putt Course at 309 Herston Road, Herston from Friday, March 24–Monday, May 1, open 6am–10pm Sunday–Thursday and public holidays, and 6am–11pm Friday–Saturday — with tickets costing $23 for adults. For more information, head to the venue's website. Images: Pandora Photography.
If finding excuses not to exercise was a job, most of us would be at the top of the field. Blaming your bank account is no longer a valid reason from Monday, January 15–Sunday, January 21, however. For the entire week, Brisbane's latest place to work up a sweat is hosting free classes — and, better yet, it's putting on unlimited free classes. Show up as many times as you like to try out CorePlus Studios West End's sessions this week and you won't pay a cent. CorePlus Studios West End comes to the River City after originating in Victoria, where it set up 22 studios in four years. This is the chain's debut interstate site — and free sessions is one helluva way to welcome itself to the neighbourhood. On offer: free hot mat (including strength and cardio) and reformer pilates (with athletic, strength, cardio, and pre- and post-natal), plus free yoga (complete with hot yoga flow, warm slow flow and warm yin). You do need to reserve your place online, however — and, unsurprisingly, sessions are booking out. Run by Matt and Larisa Tait, the venue puts on 45-minute classes from 5.15am on weekdays, 6.30am on Saturdays and 7.30am on Sundays.
Ex-boxer Henry 'Razor' Sharp (Sylvester Stallone) is reluctantly lured out of retirement to settle old scores with long-time personal and professional rival Billy 'The Kid' McDonnen (Robert De Niro) in an exhibition fight. The pair must resolve a disputed match from 30 years earlier, as well as the fact that they were both in love with the same woman, Sally (Kim Basinger). The inciting concept for this film is right there on the uncanny valley-esque photoshopped poster: it's Rocky vs Raging Bull! (Colleagues assure me that others have beaten me to the Rocky and Raging Bullwinkle gags, so there's really little pleasure to be gained here.) You have to wonder what they would have done if De Niro or Stallone had said no. Although given the last decade or so of their respective careers, perhaps this wasn't a huge concern. But one need only imagine the producers turning to, say, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Al Pacino to realise that the film's sole purpose for existing is its very specific casting. Perhaps the Alan Arkin mentor role was originally offered to Kirk Douglas, whose boxer Midge Kelly feature in 1949's Champion. But like Stallone's Expendables franchise, the idea of De Niro and Stallone settling old scores in a boxing ring is an idea that would have been far more exciting about 20 years ago. In 2013, it feels like an afterthought. It's an odd compliment to give a comedy, but I'm going to do it anyway: I like that it's not all that funny. Some of the jokes work, but most fall flat. What's heartening about this is that the film is confident to go for long stretches where they don't even try for a laugh. You can easily imagine the alternate version in which it's simply wall-to-wall bad jokes, and you become thankful you're not watching that version. The ratio of drama to comedy is an odd one, as if the movie can't decide which genre it wants to plant its flag in. It shouldn't work, but sort-of does. If this feels like muted praise, it's deliberate. Grudge Match is one of those ideas that works as a passing joke rather than an actual film, and the finished product should be a gigantic car crash. But the film's brazenness is admirable — it knows why it exists, and wastes no time apologising for the fact — and it is possible to have a good time with it. Just make sure your expectations are suitably lowered first. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1bQSOBJCPQE
For almost 30 years, his distinctive growl has been synonymous with the nation's longest-running music video program, with his cover of 'Real Wild Child (Wild One)' playing every time Rage starts. You've also watched Ewan McGregor sprint down the street to his David Bowie-co-written 'Lust for Life' during Trainspotting's opening scene, and experienced his own acting efforts in everything from Tank Girl to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Yes, we're talking about Mr 'Search and Destroy' himself, Iggy Pop. Wherever and however you've encountered the man born as James Newell Osterberg, Jr. and best known as the frontman of '60s rock outfit The Stooges, you'll know that there's no one quite like him. No wonder The Triffid decided to give him his due at their latest musical homage. Yep, Lust for Life: A Tribute to Iggy Pop is exactly what it sounds like. By now, regular attendees will know the drill: a number of bands take the stage, and each plays four covers and two originals. This time, Fat, The Stress Of Leisure, The Bear Hunt and Dr Bombay will do the honours, alongside Ciggy Pop — which features members of Jungle Giants, The Creases, Babaganouj and Tempura Nights. Whether or not anyone can match Iggy's own electrifying, always-shirtless presence, we're betting it'll be just like hypnotising chickens.
Start making Easter plans: Bluesfest is returning for 2023. From Thursday, April 6–Monday, April 10, the iconic annual festival will hit up Byron Events Farm at Tyagarah for its 34th event — with Elvis Costello, Mavis Staples, Bonnie Raitt and Gang of Youths leading the bill. Also heading to northern New South Wales as part of the five-day lineup: Jackson Browne, Tash Sultana, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Jimmy Barnes with The Barnestormers, and Talib Kweli, GZA and Big Freedia as special guests of The Soul Rebels. As usual, Bluesfest's roster of talent spans a hefty array of music genres — blues and roots, obviously, but also soul, rock, hip hop, R&B and more — with Beth Hart, Buddy Guy, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and The Dukes, The Cat Empire and Xavier Rudd also set to take to the stage. Rockwiz Live will be doing its thing, too, in the perfect setting. And, would it be a Bluesfest without Michael Franti & Spearhead? In 2023, you won't need to find out. While all of the above and more were named in Bluesfest's first announcement, the second added Allison Russell, The Doobie Brothers, Counting Crows, Vintage Trouble, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and St Paul & the Broken Bones. Organisers are calling the 2023 fest "the first original-style Bluesfest since the world's borders re-opened". While the event went ahead in 2022 after two years of pandemic cancellations (and a thwarted temporary move to October for the same reason), it showcased a primarily Australian and New Zealand lineup. With the return of international travel, Bluesfest can welcome top-notch acts from around the globe again. BLUESFEST 2023 LINEUP — FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: 19-Twenty Allison Russell The Barnestormers Beth Hart The Black Sorrows Bonnie Raitt Buddy Guy The Cat Empire Chain Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram Counting Crows The Doobie Brothers Elvis Costello & The Imposters Eric Gales Femi Kuti & The Positive Force Gang of Youths Greensky Bluegrass Jackson Brown Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Joe Bonamassa Joe Camilleri Presents: A Star-Studded Tribute to the Greats of the Blues Jon Stevens Kaleo Keb' Mo' Band King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Lachy Doley and The Horns of Conviction Larkin Poe Lp Lucinda Williams Marcus King Mavis Staples Michael Franti & Spearhead Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats Nikki Hill Robert Glasper Rockwiz Live The Soul Rebels & Friends with special guests Talib Kweli, GZA and Big Freedia Southern Avenue Spinifex Gum featuring Marliya Steve Earle & The Duke St Paul & The Broken Bones Tash Sultana Vintage Trouble Xavier Rudd
Central's name is accurate in two ways. Now open in the Piccadilly Arcade building on Queen Street in Brisbane's CBD, this 80-seater subterranean restaurant is indeed central in the River City. The venue's moniker also takes inspiration from the Central district in Hong Kong, as its menu does with its dishes. Eat at Fish Lane's Southside in South Brisbane, or at Rick Shores in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, and you'll likely grab a serving of dumplings with your meal. Some feature lobster and prawns. Some come stuffed with truffle pork or chilli crab. The bite-sized favourite is a staple of both restaurants, but it isn't the star attraction at either. For a place with that focus — and plenty of love for Hong Kong — the team behind the two beloved eateries has launched Central. Southside Executive Chef Benny Lam, one of Central's driving forces alongside Southside's General Manager Maui Manu and co-owner David Flynn, has worked in the favourite tourist destination, and is now bringing some of the parts of it that he loves to Brisbane. "The food. The living style. Sometimes I miss it. The rush in that city can be so much, but I really enjoyed that energy, every day," Lam explained when Central was first announced in September. "The thing about Hong Kong, you eat out just about every night of the week. Maybe you leave the office about 7pm but you don't go home. You go to a dumpling bar or noodle restaurant — they're that third place." "You walk and you explore and there's stuff happening everywhere and it draws you in," adds Flynn. "We want Central to be that total sensory experience that we love so much about Hong Kong, but channelled into Brisbane, bringing together two cities that we love." If Central can be that kind of space for Brisbane, the pair will be happy. The menu does its part, with the dim sum range the highlight. Peking duck potstickers and prawn har gao sit beside mushroom dumplings, barbecue pork puffs, king crab and prawn spring rolls, and more. Eager to hang around for a bigger dinner? Just like serving up snack-sized options if you're dropping by on your way elsewhere, Central can cater for it. Mixing Cantonese meals with western influences, Central's other dishes include lobster noodles and wagyu short ribs, both to share; drunken chicken with aged shaoxing rice wine, plus red date and golden sesame, as a starter; smoked foie gras with youtiao, aka Chinese fried dough, plus Davidson plum, also to begin; and traditional steamed Queensland grouper among the bigger fare. Char siu pork and roasted half duck feature as well — and for dessert, mango pudding leads the list. Whatever you pick — dim sum, raw plates, barbecue, sweet treats and more — it's whipped up in the venue's raised kitchen. After helping revamp Gerard's Bistro, architect and designer Jared Webb of J.AR OFFICE turned his attention to Central, where granite and timber are heroed among exposed-rock walls. The lighting remains low, befitting the restaurant's underground berth. Another inspiration comes from one of the space's past guises. Primitif Cafe called it home in the 50s and 60s, with jazz and poetry a feature. "Our motto with Jared has been to 'embrace the cave'. He responded by designing a space with tiered areas that allow people to have different sight lines through the venue with the kitchen and bar as centre stage," advises Flynn. "It's about capturing that spirit of Primitif, but also the rich, colourful nightclub history of 1970s and 80s Hong Kong — places like Disco Disco, this amazing nightclub that's still remembered fondly in that city." As for the drinks, sommelier Peter Marchant — also the Group Wine Director — has built a wine list of around 30 drops that can be mixed and matched with the food menu. Available by the glass, half glass and bottle, it spans both Australian and overseas tipples, and also vino from producers doing new and exciting things in the industry. The cocktails nod to the Hong Kong nightclub scene, as well as to Primitif, including a house harvey wallbanger, a Sichuan Martini Sidecar and a nitrogen-compressed piña colada. Find Central at 340 Queen Street, Brisbane — open from 5pm–late Tuesday–Saturday for dinner, with lunch from 12pm Thursday–Saturday starting in mid-November 2024. Head to the venue's website for more details.
Keen to break up your working week with a trip to the cinema, but your wallet doesn't want to play ball? Call Dendy's latest special a case of great timing, then. Every Tuesday until June 28, the chain's Coorparoo and Portside cinemas are making their Budget Tuesdays deal even cheaper — with all regular tickets costing $10 in the city's east and $8 over the river, no matter what you see. Premium Lounge sessions will cost $20 at Coorparoo, too. If you're wondering what to watch, you've got options. As at the beginning of June, big-name titles such as Top Gun: Maverick and The Bob's Burgers Movie are on the bill, as are British dramas Mothering Sunday, Downton Abbey: A New Era and Operation Mincemeat. Or, there's also Aussie western The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson — plus two kinds of multiverse tales thanks to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Everything Everywhere All At Once. You can score the cheap tickets in person at the cinema or online, although the latter will cost you an extra booking fee. Updated June 7.
Nothing says summer quite like a barbecue and a few cold bevvies in the sunshine. With an average 283 days of sunshine per year in Brisbane, you'd be a fool not to embrace the outdoors. Barbecues are etched deep in our culture here in the River City, and while there are plenty of parks to enjoy a snag fresh from the barbie not all of them allow you to legally enjoy booze. In partnership with Jim Beam, we've rounded up four barbecue spots in Brisbane where you can tuck into a barbecue and a few drinks worry-free. [caption id="attachment_668860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] New Farm Park via Brisbane City Council and Flickr[/caption] NEW FARM PARK Sprawling an impressive 37 acres, New Farm Park is undeniably a favourite picnic and barbecue spot for Brisbanites. With lush lawns, manicured rose gardens, river views and the heritage-listed Powerhouse Museum taking pride of place, it's easy to see why. There are plenty of barbecues and tables to accommodate large groups, or perhaps you'd prefer to lay out a couple of picnic blankets on the grass for a more relaxed vibe? Because it's so generously sized, the park has plenty of space to kick around a ball or play a game of bocce if you're wanting to set up camp here for the whole afternoon. You are permitted to drink alcohol here so long as you're eating. [caption id="attachment_784308" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane Marketing[/caption] ROMA STREET PARKLANDS CELEBRATION LAWN Planted in the middle of the CBD, Roma Street Parklands is as convenient as it is varied. If the thought of laying on a picnic rug while you tuck into a freshly cooked barbecue feast with a cascading waterfall in the background appeals to you, then we'd recommend heading to Celebration Lawn. Come nighttime, the waterfall is lit with a range of colours, adding a touch of romance to your evening. There are plenty of barbecues, but get in early to nab a spot and settle in for a day of feasting and frolicking around the lawn. Or, you could explore the Parklands a little further after lunch. The best part is, you can bring your own booze to Celebration Lawn between the hours of 10am–8pm seven days a week. [caption id="attachment_793757" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Flickr[/caption] ROMA STREET PARKLANDS LAKESIDE MEADOW Also situated within Roma Street Parklands, Lake Meadow Precinct is perfect for those days when you're chasing a little relaxation. With sprawling green lawns that stretch around a stunning manmade lake, the area attracts visitors and locals for its ability to make you feel like you've been transported to a tropical destination. Like the Celebration Lawn, alcohol is permitted at Lakeside Meadow between the hours of 10am–8pm daily, so you can kick back and enjoy a few drinks as you prepare a tasty lunch and relax on the grass. SOUTH BANK'S RIVERSIDE GREEN South Bank Parklands is teeming with picnic spots and barbecue facilities, but our favourite has to be Riverside Green — mostly because you can enjoy an alcoholic beverage here between 10am–8pm. With stunning, uninterrupted views of the Brisbane River and city skyline, Riverside Green is a popular spot year-round, so make sure you get in early to nab a spot on the hotplates. The free barbecue amenities are generally in high demand, but once you're done feasting there's lots of space to kick back on the lawns and watch the day go by. And, if you've got kids in tow, let them run wild on the impressive playground nearby. Top image: Roma Street Parklands via Bert Knot
There's no time of year like New Year's Eve. It's only once a year we get to party this hard, so the limited opportunity means you should go all out. The worldwide celebrations are legendary, and Australia stands shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the world in opening a new year with parties of all sizes and noise levels. Brisbanites (or those in town for the season) have choices aplenty, but what if you could ring in the New Year in New York from the comfort of the Brisbane skyline? Sixteen Antlers, a bar known for its high altitude and jaw-dropping views, is upping the ante for this year's celebration, hosting a swanky NYC-themed party to end the year with a bang. If you have yet to visit, the venue is on the sixteenth story of the Pullman and Mercure Brisbane hotel, and it boasts a rooftop bar with space for 200 guests and views of King George Square and the City Hall Clock Tower. Your ticket will give you access to the complete Times Square experience: think fancy dress (to impress), roaming NYC-themed canapés (we're talking sticky beef ribs, bbq meatballs and more), a 5-hour premium beverage package, live music from rising local talent Jarrod Costello and top-tier DJs spinning epic beats in the lead up to a midnight ball drop and confetti cannons to start the year with a glittery bang. Celebrations begin at 8pm and run until 2am on January 1, 2023. For more information and to get tickets, visit the website.
Many Australians spent a childhood birthday or two under one of Pizza Hut's iconic red roofs, digging into endless cheesy slices and soft serve at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Fast forward to 2020 and not a whole heap of Pizza Hut buffets exist — with only 14 dine-in outposts across the country — but the chain is still going strong with its hundreds of takeaway shops. And it's celebrating its 50th anniversary in Australia by giving away a whopping 50,000 takeaway pizzas. Pizza Hut is giving away 10,000 pizzas each day from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7. You just need to head over to the website between 4–6pm on one of those days, submit your details and select your closest Pizza Hut store. You can choose from five different toppings, too — the brand's five most popular flavours, in fact: Pepperoni Lovers, BBQ Meatlovers, Super Supreme, Cheese Lovers or Hawaiian. You then have until 11.59pm on Monday, August 31 to redeem your free pizza. To coincide with the giveaway, and the anniversary, Pizza Hut is releasing some fun facts about each decade every day, such as where its first Aussie restaurant was located (Belfield, NSW) and when stuffed crust was launched (25 years ago). Pizza Hut is giving away 10,000 free pizzas from 4–6pm each night between Monday, August 3 and Friday, August 7 via the website. Top images: Warrawong and Canley Heights Pizza Huts.
Until Sunday, February 23, 2020, QUT Art Museum's walls will be filled with vibrant images — spanning domestic scenes, the tension of awkward moments, lush greenery and Brisbane bands. No one can accuse Anne Wallace of painting the same thing twice, although her art shares a common feeling. When you're staring at a woman reclining in an Eames chair, peering through a window at hands holding a record or seeing the faces of The Go-Betweens, you're looking at images that appear both ordinary and extraordinary. That's all by design, with the Brisbane artist capturing what lingers beneath average and everyday sights. The fruit of her labour is all on display at Anne Wallace: Strange Ways, which marks the first major survey exhibition of her work — including more than 80 pieces created across three decades. [caption id="attachment_754281" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Installation view of 'Anne Wallace: Strange Ways' (9 November 2019 - 23 February 2020), QUT Art Museum, 2019. Image copyright Carl Warner.[/caption] Expect nods to John Lennon, The Beatles and Sylvia Plath, too, as well as 50s cinema and London in the 80s. Anne Wallace: Strange Ways is on display from Tuesday–Sunday, with the QUT Art Museum open from 10am–5pm Tuesday–Friday and 12–4pm Saturday–Sunday. Top image: Anne Wallace, Talking Cure 2010, oil on canvas. Collection of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Brisbane.
A book whose plot Amazon describes as "how the sexiest sales girl in business earned her huge bonus by being the best at removing her high heels" might not be anything to write home about. You know what would be? If the author of said book was someone's dad, and that someone decided it would be hilarious to read a chapter every week to the entire world, with some incredibly funny friends providing commentary. Jamie Morton did just that with his father's (pen name: Rocky Flinstone) erotic 'novels', the Belinda Blinked series. And so the audacious and pants-wettingly hilarious podcast My Dad Wrote a Porno was born. And now Morton and his pals James Cooper and Alice Levine are bringing their hilarious smut to Brisbane on Monday, August 21. While listening to the podcast is a truly confusing and outrageous experience, imagine watching a guy read chapters from a porno novel that his dad wrote that includes the characters 'discussing the merits' of each others' nipples and popping their supposed 'vaginal lids'. In front of people. In real life. At least this time when you laugh out loud in public at the show, everyone will know what you're cackling at. If you're a fan of the show, the live incarnation should make you very happy. For as Belinda says: when you get what you want, you feel great.
Sure, you've eaten tacos and burritos before — but have you tried tortas and arepas? One of the benefits of the street food surge is the easy accessibility of different types of international delights. And when it comes to all things Latin, Comuna Cantina is on the bandwagon. The new addition to Albert Lane champions the flavour, experience and spirit of South America in a market-style eatery in the heart of the Brisbane CBD. That means more than just Mexican cuisine, though a few old favourites are also on the low-carb, high-protein menu. Expect everything from grilled street corn to cassava chips to barbecue skewers — all made fresh in-house daily, right down to the sauces and salsas. Comuna Cantina is the kind of place that you can grab a char-grilled chicken torta and go, or settle in for a few share plates and frozen margaritas — the choice is yours. And while the former is perfectly acceptable, it's the latter that is most encouraged, as the space features a well-stocked cocktail bar serving Comuna Coladas and Comuna Martinis, and some great, lively Latin vibes. Comuna does mean community in Spanish, after all.
Cold winter weather demands comfort-inducing food, with soups, pastas and pies making up much of the weekly menu. Yet when you need a sweet treat, few bites go down better than a hot cinnamon doughnut. And with Friday, June 6, welcoming the return of National Donut Day, there's no better time to order up a steamy bunch. Best of all, Donut King isn't taking any half-measures when it comes to celebrating the big day in 2025, with the iconic brand giving away free hot cinnamon doughnuts from dawn to dusk to mark the occasion. "The magic of our hot and fresh cinnamon doughnuts bouncing along the conveyor belt and landing in a delicious carousel of sweet cinnamon is the moment we seek to share with our loyal fans every day," says Raquel Hine, Marketing Manager at Donut King. "It's what makes us famous for being the home of the hot cinnamon doughnut and why we make every National Donut Day a huge celebration for everyone to take part, absolutely free, all day!" All you have to do to score your free hot cinni doughnut is find your nearest participating Donut King store on Friday, June 6. With over 200 locations spread around the country, there's a good chance one is easily within touching distance. Alternatively, just follow that enchanting cinnamon sugar aroma that wafts from every store. On a side note, we meant it when Donut King isn't cutting any corners this National Donut Day. The team recently revealed a seriously sweet escape — the 'Hot Cinni' Hotel' — produced in collaboration with Ovolo Hotels and available for strictly limited bookings. Transforming two suites in the heritage-listed Ovolo Woolloomooloo, expect shimmering pink accents, cinnamon-painted walls, colourful pop art and even exclusive room service dedicated to hot cinnamon doughnut deliveries. Plus, the rest of the hotel features spice-forward cocktails and cinnamon-inspired nibbles. Donut King's free cinnamon doughnuts are available at participating Donut King locations on Friday, June 6 — limited to one free doughnut per customer. Head to the website for more information.
We know how it goes, the sun starts shining and your desire for a cocktail grows. You fish around in the fridge for some ingredients and end up with some flat tonic, a skerrick of sad-looking cucumber and you make do with a subpar G&T. Well, we're here to tell you, summer cocktails don't have to be last-resort failures. It's time to take some pride in your gin-based tipple and treat your tastebuds to something special. To set you off in the right direction, we've partnered with Greenall's and crafted five foolproof recipes for some top-notch summer cocktails — and with a particularly summery drop we might add. Inspired by the blackberries growing in English hedgerows, England's oldest gin distiller's Wild Berry Gin offers a delicate sweetness with subtle red fruit notes that develop into rich camphor and citrus tastes. While the spirit can be enjoyed simply with soda and lime, take things up a notch and try out these cocktails below. Whether you're shaking them up for a group of friends or giving your significant other a nice cool treat on a hot summer's day, these pink-hued cocktails are sure to impress. [caption id="attachment_683817" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shansay.[/caption] DOLCE VITA 'Dolce Vita' is Italian for 'sweet life' and the surest way to keep things saccharine is to pair your Wild Berry Gin with palate-smacking zingy passionfruit and sweet vermouth. — 45ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 15ml Aperol — 15ml sweet vermouth — 5ml passionfruit syrup — slice of orange Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, pour in all your molto bella ingredients — minus the orange, that comes later — and stir vigorously. Hey, you've gotta work for your sweet treat. Strain over an ice-filled tumbler — or a whisky glass and a chunk of ice, if you're feeling fancy — and garnish with a slice of orange. Salute, sweet tooths. PRETTY IN PINK Just like the 1986 Molly Ringwald masterpiece, this feel-good tipple is super sweet in all the right ways and bound to be a cult favourite. — 40ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 20ml raspberry puree — 30ml cream — 10ml crème de fraise de bois Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker along with a good handful of ice, then holler at Ducky and get him to give it a good shake. Next, strain the pink concoction into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a fresh raspberry, or two. Get the 80s hits pumping and enjoy this pretty little drink. FLORA DORA This is Greenall's take on a West End comedy which went on to become one of Broadway's biggest musicals, a round of applause for the Flora Dora. Get ready, this cocktail is a real showstopper. — 40ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 20ml fresh lime juice — 10ml raspberry syrup — ginger beer You're the choreographer to these sweet, tart and spicy ginger elements. Your job: build all ingredients in a highball glass over ice and give 'em a good stir to make sure they hit their mark. Then, take a bow and a well-deserved sip. FOREST FRUIT CUP Give the shaker a rest and make a cocktail jug to share instead. This fruity delight will draw all your long-lost friends out of the woods (or forest) and into your home. — 50ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 25ml fresh lemon juice — 10ml Cointreau — 15ml sugar syrup — 1 thin slice of ginger — 150ml ginger beer Gently press your ginger slice into the bottom of a large highball glass (a hurricane or sling will work equally well). Pour over the rest of the ingredients and stir. For added pizzazz, chuck in all the fruits of the forest along with some lemon, mint and cucumber. To make a jug, simply multiply by four. WILD BERRY FROSE Finally, you don't have to choose between your G&T, slushie or wine. It's a real problem, we swear. Greenall's have married together all three in this refreshing cocktail cool enough to tackle any heatwave. — 50ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 20ml lemon juice — 10ml strawberry puree — 10ml raspberry puree — 30ml sugar syrup — 65ml rosé wine Grab your trusty blender and pulverise all ingredients with ice until a smooth granita texture is achieved. Pour the mixture into a large highball, hurricane or sling glass. Garnish with a strawberry fan if you're feeling fruity or a paper umbrella if you're feeling sassy. Make 'em all to find your go-to sweet Greenall's drink for summer. Top image: Leícia Almeida.
Is sand crab lasagne Queensland's most famous dish? Since the early 90s, when Gillian Hirst put it on the menu at the now-closed Il Centro on Eagle Street, the seafood spin on an Italian staple has been a firm Sunshine State favourite. Your latest spot to tuck in: West Village in West End, which has added both Zazu Dining & Bar and Hirst's lasagne to its ever-growing culinary offering. Already home to Ippin Japanese Dining, Italian Street Kitchen, Yamas Greek + Drink, Picnic Cafe, Kurtosh, Anita Gelato, Nodo Donuts, Beirut Bazaar and more — with Rich & Rare on the way, too — the Boundary Street precinct has welcomed this newcomer on the corner of Mollison Park. Zazu Dining & Bar's menu heroes pan-Asian and modern European fare, which means tucking into tiger prawn cone spring rolls, Balkan-style beef and pork kebabs, six types of oval-shaped pizza and three kinds of dumplings, as well as bao, carpaccio and chicken karaage. Other Zazu Dining & Bar highlights include oysters with creme fraiche or pickled jalapeno and chilli floss, crispy duck pancakes, glazed pork hock pancakes and a one-kilogram slow-cooked lamb shoulder. And the lasagne? It comes in a 500-gram serving with abalone cream and black caviar, and is recommended to be shared. The dessert lineup dishes up vanilla cheesecake, sorbet and chocolate fondant — and there's no shortage of indulgences on the cocktail roster. Three daiquiris (strawberry, mango and passionfruit) sit alongside six martinis (classic, French, espresso, spiced rum espresso, passionfruit and pink lychee), three negronis (classic, silver and cloud) and five margaritas (classic, chilli, strawberry, flamingo and Tommy's), for starters. Wondering what a cloud negroni is? It's topped with pineapple foam, crushed chocolate and crushed honeycomb. From there, you can also sip whisky sours, old fashioneds, mojitos, cosmopolitans and more. A number of the cocktails also come in mini versions if you're only after a smaller beverage. A hefty 90-plus-option wine menu, an array of spirits and beers, and also mocktails round out the drinks list — with the vino choices on the eye-catching wine wall spanning the globe but also favouring Australian drops. Design-wise, Zazu Dining & Bar's look is sleek, featuring glass, black, grey and greenery aplenty. Mood is a big focus here, with noise and lighting sensors to help. And, if you've got an occasion to celebrate, the venue also includes a sunken private dining room and a mezzanine function space. Find Zazu Dining & Bar at West Village, 97 Boundary Street, West End — open from 11.30am–late Monday–Sunday.
