If life was a musical, there'd be a simple solution to most of your daily troubles: singing. It's too cold to get out of bed? Get crooning. You spilled your coffee on the way to work? Strike up a tune. You don't like Mondays? Start warbling. It's only noon but the day seems to be going on forever? Give your lungs a workout. Of course, life isn't a musical, sadly; however if you just feel like belting out a ballad to cope with the beginning of the working week, you can still do that at The Flamin' Galah's Bad Karaoke Mondays. On Mondays in July and August through until September 3, it's time to pick the one song that'll brighten up your day and do your best — or worst. As the name suggests, this isn't about becoming a star, with bad songs and not-so-great performances all welcome. It all kicks off at 7pm, and entry is free — although you'll probably want to bring your wallet for some liquid courage.
For its latest excuse to eat, drink and be merry, the Treasury Casino is taking inspiration from our neighbours across the ditch. Over one cheese and wine-filled evening, the CBD hotspot will be serving up New Zealand's best dairy and vino — and given the country's reputation on both fronts, it's certain to deliver. In a special Ekka holiday eve edition of the casino's regular cheese and wine parties, your tastebuds will think they've ventured across the ocean between 5pm and 8pm on Tuesday, August 14. With Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling on offer from Catalina Sounds, Matua Valley, Villa Maria, Squealing Pig and more, prepare to sip and sample away for three hours for $59 per person, which is definitely cheaper than jumping on a plane. So are the event's VIP $99 tickets, which include Cloudy Bay wines, chats with winemakers, and a premium cheese and canape selection. This time, the tastiness takes place not only in the Treasury's courtyard — complete with a starry backdrop — but also in The Lab, because there's just so much NZ-themed deliciousness to around. Live music from The Koi, New Zealand canapés, Pan Head craft brews and 42 Below feijoa vodka will all help round out the evening.
Visiting Tippler's Tap's new digs, it's okay if you feel a little deja vu — even if you haven't been there before. Setting up a second hangout on James Street in Fortitude Valley, the watering hole is also returning home in a way. As folks with long enough memories might remember, before it moved over to South Bank, the original Tippler's was located in Newstead. Doubling its footprint, the venue is now serving up drinks on both sides of the CBD — and, unsurprisingly, it's throwing a party to celebrate. From 5pm on Friday, June 15, thirsty patrons will find 14 beers from 14 Brisbane breweries flowing through the taps, kicking things off in style. End your work week with a beverage in a new spot, with the second Tippler's situated just up the road from the main James Street precinct. As well as local brews and local brews only, you'll also find spirits, cocktails and food all-day long.
Sipping on a cocktail is an end-of-week tradition. When the working week is done, everyone just wants to have fun — and, sometimes, on the day before as well. If Thursday or Friday afternoon beverages help you get through the 9-to-5, then let Madame Rouge make that cathartic tipple even better. Between 4pm to 6pm on both days, it's serving up $1 oysters. There's no missing numeral there. One shiny coin is all you'll pay for freshly shucked molluscs at Fortitude Valley's French bar and bistro. You will have to buy a drink as well to get the super cheap seafood — but, as we've already established, that's one of the main reasons you're in a watering hole for some post-work fun. As well as a range of made-to-order cocktails, drinks on offer include a two-page list of Champagne, reds, whites, rose, and sticky and sweet wines. Unsurprisingly, many hail from France — and some cost a pretty penny, if you're feeling flush — but you can grab a glass of pinot gris and oysters for $10, pair them with something crimson for $11, or opt for some champers for $13. UPDATE, JULY 24: As of July 21, Madame Rouge has closed its doors permanently, with management opting not to renew the restaurant's lease. Image: Madame Rouge.
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 shindig — yep, it's another So Fresh Party. After partying up a nostalgic storm last month, the old-school get-together to end all old-school get-togethers is coming back to The Foundry on Saturday, July 28, and it'll be playing bangers strictly of the 2000-2009 vintage once again. You can expect a disturbing percentage of Channel 10 alums (Australian Idol winners/losers and ex-Neighbours actors) as well as way too much Nickelback for polite company. Also, just throwing this out there: we're desperately hoping for a timely comeback of the Duff sisters duet 'Our Lips Are Sealed.' Entry will set you back $10 on the door, 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.
Meet Brisbane's longest continuously-running local film festival. While the Brisbane International Film Festival has stopped, restarted and moved venues over the years, the West End Film Festival is still kicking on. It's focused on short films rather than lengthier flicks, but it seems that good things come in small packages as the fest gears up for its tenth year. Taking place on June 23 and 24, WEFF once again shines a spotlight on homegrown talents keeping things short and sweet in the cinema, with their program split over four sessions. Sinister dolls, call-centre workers, superheroes, sensory deprivation tanks... they all get a mention. And, while the festival keeps its eyes on all things abridged and brief, it'll also screen a feature — Australian documentary After the Apology. First, head along to the Boundary Street Markets at 5pm on Saturday night to catch the feature, then stick around at 7pm to watch the year's best music video submissions. The next day, come back at 3pm and 6pm on Sunday for two stints focusing on shorts, shorts and more shorts, followed by the fest's annual awards after the later session.
It has been four years since La Macelleria set up shop in Brisbane, gifting the city's residents with an array of inventive gelato and sorbet flavours. During that time, it has taught ice cream lovers how to make their own, served up all-you-can-eat sweet treats and doubled its footprint by adding a second shop — and now it's giving away a free taste of a pair of particularly inventive flavours. To celebrate its birthday, La Macelleria will whip up Aperol spritz sorbet and Parmigiano Reggiano gelato, two varieties you've probably never even dreamed of. Sure, you've downed your fair share of spritzes and eaten plenty of parmesan — but we're guessing you haven't had them in frosty form. Leave your wallet at home and head on over to La Macelleria's Teneriffe store between 5–7pm on Sunday, July 1. Given how much Brissie loves gelato, not to mention free stuff, we'd recommend dropping by earlier rather than later.
Eight years after premiering her Music for Dogs piece at the Sydney Opera House, artist and musician Laurie Anderson is heading back to Australia to stage another Concert for Dogs — a gig that doesn't just let humans bring their four-legged friends along, but serves up melodies, frequencies and riffs have been composed specifically for pooches. Taking place on Sunday, June 24 at the Gold Coast's Home of the Arts, the 20-minute show combines low-decibel violin, vocals, keyboards and electronic sounds into a symphony certain to get puppers' tails wagging. Only held a handful of times before — including in Sydney, in New York's Times Square and in Brighton, England — the free event is open to all doggos, although they must play nicely with others and be kept on a leash. For both hounds and humans alike, the concert will be followed by Anderson's Heart of a Dog, her astonishing documentary tribute to her own furry BFF — and to all of dog kind. Anderson is in the country for a number of shows, including a virtual reality experience and a sonic installation at Dark Mofo. On the Gold Coast, she'll become HOTA's artist-in-residence from June 20–24, premiering new music pieces (including Songs from the Bardo, which uses texts from the Tibetan Book of the Dead), presenting multimedia work The Language of the Future, and chatting about stories and language in All the Things I Lost in the Flood.
It's round, crispy and a little tangy — and it's a great alternative to chips or wedges. And, on June 22, it's the food in the spotlight. The date does mark National Onion Ring Day, after all. If you need an excuse to devour as many onion rings as your stomach desires, then consider this it. That's what food-based days are all about, right? On this occasion, the Jubilee Hotel is getting into the swing of things with a Friday night party dedicated to the humble onion sliver. Yes, onion rings will be on the menu. So will a wheel of onion, whatever that happens to be, and a gum station — because if you're eating onion rings all evening, then your breath isn't going to smell minty fresh. There'll also be live music, a longer-than-usual happy hour and movies projected on the pub's projection screens. No word yet about whether The Onion Movie will be one of them.
Even when winter is in full swing, having a picnic is one of the best things you can do in Brisbane. The sun is usually out, the grass is typically quite the shade of green and we've got plenty of parks just begging for you to visit. Combine all of the above with a historic site, food trucks and jazz and you have Newstead House's Sunday by the River. A new one-off gathering from the folks at the Food Truck Collective, it'll take over the venue's stunning lawn from 11am on Sunday, July 1. Sunday by the River is the chilled kind of daytime hangout we all need every now and then (or maybe even more often), so bring your best picnic blanket, your mates, and some cash for something to eat, and let the event take care of the rest. There'll be live jazz tunes to set the mood; food from King of the Wings, Micasa, Rolls Pho Mi and more; and beers from Newstead Brewing Co. And, because a Sunday picnic is for everyone, doggos are welcome.
Like commemorating the birth and life of famous figures? Like multicultural festivities that shed a light on diversity and harmony? If so, it's party time. Brisbane's annual Buddha Birthday Festival is back for its 22nd year at South Bank — and yes, it is the biggest annual celebration of its kind in the world. The 2018 program certainly aims to prove that claim once again, courtesy of three jam-packed days of tree blessing, candle lighting, lion dances, dragon boat regattas, origami, calligraphy, fireworks and more. In fact, there's so much on the agenda that your best bet might be to head to South Brisbane and settle in for the long haul. 200,000 people are expected to do the same — and with more than 400 performers and 180 events on offer, you can't blame them. The festival isn't just about watching other people strut their stuff, though. With international food markets serving up culinary delights, tea ceremonies keeping you hydrated, meditation sessions taking care of your mental bliss and more than 2500 red lanterns on display, this isn't just a feast of entertainment; it's a complete mind and body experience as well.
When Welcome to Bowen Hills announced it was coming to town, it promised three things: food trucks aplenty, food and booze-themed events aplenty too, and a permanent onsite gin bar. It has delivered on the first two since first welcoming patrons in February, and now the third part of the equation is set to launch. Of course, the precinct is celebrating the only way it knows how. That'd be with a huge gin fest. On May 5 and 6, juniper spirits will be flowing — and not just at Swill, the bar in question. There'll be more than 20 different gin stalls serving up free tastings from midday each day, and showcasing inventive takes on the good ol' G&T, plus other creative gin cocktails. There'll also be food and entertainment, and entry is free. Big Gin Festival joins what's proving to be a busy WtBH lineup — giving you another excuse to drop by the Ekka showgrounds, or motivation to finally head along if you haven't already. Since the meals-on-wheels hangout set up shop, Brisbane has already seen separate fests dedicated to rose and cheese, hot sauce and chilli, garlic bread and gluten-free fare, with a Eurovision food festival and a chicken nugget festival also coming up.
For two days each May, most of Brisbane heads to Musgrave Park to pretend they're in the Mediterranean. Yes, it's Paniyiri time again, with the city's massive Greek festival taking over West End with quite the array of food, drink, partying and more. There's a reason that more than two million people have gone along over the past four decades. In the event's massive 42nd year, expect the usual array of Greek revelry — grapes to stomp, coffee to sip and plates to smash, plus TV stars to rub shoulders with and cooking demonstrations to watch, too. And, it wouldn't be Paniyiri without everyone's favourite entertaining displays. If dancing is more your style, watch Greek Dancing with the Stars or catch the Hellenic dancers. If devouring as much as you can is your idea of fun, take part in the festival's regular food contests. Can you eat more olives or honey puffs than anyone else? Here's your chance to find out. Because you're never too old to try new things, Paniyiri 2018 will also feature a Santorini lounge bar, designed to make you think you're thousands of kilometres away. Other highlights include more than 30 authentic Greek food stalls, the return of last year's The Plateia — complete with traditional Greek coffee, a sweet shop, a seafood taverna, fresh oysters, a pie shop and an Ouzeri, aka a wine bar — plus art displays, traditional and modern music and an after party at the Greek Club. And, as always, there'll be an abundance of haloumi, calamari and dolmades as well. Arrive hungry.
In bringing one of their latest productions to the stage, La Boîte didn't simply take their pick of modern and classic theatre greats, or commission an veteran or emerging talent to write something new. When you're tackling subjects as topical as the refugee experience and the plight of people seeking asylum, you delve deeper. So, they collaborated with refugee resettlement agency MDA Ltd to use the real stories of folks in those situations. In The Village, their tales are told verbatim. A hit during its premiere season in 2017, the production is back for another run until May 5, taking over the La Boite Studio — and the end result promises more than your usual piece of entertainment. Thanks to those who've shared their journeys, much more, in fact. Viewers will watch and listen, of course, but The Village has been dubbed "an interactive performance experience" because it immerses everyone right in the thick of the narrative. It's designed to celebrate Australia's cultural diversity and showcase the strength of people who made this country their new home in trying circumstances. Serving an educational purpose as well, expect to find students in the audience — but this is the kind of performance that everyone should attend.
Everyone has a go-to duet, even if you're not a singer or a karaoke fan. Yes, even if you just hum tunes in the shower, you do too. There's a thing about duets, though, particularly when they're love songs. Usually they're shared between heterosexual pairs — but not at Coupling at MELT on May 19. Especially for Brisbane, this one-night-only show won't go breakin' your heart as it reclaims everyone's favourite two-handers for same-sex couples. Camerata, aka Queensland's Chamber Orchestra with special guest vocalists Sean Andrews, David Ouch, Luke Hodgson, Greg Moore, Monique Dawes, Emily Gilhome, Jessica Mahony and Ellen Reed, will lift pop classics up where they belong and make sure you have the time of your life — with endless love, of course.
If all your want for MELT is a celebration of Mariah Carey, then you're luck — and no, Josh Daveta's Like Mariah isn't just a sweet, sweet fantasy. The Brisbane talent channels his inner Mimi for an hour-long exploration of the music sensation's career, impact and hits. He had a vision of love, and it's all that he's giving to Brissie audiences across May 17 to 19. Yes, he's the hero that's come along with the strength to carry on — or to try to hit the diva's multiple-octave range, at least. There'll be no shortage of songs given Mariah was only the biggest-selling female artist of the 90s. And, the show does promise that her spirit will be made known in other ways, too.
All manner of shows, concerts, plays, dance pieces and more come to life at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre — and now the history of all of those performances, and of the state's performing arts history in general, will too. Displaying in QPAC's Tony Gould Gallery, Show and Tell unearths a range of objects and artefacts from shows gone by, as selected from the QPAC Museum's 70,000-strong collection. Expect costumes and photographs, plus posters and programs, all chronicling the greats that have taken to the stage across Queensland over the years. Some pieces date back nearly a century. As well as delving into history, the exhibition aims to shed light on the behind-the-scenes action that goes into putting on a show. "A performance someone sees on stage is a fleeting moment that is the culmination of vast preparation, not only by the performer, but by networks of writers and composers, directors, designers and costumiers, scenery builders, makeup artists, staging technicians, theatre managers, photographers and producers," explains QPAC Exhibitions Manager Maria Cleary. Show and Tell is free, and displays across two periods: from May 1 to June 16, and again from July 10 to September 1.
It's official: low and slow barbecuing has become Brisbane's favourite style of food preparation. In fact, there's a festival to prove it. Come June 30 and July 1, the Victoria Park sporting fields will be engulfed in the kind of smoky, spicy taste sensations that can only come from taking your time to lock in as much goodness as possible. Following on from sold-out fests between 2015 and 2017, the fourth annual Brisbane BBQ Festival will once again see a convoy of food trucks, burger joints and more converge upon Herston to prove their culinary patience. They'll be starting up their ovens long before their doors open, and you'll get to devour the long-simmering rewards. Between sampling from the likes of That BBQ Joint, Ze Qickle and How We Rolls — and Sydney's Parrilla Argenchino, Get in the Q and Rangers Texas BBQ too, just to name a few — you'll also watch teams of professionals battle it out to be crowned the low and slow champions, all while scoring free samples of their creations. Or, sip frosty bevs at pop-up bars, learn new skills at masterclasses and workshops, and browse the marketplace for barbecue-related products to help you whip up a storm at home. There's also a chilli eating contest and a mechanical bull rodeo contest, and the ultimate live music barbecue soundtrack, too.
When it comes to spirits, do you have clear priorities? Is your go-to drink the fruity tipple that has made many a glass of tonic taste great? Can you taste the difference between Tanqueray and Hendricks? Is sipping gin all day your preferred way to spend a weekend? If you answered yes to any of the above, then you'd best mark June 2 in your calendar. Because there's a special date for everything, that's when Dutch Courage Officers' Mess is celebrating World Gin Day, albeit a week earlier than everyone else. Still, you'd better believe that the venue has put together a day-long gin festival, aptly called Gin Mania, to commemorate the occasion. That's what you'd expect from a bar that has more than 120 gins on its menu, but they really are getting into the spirit of the event. From gin tastings to special cocktails to meet-and-greets with gin distillers, all things juniper are on the bill. There'll also be live entertainment and DJs, food to line your stomach and a dedicated upstairs cocktail lounge. Tickets cost $15, with the fun running from 11.30am till 5.30pm, and the doors opening to the public afterwards.
Combining the savage and the sublime, On Body and Soul enters a slaughterhouse to tell an unconventional love story. Here, animals become meat for humans to consume, while people become animals to live out their deepest fantasies. The first part is literal, as depicted in stark abattoir scenes that don't shy away from blood and butchering, and might make carnivores think twice about their eating habits. The second part doesn't really involve the movie's characters turning into actual critters, but to the film's star-crossed protagonists, their animal transformation might as well be real. Human resources manager Endre (Géza Morcsányi) and new hygiene inspector Maria (Alexandra Borbély) work at the facility in question, with chopped-up cattle an ordinary aspect of their everyday routines. Both are unfazed about the gory nature of their workplace, although neither are particularly happy in general, gravitating towards each other because they're each a little lost and more than a little lonely. During the day, their conversations are polite and restrained, but loaded with unspoken emotions. By night, it's another matter entirely. In their own beds and their own apartments, they both dream of deers running around a snowy forest, doing what deers do. More than that, they dream that their respective deers are frolicking together in a shared dreamscape. Everyone has had the experience of waking from their slumber feeling like they've just lived another life. Everyone has felt a bond with someone else that they couldn't quite explain. Everyone has felt detached from reality and much more at home in their own head. Combine all of the above, and that's still just the beginning of On Body and Soul's surreal, slow-building romance — the relatable starting point for a weird and wonderful exploration of what it means to be human. If the narrative had appeared to writer-director Ildikó Enyedi in her own dreams, that wouldn't be a surprise, but her blend of beauty and brutality burrows deep into weighty existential matters. Forget androids pondering electric sheep (sorry Blade Runner); this thoughtful movie wants to know if mankind can ever truly get a reprieve from our unforgiving world, or if becoming animals in our dreams is the closest we'll come to real happiness. The questions keep flowing, seeping into the audience's mind like a well-deployed Laura Marling track, although Enyedi is refreshingly unconcerned with serving up answers. Furthermore, her on-screen lovers are just as uninterested in finding them. While a contrived development takes Endre and Maria from colleagues to something more in their waking life, there's nothing convenient or artificial about their yearning to belong — or about the performances that breathe life into these restless souls. Quiet and unflashy yet nonetheless compelling, first-timer Morcsányi and the more experienced Borbély achieve what every actor strives for, offering a window into their characters' inner worlds. Of course, the film's entire premise does exactly that in its dreamy deer sequences, but its stars are crucial in making the fantastical concept work. If this moody, musing movie belongs to anyone, however, it's Enyedi. Nearly three decades after nabbing the Cannes Film Festival's Golden Camera award for her first feature, she has scooped up a spate of shiny trophies for On Body and Soul, and it's easy to see why. The winner of the 2017 Berlinale Golden Bear and the Sydney Film Prize, as well as a nominee at this year's Oscars, Enyedi's latest feature mightn't suit everyone's tastes, but it's an immersive, distinctive deep dive into familiar basic themes — love, life and loneliness — that looks and feels like it couldn't have been conjured up by anyone else. Pay particular attention to the director's exacting images, with every splash of blood, frosty field and clinical workspace making a statement both visually and emotionally. The way the film contrasts the horrors of slaughter with the serenity of nature, and uses them both as metaphors for life's difficult extremes, might all seem obvious on paper. And yet it couldn't be more affecting or arresting on the screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoQAm-E85bY&feature=youtu.be
For its latest excuse to eat, drink and be merry, the Treasury Casino is taking inspiration from Europe. Over one cheese and wine-filled evening, the CBD hotspot will be serving up the best dairy and vino that the continent has to offer — and given Europe's reputation on both fronts, it's certain to deliver. Yep, between 5pm and 8pm on June 15, your tastebuds will think they've ventured to the other side of the world, thanks to a lineup of wares from Tuscany, Paris and more. Your wallet, however, will thank you — sip and sample away for three hours for $49 per person, which is definitely cheaper than an overseas trip. Serving up Gris, Grigio, Fume, Prosecco, Syrah, Chianti and real Champagne, plus reggiano parmigiano, triple cream brie and gorgonzola, the tastiness tastiness takes place in the Treasury's courtyard, so expect a starry backdrop and some live music as well. And if you're feeling extra peckish, there'll be olives, chargrilled vegetables, arancini, assorted dips, artisan breads and tiny profiteroles too — or, you could just dive deep into as much cheese as you can.
Since opening back in 2017, Super Combo has boasted all the right moves when it comes to making burgers — and the Street Fighter-themed burg joint has the super-sized Spinning Piledriver, all-veggie Yoga Flame and the smokey-flavoured Hadoken on its menu to prove it. When it comes to marking National Burger Day, it's following through in the same fashion. Why show your love for meat (or a vegetarian alternative) between two pieces of bread for just one 24-hour period when you can extend the deliciousness? Sure, loving burgers is an all day, everyday obsession, but Super Combo are diving deep into their passion between May 25 and June 1. And for you, the burg connoisseur that you are, the King Street store's celebration comes cheap. For $8 across the eight days, you can pick up any burger on the menu. If you're instantly thinking about grabbing two, that's completely understandable. Or, pair your Beet Down, Electric Thunder or Sonic Boom with a super shake — the salted caramel and pretzel really goes include real pretzels.
Some lights burn bright but fast. Rainer Werner Fassbinder's was one of them. The German filmmaker made 39 films — including six television movies and series — and four video productions during his 17-year career. And, because he clearly wasn't busy enough, he also directed 24 stage plays and four radio plays, and managed to act, shoot, compose, design, edit and produce, and work as a theatre manager. Phew. If his life hadn't been cut short by a drug overdose at the age of 37, who knows what else he would've made — or how much lazier he would've made everyone else feel. Alas, that's not how things turned out for the provocative, prodigious, prolific, probing writer/director, but 35 years after his death, his immense body of work lives on. In the first major retrospective of Fassbinder's output in Australia, the Gallery of Modern Art is dedicating two separate months to the New German Cinema pioneer, and for free. After the first part ran in late 2017, the program is back again from June 1 to July 4. Highlights include a restored version of his iconic post-war drama The Marriage of Maria Braun, sci-fi series World on a Wire, and his final effort, Querelle — plus documentary Fassbinder: To Love Without Demand, which takes the form of a personal cine-essay about the director. Or, catch Fassbinder's final screen appearance in Kamikaze '89, as — as the program describes — "an alcoholic, leopard-print wearing rogue detective in retro-futuristic Germany".
Brisbanites, it's time to grab your binoculars. And, to grab a beachside spot with a view over Moreton Bay. In other words, it's whale-watching season. The migration period is upon us, so expect to see our coastal waters dotted with the majestic sea creatures as they swim their way to warmer pastures. As well as offering an ace way to spend any weekend afternoon for the next few months, the annual occurrence is the reason to head to Scarborough Beach Park on one particular arvo, thanks to their Welcome to the Whales shindig. A family-friendly affair on Sunday, May 27, it'll combine food trucks, sand sculptures, fire pits, live music and outdoor cinema, as well as a mini science festival. When you're not watching environmental doco A Plastic Ocean or grabbing a bite — or eating your own, if you go the picnic basket route — then you can take part in the whale wishes ceremony. It just involves lighting a candle and offering good tidings to the ocean giants, in keeping with the spirit of the occasion.
Move over, cheese and wine — it's cheese and tea's time to shine. If you've ever wondered what to drink with your dairy when you don't feel like a vino, or it's the middle of the day, then this pairing has the answer. Still skeptical? Love tea and cheese separately, but aren't quite sure how they'll go together?When you sip one and then eat the other, the warmth from the tea make the cheese literally melt in your mouth — and The Steepery, cheese shop Emile and Solange and Shawty's Espresso are ready to show you how over five brews paired with five slices of dairy. A regular event, the Tea and Cheese Pairing Night is set to take place at Shawty's on June 5, June 27 and July 25, with tickets costing $60 plus booking fee. That's less than you'd pay for five cuppas and five pieces of cheese — and you'll get expert advice about your new food and beverage combo.
Remember when Saturday mornings were all about cartoons, cereal and not having a care in the world? Netherworld does. At the Fortitude Valley bar, you're never too old to kick back in their arcade room for some serious kidulting — or to start the day just like you did when you were a kid, but with beer. That's what their latest regular event, Saturday Morning Cartoons, is all about (in case the name didn't already give that away). And they won't just be playing any old cartoons. While their selection changes with each outing, the May 12 event will be saying cowabunga to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for two hours. Pair your nostalgia with a milk-filled bowl of cereal and a frosty brew, both of which are included in the $10 entry price. Wearing your pjs is fine — in fact, you'll get an extra treat if you do. And if you have a hankering for a pizza lunch afterwards, that's obviously completely understandable.
Can't make it down south for the Sydney Writers Festival? Counting down until Brisbane's own writers fest comes around later this year? There's one thing that's cheaper than a plane fare and quicker than simply waiting: Brisbane Powerhouse's Sydney Writers Festival Livestream. While the full fest isn't being beamed into the New Farm venue, seven sessions across May 5 and 6 will be streamed live on the Turbine Platform. And attendees can also ask questions, which'll be sent directly to the Sydney stage. The Live & Local lineup includes sessions on a range of topics, whether you want to catch a chat about the interplay between technology and power, or ponder economic disparity — or just settle in all day Saturday and until lunchtime on Sunday. Specific highlights include a panel on women in technology, bestselling author Johann Hari presenting a talk on depression and anxiety, and Annabel Crabb's BooKwiz featuring ABC 7.30 anchor Leigh Sales, ABC radio's Richard Fidler and RocKwiz host Julia Zemiro.
Over the past decade, perhaps the greatest collective strength of the 18 (yes, 18) movies in the so-called Marvel Cinematic Universe has been their relative independence. From the very first Iron Man through to the most recent Black Panther, each film has (mostly) achieved an impressive balance of telling its own, distinct story while also servicing the ultimate end-game. Each new entry had enough in-jokes and easter eggs to satisfy the super-fans, but never so many that a newcomer couldn't enjoy the experience from an entirely cold start. The same cannot be said for Avengers: Infinity War, but then again, for directors Anthony and Joe Russo, that was never the intention. This isn't just the 19th film in the MCU, it's the culmination of the entire franchise; a sprawling, non-stop action movie purpose built, this time, for the fans. It's relentless, entertaining and more than a touch surprising. Unfortunately it's also starved of substance and likely to leave many feeling shortchanged. Ultimately, it all comes down to scale. Perhaps for the first time, this cinematic universe is truly universal in its scope. It moves from one galaxy to the next with bewildering speed, including planets so ancient and remote many of the characters have either never heard of them or dismissed their existence as the stuff of legend. And of those characters, where to even begin? In January of this year Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, casually dropped mention of an extraordinary 76 separate Marvel characters set to appear in Infinity War. Even if he was being slightly hyperbolic (one quickly loses count, so the number might actually be bang on), his comments nonetheless captures the magnitude of this gargantuan blockbuster. But like the pop culture references in the recent Ready Player One, many of these inclusions offer little substance beyond an excitable Pavlovian response triggered by recognition ("Heeey, it's Black Widow! Ooo it's…whatshisface!"). Even with the film's indulgent 156-minute run time, the decision to pack so many characters into a single film inherently means Infinity War must choose between cameo and character, with the former largely winning out. That means that many of the incredible cast members are saddled with just a handful of lines each, with perhaps the fewest coming from Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther (despite the fact that a significant section of the film taking place in his kingdom of Wakanda). Again though, the Russos have knowingly committed to the 'as read' nature of this film, opting instead to devote the lion's share of screen time and dialogue to the only real newcomer: the villain, Thanos (Josh Brolin). Thanos first appeared during the end credits of the original Avengers movie back in 2012. Since then he's been a constant (if fleeting) reference point for the coming storm that is Infinity War. He is nothing if not formidable – a softly-spoken juggernaut whose vision for a harmonious universe involves the mass genocide of precisely half its inhabitants. To achieve that he requires the fabled 'infinity stones', several of which are unfortunately located on earth in the hands (or foreheads) of various Avengers. He is a worthy antagonist for such an enormous project, and what really separates him from all the other Marvel villains is his capability; an indomitable strength that renders void the efforts of every other hero he encounters. Teamwork has always been the name of the game in the MCU, but even the combined efforts of the entire super-powered lineup seems destined to fall short. Of course Infinity War is actually just part one of two films, with the second instalment scheduled to drop in May 2019. Its ending, hence, leaves a lot to be resolved, and it's difficult not to assume much of that will centre upon some extensive Dr. Strange time reversal. There's a serious chance the series could be veering toward shark-jumping territory, so fingers crossed the Marvel boffins have something far grander and more unexpected planned. Until then, brush up on your backstories and strap in for one helluva ride. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwievZ1Tx-8
All good things come to an end, and that includes much-loved and short-lived watering holes, sadly. Yes, New Farm's Deathproof is shutting up shop on April 28 — and it's throwing one last big blowout that very night. It's a party right on through until the very last minute, really; however the big closing celebration will take place on on the last evening of trade. Drink, devour a burger, be merry and maybe even pick up a piece of the bar to take home with you. The Deathproof gang is currently selling off bits and pieces via Instagram, and there's bound to be stuff left on the night. And while this is farewell to the Brunswick Street space, it mightn't be farewell forever, so don't go crying over spilled whiskey. Popping up anywhere and everywhere is part of artist and owner Steen Jones's future plans for Deathproof's future, so keep your eyes peeled. Image: Deathproof / Declan Roache.
Tibet is the type of place everyone wants to visit — and the kind of destination few of us will actually make it to. Don't worry, the Festival of Tibet offers up the next best thing. It'll either help ease the pain of not jumping on a plane, or make you book a ticket overseas as soon as you can. Learning how to practice meditation, paint, cook, do yoga and make sand mandalas, all Tibetan-style, will do that of course. And there's more where that came from. For the tenth year running, the event celebrates the resilience and optimism of a people and culture under threat through a showcase of the country's way of life. That includes the panel The Story of Us, which asks three young Tibetan activists to tell their tales, plus the festival exhibition by Tibetan artist Karma Phuntsok. Or, head along to the Mystical Tibet Concert, which includes a very special guest: Jetsun Pema la, sister of the Dalai Lama and an UNESCO medal winning educational reformer. Image: Festival of Tibet.
It's vegan Christmas time, with, Brisbane Vegan Markets getting festive on Sunday, December 9. Prepare to celebrate in healthy, sustainable, cruelty-free, meat-free and vegetarian style. On the second Sunday of each month, BVM celebrates ethical eating choices in the best way that anyone can: bringing together all of the stalls selling all of the vegan products. Given the season, this 2018 outing will feature multiple food stalls and vendors for all of your Chrissie culinary needs, plus plenty of gifts to put under the tree. The extra present, of course, is your own peace of mind. Stallholders changed each and every month, but expect plenty this time around. Based on past markets, expect guilt-free grab bites and wares from a rotating range that has previously included I Should Coco, Tibetan Momo, Kings Indian Fusion, Fire & Dough, Tapioca Traders, Organic Frog Doughnuts, Chai Cart, Vegan Van, Vurger, Green Street Foods, Flour of Life and Popcorn Downunder — and they're just some of the traders selling their animal-free goods.
Decking Latrobe Terrace with boughs of holly? That's Paddington Christmas Fair's job come December 8. Once again, the street's retailers are combining for a one-night seasonal market that'll boast in-store festivities and a range of outdoor stalls — all the way down to Given Terrace, actually. Jewellery, flowers and food are just some of the items on offer, plus everything that Paddington usually boasts. Expect the area's bars and restaurants to get in on the fun too, adding some extra festive cheer. And, yes, there'll be entertainment as well. The highlight? Other than getting your gift shopping done early, it has to be the Xmas Barket, aka the doggy Christmas market. You'll be able to get your pic snapped with a cute canine, adopt a new four-legged member of the family, and pick up a whole heap of pet accessories (and stuff for pet-loving humans as well).
End your 2018 with a bender — a cheese-filled bender, that is. After serving up raclette on the regular throughout the past 12 months, Fromage the Cow is ending the year as it has happily spent it. And how it wishes to go on into 2019, we're assuming. NYE Raclette sees the dedicated Milton dairy spot set up its raclette stations once again, with staff on hand to manage them as usual. All you need to do is mosey on up, fill your plate with potatoes, charcuterie meats, roasted onion, baguette and pickles, and then get the gooey, oozing cheese slathered on top. For $85 per person, you'll also receive a canapé-style entree and a yet-to-be-revealed dessert. Odds are, they'll feature cheese. And, you'll also get a glass of Veuve Ambal Blanc de Blancs when you walk in the door. Anything else you'd like to drink, you'll need to pay for. Fromage the Cow's usual raclette nights book out rather quickly, and this one is likely to be no different, so reserving your spot early is recommended. It kicks off at 6pm for 6.30pm on Monday, December 31 — and if you're getting boozy afterwards, you'll have a cheese-lined stomach. Image: Fromage the Cow.
If there's one thing Brisbanites like, it's watching Studio Ghibli films. Understandably, a whole heap of cinemas around town have been happy to obliged, hosting their own events dedicated to the Japanese animation house. The Elizabeth Picture Theatre joined in last year, and it was such a hit that the venue is brought the film festival back for two more seasons. Now, it's bringing the whole thing back in 2019 as well. Screening twice a week from the end of February until August — on Thursday evenings at 6.30pm and Sunday afternoons at 4pm, to be specific — fans will get yet another chance to catch Studio Ghibli's gorgeous features on the big screen. Yes, you should make like a moving castle to see Howl's Moving Castle this time. And yes, you'll feel like you've been Spirited Away once again. Other highlights include Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbour Totoro, Grave of Fireflies, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Whisper of the Heart and Porco Rosso— plus the more recent Ponyo, When Marnie Was There and The Wind Rises as well. If you've missed these films in their limited cinema runs or fest appearances in the past, consider this your chance to catch up (and at only $12 per session). Updated May 13.
La Boite's latest production takes inspiration from a classic comedy that was first performed more than 2400 years ago. That said, Claire Christian's Lysa and The Freeborn Dames couldn't be more relevant today. Her first mainstage work for the company, the acclaimed playwright has fashioned her new work as a response to Aristophanes' Lysistrata — the famous Greek effort about women withholding sex to bring an end to the Pelopponnesian war. In Christian's modern-day tale, 19-year-old Lysa King returns from a trip filled with change and anger, only to find the spirit of the women's marches haven't made it to her tiny home town. So, she decides to protest on a night that'll make people take notice — but when they don't, she's trapped inside the local footy club. Described as speaking to "the very specific moment in history we are in right now" by La Boite's artistic director Todd MacDonald, the end result stars Barbara Lowing, Roxanne McDonald and Hsiao-Ling Tang. It's a comic, glitter-filled account of female politics, as well as a call to anyone who wants to see the world change but hasn't gotten involved — and the world-premiere production plays La Boite's Roundhouse Theatre from July 21 to August 11.
Not content with slinging pizza and gelato until the end of September, West End's new laneway is adding more edible delights to its short-term offering. As well as boasting a Salt Meats Cheese and Gelato Messina pop-up — and serving up the former's all-you-can-eat vegan pizza feast every Thursday — the aptly named SMC Laneway in the West Village precinct is now home to a weekend providore market. Each and every Saturday and Sunday the end of September, the market's rustic stalls will sell everything from truffles to jams to artisan honey, plus spreads, relishes, olive oil, nut butters, cheese and cured meats as well. Unsurprisingly, fresh pasta and fresh bread will also feature — and if you don't go home with your next few meals planned out, you're doing it wrong. The market runs from 9am–2pm, and if you're keen for a nibble while you're there, Salt Meats Cheese have both breakfast and lunch taken care of.
Food-themed days are threatening to become the culinary equivalent of the boy who cried wolf: so many manufactured eating occasions, only so much stomach space. Still, no matter how frequently they seem to pop up, there's one thing that always grabs attention. Boy oh boy do we all love freebies. Perhaps that's why Brisbane's pop culture pun-loving poultry slingers are celebrating International Wings Day by giving the people what they love. Yes, Lord of the Wings is handing out free chook pieces once again. On Sunday, July 29 between midday and 3pm, the chain's Carindale and Indooroopilly stores will be serving up free three-packs of traditional wings with buffalo sauce, with one pack available per person. The free wings are available in store — and anyone rushing along to get theirs will also live entertainment turning the place into a party. Last year, apparently 27,500 wings were served, so it's bound to be popular.
Whisky lovers, rejoice — we've just found your next 80 drops and perhaps even more. The Queensland Whisky Expo doesn't just serve up a few drams or ten or several dozen, after all. It reaches for the 100 mark and comes mighty close. A two-day event, the expo is split into two sessions, although both offer attendees the same thing. You'll taste as many whiskies as you can, you'll nab your own whisky glass just for that purpose, and you'll even get a free pen so that you can take notes about all of your favourites. We know, we know, free pens aren't exciting at all — but there is more than whisky on the menu, including a meal to line your stomach and chats with informative whisky experts. It all takes place from 6–9pm on Friday, July 20 and 1–4pm on Saturday, July 21, with the expo taking over the Brisbane Club. Tickets cost $99, and prepare to leave with plenty of new varieties on your must-drink list.
There's plenty that's great about public holidays — sleeping in, lazing about and making the most of not having to go to work all included. Still, as ace as getting a whole day off always proves, the night before is just as exciting. After all, it's an evening when you can do whatever you feel like and not have to worry about your alarm going off hours later. Enter the Ekka public holiday, and Sesh and the City with it. One is the annual midweek occasion that's designed to get Brisbanites to head to the showgrounds. The other is Brisbane's newest music festival. The latter takes place on the evening before the former, turning The Brightside into a one-night festival from 6pm on Tuesday, August 14. On the bill are Heaps Good Friends, Shag Rock, Seaside, Sometime Sonny and The Bonnie Doons, plus Guava Lava and Hope D — and a heap of Mountain Goat Beer. Tickets cost $34.70; however, we all know what doesn't cost a thing: the buzz of catching seven ace Aussie acts on a Tuesday night, free from guilt about the next morning. Image: Shag Rock.
How much gelato can you eat? No, that's not a trick question. Last year, Brisbane's annual celebration of all things Italian put the city's ice cream munching abilities to the test with a gelato eating competition — and it's on the agenda again in 2018. That's just one of the events that Festitalia attendees can expect— and just one of the inclusions that'll get your stomach rumbling as well. Fancy seeing how many cannolis you can feast on? There's also a contest for that. Eager to watch some pizza acrobatics? If that doesn't sounds like a great way to work up an appetite, then nothing does While plenty of other Italian-themed festivities pop up across the year, this is the only official shindig hosted by the Italian Consulate in Brisbane and the Italian Embassy in Canberra. On Sunday, October 14, they'll fill Newmarket's Spencer Park with artists, entertainers, dancers, singers and performers — and food experiences, of course, so prepare for Italian bubbles, espresso and gnocchi, too. UPDATE OCTOBER 13: Due to wet weather during the week and across the weekend, Festitalia has been cancelled for 2018. Anyone that who bought tickets in advance will receive an email from QTIX in the coming days regarding a refund. For more information, visit the festival's website.
Brisbane's midweek public holiday is upon us, you'd prefer sitting in a cinema to walking around the Ekka, but your wallet doesn't want to play ball. Call Dendy Cinemas' latest special a case of great timing, then, with the chain offering up discount tickets that'll solve your problem. All day on Wednesday, August 15, regardless of whether you purchase online or in person, you'll only pay $5 for your movie of choice at Portside and Coorparoo. Or movies. With everything from The Breaker Upperers and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again to RBG and Whitney currently screening — plus Mission: Impossible — Fallout and Ant-Man and the Wasp, too — there's plenty to watch if you're keen to spend as much time in a darkened room as possible. The special isn't available for special events, Dendy Arts sessions or preview screenings, but you're certain to find something to watch regardless. Plus, if you haven't had a chance to drop by the chain's still new-ish digs in Coorparoo, here's your excuse.
Every year, when October rolls around, watching horror movies is on everyone's agenda. 'Tis the season for bumps, jumps, screams, creepy celluloid dreams and getting scared while sitting in a cinema, after all. But there are halloween marathons, and then there are Halloween halloween marathons. No, we didn't accidentally repeat a word in the last sentence. At Palace Centro, it's spooktacular time — and the James Street cinema is dedicating an entire night to the frightening film series that John Carpenter started 40 years ago. Expect the writer/director/composer's famous piano-filled score to echo throughout the building as Michael Myers dons his mask, grabs a knife, bursts through wardrobes, stalks babysitters and terrifies his hometown of Haddonfield, all on the titular occasion. And, expect Jamie Lee Curtis to cement her credentials as the ultimate big-screen scream queen. From the iconic first film — one of the best horror flicks ever made — to the not-so-iconic late 90s and early 00s sequels, all eight original Halloween movies will screen from 7pm on Saturday, October 27. The Halloween onslaught couldn't be better timed, and not only due to the date, with the all-new ninth film in the franchise hitting cinemas everywhere just a week earlier.
After displaying her work at the Gallery of Modern Art's 8th Asia Pacific Triennial in 2015 and 2016, then heading back for the 21st Biennale of Sydney earlier this year, Korean artist Haegue Yang returns to Australia once again — this time, with her first institutional solo show. With Triple Vita Nestings, her crafted sculptures fill Fortitude Valley's Institute of Modern Art, evoking mythical and allegorical creatures. Also on offer is the artist's use of multi-sensory environments, figurative forms and voiceover to explore the biographies of real figures, in an exhibition that's all about exploring multiple extremes. Concrete versus abstract, industrially produced versus handmade, real-life versus imagined stories — they're all a part of this showcase, which displays works made across more than a decade of Yang's career. Curated by Aileen Burns and Johan Lundh, the exhibition is open until August 30 within IMA's regular opening hours of 11am–6pm Tuesday to Saturday. Image: Haegue Yang, Installation view: 21st Biennale of Sydney: 'SUPERPOSITION: Equilibrium & Engagement', Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2018. Also in view: 'Umbra Creatures by Rockhole' (2017–2018) and 'Lethal Love' (2008/2018). Photo: Studio Haegue Yang.
Brisbane's near year-round balmy weather, climbing up high and drinking all go hand-in-hand. That's true in general, and true at Brisbane's latest sky-high seasonal shindigs: The Society Spring Series. Yes, the rooftop fun was such a hit over summer and autumn it's back for another run. Every Saturday in September, Eagle Farm Racecourse's rooftop bar is throwing open its doors and throwing quite the celebration. Think weekend afternoon hangouts, general revelry and enjoying a couple of hours worth of beverages with a view. Plus, it wouldn't be a party without DJs spinning tunes to set the mood. Tickets cost $75 plus booking fee, with drinks and food included. Attendees will sip their way through Chandon Sparkling Rosé, house beers, red and white wines, and a selection of soft drinks for two hours, and snack at charcuterie stations as well, while eating cured meats, roasted vegetables, dolmades, dips, olives, breads, grissini and cheese. Arrive hankering for a bev, and hungry.
There might be no such thing as a bad sausage, but that doesn't mean that all snags are created equal. Your regular ol' supermarket banger isn't quite the same as the gourmet butcher variety, and your tastebuds know it. Now, imagine adding a third category of sausage to your barbecue repertoire: the sausages that you make yourself. If it sounds good in theory but much too hard in reality, don't worry. There's a workshop for that, and courtesy of Work-Shop in fact. At Snags 101: The Art of Sausage Making, you'll learn how to really make your next sausage sizzle, well, sizzle, thanks to expert advice from smallgoods maker Anna Mortimer. Running on Thursday, August 23 from 6.30pm, the two-hour class will take you through the tools of the sausage-making trade, the different types of snags, and the steps needed to end up with the best kind of wurst — all using pork shoulder. You'll get to taste an array of sausage styles, drink beer while you do it, and take some recipes home with you, too, with participation costing $80 per person.
From time to time, Jocelyn's Provisions jumps ship. Not content with selling sweet and savoury treats from its usual James Street base, Brisbane's favourite bread, cake, pastries and provisions providers occasionally spread the love around town. Its latest pop-up doesn't quite fall into that category, however. If you're fond of the amazing array of edible items that the store bakes up and you're in the same place that it usually is, then you'd best head across the road. Until mid-September, expect scrumptious wares aplenty at Jocelyn's temporary digs at on the other side of James Street, aka its new home away from home while its regular base gets a makeover. Whether you're keen on a caramel, pear and pecan cake, chocolate swirl cheesecake or trusty lemon tart — to name a just a few items from their menu — it's the stuff food lover's dreams are made of. Feasting on all of the above until the big day is completely understandable — and to be expected, really — but Jocelyn's Provisions will be slinging extra special one-offs wares each week during its trip across the road. To find out just what their treat of the week is, drop on by from Monday to Friday between 8am–5pm, Saturday from 7am–4pm and Sunday from 9am–3pm.
It's that time, Brisbanites — time to discard your woolly winter wares, embrace the sunshine and have brunch in beer gardens. We're well aware that you can basically do that all year round in our fair city; however when spring and Valley Fiesta roll around, you might as well celebrate the occasion in the appropriate fashion. The Osbourne Hotel's Spring Brunch is definitely approaching the first day of the season with the right spirit, with the Fortitude Valley venue rolling out quite the shindig from 10.30am–12.30pm on Saturday, September 1. For $39, attendees can choose from a range of luxe dishes, and pair them with bottomless mimosas and bloody marys. Yes, the drinks part of the event is unlimited, so prepare to sip your way to a merry spring morning. Food-wise, options include from truffle scrambled eggs, waffles with berries, a smoked salmon and poached egg bagel, maple-smoked bacon and haloumi on sourdough, an acai bowl and good ol' smashed avo. All that's left is to adhere to the dress code: bright whites, befitting the bright season.
If pastel wasn't already part of your gig-going wardrobe, it will be at Client Liaison's Expo Liaison, which will be touring the country in August. Announced back in May, the seven-hour event will hit Victoria Park on across August 26, and the headlining duo will have quite the company. Alongside a roster of eight other acts, the duo's own set will also feature The Voice himself, John Farnham. Alice Ivy, Ken Davis, Kon, Luke Million featuring KLP, No Zu, Rainbow Chan and Total Giovanni are all on the bill, plus John Howard doing a DJ set. Whether that's John Howard the former prime minister, John Howard the Aussie actor or just some other guy called John Howard, well, your guess is as good as ours — but Triple J is entertaining the fact that it could be the former. As for the kind of vibe that's in store, the curated event has fest badged "a multimedia, multi-city, multiversal experience" in its promotional material, as well as a "once-in-a-lifetime event". They're the kind of descriptions that plenty of gigs and fests throw around, but, even though the band's being overly hyperbolic, Client Liaison has a track record of delivering more than just the usual shows — or fashion lines or music videos, for that matter.
Partying like it is 1999 (or anytime after 1989 and before 2000, in fact) has almost become a weekly occurrence in Brisbane, courtesy of all manner of themed club nights. Not all retro music evenings are created equal, however. At No Diggity at Black Bear Lodge, you'll be doing more than rocking a tie-dyed t-shirt. That outfit choice is completely acceptable, of course, as is mixing two-decade-old trends by throwing a flannelette shirt on over the top. Looking the part and standing around saying "wow, remember how things used to be?" isn't the main attraction here though, even if prizes are up for grabs; grooving to the music of the era, including one-hit wonders and enduring classics, is. That's what DJ Black Amex, Mumgenes and Dean Joseph will be spinning from 9pm until late on Saturday, August 18 — and yes, we're pretty sure that the Blackstreet track that gives the shindig its name will be given a whirl. Yep, it's not just a song that Chet Faker covered, and it won't be the only vintage track that'll get you in the 90s mood.
A good film festival gives attendees a little of everything, and that's certainly the case at the returning Korean Film Festival in Australia. For its ninth year, the touring event jumps from the warmth of opening night's Little Forest, to the thrills of Golden Slumber, to the drama of Champion. The first tells the kind-hearted tale of a woman leaving city life behind to head back to her small home town, the second serves up a Korean take on media sensationalism, and the third is about a former top-notch arm wrestler. They're three of the four titles on the lineup for 2018's Brisbane leg of the festival, which comes to the Elizabeth Picture Theatre on Wednesday, August 15 and Thursday, August 16. And while it's a smaller run than the fest's longer programs down south, it's all about quality over quantity. Closing out KOFFIA's Queensland stay is What a Man Wants, giving the fest its slice a comedy. Relationship woes spark both tension and laughs as a womaniser is forced to cope with losing his wife — all while employing a new housekeeper, who happens to be the new object of his unhappily married brother-in-law's affections.
