Is this low-budget, low-key production Joss Whedon's post-Avengers campaign for cred as a Legit Indie Filmmaker? Much Ado About Nothing is Shakespeare's 1598 version of a rom-com, hauled mercilessly into 2013 with cocktails, cupcakes and a sensibility that's both verbose and slapstick. Our two lovers, Beatrice (Amy Acker) and Benedick (Alexis Denisof), are cluelessly star-crossed, blinded by their own pride and ego. Whether you find what plays out a tedious, self-financed pet project or an endearing contemporary translation will depend on your familiarity with the almost untouched original text and your appreciation/tolerance of Whedon universe in-jokes (like the Dollhouse set prop). The project was shot in 12 days at the end of Avengers production with a cast of usual Whedon suspects. It's a somewhat grinding change of gears from the Marvel machine, but in an age of relentless threequels, 3D fantasies and franchisable remakes, it's admirable to see a big-shot director get back to basics. Whedon does everything from writing the slightly cheesy score to staging the entire production in his LA mansion. It's shot in black and white, which seems to be an easy shorthand for self-declared serious independent directors lately, but Whedon makes it work. Just. Across all his various projects, this director's trademark is self-assuredness, and every frame of Much Ado About Nothing bounces with energy. It's as slick as you'd expect, if not a little forgettable, and definitely not daring. Then again, it's not meant to be: it's for Whedon's maniacal audience and for himself. The Elizabethan speech rarely totally flows, the modern setting jars and not all the actors convince. But the director's fondness for the typical Shakespearean preoccupations of hidden identity, destined love and thwarted revenge can't help but seep through. A frothy labour of love. https://youtube.com/watch?v=NZB5EBdKaMw
How do you get plane passengers excited about sitting sandwiched between two strangers? To turn middle seat-dwelling frowns upside down, Virgin Australia launched the Middle Seat Lottery in 2022. It's exactly what it sounds like, giving prizes to people who find themselves perched in everyone's least favourite spot in the air — and, while it was originally set to only span six months, the scheme has just been extended until mid-2023. No one likes the middle seat on a plane. Does anyone book flights, select where to sit and genuinely (and willingly) pick being stuck between two other people, with no window to look out and no easy access to the aisle, if there's another option? No, no they don't. But resisting that urge until Friday, July 9 could score goodies for your troubles, with an extra $45,000 in prizes added to the pool. The 11-week extension means 11 more weekly prizes, with holidays the big focus. Fancy return flights to Tokyo? To Europe, plus a luxe experience in Doha? To North Queensland, including swimming with saltwater crocodiles? To Townsville, where a waterfall and tropical island tour via helicopter and sailboat cruise await? They're some of the giveaways — and there's a stint on North Stradbroke Island that starts with a beer-tasting experience onboard a private jet, then spans a brewery tour with Straddie Brewing Co, too. The freebies change each week, and are only available to passengers to meet one big condition: sitting in the middle seat because you've either selected it or you've been assigned it. An hour or so in a seat you wouldn't normally pick for the chance to win your next getaway? Worth it, probably. Plenty of folks agree, with more than 240,000 Virgin Australia guests entering the competition since it launched last October. To go in the running to win any of the above prizes, you do need to be a Velocity Frequent Flyer member over the age of 18. And, you'll have to fly somewhere within Australia, on a Virgin Australia-operated domestic flight, during the competition period — in a middle seat, obviously. Also, to enter, you then need to use the Virgin Australia app within 48 hours of your flight's scheduled departure time, tapping on the Middle Seat Lottery tile, finding your flight and entering your details. From there, winners are drawn each week and contacted if they're successful. Virgin Australia's Middle Seat Lottery runs until Sunday, July 9, 2023. For more information, head to the Virgin website. Images: Carly Ravenhall. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
The Ken doll, Barbie's hunky other half, is flying solo for his 50th birthday in Mattel's new advertising campaign to keep the Barbie brand relevant. The company decided to give Ken a makeover in the only way anyone in the 21st century knows how: creating a reality show. 'Dreamer Ken' Kurtis Taylor was selected as the fresh face of the Ken doll in the web-series Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend, in which he wiped the floor with the seven other 'ken-testants' in a variety of cooking, decorating, entertaining and surfing challenges. The Hills star Whitney Port hosted the Bachelorette-style show and believed that Taylor, the 25-year-old Pro Football player from Iowa, was exactly what Mattel was looking for. Taylor described that his perfect date would entail: "A helicopter ride over Los Angeles. Then, we would land on a rooftop where dinner is prepared and Frank Sinatra is playing in the background. After a great conversation over dinner, we'd fly to the beach and walk under the moon." He certainly seems to be the perfect new arm candy for our favourite plastic blonde.
Ever been to a concert inside a WWII-era decommissioned oil storage tank? Head to Tanks Art Centre you can tick that off your bucket list. When the Cairns Regional Council was looking to reimagine the local Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct, it decided to get a little bit creative. The three enormous tanks now make up a multi-use arts centre, with sheer concrete walls and oil-daubed fixtures giving the venue a mysterious charm. Local and international acts perform in the main space, which boasts a 650-person capacity and a fully licensed bar.
Owning your own pet in a rental property can be a nightmare — and we are willing to guess that you might be a few avocado toasts away from that luxe house deposit just yet. So what's a feline-loving Brisbanite to do? Here steps in Red Hill's Cat Cuddle Café. With more than 15 rescue kitties in residence, you can be assured that you will be purred and nuzzled into a state of cat-induced euphoria. Even better, all the cats and kittens are rescued via animal welfare group Pussies Galore (brilliant name), so you can feel warm and fuzzy knowing that these little guys have been given a second lease on life.
Maybe your suitcase is still looking a tad dusty, following a few years that saw travel plans put on hold. Perhaps you've given it the best workout you possibly could ever since local, interstate and international trips became a thing we could all do again. Whichever fits, scoring flights as cheap as $55 should tempt you to give that trusty bag another spin. Your destinations? Everywhere from The Whitsundays to Japan, all as part of Virgin's latest flight sale. If you're after discounted fares to a heap of places — including around Australia and the globe — Virgin is slashing prices again. This batch of special flights has been badged the Bring on 2023 sale, and can be booked now. You've got until midnight on Monday, February 6 to lock in your plans, unless the cheap fares sell out earlier. As usual, there's a sizeable number of discounted flights on offer: more than 500,000 in this run. They cover local spots such Byron Bay, Cairns, the Gold Coast and Hobart, plus overseas destinations including Bali, Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji. Offering up to 30-percent off, one-way domestic fares start at $55, which'll get you from Sydney to Byron Bay. As proves the case in every sale like this, that's cheapest route. Other discounted flights include Sydney to the Sunshine Coast from $75, Adelaide to Launceston from $85, Brisbane to Proserpine for the same price, Melbourne to the Gold Coast from $99 and Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $119. Internationally, return deals include Sydney to Fiji from $459, the Gold Coast to Bali from $489, Melbourne to Vanuatu from $539 and Cairns to Tokyo from $699. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, the fares cover between Wednesday, March 1–Thursday, December 7, all varying per route. As usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick. Sure, the chaos of Black Friday and Boxing Day is behind us for another year, but everyone loves a holiday — and, even better, a bargain holiday. Virgin's Bring on 2023 sale runs until midnight on Monday, February 6 — unless sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
If Brisbane has a centrepiece other than the river snaking through the city, it's the most-famous bridge that sits atop the waterway. The Story Bridge is one of the Queensland capital's best-known landmarks. Its steel expanse is frequently the image used to depict Brissie. Now, whether you're a local or a tourist, it's also the perfect place to explore the city from a great height and from a First Nations viewpoint in tandem. Scaling the Story Bridge thanks to Story Bridge Adventure Climb has been a quintessential Brisbane activity since 2005. Taking in the stunning vista is only part of the new Indigenous Story Bridge Adventure Climb experience, however. You'll still reach the structure's heights, but you'll do so led by either Birrunga Wiradyuri and Jessica Skeen, with the two artists sharing stories about history, Country and culture in Meanjin along the way. Set to open in August 2024 — and already taking bookings from Tuesday, August 6 onwards — this is a two-hour, first-of-its-kind climb that's all about sharing the First Nations perspective on the city and honouring the storytelling that goes with it. Story Bridge Adventure Climb, Howard Smith Wharves and Birrunga Gallery, Wiradyuri's gallery, are behind the new experience. And while the new climb itself promises a must-do addition to Brissie, you can also expand it with native herb- and spice-seasoned crocodile and kangaroo as part of an Indigenous food platter, plus Skeen's boomerang-painting workshop. Via the Birrunga Gallery Cultural Creative Development Program, artist talks will also be on offer, and so will workshops about the importance of place. "Storytelling is an important part of Indigenous culture across Australia. Creating this experience with my friends and colleagues has been an incredibly rewarding and exciting process," said Wiradyuri. "Our goal is simple: it's to provide a safe, inclusive and creative space to immerse yourself in the history, tradition and practices of First Nations Australians. The bridge climb represents the upward journey we are on together and like all journeys, it starts with one foot in front of the other." "We hope that visitors take away a fresh perspective on Brisbane, art and their life. It's more than just a bucket-list experience, it's an opportunity to see life from another point of view." Brisbane's Indigenous Story Bridge Adventure Climb starts operating from Tuesday, August 6, 2024 — head to the Story Bridge Adventure Climb website for further details and bookings.
Pineapple on pizza is something you either love or abhor. Sorry, there's no in-between. Some folks won't eat a slice without it, which clearly means they're big fans of Hawaiian pizzas. Others won't touch a piece that's been anywhere near pineapple, and can't stand the variety dedicated to it. Yes, it's a polarising topping. 2022 happens to mark 60 years since the first Hawaiian pizza was apparently served up in Canada, and since that sweet-and-savoury combination had tastebuds either rejoicing or hankering for absolutely anything else. And, to celebrate that milestone, Pizza Hut is giving out freebies — just free pizzas in general, though. If you love pizza — as we all do — but don't like pineapple on top of it, you can still take advantage of this giveaway. It's running all month, from Monday, August 1–Wednesday, August 31, with a huge 35,000 free pizzas up for grabs. Here's how it works: every day this month, the fast food chain is running the promotion via its website — and it's a first in, first served affair. If you're one of the first 1000 people to hop online before 4pm AEST each day, you'll be able to claim a free pizza voucher. That's dinner sorted then, clearly. You can use the vouchers for Hawaiian pizzas, unsurprisingly, but also for super supreme, barbecue meatlovers, pepperoni lovers and cheese lovers varieties. And if you've noticed that there's 31 days in August, and 1000 pizzas a day doesn't equal 35,000, an extra 4000 free pizzas will be on offer on International Hawaiian Pizza Day — which, yes, is a thing. That falls on Saturday, August 20, in case you wanted to mark your diary. If you don't manage to nab a free pizza on any given day, there's an online Hawaiian pizza-slicing game that you can play on the Pizza Hut website after you try, too — and if you rank in the top ten on any day, there are Pizza Hut Hawaiian shirts to be won. Also, just hitting the daily game target puts you in the draw to win a family trip to Hawaii, as does ordering a Hawaiian pizza throughout August. Pizza Hut is giving away 1000 free pizzas daily from Monday, August 1–Wednesday, August 31. For further information, or to nab a pizza, head to the chain's website.
Terrariums: everyone's selling them. But why buy one when you can make your own? Whether your apartment needs a low-maintenance patch of green, or you're thinking about gift-giving season, learning how to turn a glass container into a succulent-filled mini-garden is an essential skill. Let Work-Shop show you how at their Succulent Terrarium Workshop — and what the classes lack in inventive names, they'll make up for in imaginative plant creations. Taking place on August 30 and December 13, the sessions will impart you with the knowledge to whip up a garden in a fishbowl, candy jar or any other sizeable glass receptacle that you have. The classes cost $70 each, and bringing your own non-coloured container is essential. Botanicals by Bella will provide the know-how, and succulents, soil, stones, shells, moss, charcoal, bark and the requisite tools will be supplied.
For 31 years, the Woodford Folk Festival has been a staple of south-east Queensland's event calendar, gifting the region with an annual array of music, arts, culture, creativity, camping and mud. As other festivals have come and gone around the country, it has remained an end-of-year mainstay, as well as a must-attend event for fest lovers; however that might not always be the case. Just days after the 2016/17 event wrapped up, Festival Director Bill Hauritz has announced that Woodford faces an uncertain future as a result of the strain being placed on the fest's infrastructure. This year saw audiences grow by more than five percent to reach 132,000 patrons over six days, with patrons flocking to see more than 2000 acts, performers and speakers across 438 events, including Paul Kelly, Gang Of Youths, Adalita, Amanda Palmer and Methyl Ethel. "It has been a most beautiful festival in almost every way but our future is unclear," said Hauritz in a statement. "This festival is becoming a hub for creativity attracting some great minds. It's been an inspiration for many of us," he continued. However, with growing crowds comes growing problems, as he also explained. "Raw water storage, and dusty and broken roads took the edge off what was a truly wonderful event. Dust was a big problem we have to fix, and the roads – they're just not up to required standards. That's just the beginning of our infrastructure issues." What happens next is yet to be determined, though given the massive amount of love and support Woodford Folk Festival receives — including from interstate attendees, with a third of festival visitors hailing from outside of Queensland — it's certain that everyone involved will be working to ensure the fest continues. The festival certainly has the backing of Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland, who has called for more government funding. "With such a successful year of festival attendance and camping numbers – it has never been more important for all levels of Government to provide funding support and certainty to Woodfordia Inc. to turn Woodfordia into a destination worthy of ongoing national and international acclaim," he said. "Funding will be vital to ensure this site receives much needed infrastructure upgrades including permanent staging, toilets and amenities, dust control, roads, and camping space for this iconic Australian festival and Woodfordia itself to grow and flourish." Image: Woodford Folk Festival.
The weather might be heating up in sunny Queensland, but that doesn't mean you can't all spend a day pretending you're somewhere much, much cooler. How does an imaginary visit to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Iceland sound? All you need to do is head along to the Scandinavian Festival Brisbane. Now in its eighth year, the annual showcase of countries with colder climates offers a smorgasbord of authentic food, entertainment and shopping that'll make you think you're on the other side of the world. Think Norwegian waffles, Finnish beer, Swedish meatballs, Danish hot dogs — and that's just for starters. Taking place at Bowen Hills' Perry Park from 10am–4pm on Sunday, September 8, it also includes a showcase of Nordic products and other goodies, plus traditional folk dancing and music. Fancy making a floral crown? You can buy a bucket of flowers for $10, then get taught how as well. 15,000 people attend each year, so arriving early is recommended — more Viking-themed street food, Scandinavian sweets and balled pancakes for you.
Locking gazes across the room, staring intently with a deep fascination that feels fated, seeing oneself in the sparkle of another's eyes: when these moments happen in a movie, it's typically to fuel the first flushes of romance. When they occur early in Passing, however, it's because former childhood friends Irene (Tessa Thompson, Westworld) and Clare (Ruth Negga, Ad Astra) have spied each other in a swanky Manhattan hotel. The pair peer back and forth, intrigued and attentive. That said, it isn't until Clare approaches Irene — and calls her Reenie, a nickname she hasn't heard in years — that the latter realises who she's been looking at. It's the immaculately styled blonde bob that fools Irene, as it's meant to fool the world. As becomes clear in a politely toned but horrendously blunt conversation with Clare's racist husband John (Alexander Skarsgård, Godzilla vs Kong) shortly afterwards, Irene's long-lost pal has built an entire life and marriage around being seen as white. Passing's eponymous term comes loaded not just with meaning, but with history; adapted from Nella Larsen's 1929 novel of the same name, it's set in America's Jim Crow era. This introductory scene between Irene and Clare comes layered with multiple sources of tension, too, with Irene only in the hotel because she's decided to flirt with visiting a white establishment. Still, she's shocked by her pal's subterfuge. When she initially spots Clare, the film adopts Irene's perspective — and its frames bristle with a mix of nervousness, uncertainty and familiarity. Irene rediscovers an old friend in a new guise, and also comes face to face with the lengths some are willing to go to in the name of survival and an easier life. Friendships can be rewarding and challenging, fraught and nourishing, and demanding and essential, including all at once, as Passing repeatedly demonstrates from this point onwards. Irene can't completely move past Clare's choices and can't shake her fears about what'd happen if the vile John ever learned Clare's secret; however, she's also quick to defend her to others — to her doctor husband Brian (André Holland, The Eddy), who swiftly warms to Clare anyway; and to acclaimed white novelist Hugh Wentworth (Bill Camp, News of the World), who's her own entry point into an artier realm. Indeed, in household where talk of lynchings is common dinner conversation, Irene recognises far more in Clare's decision than she'll vocally admit. Almost everyone she knows is pretending to be something else as well, after all, including Irene in her own ways. Largely confined to Irene and Brian's well-appointed Harlem home and other parties in the neighbourhood — after that first hotel rendezvous, that is — Passing is an economical yet complicated film. It may seem straightforward in charting Irene and Clare's rekindled acquaintance, but it's exacting and precise as it interrogates both societally enforced and self-inflicted pain. Its Black characters live in a world that pushes them aside and worse merely for existing, with its central pair each internalising that reality. Their every careful move reacts to it, in fact, a bleak truth that actor-turned-filmmaker Rebecca Hall (The Night House) never allows to fade. That's one of the reasons she's chosen to shoot this striking directorial debut in elegant, crisp and devastatingly telling monochrome hues: both everything and nothing here is black and white. Hall doesn't appear on-screen here herself, but she still gifts Passing the same intensity and nuance that's always been part of her performances. In the film's lingering frames, intimate close-ups of Thompson and Negga, and all-round eagerness to see the space that surrounds them — that often separates them, too — she proves as astute a director as she is an actor. It helps that she has enlisted two leads who exude the same traits, and Passing couldn't be more perfectly cast as a result. Thanks to Sylvie's Love and Loving, both of the movie's stars have grappled with race relations in America already in their careers. They've done so to affecting and astonishing effect, too. Here, while never repeating themselves, both Thompson and Negga are just as exceptional as they've ever been. It was always going to take intricate, complex and sensitive portrayals to tell this story, and Passing's talented leads just keep delivering. The whirlwind of emotions that flickers through Irene again and again, as evident in her gaze, posture and tone far more than she's openly trying to convey, is nothing short of masterful on Thompson's part. And the determination and sorrow fighting inside Clare — the yearning to connect with the background she shunned out of what she felt was necessity, and the unwillingness to be judged for her choices as well — echoes through a hypnotic turn by Negga. Showy yet thoughtful, it's the kind of performance might've just stuck to the confident and ostentatious character's Roaring Twenties flapper-style surface notes in other hands. With meticulous assistance from cinematographer Eduard Grau (The Way Back) and editor Sabine Hoffman (Juliet, Naked), Hall also turns Passing into an exercise in looking; this is a feature about perception and authenticity, and it repeatedly pushes those concepts to the fore in every image. It observes quietly and intently, giving Irene and Clare the type of unfettered, unguarded and earnest attention that they're clearly so rarely able to enjoy as they wrestle with racial identity in their daily existence. It truly sees them, including their strengths, struggles, dreams, desires and flaws. And, it refuses to redirect its gaze when the tragedy it has always been building towards makes its presence known — an outcome that shocks and feels inevitable at the same time. The jazzy score might play things gently, but Passing uses its polish, poise and patience, and its superb performances, to pack probing and pain into every delicately rendered moment. Passing screens in select Brisbane cinemas from Thursday, October 28, and streams via Netflix from Wednesday, November 10.
Earlier in 2021, Wildflower Gin grabbed everyone's attention in a very tasty way: by releasing a limited-edition lamington-flavoured tipple. Now, the Gold Coast distillery has launched something else that'll tempt fans of a stiff drink, opening a bar at its Varsity Lakes base. Originally, the Scottsdale Drive spot operated as a cellar door; however, now you can do more than just pick up a bottle. Since Saturday, March 13, it has been pouring cocktails to eager drinkers, who can sip its regular range and try its one-off specials while sitting on antique leather chairs. Heading the menu is Wildflower Gin's lineup of cocktails, including the 'Honeycomb' and a pink gin sour — both of which use honey from the distillery's bees. The venue's version of a negroni uses barrel-aged oaked gin, as well as dehydrated honey-soaked orange, while the lamington espresso martini heroes the aforementioned lamington vodka, alongside coffee liqueur, fresh coffee and honey. You can also build your own G&T, if that's the type of cocktail you prefer. Just pick from three kinds of gin, four tonics and seven garnishes — and four different types of glass. Decor-wise, vintage collectibles including a piano, typewriters and antique phones are a feature, as is a chandelier made from the old rim of a Ford Model T. The latter has personal significance for Wildflower Gin founder James Greig, as it used to hang in the house he grew up in. Wildflower's gin-making and gin-tasting classes will continue, too. If you're feeling peckish over a drink, though, it's strictly a bring-your-own-food affair — or you can order in while you're there. Booking a table is recommended, and can also bring your pooch in with you. Find Wildflower Gin at 2/486 Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes — open Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm, and on Sundays from 2pm.
You know when a club night celebrates an anniversary, chances are they're going to throw a massive party just to prove it. Such is the case with party collective White Rhino who have been hosting unruly and diverse events for the past three years now, bringing exciting artists such as Mount Kimbie and Seeka to the basement level of Barsoma. As the brain child of fellow beat-heads Simon Bird (Lone Pariah) and Richard Buck (Arku), White Rhino was designed to blend techno, glitch and electro beats with digital art, blurry the boundaries of sound and vision to create an unhinged and hypnotic party vibe. The innovative approach worked and now three years later the pair are celebrating the night's third birthday. This Saturday at the collectives home Barsoma will be a birthday extravaganza that will include two stages of sound and vision, Rhino pinyatas, as well as a few other surprises you'll just have to wait and see. The guest of honour of the party will be much lauded producer DRO CAREY, who has been setting the world on fire with his distinct sound. UK music bible FACT MAGAZINE has already anointed him as one of the ten producers to watch in 2011 – and he's only 18. There will also be a bunch of other track twisting performances by Vivandiere, Atlast, Jimmy Larcombe and Forest of Death, so best be prepared for a big one while White Rhino blow out the candles.
When Babylon Brisbane opened its doors at the end of December 2022, it didn't just mark the first Sunshine State outpost for the eatery that's been serving up dishes and drinks in Sydney since 2019. It also saw 145 Eagle Street gain the first of two new venues, the second of which has just launched as well: waterfront bar Babylon Garden. Initially announced back in November, too, Babylon Garden is the 500-person, 645-square-metre outdoor hangout space accompanying Babylon Brisbane's sitdown indoor 120-person setup. So, you can head inside for a restaurant meal with river views, or spend your afternoon or evening right by the water on two tiers of terraces, sipping beverages in the open air. As with indoors, Babylon Gardens' design is overseen by Brisbane's Hogg and Lamb, the architects behind the Sydney venue. This time, pale bricks are a big feature, plus timber furniture, leather banquettes, and palm trees and plants aplenty. You'll sit at green marble tabletops at high and low tables, and your drinks come from a ten-metre brass bar. On the menu amid that greenery, and while soaking in the fresh air: Middle Eastern and East Mediterranean bites and cocktails. The food lineup is a collaboration between Babylon Brisbane's Head Chef Ferdinand Sariin and Babylon Sydney's Head Chef Robert Taylor, with standout options including crispy chicken wings with Baharat spice, harissa and labneh; homemade falafel with tahini sauce, dukkah and lemon; and pumpkin kebabs with coriander, muhammara and Aleppo chilli. For something sweet, there's also assorted baklava, plus three-piece servings of Turkish delight. Drinks-wise, the range of beers on tap and by the bottle heroes brews from around the world, as does the hefty wine list. With bubbles, the focus unsurprisingly falls heavily on French champagne. Folks keen on a cocktail will find Middle Eastern-meets-East Mediterranean flavours shining through here, too, as tasted in the Semiramis' Throne (made with Tanqueray Sevilla, mastic liqueur, apricot, lemon, falernum and orange blossom), Devine Levanthyme (limoncello, lemon gin, thyme, sugar and egg white) and Turkish espresso martini (with Turkish coffee and cardamom-infused Metaxa 7, chocolate liqueur, orgeat and cold brew). Find Babylon Garden at 145 Eagle Street, Brisbane — open 11am–11.30pm Sundays–Tuesdays, 11am–12am Wednesdays, 11am–1.30 Thursdays and 11am–2am Fridays–Saturdays. Images: Markus Ravik.
Living the yacht life without actually getting on a yacht is set to become a reality on the Gold Coast this year, with the Marina Mirage scoring its own floating beach club, La Luna, in April. But if you'd like to check out the venue's restaurant in advance for a stint of cider mussels and pineapple margaritas, the waterside spot has good news: said eatery, also called La Luna, has just opened its doors. In a space filled with soft, crisp shades — on the walls, and in the linen and curtains — and plenty of natural light from its big windows, diners can now tuck into a meal and a few drinks while looking over the marina. At present, it's only catering to small groups of six and under, but if you're keen to gather the gang or even host a function, La Luna will welcome you in in the coming weeks. Unsurprisingly, plenty of the ocean's finest earns a spot on the menu, including seafood platters with optional lobster, oysters three ways, salmon sashimi, lobster rolls, beer-battered prawns and seafood linguine from across the full lineup. The mezze range also spans goose liver and black truffle pate, wagyu bresaola and dips; the cold bar selection features crispy wonton crackers and spicy beef tartare; and saganaki cheese, four cuts of steak, three types of pizza, and mains such as miso pork belly and confit duck leg will also tempt your tastebuds. From the drinks list, expect sparkling, white and red wines to suit all budgets, plus local and international brews on tap and by the bottle — and several options spirits-wise, no matter whether you're a gin, vodka, tequila, bourbon, rum or whisky drinker. If the whole seaside setup screams cocktail to you, the signature offerings include barrel-aged negronis and mai tais, as well as non-boozy spritzes, sours and watermelon highballs. All of the above will still be available when La Luna opens the beach club side of the site, of course — adding another spot to the Glitter Strip after a rooftop beach club launched in Surfers Paradise and a pop-up beach club on the sand at Broadbeach, both in 2021. La Luna is the brainchild of the Gennari Group, which is already behind the Gold Coast's Koi Broadbeach, Glass Dining & Lounge Bar, The Loose Moose, Maggie Choo and Roosevelt Lounge, and takes inspiration from its European counterparts — and from Mykonos and Saint-Tropez in general — with a few cues gleaned from Tulum in Mexico as well. Think: daybeds, private cabanas and pools on its pontoon setup, obviously, as well as a bar, and dining not just inside but also outdoors by the water. Find La Luna Beach Club at Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Gold Coast — with its onsite restaurant open now, and the beach club itself due to open in April 2022.
As always, Falls Festival has gifted us with one helluva lineup. Helping to ring in the art and music festival's 27th year is a pretty exciting gang of musical mates headlined by America pop singer and star Halsey, who'll be performing songs off her Platinum albums Badlands and Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. She's joined by Ezra Koenig-fronted rock band Vampire Weekend, who've just dropped their latest album Father of the Bride, British electro duo Disclosure and Icelandic indie pop band Of Monsters and Men. True to form, the Falls 2019 local lineup is equally exciting, and every bit as broad. Homegrown acts hitting the stage include The Voice himself John Farnham, who'll be belting out hits from some of his nineteen albums, including, we're sure, 'You're the Voice'. Aussie dance trio Pnau, dance floor regulars Peking Duk, folk singer Vera Blue and rapper Baker Boy will all be making appearances, too. As always, the tunes are backed by a colourful curation of art events, performances, pop-ups, markets, wellness sessions and gourmet eats. It's all happening over New Years at the usual spots in Tassie's Marion Bay, the North Byron Parklands and the Fremantle Oval Precinct, WA. But, the Lorne festival in Victoria, as of Sunday, December 29, has had to cancel one day into the event because of extreme and hazardous weather. You can read more about the cancellation here. FALLS FESTIVAL 2019 LINEUP Halsey (no sideshows) Vampire Weekend Disclosure Peking Duk Of Monsters and Men Pnau Lewis Capaldi Milky Chance John Farnham Banks (no sideshows) Dope Lemon Vera Blue Yungblud G Flip Crooked Colours Parcels Thelma Plum #1 Dads Waax Baker Boy Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Amyl & The Sniffers The Japanese House Pink Sweat$ Good Doogs Cxloe Totty Tash Sultana (Byron Bay only) What So Not (Lorne only) Wolfmother (Marion Bay only) Matt Corby (Fremantle only) Updated December 29
Since 2011, DJ Tom Loud's travelling dance party Hot Dub Time Machine has ripped up stages the world over, offering a rolling crossfade of the last six decades of pop-music. But seeing as you can't go out and party at a club or even a vineyard at the moment due to the Government's ban on mass gatherings, Hot Dub is bringing the good times to your living room instead. Expect everything from 50s rock 'n' roll tunes to disco hits like ABBA's 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' and Donna Summer's sultry 'I Feel Love'; ballads and some glam rock from the 80s; Alex Dyson cutting aerobics-style moves to 90s hit 'Steal My Sunshine'; Darude's epic 'Sandstorm'; and Britney's 'Toxic' — you get the idea. Sure enough, this online dance party will have you pushing your furniture aside and heating up a makeshift at-home dance floor in no time. To add to the vibe, there'll be disco lights and a live chat going so you can socialise with other partygoers, plus Loud's family dancing in the background, keeping things wholesome. Hot Dub at Home occurs every second Saturday, kicking off a 6pm, and can be viewed on Twitch. Hot Dub has also launched podcast Decades by Hot Dub Time Machine which will keep you grooving till the next online boogie fest rolls around. Top image: Pat Stevenson
From boozy mini-golf spots to beer-fuelled pinball and gaming dens to circus-style arcade joints, Brisbane's themed bar scene has been booming over the past few years. And it shows no signs of stopping, with the inner-city now home to an escape room that doubles as an underground watering hole, too. Originally announced last year and finally opening last month in Spring Hill, Arcadium Adventures has transformed the basement of Wickham Terrace's heritage-listed Espie Dods House into a place for cracking puzzles and knocking back cocktails. You can currently work your way through two spaces within the site to begin with, with a third set to launch later in 2020. Fancy entering (then sleuthing your way out of) the 'Realm of Magic' and 'Realm of Mystery'? That's what the first two escape rooms are called, with 'Realm of Fantasy' still to come. They all take inspiration from a range of sources, including Arthurian legend; Roman, Egyptian and Chinese mythology; and Victorian-era fiction — and they're all designed to connect to an ongoing story, or shared universe, that'll keep being revealed in the future. Arcadium Adventures has dubbed its spaces "immersive adventures" rather than escape rooms, though, with each offering up more than one big mystery to solve. While just what they entail is obviously best discovered by grabbing four or five friends, paying $40 per person and heading along yourself, each experience runs for 50 minutes and uses augmented reality to add an extra dimension to the fun — with participants given their own device to use when the enter. Beverage-wise, the speakeasy-style bar serves up locally brewed beers, spirits and drinks inspired by the immersive escape room experiences. Sip your way through a 'Liquid Luck', which combines apple, mango and prosecco, or opt for a 'Sanguis Dragonis' made from gin, Aperol, lime juice and ginger beer Open to everyone — even if you're not testing your escaping skills — the bar seats 40 and is available to hire for events. If finding clues and having a few drinks is your idea of a celebration, then you're in the right spot. Find Arcadium Adventures at 97 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill — open Wednesdays–Thursdays from 5–9pm, Fridays from 2–11pm, Saturdays from 12–11pm and Sundays from 12–9pm.
For those times when you're craving a taste of Korea, wander down to Bistro Korea. Here, you'll find 12 of Korea's best traditional dishes, including crowd favourites like bibimbap and fried chicken. Conveniently located in Coorparoo Square, the contemporary Korean eatery features minimalist decor in a light, modern space. A wall-to-wall mural gives a nod to Korea's vibrant city streetscapes, while also paying homage to the country's ever-popular K-Pop. Back to the menu, treat yourself to hot stone bowls of delicious eats, or sizzling plates of marinated meats, Korean pancakes, bulgogi japchae and, of course, deep-fried chicken. Wash it all down with your choice of Korean bottled beer or Korean vodka for an authentic dining experience. Images: Kiel Wode
If you've ever wondered what the chefs behind some of Australia's top restaurants are really like, that lust for knowledge can now be slaked with the launch of new Australian food podcast, The Pass. Having launched this week, each weekly episode will take listeners behind the scenes with restaurant icons including chefs, food critics and other food-related personalities. The podcast's guests — which will this season include Kylie Kwong, Matt Moran, 4fourteen's Colin Fassnidge, blogger and author Sarah Wilson, wine hero Mike Bennie, Dave Pynt of Singapore's Burnt Ends and Josh Niland of Saint Peter — delve into their own personal favourite dishes, ingredients, and restaurants, as well as dishing out answers to burning questions like what they would choose as a death row meal. Broadcaster and meteorologist Magdelena Roze hosts the podcast, which goes all over the country, from quickfire interviews on the streets to in-depth discussions inside secret locations that the guests have chosen themselves. Each episode will also include a bite-sized interview with another food personality at the end, where they endure a barrage of questions about their most (and least) favourite things. It's produced by Roze alongside the podcast's creative director Sam Kennedy and founder Jeanine Bribosia. The podcast itself is perfect to wolf down on the way to work, at the gym or, fittingly, while eating lunch — each episode clocks in at 20 minutes. Episode one of The Pass launched this week, with an episode to be released each Tuesday for the next eight weeks. You can listen to it here.
First, it was Taco Bell. Now, another big American food brand has set up shop in southeast Queensland: TGI Fridays. In fact, if you head to Robina on the Gold Coast, you can now choose between the two — because that's where TGI Fridays has opened its first eatery in the state. While the US-based chain of bar and grill-style restaurants already has 13 other locations around Australia, it hadn't yet made the jump up north. Thankfully, that's now changed, meaning that Queenslanders can tuck into its array of steaks, ribs, wings and burgers while sipping a hefty array of cocktails. The Robina Town Centre store's menu falls in line with its interstate eateries. Food-wise, the general range includes wraps, salads, starters such as mozzarella sticks and mac 'n' cheese-loaded potato twisters, and mains that span chicken tenders, cracked pepper calamari with fries, and cajun chicken and prawn fettuccine. The dessert selection goes heavy on American favourites; think brownies, sundaes and apple crumble. As for drinks, TGI Fridays takes its beverages seriously, with its standard menu serving up 30 types of cocktails and seven kinds of mocktails. Wine, beer by the bottle and on tap, and both boozy and non-alcoholic shakes are also on offer. And, so is TGI Friday's famed daily happy hour. Patrons can enjoy their meals and beverages on the Robina Town Centre Promenade, with the store featuring both indoor and outdoor seating, a central bar, TV screens playing sports and an open kitchen. The fitout keeps the signature TGI Fridays look, which includes timber accents and industrial-style lighting installations. When it comes to the venue's vibe, TGI Fridays pitches itself as part-way between a restaurant and a hangout spot. Back when the brand launched in the 60s, it was actually a singles bar; but these days it's focused on casual, novelty-based American dining. Find TGI Fridays at Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina — open 11am–midnight daily.
Given that the Anywhere Theatre Festival is now in its fifth year, you probably know what it is all about by now. If you didn't before, you did the moment you read its name: this is a festival for theatre that could happen anywhere. Sure, it sounds simple — but anywhere really does mean anywhere. Yoga studios, Boggo Road Gaol, cafes, bookshops, bars, bowls clubs and markets are all set to become playgrounds for the next breed of eccentric, experimental physical theatre, dance and circus. The festival program does feature 57 productions and 337 performances in 24 Brisbane suburbs, after all. Here are just five of the best.
First, a confession: Eagles Nest isn't strictly next to a body of water. Stick with us though, because if there's a next best thing — or a potentially even better thing — then it's this. This bar is only a block or so away from two Kangaroo Point stretches of the Brisbane river, and it's 12 storeys up on The Point's rooftop. That means a bird's-eye vantage of everything from the CBD to New Farm, including the windy waterway in the middle. It might only be open two days a week — every Friday and Sunday from 3pm — but we'll take our sweeping, high-rise river vistas whenever we can get them. Particularly at sunset. Updated August 13, 2020.
Milton has been home to a giant brewery for decades. In recent years, a variety of small and independent beermakers have also set up shop in the inner west suburb. But, amidst all that yeast and hops — and the strong scent of both that lingers in the air — Milton boasts its own spirits outfit thanks to Milton Rum Distillery. Obviously, rum is on the menu at this family-run operation. The distillery actually nods to an undersung part of the area's history, with the original rum-producing Milton Distillery springing into action way back in 1871. At this new joint, you can choose between Spanish-inspired tipples, a spiced cane spirit, and a coffee and cane spirit. Milton Rum Distillery is colocated with Milton cocktail bar The Malecon, which — you guessed it — also heroes rum.
Bored within the confines of your 4-wall bedroom? Embrace your bohemian desires by trading in your modern accommodations for a whimsical gypsy wagon. England's Gypsy Caravan Company creates wagons fit with a double bed, seating, a pull-out table, storage lockers, wardrobe, a secret den, and bookshelves. These miniature homes are also furnished with all the romantic decor appropriate for such a home design: birdcages, crocheted curtains and wood stoves. The company asserts a myriad of uses for such a structure, ranging from a child's playhouse to and artist's studio. These caravans are the perfect hideaway for those who want to unleash their inner romantic or who lead a gypsy-esque nomadic lifestyle--each wagon is equipped with a set of wheels. [via Flavorwire]
In 2023, IKEA celebrated 80 years of operation. To mark the occasion, it unveiled the Nytillverkad collection, which scours the company's design archives to bring back pieces that've proven a hit in the past, and also riff on its prior highlights in general. Like anyone commemorating a big birthday, the Swedish giant isn't done with the festivities yet. Just because it's now 2024, that doesn't mean that it can't keep dropping retro products. With the brand's lengthy history, there's a reason that almost everyone can't remember a time the chain was a homewares go-to. Started by Ingvar Kamprad, aka the IK in IKEA's moniker, it began in 1943 and moved into furniture in 1948. The company then opened its first store in Sweden a decade later — and came to Australia in the 70s. It's the decade of IKEA's Aussie arrival — and the 60s as well — that gets a massive nod in the Nytillverkad collection's latest drop, which hit stores and online on Wednesday, January 10. Think: shaggy rugs, bold patterns and swivel armchairs. Think bright pops of colour as well. Among the side tables, cushion covers and more, 12 of the newly available pieces are re-introductions, with IKEA's Karin Mobring and Gillis Lundgren reviving them from the brand's history. "Vintage furniture has made a big comeback lately, and there's been a growing demand for certain IKEA products that have become collector's favourites," said IKEA Sweden Global Design Manager Johan Eidemo. "That is why we decided to bring back a selection of our design icons, and we are excited to see interest coming from customers of all ages, especially young people who are discovering our design legacy and using these vibrant solutions to express themselves at home. To us, these products are the essence of democratic design, they are timeless, as they combine a beautiful form, a great function, sustainability, an affordable price, and quality that lasts long." Does your lounge room need a white and chrome two-tier side table that first graced IKEA's catalogue in 1971? A yellow-hued armchair from 1969? A black armchair that's designed to reduce stress from 1967? A pendant lampshade that debuted in 1979? They're part of the Nytillverkad range's current vintage focus. Prices vary from $5.50 for a cushion cover to $299 for an armchair — and like with all IKEA limited-edition drops, including its recent first-ever workout collection, you'll want to get in quick before everything sells out. IKEA's Nytillverkad collection is on sale now in Australia, in store and online, until stocks last. Head to the IKEA website for further details.
Subscriptions aren't just for magazines, wine, cheese, cars, ramen and streaming platforms. Thanks to Botanic Box, they're also for plants. Created by Brisbanite Rhiannon Campbell, the service brings a new bundle of greenery to your door each and every month. If the idea sounds somewhat familiar, that's because fellow Brisbane outfit The Succy Bunch does something similar — but while it changes its selection twelve times a year, you can't sign up on ongoing basis. With Botanic Box, packages range from three to six to twelve months, bringing you a different plant and a handmade item each month for the duration of your subscription. It's the type of service that seems tailor-made for folks with green thumbs but lazy feet — that is, anyone who'd love to get a heap of new plants, but can never make it to a market or nursery to buy one themselves. More than that, Botanic Box doesn't just feature the kinds of greenery that you could just pick up on your travels. Rather, your plants — maybe a fiddle leaf fig, a succulent or a eucalyptus — will arrive with handmade pots, art cards, key rings and more accompanying each delivery. As well as teaming up with a range of local growers, the service highlights a different artist and maker each month, with previous partnerships including Lush Succulents, studio Nikulinsky, Kojo Kokedamas and Lazer Unicorn. This is all about one-off collaborations that showcase local talent and add a nice dash of nature to your house. While October subscriptions have already closed off, anyone that's on the books for November will benefit from Botanic Box's team-up with ethical skincare company Two Winged Fruit. Subscriptions start at $49.95 per month, and you can purchase one for yourself or sign someone else up as a gift. Or, if you're feeling less than financial, you can drop hints to everyone you know that Christmas is around the corner. For more details, visit botanicbox.com.au.
Intrepid travellers have been getting down to fishy business in a submerged hotel room off Tanzania’s East Coast since November. But now, you can turn the occasional subaquatic sally into a permanent thing. That’s right, 144 years after Jules Verne wrote 20,000 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, underwater homes are officially up for sale. Meet the H20ME, the brand new undersea residential creation from US Submarine Structures. The structure is comprised of two floors that provide 340 square metres of sunken living space between them. On the top level, you'll find two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open lounge and expansive skylight-type structures. On the bottom floor, there's a master bedroom, kitchen, dining area, lounge, library and bar for mixing copious Sea Breezes and Salty Dogs. Every ocean-facing wall is made of transparent acrylic panels, kept clean by automatic water jets; you're pretty much backdropped on every side by a live, 24/7 version of Finding Nemo. What's more, the view is kept well-illuminated and busy via an elaborate array of external lights and fish feeders. You can literally populate your view with bait. You can even opt for a seascaping service, through which you can order colourful coral gardens according to your taste. Yep, that's tailormade ocean views, designed by your lucky, lucky self. Where exactly in the world you take up residence in your H20ME is up to you — and most likely the government who owns your chosen seabed. The only specification is that it must be built between ten metres and eighteen metres below sea level. Access is attained through a private pier connected to either an elevator or a spiral staircase and the dwelling is fixed to the sea floor with bolts and struts. Air pressure is maintained at the same level as that found on land — so there's no need for decompressing every time you pop out to the shops to replenish your dwindling caviar supply. The only catch (zing) is the H20ME will set you back a cool $10 million. Start saving those dubloons. Via Gizmag. Images: US Submarine Structures.
Have you heard? Legendary pop and dance icons Charli XCX, Duke Dumont, Cosmo's Midnight and Sonny Fodera are taking to the stage with other stellar artists across four stunning waterside locations for the 2023 run of For The Love. On Saturday, February 25, stars from here and abroad will be taking over the Gold Coast's Doug Jennings Park for one massive day and night of good-time vibes — with the glitzy-meets-beachy locale's skyline glistening across the water as your backdrop, you'll be dancing to hits and sending out your summer on a high. The 2023 lineup is stacked. The team at Untitled Group — the same minds behind Beyond the Valley and Pitch Music & Arts — have gathered an incredibly strong list of acts to keep the energy high while FTL delivers its signature elevated experience (complete with stand-out fashion and lifestyle elements). Expect Snakehips, Budjerah and KYE, as well as Sumner and Jade Zoe, to make appearances. And while you can experience all of this as a regular punter, For The Love's VIP tickets make it that much better. Enjoy a private bar (avoiding longer lines elsewhere — huge win), upgraded amenities and access to the coveted VIP deck (for uninterrupted views of the stage) and the double-storey VIP fashion lounge (where you'll mingle with FTL's fun-loving ambassadors and social personalities). Is is, by far, the best way to experience this red-hot lineup, which is why Concrete Playground Trips has teamed up with For The Love to create an epic VIP travel package. First off, we're putting guests up in the The Island Gold Coast for two nights — just a short drive from the For The Love venue. In each room? Grey Goose Vodka Essences (to start your pre-drinking the right way) and Tend-2 Hangover Relief (the 100% organic pills that will save you a bit of pain the next day). The much-anticipated event is an exceptional way to send off summer — set your reminders now, legends. The VIP For The Love Gold Coast package is exclusive to Concrete Playground Trips. To book your curated experience, head to the website.
Since opening in October 2018, West Village has provided West End with grassy spaces, lively festivals and multiple places to eat. But, the expanding development isn't done yet. Over the coming months, it's adding a new dining and retail precinct, starting with the just-opened Middle Eastern eatery Beirut Bazaar. Taking up residence on the ground level of the Peters Ice Cream Factory building, the 75-seat restaurant is serving up traditional-style feasts, with cumin, sumac and coriander featuring heavily. Expect to taste the spices in specialty dips and breads, Lebanese mezze, savoury pastries and sweet treats — and in the shawarma, the main attraction. Shawarma is Beirut Bazaar's signature dish, in fact. Patrons can expect to tuck into a fillet of lamb, beef or chicken that has been marinated in traditional spices for 48 hours, and is then served on pita with parsley, tomato and legumes. A vegan and vegetarian selection is also on the menu and, drinks-wise, Beirut Bazaar's cocktail list is curated by the bar team from Nineteen at The Star. Owner Andre Samra has taken inspiration from his father, who migrated from Lebanon to Australia — and, continuing the family connection, he has launched Beirut Bazaar with his daughter Vanessa.
The days are dwindling down, and you've come to a stressful realisation: you've left your Christmas shopping until late in the season again. Let's face it, you're not alone. Thankfully, trawling the mall isn't your only option when it comes to finding a gift or grabbing ingredients for a delicious meal. Returning for another year from 6–10pm on Friday, December 14, the Carseldine Markets is hosting a twilight event brimming with the spirit of the season. Get your list ready, because all the art, craft and fresh produce stalls you know and love will be on site, just waiting to help you out of a festive fix. In 2017, there was more than 180 of them,. Prepare to tuck into festive treats, too (because you'll need to eat while you browse), as well as ample entertainment. Yes, it's a Christmas wonderland. Warning: if you're more of a Grinch than one of Santa's elves, you'd best prepare yourself for an overdose of holiday cheer. Image via Carseldine Markets.
Brisbane's skyline might boast a Skyneedle from Expo '88, a building that looks like it belongs in Gotham City, and a few rooftop doughnuts around the place (thanks, Doughnut Time), however, the city doesn't have a leaning tower... yet. Forget Pisa — slightly askew structures can pop up in Kangaroo Point, too. Well, they can if a new residential block with a striking design gets the go ahead. If approved, The Jardino would take over the space at 12 Hamilton Street, bringing 19 storeys of not-quite-straight apartments to the riverside patch of land. Of course, unlike the tourist attraction that people flock to Italy to see — and take mindblowing, perspective-bending, incredibly original faux hold-up photos — that tilt will be by design. And, while the multi-layered monolith will feature a distinctive curve, that's not the only striking feature. Given that its name means garden in French, it's hardly surprising that external greenery will play a large part in The Jardino. The tiered construction will facilitate a vertical garden that'll change with the seasons, and brighten up the sky with LED lighting at night. Plus, The Jardino won't just be nice to gaze at — it'll also give folks with fat stacks of spare cash a fancy new place to live. On the 17 floors that will be dedicated to living space, each one will only house one apartment. We're not quite sure why it needs to lean, but we're not ones to quash ambitious, blue-sky design ideas. Lean on. Via Domain. Images: Supplied.
Romance. Kidnapping. A farm girl called Buttercup. A scheming prince. A swashbuckling saviour. A giant. When William Goldman threw them all together, The Princess Bride was the end result — first in his 1973 novel, and then in the 1987 film that the late, great writer also penned. For more than three decades, viewers have watched Fred Savage hear the world's best bedtime story, Robin Wright and Cary Elwes frolick in fields, and Andre the Giant tower over everyone around, with The Princess Bride one of those beloved 80s flicks that never gets old. That said, if you've ever found yourself enjoying all of the above and thinking "a musical number or two wouldn't go astray", you're about to be in luck. Despite what outlaw boss Vizzini (Wallace Shawn) might exclaim, a musical version is no longer inconceivable. Instead, Disney is channelling another famous Princess Bride line: as you wish. While the project has been in various stages of development for more than a decade, a new creative team has been hired to finally make this all-singing take on the tale a reality, The Hollywood Reporter notes. Fresh from nabbing a 2018 Tony Award for The Band's Visit, David Yazbek will take care of The Princess Bride's original music and lyrics, while book fellow Tony winner Bob Martin (The Prom, The Drowsy Chaperone) will pair up with Rick Elice (The Cher Show, Jersey Boys) on the book. If The Princess Bride musical does come to fruition this time, it'll join the ever-growing list of movies leaping to the stage, including Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bring It On, Mean Girls, Clueless, The Bodyguard, Amelie, Waitress, Muriel's Wedding and Moulin Rouge!, with versions of The Devil Wears Prada, Empire Records, Mrs Doubtfire, The Notebook and Aussie classic Starstruck also in the works. No timeframe has been given for The Princess Bride; however the film's trailer will help tide you over until more news comes to hand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9FRDyTerZA Via The Hollywood Reporter.
What uses 16 litres of paint, 100 water bombs and has an elusive contributor named Narnia? If you guessed the graffiti version of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, you'd only be half right. Strutten is the correct answer, and if you've never heard the name before, it's a webzine celebrating Australia’s local and underground artists, that at the same time aims to educate, support and promote independent art to the wider world. As we know, most good ideas generate somewhere strange, and Strutten is without exception. It was a cool summer night on a netball court, or so the story goes, and seven friends on the same team decided competitive sports weren't all they were good at, and imagined up a webzine with style. Strutten came into it's own, showcasing Brisbane's unique culture, art, style and musical talents with the mantra 'We love what we like'. With that said, Strutten are pleased to present their official launch party at Bleeding Heart Gallery on June 17, enlisting the help of twelve of Brisbane's finest individuals. There'll even be giveaways and live music to accompany Strutten's flagship 'We love what we like' exhibition. Did I mention it was free? Also, all the proceeds from bar sales go to a community enterprise that assists communities and marginalised people. Ahh how good is that? Supporting local talent AND helping the community. You good samaritan, you.
In case you've somehow missed the fact that it's nearly Christmas, the Brisbane Quarter precinct is reminding everyone in a big way. And in a twinkling way, too, covering 175 square metres of the CBD site with more than 8000 glowing lights. If bright bulbs make you feel merry, then head to the corner of Adelaide and George Streets, look up, and prepare to be wowed by digitally controlled, low-voltage LED pebble lights. Even better — they're being programmed to flash in various colours and patterns (think ribbons, stars, bells and other jolly configurations). The luminous sight is currently on display, adding some extra Xmas cheer to its patch of the inner-city; however you might want to stop by from 6–7pm any weekday between Monday, December 16 and Friday, December 20. That's when the Brisbane Quarter Christmas Pop-up will also feature Christmas carols and free gelato. To nab your scoop, make sure you're one of the first 100 people there.
When Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement decided to don fangs, embrace the undead and make a mockumentary about vampire housemates, What We Do in the Shadows was the sidesplittingly funny end result. And when the pair decided to expand the concept on the small screen, utterly delightful things followed, including NZ television show Wellington Paranormal — which stuck with the movie's movie's cops as they kept investigating the supernatural — and the American TV series also called What We Do in the Shadows. That US television offshoot also boasts a killer cast, all playing an ace roundup of vamps. For the uninitiated, this iteration of What We Do in the Shadows is set in Staten Island — but no, Pete Davidson doesn't show up. Instead, the series focuses on a household where Nandor (Kayvan Novak, Cruella), Laszlo (Matt Berry, Toast of London and Toast of Tinseltown) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga) all live. Energy vampire Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch, The Office) and Nandor's familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillen, Werewolves Within), the latter of which comes from a family of slayers, have also staked a claim in the story. Given that this What We Do in the Shadows has been running for four seasons now, with a fifth on the way, that basic premise is just the beginning. Plenty of supernatural mayhem has followed Nandor and company, and long may it continue. Indeed, in the just-dropped trailer for season five, everything is as wonderfully chaotic as ever — and yes, "bat!" gets yelled and Matt Berry is as glorious as ever. Visits to shopping malls, getting into politics, hosting news shows, saucy rendezvous, the return of other familiar faces: they're all glimpsed in this sneak peek, which doesn't just herald the return of TV's best vampires, but of the best on-screen universe there is. Fingers crossed that just like bloodsuckers, this small-screen take on What We Do in the Shadows will never die. For now, its fifth season has locked in a mid-July return date in the US, which hopefully means that it will hit Australia via Binge and New Zealand via Neon at the same time. Check out the trailer for What We Do in the Shadows season five below: What We Do in the Shadows' fifth season arrives in the US on July 13, with Australian (via Binge) and New Zealand (via Neon) return dates still to be confirmed — we'll update you when they're locked in.
No city can ever have too many places that encourage you to relax. We all lead busy lives, and we all need every reminder that we can get that slowing down, relaxing and putting our wellbeing first are important. So, while Brisbane has no shortage of wellness studios, adding another one is always welcome. By the time that April is out, Contro Wellness in Lutwyche will be River City's latest place to chase bliss. Opening on Lutwyche Road on Saturday, April 20, 2024, this pastel-hued spot is going Mediterranean-style with its bathhouse setup — and dreamy, too, as its calming colour palette helps evoke. Inside, patrons will find both traditional and infrared saunas, float therapy, ice baths, steam rooms and mineral soaks. And if that's not enough, there's red-light therapy and salt therapy as well. "Contro Wellness is the ultimate escape from the everyday hustle and bustle of city life," said Madeleine Snaith and Jake Salomone, the venue's co-founders. The pair are Brisbanites, but are opening Contro Wellness as part of their homecoming after establishing pilates and yoga studios — also called Contro — in north Queensland, in Mackay and Rural View. "Our extensive range of private health solutions offer calm amongst the chaos. Whether you're after a float, sauna or ice bath, we've got something for everyone to help rebalance, revive and rejuvenate." If you're keen on not just relaxation, but some alone time — or sharing your experience with a date or mate — this isn't the kind of place where you'll be using the facilities with other folks. All services are private, which is handy if you're also the type of person who finds trying to de-stress surrounded by people who don't know anything but calming. Price-wise, you'll be forking out at least $40, which is where Contro Wellness' services start. The bathhouse will also let you book in via its app, so you can lock in your next stint of unwinding at the touch of a button. Find Contro Wellness 488 Lutwyche Road, Lutwyche, from Saturday, April 20, 2024. Head to the studio's website for further information. Images: renders.
Before 2021 is out, Australian will finally get to see the Tony Award-winning Moulin Rouge! The Musical, with the stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann's beloved 2001 film set to hit Melbourne once the city's lockdown ends. Also happening this year — and also spreading the movie-inspired love — is a big Brisbane gig called Spectacular Spectacular, which'll turn the Fortitude Music Hall into a Parisian club to celebrate Moulin Rouge!'s 20th anniversary. It's news so exciting, the audience will stomp and cheer. That said, despite the song lyrics that you now have stuck in your head, Spectacular Spectacular will only play for one evening. Still, this event is going to make the most of its single night, serving up what's being dubbed a '20th anniversary live music show'. Think: a heap of Brisbane musos hopping on stage to play through Moulin Rouge!'s iconic soundtrack, all backed by a 15-piece band, accompanied by dancers and decked out in costumes. Powderfinger's Darren Middleton, The Grates' Patience Hodgson and Superjesus' Sarah McLeod will all take to the stage, the latter pair sharing the songs of Satine — the character played by Nicole Kidman in the film. The show's lineup also includes Sahara Beck, Hope D and Tia Gostelow, as well as actor Eddie Baroo playing Harold Zidler. And, Anji Greenwood VOIID, Zach Britt from Dream on Dreamer and Pauline Maudy from MZAZA are all on the bill, too, alongside opera aficionado Bradley Daley, theatrical art collective Boss Moxi and the award-winning Phluxus2 Dance Collective. If you're now thinking "come what may" — or planning to break out your best can-can — you'll want to block out Friday, December 10 in your diary. Pre-sale tickets go on sale from 9am AEST on Wednesday, October 20, and general tickets from 9am Thursday, October 21, with VIP packages that include champagne upon arrival and table service afterwards also available. And if you just can't wait for this celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and love — and a 2001 classic, obviously — you can check out the trailer for the film below:
Exclaiming "I'm already a star. You don't become a star: you either are one or you aren't. I am!" to get into the hottest party in Los Angeles, aspiring 1920s actor Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie, Amsterdam) has ambition. Gracing the same Golden Age soirée after ending his latest marriage with an overplayed joke that could've sprung from Inglourious Basterds, veteran leading man Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt, Bullet Train) wouldn't have gotten where he is without the same drive and determination. And, helping the shindig be the only place to be, including wrangling an elephant for the night's entertainment (a pachyderm that empties its bowels on everyone pushing it up a hill no less), Manny Torres (Diego Calva, Narcos: Mexico) has the eagerness to do something — anything — in show business. Meet Babylon's zeal-dripping on-screen threesome, a trio matched only in their quest to rocket sky-high as the man conjuring them up: jazz-loving, La La Land Oscar-winning, Tinseltown-adoring writer/director Damien Chazelle. As Babylon unfurls across its hefty 189-minute running time, it takes a colossal heap of ambition — perhaps as immense as the pile of cocaine that Nellie gravitates towards inside the party — to make it or even fake it in the film industry. For his fifth feature, and first since 2018's First Man, Chazelle waves around his own as enthusiastically as he possibly can. Even just considering his hefty list of conspicuous influences makes that clear, with the filmmaker unshackling his inner Baz Luhrmann, Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson and David Lynch, to name a mere few overt nods. The Great Gatsby, Goodfellas, The Wolf of Wall Street, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Mulholland Drive: swirl them together with Kenneth Anger's 1959 publication Hollywood Babylon, plus everything from Sunset Boulevard to Hail, Caesar!, and that's just the beginning of Chazelle's plans. The end result also makes for a relentless and ravenous movie that's always a lot, not just in length, but is dazzling (and also very funny) when it clicks. That elephant crap doesn't just make quite the opening, as splattered from a visible opening. Beneath the glitz and glamour, and aiding all things shiny and starry to appear that way, lurks something far less seductive — so Babylon posits from the outset, then keeps pulling back the curtain like it's The Wizard of Oz. Before the film's first 15 minutes are up, it has also sprayed urine, waded through orgies, thrown around furniture, thrust about drugs and danced frenzied dances (Robbie does an entrancing one, No Time to Die cinematographer Linus Sandgren does another with his soaring and swooping camerawork, and Chazelle's usual composer Justin Hurwitz sets the bouncy tone with his Golden Globe-winning score, then keeps doing so). Also, before the initial revelry recedes, Manny is smitten with Nellie, while she has an acting job the next day. Hollywood: it's where shit explodes and snakes are wrestled literally and metaphorically, and where enough wishes are granted on-screen and behind the scenes to keep everyone returning for more. In the rest of its first act, Babylon is a filmmaking western; to spend time on a silent-era set here is to gallop across cinema's frontier. Nellie is a natural, and feted for crying on cue (that she's getting her start when big gestures and performances are a necessity also assists). Manny nabs an opportunity as well, his efforts to secure a replacement camera for a pivotal epic shot before a moody director loses his light instantly one of the film's most hilarious stretches. While the preceding party was a vibe, Babylon's best bursts through this madcap on-the-lot day. Simply surveying the packed-together sets, movies made next to movies upon movies, is a delight — and the pacing, zippily juggling Nellie, Manny and Jack's exploits, is among the picture's tightest. With the feature kicking off in 1926, though, the noisy, frenzied chaos that buzzes in this sequence has a talkie-sparked expiration date. For the fools who dream, Chazelle worships stories of artists chasing lifelong fantasies and meeting stark realities, with Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, Whiplash, La La Land and streaming series The Eddy all leading to Babylon. He's equally fond of Tinseltown's favourite tales about Tinseltown: the path-crossing of new starlets and established players as change reshapes the business forever, as a couple of A Star Is Born versions, The Artist and the masterpiece that is Singin' in the Rain have all covered. It's the boldest of moves that any director can make to fashion a film as a copy or an origin story to the latter, or both, but that's where Chazelle's ambition brilliantly heads. So, with the advent of synchronised sound, and as Manny keeps working his way up, cue Jack striving to maintain his fame and Nellie struggling with her New Jersey voice. Babylon doesn't say anything new — when you're openly going where so many flicks and filmmakers have gone before, is there anything much new to say? — but it does pull off the Luhrmann-esque feat of making its style part of its substance. This has to be a flashy, energetic, excess-laden affair, selling the allure that draws Nellie, Jack and Manny in, plus the emptiness behind it. Babylon has to be slick but messy, decadent but corrosive, and affectionate but clear-eyed about Hollywood's ills, and a heady, hectic experience. It has to be jam-packed at the same time, but it could've been that and given Li Jun Li (Devils) and Jovan Adepo (The Stand) more to do. Their characters, Anna May Wong clone Lady Fay Zhu and talented trumpeter Sidney Palmer, traverse a rise-and-fall trajectory as well. They're exuberant, fascinating, and meant to demonstrate how Asian, Black and queer figures were pushed aside. To genuinely address that point, though, they're deserving of greater focus and a weightier part in Babylon's narrative. Among the trio receiving the bulk of Chazelle's attention, Robbie is exhilarating; understanding how Nellie demands the eyeballs of everyone in her orbit is easy. Nuanced layers of pain and sorrow also linger in her non-stop portrayal when she does slow down, or sometimes glistens in her eyes alone. Her Once Upon a Time in Hollywood co-star Pitt remains in that movie's mode, happily and fittingly so — and relative newcomer Calva is terrific as Manny. Add in a well-cast Jean Smart (Hacks) as a Louella Parsons- and Hedda Hopper-inspired gossip queen, plus Tobey Maguire getting villainous and channelling Alfred Molina, and Babylon keeps stacking in moving pieces as much as moving pictures. On that, this flick doesn't end subtly. But, ambition splashing heavily again, it also has its big finale work as an ode as much as a lament.
Imagine a place where cheese reigns supreme, other than in your own kitchen. Imagine more than 100 different varieties on offer for the tasting. Imagine being able to sample whatever you liked from this dairy feast, too. And, picture just buying one ticket to devour all the cheddar, brie, camembert, raclette and whichever other cheeses take your fancy. Is this the real life? It isn't just a cheesy fantasy at Australian dairy festival Mould, which started making cheese-loving dreams come true in 2017. In 2024, it's not only returning — it's back for its biggest festivals yet, including for three days in Brisbane at the John Reid Pavilion at Brisbane Showgrounds across Friday, May 24–Sunday, May 26. If you're a cheese fiend, then you'll know that there's only one suitable way to tuck into the beloved dairy product: all the time, or at least as much as possible. As presented by Revel — who are also the organisers of Pinot Palooza — that's an idea that Mould not only understands but encourages, celebrating the mild, hard and soft bites made by Australia's best cheese wizards. There won't just be a few cheeses on the menu. More than 100 artisan cheeses from around the country will be ready and waiting, spanning dairy from around 27 producers. In past years, that lineup has included Bruny Island Cheese Co, Grandvewe, Milawa Cheese, Yarra Valley Dairy and Stone & Crow, as well as Section 28, Red Cow Organics, Nimbin Valley Cheese, Dreaming Goat, Long Paddock Cheese and Second Mouse Cheese. Alongside unlimited tastings of Australia's best cheeses — snacking on samples is included in your ticket, but you'll then pay extra to purchase slices and slabs to take home with you — the fest features cooking demonstrations, masterclasses and talks. Courtesy of 2024's The Grate Cheese Commission, a range of cheeses created solely for the fest will also tempt your tastebuds. This year's events will include more of the foodstuffs that pair extremely well with cheese, too, such as olives, crackers and conserves. It wouldn't be a cheese festival without beverages to wash it all down with, so expect a bar serving Aussie wines, whisky, vodka, gin, beer, cider, cocktails and sake, all of which match nicely to a bit of cheese. Archie Rose and Hartshorn will be among the tipples featured.
We all know that solid dose of 'the good feels' you get after you've done something nice for yourself/your body (like exercise). And from Saturday, March 1–Thursday, May 1, 2025, you can expect those feelings to increase two-fold. Thanks to the return of Brisbane's Feel Good Program for autumn, the city will again welcome a series of outdoor fitness classes — and, unlike that fancy new yoga studio in your neighbourhood that smells like acai berries and only serves charcoal tea, these classes are all entirely free. Ranging from sessions to get your blood pumping (Zumba, body combat, body attack) to classes to get your zen flowing freely (yoga, pilates), the Feel Good Program is an initiative designed to suit any and all fitness levels. Also, most classes will bathe you in neon. Sessions are held around South Bank Parklands, at either Flowstate (for most classes) or the Boat Pool (for aqua classes). BYO water bottle, towel and, where required, a yoga mat. Classes happen every day except Fridays and Sundays, and they all run for 45 minutes. Times vary depending on the day, but your options include getting started early on a weekday with a 6am mat pilates session or on a weekend with a 7.30am yoga session, hitting the pool on a Saturday, or finishing up your working day with dancing at 5.30pm or a body balance class at 6.30pm. Whichever you choose, it'll have you embracing the weather outdoors and feeling good — check out the timetable online.
Just a few weeks after Sydney copped that 'vote no' skywriting, it appears the campaign against marriage equality has again taken to the skies, with at least three potential anti-same-sex marriage messages scrawled above Melbourne this afternoon. This time around, whoever's in charge has opted simply for the word 'NO', written in huge block letters. While it was confirmed that the Sydney Skywriting Company — the only one of its kind in city — is owned by active members of the Australian Christian Lobby, it's unclear whether yes campaigners are up against a similar situation in Melbourne. And, admittedly, the 'no' could be directed towards homophobic protestors or people who don't like puppies. Well, we can hope. Whatever its intentions, 'no' seems like a bad vibe to place in the sky. In a counter move to Sydney's 'Vote No' skywriting, marriage equality supporters banded together to raise funds for a huge rainbow flag to be pulled by helicopter above Bondi Beach on October 1. Melbourne, take note.
Cruising is a classic way to holiday. The stress-free system has you forgo most responsibilities in favour of fun, be it a two-week romp through the Pacific Islands or a midweek run up or down the Australian coastline, there's a leg of voyage suitable to any traveller. In the case of this ocean-bound writer, it was the latter, and I was in for an unfortunate surprise. Waking on day three of a five-day voyage on the Pacific Adventure to the sight of Moreton Island just out of reach, the passengers were informed that the small transfer boats would be unable to ferry us to the island due to rough seas. Would you believe the same thing happened on the last Moreton Island cruise I was on mere months earlier? I think that makes me uniquely qualified to answer this next question. What do you do on a cruise with no destination? Plan Ahead When Packing No matter how fine-tuned and considered your itinerary, the universe is unlikely to obey your wishes for the whole trip. When it comes to the weather, you should naturally be planning ahead. A good book is a must, plus headphones, a portable charger, sunglasses, a lanyard to carry around your cruise card and, probably most importantly, sea sickness medication. If the weather is bad enough for a shore visit to be cancelled, it means there's likely a large swell on the water. Everyone handles motion sickness differently, so a simple travel calm ginger might cut it, but if you need something stronger, the onboard medical centre stocks plenty of the good stuff. Make Use of the Onboard Itinerary The serious advantage of cruising is the fact that it's just as much about the journey as it is about the destination. In the case of a Moreton Island cruise from Sydney, you're scheduled for two full days at sea on either side of the shore stop. On our cruise, that became three full days at sea. Our itinerary adapted in a flash, with a fresh day of activities available to replace our cancelled stop by the time we'd finished breakfast. Exact activities vary on a ship-by-ship basis but almost all vessels share some similarities: pools, gyms, spas, theatres, arcades and lounges. You can choose to spend your time however you'd like, be it a visit to the spa, catching a comedy show or theatre act, or kicking back on the outer decks. Every night while you're at dinner, a new itinerary is left in your room for the following day. On board the Pacific Adventure, we kept our sea days busy with shopping and reading mostly. One evening was spent with In Pour Taste, a comedy show crossed with a wine tasting, helmed by Melbourne comedy duo Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh. The following day saw us hit the spa and the Byron Beach Club. Then on the final day, we took a cocktail mixing class and watched the wildly raucous Blanc De Blanc Uncorked cabaret show after dinner. Dine Differently Every Day You're massively spoiled for choice with dining while onboard a cruise ship. Buffet dining is typically the easiest choice for breakfast, with no extra cost and a great variety of dishes on offer. Come lunchtime, there are several options. The Pacific Adventure includes Luke's Burger Bar, which serves up the finest surf shack-style feeds you can get at sea. When day rolls into night, cruise ships open up multiple venues for dinner. In the case of Pacific Adventure, Waterfront Restaurant is a reliable go-to and Angelo's offers a fine-dining spin, as does Luke's Bar and Grill (the sibling of the burger bar, both created by restaurateur Luke Mangan). [caption id="attachment_967826" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Alec Jones[/caption] For more specific cuisines, there's a great mix of Italian dishes available at P&O Trattoria, or you can enjoy high-end Asian eats at Dragon Lady. Plus, since this is almost like a floating resort, you can always opt to stay in your room and order room service instead. Pacific Adventure is also home to 13 bars and nightclubs — from easily accessible spots like the Adventure Hotel (think quintessential Aussie pub but floating) to more out-of-the-way attractions like the onboard speakeasy The Bonded Store and Altitude Nightclub, where you can get a drink and have a boogie at the highest point on the whole vessel. Don't let naysayers dissuade you. A cruise with no destination is entirely survivable. Take it from us. Check any cynicism at the door (or gangplank, in this case), and you'll have a great time. In early 2025 P&O's Pacific Adventure, along with Pacific Encounter, will be integrating into the Carnival Fleet, becoming Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter. While sailing under new names both ships will continue to offer the same great holiday experience. Voyages from now until 2026 are available to book via pocruises.com.au. Concrete Playground was invited on the Sydney to Tangalooma cruise by the P&O Group. Images courtesy of the P&O Group.
Ever heard of pasta from a cheese wheel? It's a thing at Il Verde. And it's a thing that you probably want to find out more about. Located in the heart of Fortitude Valley on King Street, Il Verde offers the full gamut of Italian cuisine in an upmarket yet relaxed (and cheese wheel-wielding) setting. You might want to have your next date night here. Make an advance booking and you and your beloved (or fellow pasta fiend) can have your pasta or gnocchi stirred up in a big melty wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano, and dished up onto your plate. Yep. Dinner also includes a glass of wine and a dessert too, so wear your stretchy pants.
Christmas means many things: chaos in the shops, carols invading your brain, and a focus on all things red and green. In Brisbane, it also means Queensland Ballet's final production for the season, with The Nutcracker brightening up the QPAC stage every year. It really wouldn't be the festive season without it. Whether you've experienced the Tchaikovsky-scored two-act performance about sentient toys, dancing snowflakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy before, or you're joining little Clara on her Christmas Eve journey for the first time, you're certain to get swept up in the show's magic. And if you don't already have a ticket, don't delay — selling out is also an annual tradition. Queensland Ballet's The Nutcracker dances across the Playhouse stage from Friday, December 2–Friday, December 23 — and, depending on the day, you can either hit up an evening session or a matinee. The company has been bringing the show to the stage since 2013, but the ballet itself dates back more than 120 years because this kind of Christmas magic never gets old. Top image: David Kelly.
Brisbanites, if catching a bus is in your future on July 27 and 28, then we have good and bad news. The city's bus drivers are going on strike again. However, before they stop work, they'll also be refusing to collect fares for an entire day. First, the good news. On Thursday, July 27, hopping on a Brisbane City Council bus service at any time throughout the day will cost you nothing. Translink, the Queensland Government body with responsibility for public transport, states that you should still swipe on and buy paper tickets from machines, but — according to the Rail, Tram and Bus Union — bus drivers on-board won't be taking your money or checking that you're using your Go Card. Then, come Friday, you'll also be saved the cost of a bus fare between 2pm and 6pm — but for a completely different reason. That's when bus drivers will strike to end the working week, so you might want to make other plans for getting around town that afternoon. The move is part of a continuing campaign by the RTBU's Queensland Branch for safer buses, a fair wage increase and modern rostering practices, and also marks the third day of industrial action in two weeks. If you were up early last Tuesday and Wednesday, you might've noticed that buses were absent from the roads between 4.30am and 6.30am — but given the peak-hour timing of the forthcoming strike, this one is bound to make a bigger impact. Image: Andrew Thomas via Flickr.
Despite popular demand, The European Bird Census Council has yet to put on a ravin’ music festival for all the kids out there who want a bit of dove with their Dvorák. Don’t stress though, as the East Brisbane Community Centre has picked up the loose reigns, and put on a showcase that promises a flock of Brisbane talent. The EBCC Music and Arts Festivals holds a line up of artists, whose specialties range from contemporary classical to a sound a little jazzier. With seven acts on the bulletin, this cosy collection of artists will tuck themselves into the Judith Wright Centre shopfront for an evening of entertainment. Jack Saunders’ Killfloor Project, Macarthur Clough, Hannah Reardon-Smith, Magee, Fowler-Roy and Green Trio, Luke Carbon Quartet and Graeme Jennings and Ben Marks Due, will be just a few names leading the show – it may be a mouthful of a line up, but it sure is a tasty one of new up and comers from our very own city. Don’t miss seeing some of Brisbane’s musically brightest this Saturday.
