It's Ekka time again, but heading to the annual show isn't everyone's idea of fun. Specifically, if you're after an event that puts sustainability and ethical practices first and foremost — and focuses on zero-waste ideals and cruelty-free products — then you might want to mosey along to The Green Edge's one-day alternative instead. Taking place on the Brisbane midweek public holiday that is Wednesday, August 14, The Green Edge Vegan Ekka Day Festival has dagwood dogs, but without any animal products. It'll also have show bags, but they won't be filled with the kind of sugary goodies you'd get at the RNA. Instead, the Windsor store is all about green and vegan wares — at its bake sale, in its raffles, throughout its stalls and while live music plays. From 10am–4pm, a heap of other likeminded businesses will be on-site joining in, and yes, everything is 100-percent vegan. Entry is free, and as well as bringing the littlies, you can also bring your pets too. Image: The Green Edge.
Every Sunday afternoon could use a few beers, whether you're farewelling the weekend in style or taking the edge off the fact that tomorrow is a brand new work day. At Semi-Pro Brewing Co, that's the reality each and every week — but it's only serving up yum cha with its yeasty tipples on one particular Sunday. Semi-Pro will provide the beer, Dumpling Master will provide the food, and you and your significant other / BFF / fellow beer- and dumpling-lover will be in heaven. Just head to Manilla Street in East Brisbane between 12–6pm on Sunday, August 18, and prepare for a lunch, mid-afternoon or early dinner feast. Designed for two, Yum (Cha) Beer will set you back $50 between you, then make sure that your stomach and your brew-craving tastebuds are content. As well as a pints each from Semi-Pro's core range, you'll eat your way through six prawn dumplings, six pork dumplings, two barbecue pork buns, a green onion pancake and a serve of spring rolls between you.
Back in February, VEND Marketplace added a new space dedicated to plants. Its mission: to help you fill your home with all types of greenery. And to help you do just that, it's hosting a huge sale. Welcome to the Greenhouse, as the area is aptly known. The place where gardeners' dreams come true, it's upping the ante from 8am on Saturday, August 3. That's when the 250-square-metre indoor garden will be slinging its green babies at a special one-day event — and yes, there'll be about succulents, cacti, indoor plants, hanging plants, outdoor plants, pots and more. Plenty of plants will be on sale for less than $12, and there'll also be juice, smoothies, tea, coffee, beer and wine to drink, plus food trucks serving up street eats. Plus, if you can find a hidden jungle animal, you'll nab yourself a free piece of greenery.
Drinking vino, snacking on dairy foods and devouring gourmet salumi is most people's idea of a great afternoon — and, come Saturday, July 27 it's Gerard's Bar's as well. Between midday and 2pm, the Fortitude Valley venue is hosting a wine-tasting arvo with bites to go with it, all for $45. At Wine Meats Cheese, you'll enjoy all of the above, with more than a dozen tipples from Bacchus, Naked Brunch, Mezzanine, Deja Vu and more in the spotlight. The focus is on organic and biodynamic wines, so prepare your palate accordingly. It's the latest event in what the James Street bar has previously called a "wine adventure", but however they badge it, it's an ace excuse to discover new drops while feasting on artisan cheese and charcuterie. The usual advice applies: arrive with a thirst for top wine and a taste for the perfect accompaniments. Wine Meats Cheese is also part of this year's James Street Food and Wine Trail, if you're still hankering for a bite and a beverage afterwards.
Arrive hungry, leave with a stomach full of pizza and pasta. If that doesn't sound like culinary bliss, then nothing does. Every Wednesday, Caxton Street's Enzo & Sons is getting into the all-you-can-eat game — because if there's one thing that any Italian joint always comes to realise, it's that no one ever wants to stop at just a few slices or mouthfuls. Running from 6–9pm weekly, Enzo's All-You-Can-Eat Pizza and Pasta night serves up three different options. Whether you opt for endless pizza, bottomless pasta or unlimited helpings of both is up to you. If you choose just pizza or just pasta, that'll set you back $25, while the combo costs $35. The rustic-style joint boasts a small but hearty range, spanning favourite pizza toppings such as pork and fennel sausage, prosciutto and fior di latte, margherita and four cheeses — plus osso bucco pappadelle and angel hair with lemon, chilli, garlic and parsley. Drinks aren't included, but if you're feeling like treating yourself, you'll find plenty of beer and wine, as well as an 11-strong cocktail list. Image: Enzo & Sons.
Heading to Given Terrace staple Darling & Co is all about hangs in the venue's breezy space, and every Aussie knows that a weekend party isn't complete without a little (or a lot of) bubbly. Happy to oblige, the Paddington spot has launched bottomless prosecco and spritz picnics, which are now on offer every Sunday. And the restaurant isn't simply offering the standard two hours of bottomless booze, either. Instead of table service, patrons have unlimited access to a fountain, which comes complete with a carved lion that has a prosecco tap for a mouth. You'll be able to pour your own bubbly from that tap throughout the two hours, while enjoying an extensive spread. Find a comfy spot while enjoying the grazing menu — it includes brisket and smoked cheddar croquettes, freshly shucked oysters and buttermilk crocodile, along with fried baby squid and chicken caramel glaze with blue cheese sauce. Sides include garlic and herb crostini and breads, plus a selection of charcuterie and cheese. Sparkling Springs costs $60 per person, with sittings at 2pm every Sunday until December 22. Bookings are essential and can be made through the website.
On Saturday, September 7, Fortitude Valley's Chinatown mall will be glowing — under the spring moonlight, and thanks to the luminous vibe that comes from the annual Chinese Moon Festival. Running from 4–9pm, the event harks back to Chinese tradition, and is timed to coincide with the moon at its roundest and brightest. It was originally a harvest fest, but has grown and evolved to become an all-round celebration, which is exactly what's on the cards in Brisbane. Check out the lion and dragon dances, catch some live and traditional music, and keep an eye out for other wandering entertainment. Impressive Japanese footwork and Chinese clowning are also on the agenda, as is a moon-shaped installation that symbolises closeness — upon which you'll be able to write the names of your own nearest and dearest. And, if you're understandably feeling peckish after all of the above, you're in the perfect place for dumplings, Peking duck and yum cha, thanks to the surrounding Chinatown restaurants.
Pizza is one of life's undeniable culinary pleasures. When it's decked out with gourmet ingredients, it's fantastic. When it's greasy and paired with a few brews, it's just as great. And when it's cold and soaking up a hangover, it's also perfect. Everyone shares the same kind of favourite pizza, however, because there's just no pizza better than free pizza. The only way to improve on that concept? Pairing free pizza with wine — although you'll have to pay for your tipples. To celebrate its second birthday, Fortitude Valley's Mr Chester Wine Bar is serving up slices for nothing, and showcasing vino from Lo-Fi Wines. Busting out your wallet for a few beverages is really the least you can do when free pizza is on offer. There'll also be cocktails, a DJ spinning retro hip hop and an overall party vibe. Just drop by from 6pm on Thursday, August 1 — and prepare to have company, because everyone loves tucking into this doughy Italian staple without paying a cent. Image: Mr Chester Wine Bar
It has been five 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 expanded its footprint by adding a three new shops — and now it's giving away a free taste of one of its signature flavours. To mark the huge milestone, La Macelleria will whip up plenty of prosecco sorbet, and then give it away between 4–6pm on Sunday, July 17. Why drink your favourite sparkling tipple when you can eat it in frosty form, obviously. Given how much Brissie loves gelato, not to mention free stuff, we'd recommend dropping by La Macelleria's Teneriffe store earlier rather than later on the day in question — it's only available while stocks last. With the celebrations running from 11am, there'll be other reasons to swing by, too, including pizza from Pizzantica and a heap of soccer-themed fun.
When you're a bar that nods to all things spooky in your name, and you boast more than a couple of monster-themed pinball and arcade machines, then you're going to like the end of October. Netherworld does, of course. Indeed, the Valley pub has already hosted a monster beer fest earlier in the month — and now it's celebrating Halloween in the expected style. So, what's on the agenda? Two parties on two different days. Some of us want to mark the occasion on the actual date, while some of us want to have some themed fun on the weekend leading up to it. Naturally, you can always do both. First up, from 7pm on Saturday, October 26, it's Cowboy Skeleton Halloween Party time. Don't ask why — the better question is 'why not?', and it's one without an answer. Get dressed up like a gunslinging bag of bones (and don't forget to take care of both the cowboy and the skeleton parts of the costume), then drink, mash buttons, and listen to tunes by The Sugarshakers and Whalehouse. Plus, there'll also be food to suit the theme — whatever that could possibly be. Then, come 6pm on Thursday, October 31, A Netherworld Halloween returns. Expect a ghoulish night of scary fun — or, a monster mash, if you will. You know that DJ Doom is going to give the track a spin, and you know that you're going to dance to it, creepy cocktail in hand. Also, if you dress up for either evening of Halloween gaming goodness, you'll score five free tokens for your trouble.
Few people like to admit it, but we all wonder just what goes on behind everyone else's closed doors. We've all walked past a random house and pondered who might live inside, or crossed paths with a neighbour and been curious about their lives — but, of course, we don't just waltz right in and find out. No one is being rude at Open Homes, but you will enter strangers' abodes. Don't worry, La Boite is doing the inviting. The Kelvin Grove-based theatre company is taking their latest production into houses around town, and tasking everyday Brisbanites with telling their stories while guiding visitors through their private spaces, with each tour-slash-show running for 30 minutes. Fifteen storytellers will welcome theatre-lovers inside, including Indian-born Valerie Ferdinands, who's more than a little fond of cooking; Anshula and Michael Jones, who share their efforts to combine their two worlds into one home; and Léonie Flood, who'll explore her memories and keepsakes. Given the small size of each venue — they're just ordinary homes, after all — tickets are limited. Open Homes runs from Friday–Sunday each week between Friday, October 25 and Sunday, November 10.
The 90s were great. That shouldn't be a controversial opinion. Whether you lived through them or have spent the last couple of decades wishing you did — aka binging on 90s pop culture — this late-night shindig at The Foundry will indulge your retro urges. Drinks, tunes, fashion: expect all of the above at the No Scrubs: 90s and Early 00s party from 9pm on Saturday, January 18. Of course, it's up to you to make sure the clothing side of thing is covered, and to get into the spirit of the party. If you want to use Mariah Carey as a style icon, it'd be fitting. Expect to unleash your inner Spice Girl and Backstreet Boy too. TLC, Destiny's Child, Savage Garden, Usher, Blink-182, No Doubt — we'd keep listing artists, but you all know what you're getting yourselves into. Tickets are $12.25 online, with the fun running through until 3am. Image: No Scrubs.
Next time you slurp down some oysters, you needn't just opt for natural molluscs served with lemon and Tabasco. There's nothing wrong with that old favourite; however you can get a bit more adventurous with your oyster dishes at One Fish Two Fish's Oyster Frenzy. Between Friday, January 24–Sunday, January 26, the Kangaroo Point eatery is serving up a six-course oyster feast, taking seafood lovers through six different flavours. Start with the tried, tested and aforementioned combination, then move onto oysters battered in squid ink tempura and served with Asian salad and sriracha aioli, three-cheese baked oysters, and oysters with limoncello and finger lime caviar. You'll also be snacking on oysters with tarragon and garlic butter pangrattato, plus oysters paired with an oak-aged chardonnay mignonette granita. In total, you'll eat your way through 18 oysters all up — three per dish — for $59 per person. That price includes a glass of prosecco or a Stone & Wood Pacific Ale upon arrival, too. Because oysters are always popular, bookings are essential — with Oyster Frenzy running from 12–9pm on all three days.
Whether you're looking for something to eat or drink, you're keen on doing a spot of browsing and buying, or you're just eager for a dog-friendly evening out, you might want to mosey along to East Brisbane's new night market. Launching on Saturday, October 5, running from 3–9pm and taking place at The Lord Stanley Hotel, it's the latest venture from the folks at The Design Collective — who also put on food truck meet-ups around the place, hosted Bulimba's recent street food fest and are just fond of organising markets in general. On the agenda: street food, pop-up bars, boutique stalls and live music, aka the usual market line-up, complete with the likes of Wild Rissole, Carlos Tacos and Oh Waffles on hand. Entry is free and, as well as welcoming your pet pooch along for an evening wander, the East Brisbane Night Market will also have snacks and treats for canines on sale. Image: The Design Collective Markets & Events.
Brisbane doesn't quite boast a pub or bar on every corner, but it feels like it sometimes. With a hefty number of watering holes to choose from, it's easy to get overwhelmed. We've all done it — and just headed to our trusty favourite spot rather than try somewhere new. The Brisbane Pub Crawl hopes to change that. It wants Brisbanites to hop between venues, getting cosy in more than boozy establishment. And, it also wants to make a weekly thing out of sending brew-loving locals touring the homegrown bar scene. Returning from 5pm on Saturday, October 19, the event will take attendees to Barbara in Fortitude Valley. Then, an hour later, it'll head to another spot. When the next two hours tick by, the same thing'll happen, with drinks on offer at each one (obviously). Specifically, your ticket includes a cold one at each location — and discovering where you're going is all part of the fun on the day. You'll also get access to drinks specials, should you fancy more than one beverage at a particular bar, and you'll be surrounded by fellow Brissie pub aficionados.
2019 is nowhere near over, but it has already been a standout year for South Korean cinema. Not only is Bong Joon-ho's Parasite one of the best films of the year — and one of the most talked about — but it earned the Asian nation its first Palme d'Or from the Cannes Film Festival. No wonder director Bong was greeted by a crowd at the airport when he arrived back from the south of France after the glitzy event. Parasite is also one of the movies on this year's Korean Film Festival in Australia lineup; however the smash hit isn't the only great flick on offer between Thursday, September 5 and Sunday, September 8. If you're keen to dive into the exciting and eclectic films produced by the country — which celebrates 100 years in the movie business this year — then you're in the right spot. Screening at Elizabeth Picture Theatre, this year's KOFFIA features everything from blockbusters to indies and dramas to comedies. Catch cop flick The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil before it's remade in the US — or revel in Korean War tap-dance musical Swing Kids, step into tensions with North Korean in The Spy Gone North and explore a real-life tragedy with Birthday. And, while you're feasting your eyes on all of the above, you'll also help commemorate KOFFIA's huge 10th year.
One of this year's big Sundance hits is making its way to Australian cinemas next month, and New Farm Cinemas is marking the occasion in the appropriate fashion. Starring Awkwafina, The Farewell tells the tale of a family who gather around their beloved matriarch when she's diagnosed with terminal cancer, but decide not to tell her so that she can enjoy what time she has left. If that instantly makes you want to spend more time with your own nanna, the Brisbane venue not only wants you to bring her along to see the movie — it'll let you do so for free. That's what this BYO grandma advanced screening is all about. Buy a single $16 adult ticket, and nab another one for your nan without spending a cent. You can also take your grandpa, if you'd prefer — although you can only take one for free. Make a date in your diary for Sunday, August 25, with a free afternoon tea on offer from 1.30pm and the film kicking off at 2pm.
Brisbane's day-long celebration of seafood is coming back, meaning you'll be able to feast your way through the fruit of the sea, without leaving the CBD, once again. If oysters and Moreton Bay bugs are your idea of heaven in food-form, you're in luck, as Sea to the City — Brisbane's Bug and Oyster Trail promises to focus on these two morsels. Seventeen riverside eateries will serve up their best takes on these two main ingredients at the event, which will take over the Brisbane river precinct from Eagle Street Pier to Customs House from 11am–6pm on Sunday, October 13. Patina at Customs House will be serving up a Moreton Bay bug croissant, and will be hosting a pop-up pink champagne garden bar. You'll also find Riverbar & Kitchen slinging New Orleans-style fried oyster po' boys and Madame Wu offering up grilled bugs with XO Sauce. Other restaurants getting in on the action include Cha Cha Char, Riverland, Blackbird, Il Centro, Sake and more. You'll also find live music, markets, plenty of vino and, of course, gorgeous river views. The event is easy to get to by bus and city cat, plus there'll be plenty of parking offers on the day, too. To see the full list of participating restaurants and full menu announcement, head this way.
Someone else's old designer threads could become your new favourite outfit, all thanks to Brisbane's latest secondhand clothing pop-up. Taking place from 2–4pm on Saturday, October 26, the Annual Designer Rummage Sale will fill Woolloongabba's Princess Theatre with pre-loved fashion and accessories. Even better — everything costs just $5. You'll also need to pay $5 for entry, but once you're inside you can browse and buy until your heart's content. All of the proceeds will go to the Women's Legal Service, to assist women and their children experiencing domestic violence. That means that your wardrobe gets a gift and so does a great cause. A bake sale will also be onsite, slinging coffee and homemade goodies, so you can keep up your energy while you're shopping. Plus, if you have your own unwanted designer clothes to donate, you can do so in the lead up to the day by dropping off your quality pre-loved wares at a number of venues.
Grab your picnic blanket, round up your four-legged best friend and rustle up your hunger for Italian food (not that the latter needs much encouragement). Then, head over to Northshore Hamilton. The riverside precinct is making the most of the warmer weather with a sunny spring outing, pairing pizza, pasta, gelato and cheese with a leafy backdrop and plenty of entertainment. A heap of food trucks will serve up the Italian cuisine you're now hankering for, and a cocktail stand will make sure you don't go thirsty. Elsewhere, expect live music, including a few accordions; jesters conjuring up some laughs; and giant games ready to be played. As for bringing your pet pupper along, they'll even be able to munch on their own snacks, thanks to Brisbane Barkery who'll be serving up doggo treats. An Italian Affair takes place at Hamilton Reach from 1–4pm on Saturday, September 7, and entry is free. Image: Hamilton Reach.
Women can do anything, except remember that straightforward fact without a film popping up to remind us. That's what Hollywood seems to keep telling us — and while it's refreshing to see the industry so eager to finally give female protagonists their due, the rush to support the #MeToo and Time's Up movements (and just work towards the kind of equality that should be a given) comes with a few significant caveats. Pushing ladies to the fore either in front of and behind the lens doesn't automatically make a movie a winner, sadly. Weaving empowerment into a narrative doesn't either. Indeed, the recent cinema slate has offered up plenty of average and underdone examples of all the above, including Ocean's 8 and Captain Marvel. They're pictures with great stars, and with their hearts in the right spot, and yet they remain content to simply pay lip service to the idea they claim to champion. Yes, ladies, you can rob a high-profile gala while looking fabulous. You can be a kick-ass hero who saves the world to 90s tunes, too. But when gender-swapped flicks barely bother to interrogate what it actually means to be a woman in a man's world, they rarely rise above generic levels. In The Kitchen's case, a tale about three women who become mob bosses when their Irish gangster husbands get locked up really doesn't appear to aim any higher. There's a winning cast and intriguing concept at the centre of this 70s-set film, but it shows its true colours in one mid-movie interaction — one that deserves groans rather than the fist-pumps it so desperately covets. Having worked hard to establish themselves as Hell's Kitchen's new kingpins, Kathy Brennan (Melissa McCarthy), Claire Walsh (Elisabeth Moss) and Ruby O'Carroll (Tiffany Haddish) are summoned to meet with the Italian mafioso over in Brooklyn. When the trio leaves their tête-à-tête with the family head (Bill Camp), they're given a few words of encouragement by his wife (Annabella Sciorra), who praises them for being "all Gloria Steinem and shit". Sure, The Kitchen is adapted from a comic book series, however cartoonishness doesn't excuse such a blatant, pandering line. Women can do anything, except appreciate a movie's message without it being spelled out for them so overtly, apparently. Appropriately, The Kitchen's three main ladies are accustomed to being underestimated. While their partners (Brian d'Arcy James, Jeremy Bobb and James Badge Dale) were prowling around, the trio did what they were told — and, in the case of domestic abuse victim Claire, as well as the verbally denigrated Ruby, weathered the consequences for simply existing. When their men are sentenced to three years in jail after a robbery, the new head honcho (Myk Watford) promises to take care of Kathy and company, but his offer is hardly generous. Struggling to get by, and observing that the neighbourhood isn't really receiving the protection that local stores are paying for, the gals decide to take matters into their own hands. Soon, they're not just collecting cash and keeping the streets safe, or negotiating criminal alliances, but getting violent to dispense with their problems. For a film that brandishes its go-get-'em attitude as firmly as its 70s aesthetic (including terrific costuming, the picture's best touch), The Kitchen wades into murky territory, and quickly. A woman's fight to be treated decently, let alone fairly, can be brutal. It's a topic well worth exploring, as the similar and far superior Widows did so exceptionally last year. Here, stock-standard crime antics are on display instead. If you've seen a gangster flick before, then you've seen Kathy, Claire and Ruby's path, as they battle their naysayers, get ruthless over turf and, eventually, face internal squabbles amongst themselves. The film makes it clear that Kathy is just trying to take care of her kids, that Claire wants to regain her sense of power after a decade in a dehumanising marriage, and that Ruby has racial barriers to overcome — not to mention a rude and overbearing mother-in-law (Margo Martindale). And yet, it still treats those details as mere window dressing, without truly stopping to contemplate what they mean. Claire's jump from victim to killer is particularly flimsy, though her romance with kindly hitman Gabriel (Domhnall Gleeson) does give the movie its best and most resonant moment. Evident in the aforementioned scene, and in The Kitchen as a whole, is ample talent. This isn't a badly acted film, with McCarthy, Moss and Haddish all making an impression, adding solid performances to their individual resumes. They just can't lift the thoroughly mediocre and familiar material, not that they're really asked to. They can't patch over the clear gaps in a movie that wants to make a statement, serve up a serious crime story and rustle up a few laughs as well. That's The Kitchen in a nutshell. Marking the directorial debut of Oscar-nominated writer Andrea Berloff (Straight Outta Compton), it has good intentions, however it never feels like it knows what it wants to do with them — other than splash around a clumsy girl power message to get an easy response. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUfGlXdUU8c
How many burgers can one joint serve in five years? We doubt anyone at Red Hook has been counting, but we're sure the Gresham Lane spot has cooked up plenty. We're sure it'll keep doing what it does best, too — including at its fifth birthday party. Whether you love Red Hook's cheeseburgers, can't get enough of its New York-style hot dogs, go crazy for loaded fries, adore as many wings as possible or start salivating over deep-fried Oreos, you'll want to make a beeline to this shindig. As well as just generally celebrating, the eatery will be slinging all of the above as part of their range of $5 specials. There'll be cheap drink offers as well; however if you want to know what you'll be sipping, you'll need to head along on the day. Clear your Saturday afternoon — that's when Red Hook's shindig is going down, running from 4–10pm on August 31. If you can't make it on the day, you can also drop by during the week leading up to the party, with a range of specials also on the menu each day from 5pm. Image: Red Hook.
UPDATE, November 20, 2020: Maiden is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. "Her name is Tracy Edwards, and her dream is to compete in the world's toughest yacht race with the world's first all-women crew." They're the words of a British television presenter in the mid-80s and, as seen in documentary Maiden, they're dripping with condescension. Edwards decided to enter an entirely female team into the prestigious Whitbread Round the World yachting race after first taking part in 1985–86, when she was the cook to an all-male group. During that initial voyage, she was treated poorly — unsurprisingly given the era and the sport's male bias at the time. But those patronising, dismissive, chauvinistic attitudes and insults were like a red rag to a bull, motivating the passionate lover of the open sea to compete again on her own terms. The only way for Edwards to truly sail the 33,000 nautical miles from Southampton, England, and back — via Uruguay, Western Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay again and then America — was to recruit 11 other women to make the journey with her. The 27-year-old knew she'd be instantly mocked, and mocked she was. She assembled a committed crew of women for the 1989–90 contest, and found a boat called Maiden, but no one would sponsor them, support them or even take them seriously. In the media, they were mercilessly made fun of ("tin full of tarts," one journalist called them). In the yachting realm, their male peers bet that they wouldn't finish the race's first leg, let alone all six over its eight-month duration. At every turn, they were belittled, underestimated and considered a sideshow (and when they dared to be seen in swimsuits at one point on their watery trek, they were also shamelessly objectified). With this chapter of sporting history now sailing across the cinema screen 30 years later, one thing should be obvious: Maiden's voyage through the Whitbread race is a story worth telling. It's the ultimate underdog tale, as well as a rallying cry against sexism that's no less relevant today than when the fearless skipper and her dedicated crew hit the seas. As chronicled via archival clips and contemporary interviews by filmmaker Alex Holmes, his doco makes all of the above plain, giving this plucky story and the gutsy gals who made it happen the treatment and respect that both deserve. Holmes' task is a relatively easy one, admittedly; with real-life events this gripping, this tale almost tells itself. Recognising this fact, the director steps through the specifics in a linear, unfussy but deftly edited fashion, deploying the formidable Edwards as his anchor. He starts with her backstory, explores how teenage rebellion led her to the freedom of venturing across the world's oceans, and then follows her Whitbread efforts — from her initial inspiration to the white-knuckle on-the-boat reality in the team's secondhand vessel once the race began. Even when the film leans heavily on talking heads, the details are riveting; however the documentary steps up a gear once it weaves grainy home-video footage from Maiden's journey into the mix. Candid and unfettered as it captures women doing battle with the water ("the ocean is always trying to kill you; it doesn't take a break," Edwards notes, looking back), it puts viewers right there on the yacht with the all-female crew. The fist-pumping, cheer-worthy highs and tense, dangerous lows of Maiden's trek are best discovered by watching, with the yacht's trip serving up the kinds of thrills usually penned by Hollywood. Indeed, it's incredibly surprising that a dramatisation hasn't hit the big screen already. Never forgetting or downplaying just how appallingly Edwards and company were treated three decades ago, Holmes' doco does more than simply relive or revel in their tale. Crucially, it also gives the film's subjects a voice, letting them relay the nitty gritty of their experiences in their own way. Back in the 80s, they were asked about squabbles, surviving without makeup and whether a round-the-world yacht race was the best place for the fairer sex, all while the men were were asked about strategies, tactics, skills and accomplishments. Redressing that egregious wrong — and showing the determined sparks still gleaming in these women's eyes — this rousing and exhilarating documentary proves a stellar snapshot of an inspiring feat, a rebuke against gender stereotypes and misogynistic attitudes, and a fierce portrait of persistent ladies telling the world that they'll do whatever they damn well like wherever they damn well like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjFXdXSmGZ8
Australia's touring celebration of genre cinema, Monster Fest loves all things weird and wonderful on the big screen. From outback-set horror flicks to eye-popping remakes to strange Lovecraftian tales, this festival fills its program with horror, sci-fi, and anything else that's dark and twisted — and likely destined for a cult following. Bringing its 2019 lineup to Brisbane, this excuse to spend plenty of time in a darkened room boasts quite the program. From opening night's 3 From Hell, aka Rob Zombie's latest ultra-gory crime effort, to the mind-bending wonders of Vivarium, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots, you'd best prepare for plenty offbeat treats. Other standouts include Deerskin, in which Jean Dujardin is creepily obsessed with a fringed jacket; Color Out of Space, complete with Nicholas Cage going crazy; and Ireland's ghostly and humorous Extra Ordinary, which boasts Will Forte and Claudia O'Doherty among its cast. Or, you can delve into the history of martial arts cinema with documentary Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks. And, you won't want to miss Tammy and the T-Rex, a 1994 comedy with Denise Richards and Paul Walker that really does have to be seen to be believed. A word of warning: if you like your movies happy and chirpy, this isn't your kind of festival. If you're eager for the exact opposite, Monster Fest takes over Event Cinemas Myer Centre from Thursday, October 31 to Sunday, November 3.
Eagle Farm Racecourse's giant screen is getting another workout — and this time, it comes with bumps and jumps. 'Tis the part of the year where all things scary, creeping and unnerving come into focus, after all, with Big Screen on the Green showcasing an absolute horror classic for Halloween. Spiriting viewers away to a haunted hotel, The Shining is getting the huge treatment, with the screen measuring a massive 44 metres long. Head by from 7pm on Thursday, October 31 to revisit the flick that's a macabre delight for all kinds of reasons. It's based on Stephen King's novel, directed by Stanley Kubrick and features a terrifying performance from Jack Nicholson. And, thanks to elevators filled with blood, creepy twins and eye-catching orange carpet, it's filled with eerie imagery that isn't easily forgotten. If you need a pre-film refresher, The Shining follows the Torrance family, who move to the Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies so that writer Jack (Jack Nicholson) can work as the venue's caretaker during the offseason. Slowly, they discover that things aren't quite right — and the rest is movie history. Gates open at 5.30pm if you're keen to get cosy as early as possible. Tickets cost $15, which gets you a spot on the public lawn — or you can spend $25 and get a large popcorn as well, plus your choice of wine, sparkling, house beer or a non-boozy beverage. You can't BYO food or drinks, but there'll be more available to purchase. Or if you'd like a picnic, bring a pal and nab a $60 gourmet hamper package for two, which includes charcuterie, a cheese platter and breads. And, if you need something to sit on — or to keep warm — you can hire picnic blankets for $12, blankets for rugging up for $5 and bean bags for $8. When it comes to screaming "here's Johnny" and "redrum", the timing really couldn't be better, with The Shining sequel Doctor Sleep hitting cinemas the week after on Thursday, November 7.
You walk into a bottle-o eager to buy some great wine, but you don't know where to start. We've all been there, because vino is a large and evolving field. Even if you pride yourself on drinking a good drop with every meal, you still might not know all the ins and outs. And, with organic, biodynamic and vegan wines becoming more and more popular, there are plenty of new details to learn. Basically, being a student in this boozy arena is a lifelong pursuit. But, if you'd like to fill your head with knowledge about the growing realm that is natural wine (and let a few roll over your tongue, too), the aptly named West End Natural Wine Fair just might help. Running from 2–4pm on Saturday, December 7, it's really just an excuse to head to Bottleshop Carrington in West End, taste a heap of wines for free and discover more about natural drops. Of course, that's as good a reason as any to get sipping, sampling and asking questions of the folks who know their vino.
Hey boy, hey girl — we've got some news. Pioneering electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers is heading Down Under — for their first Aussie tour in six years. Off the back of dropping their ninth studio album No Geography earlier this year, the pair are taking a new live show (also called No Geography) around the world. Stops include the UK, US and Mexico — and, luckily, also Australia. If you've been lucky enough to catch The Chemical Brothers live before, you'll know their shows aren't your average stand-behind-the-decks-and-play performances. They feature strobe lights, lasers and mind-bending images projected onto huge screens. It's sort of like a trip, without the LSD. If you haven't seen one before, take a peek at one of the psychedelic shows below. As well as new hits off the new No Geography album, including 'Free Yourself' and 'MAH', we're hoping the duo will add some throwbacks to its live performances — the late-90s and early-2000s hits 'Hey Boy, Hey Girl' and 'Galvanize' would be particularly welcome. As an added bonus, the duo will be touring the country with a big-name local: The Avalanches. The Melbourne-born electro group will be playing a live DJ set at all The Chemical Brothers' shows. If you don't know them, you'll definitely know their song 'Since I Left You'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tri7gjlmfdk
Feel like scoring a dose of da funk on a Friday night, losing yourself to dance and getting lucky? Of course you do. You'll be burnin' up the floor, getting derezzed and giving life back to music in no time at The Foundry from 8pm on January 3 — and if you do so harder, better, faster and stronger, you'll be doin' it right indeed. If you haven't guessed just who is in the spotlight at Robots After All — A Daft Punk Appreciation Night, then you probably need to take your helmet off and prepare to give some of the best albums of the past two decades a spin one more time. There'll be robot rock, plenty of digital love and you might even think you've been around the world while you're throwing shapes. Yep, indulging your instant crush on the electronic duo best known as Daft Punk is easy as the Wickham Street venue works its way through the French headpiece fans' discography. Entry is free, and a selection of other electro artists will pump through the speakers between Daft Punk tracks, including The Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx and more.
A long-term Friday night favourite, the Treasury Casino has been ending the working week with regular of wine and cheese shindigs — and its latest event has a little extra fizz. On November 22, the CBD venue's blend of dairy and drinks also includes bubbles. Tis the season for indulging in a big splash of effervescence, after all. Cheese, Wine & Bubbles goes down between 5–8pm, and features Australian wine tastings, cheese sampling, and a range of canapes and antipasto, too. Sip your way through tipples from Moet Hennessy, Treasury Wine Estate, Samuel Smith and Sons, Accolade Wines and more — and prepare to say "cheers" a whole lot. The tastiness takes place across the Treasury's ground floor, including its courtyard, so expect a starry backdrop and some live music as well. And, this night of drinking and eating is rather affordable as well, with the three-hour package costing $59 per person.
For more than two decades, Fortitude Valley has been home to a huge annual street party, with live tunes taking over its two malls, various bars and plenty of venues. That's the old Valley Fiesta. In 2019, the event has had a considerable revamp. Now, instead of jamming all your fun into a hectic couple of days, you can enjoy a free gig every Friday afternoon all-year-round. You'll either need an arvo off work, a long lunch or a cruisy afternoon break, because these shows are happening from 2–4pm. Head to the Brunswick Street Mall and Chinatown Mall, as well as Bakery Lane and other spots around the suburb, with the lineup changing each week. On the upcoming bill: Charlie Shay and Leo Altarelli on November 8, Sid Whitely and This New Light on November 15, Liam Norton, Maisy Taylor and The Brothers Calling on November 22, and The Letter Elle on November 29. And yes, every great Friday ends with ace music. Every great weekend starts with it, too.
Sick of looking at the same old walls? In dire need of some creative new threads? Eager to find a few crafty trinkets to pop around the house? Desperately keen for some new reading material? From prints and clothing to homewares and zines, Hidden Gems Arts Fair is bringing a heap of arty pieces to The Station Brisbane. The returning one-day pop-up is all about showcasing local artists, businesses and entrepreneurs, which means that heading along helps a creative Brisbanite — and helps your wardrobe, empty picture frames and waning reading pile. Jewellery from Shanice Casey, recycled pots from Chloe and the Paper Pots, vintage threads from The Body Gallery Vintage and colourful prints by Rina Z are just some of the items vying for your attention. Just mosey over to 44 Barry Parade, Fortitude Valley, with the market running on Sunday, October 13 from 10am-2pm. As well as plenty of stuff to buy, there'll also be live music as well. As for entry, it'll set you back $2. Image: Chloe and the Paper Pots
A day of revelry is coming to Woolloongabba — and despite the suburb's most prominent landmark, it has nothing to with sport. Instead, The End of the Line Festival is returning for another massive outdoor outing. It's free, it'll be jam-packed with music, performance and art, and it also aims to showcase the best restaurants and eateries the area has to offer. In its sixth year, the fest is keeping its boutique setup and an afternoon-to-evening format. In a lineup once again curated by West End's Jet Black Cat record store, GL leads the cohort heading to Jurgens Street from 2pm on Saturday, November 9. Also on the bill is Ainslie Wills, Sycco, Cool Sounds, Quivers, Tiana Khasi, Family Jordan and Selfish Sons, with the rest of the arts and events program yet to be revealed. Food-wise, food trucks and local eateries always get in on the fun — so expect to feast on dishes and beverages on offer. And while entry won't cost you a thing, and neither will the performances, you will need your wallet for the food and drink part of the street party. Image: The End of the Line Festival.
If, at the end of a long working day, you have a hankering for all-you-can-eat bao, that's perfectly understandable. You're only human, after all. Thankfully, that's just what Friday's Riverside is dishing up every Thursday night until the end of the year. Whether you're eager for an early or late dinner, your endless bao bounty will cost $25, with sittings available from 6–7.30pm and 8–9.30pm. As well as tucking into as many fluffy filled buns as you can handle, you'll also receive a selected beer or wine on arrival. And, as the above time slots make plain, you'll have 90 minutes to feast away. Arrive hungry, naturally. Flavour-wise, Friday's is slinging a range of different varieties — so, as well as a hefty meal, you'll get a few surprises. And, alongside the feast, you'll be enjoying river views, too. Because Brisbane is a city that loves its bao, bookings are essential and can be made here.
Getting up before daylight mightn't be your usual idea of an ace Sunday morning; however some things really are worth shortening your snooze for. Seeing what just might be the best view of the sunrise in the city, for one. Climbing a mountain for the calm and tranquility that can only come from bending and stretching is another. Oh, and then there's the whole taking part in a silent yoga class on Mt Coot-tha, for another. All three combine at Sound Off at the Summit, Urban Bliss Yoga's latest adventurous exercise outing. They've done it before and now they're back to do it again — and this will be the last time before new owners take over the venue. Yes, mountaintop yoga will literally take you to another level. Expect to show off your best mountain pose while you're standing on one, do downward dog as you stare down from a massive land mass, and whip out your liveliest sun salutation as that ball of heat above us ascends over the city. Taking place on Sunday, January 19, eager yogis will climb up to the Brisbane Lookout for this early session, with all of the fun kicking off at 5.15am. And, thanks to the illuminated headphones everyone will be wearing, there'll be quite the glow coming from the class as well. Everyone from yoga first-timers to asana experts are welcome — as long as you BYO yoga mat — but tickets are expected to get snapped up quickly. Images: Urban Bliss.
Browsing for arts and crafts, stopping for a bite to eat, checking out live performances — sounds like quite the itinerary, doesn't it? Forget running around town to fit everything in, however, with this list of activities all on offer at this year's BrisAsia Bazaar. A one-night market within the broader BrisAsia Festival program, the event includes handicraft stalls, roving performances and plenty of food — plus workshops, forums and discussions; other demonstrations; and festive lights, too. That's what Brisbanites will find at Aspley Central from 4–9pm on Saturday, February 15. While the stall lineup is yet to be revealed, this fest doesn't do anything in a small way, so consider your evening plans sorted. Entry is free, although you'll want to bring your wallet so that you can fill your shopping bags (and your stomach).
What do you do when wild weather hits, Brisbanites? Watch the radar to see just when and where it'll strike? Stay glued to your couch? Come up with a new festival of contemporary dance? The latter was Kate Usher and Glyn Roberts's answer in 2017, and after a successful first three outings, their venture is returning for a fourth time in 202p. Yes, things are getting stormy on the stage instead of in the sky again (although, given the time of year and the weather of late, the latter is still likely to happen as well). From Friday, February 21–Saturday, February 29, Supercell: Festival of Contemporary Dance Brisbane is taking over a number of Brisbane locations — such as the Queens Street Mall, Anzac Square, Bunyapa Park, New Farm Bowls Club and Rumpus Room Shed — for a repeat bout of frenetic footsteps. Celebrating Queensland's place in the dance world, the festival brings together local and international artists, performances, workshops and conversations. Highlights include Mine!, a piece that uses dance, Lego and Tonka trucks to respond to Australia's reliance upon coal; City Horses, a participatory piece that encourages audiences to join in and, well, dance through the city like horses; and The People's Dance Party, which is exactly what it sounds like. [caption id="attachment_762387" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Mine! - Australian Dance Party[/caption] And, in a new initiative for 2020, Supercell is completely free to attend.
In case you missed the news, southeast Queensland is now home to its first TGI Fridays, with the American eatery setting up shop in Robina late last year. The chain's mozzarella sticks and potato twisters have probably just rocketed to the top of your must-eat list, which is understandable — but until Friday, March 29, it's the $5 margaritas that'll likely tempt you to make a trip to the Gold Coast. No matter what time of day you drop by, you'll only have to hand over a prawn — and you'll nab a cocktail in your choice of four flavours in return. Classic margs are available, of course; however your tastebuds can also sip down mango, blood orange, and strawberry and coconut varieties. You will need to sign up to TGI Friday's rewards program to score the super-cheap price, which you can do by downloading the app. Otherwise, those vivid-hued margaritas will set you back $10.
Last year, VEND Marketplace added a new space dedicated to plants. Its mission: to help you fill your home with all types of greenery. And to help you do just that, it's hosting another of its regular — and huge — sales. Welcome to the Greenhouse, as the area is aptly known. The place where gardeners' dreams come true, it's upping the ante from 8am on Saturday, February 29. That's when the 250-square-metre indoor garden will be slinging its green babies at a special one-day event — and yes, there'll be succulents, cacti, indoor plants, hanging plants, outdoor plants, pots and more. Plenty of plants will be on sale for less than $12, and there'll also be juice, smoothies, tea, coffee, beer and wine to drink. Plus, if you can find a hidden jungle animal, you'll nab yourself a free piece of greenery. VEND is also doggo-friendly, should you want to bring your four-legged pal with you. Image: VEND Marketplace.
UPDATE, January 5, 2021: Martha: A Picture Story is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Is Martha Cooper the Bill Cunningham of the street art world? That's a big call, we know, but as Martha: A Picture Story shows, it's accurate. What he did for New York street style — immortalising it with obsessive devotion and sharing it with the world — she did for graffiti. And she's still doing so, there and around the world. That dedication has made an impact. Street art was considered a scourge when the Maryland-born Cooper moved to the Big Apple to chase her shutterbug dreams, but, as she traversed the five boroughs taking pics for the New York Post in the 70s, she was drawn to NY's colourful, creative murals. And so she filled reels of film with images, got to know the scene's major players and chased tag-covered trains all over town. As Martha: A Picture Story also documents, her efforts helped shape the medium. Before Banksy became a graffiti phenomenon, Cooper's was the name on every artist's lips. Thanks to her 1984 book Subway Art, co-authored with fellow photographer Henry Chalfant, Cooper gave street art a how-to guide. It initially sold poorly, but made its way through the scene via black-and-white photocopies that were passed around and coloured-in by hand by aspiring taggers. Now, 35 years later, she's considered a rock star due to the seminal text. Brazil's Os Gemeos (twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo) are famous in their own right, but they buzz with excitement when they mention Subway Art. As seen in this Selina Miles-helmed documentary, Cooper's recent book signings — where fans flock for her signature — paint a similar picture. Making her full-length debut, Australian director Miles has found the holy grail of factual filmmaking: a subject with a lengthy and captivating history, in a field with broad appeal, who hasn't been given their due by the wider world. As an overview of Martha: A Picture Story, that's too cynical, though; nothing about this film, its exploration of Cooper's career and influence, and its loving showcase of her photos is anything but authentic. Cooper herself invites genuine fascination and wonder. Her no-nonsense attitude and her evident enthusiasm are contagious, and Miles willingly catches that disease. This is a crowd-pleasing doco, winning the audience award at this year's Sydney Film Festival — but it inspires wide smiles and warm feelings solely because Cooper's pics are so exceptional, her passion so palpable and her impact so immense. Indeed, if a documentary about the now-septuagenarian didn't cause this reaction, it wouldn't be doing its job. Cooper's entrance into the film couldn't underscore the above point better. It's 2018, she's in Germany, and she's eager to snap photos of the 1UP crew in action. Carrying her gear on her back, she follows them into the night as they tag their way around an unnamed city — including in subway stations and by sneaking into train yards. Shot on the ground in a suitably shaky style, these sections of Martha: A Picture Story feel vivid and alive. Clearly, that's how doing her job makes Cooper feel, too. As the film begins to step through the photojournalist's past in a more traditional then-to-now format, these opening scenes mirror events that come later in the doco but occurred earlier, when Cooper did the same in NY with its street art bigwigs of four decades ago. Threading together its absorbing chronicle, Martha: A Picture Story keeps finding riveting details to fill its frames, such as Cooper's early quest to work for National Geographic, her globe-trotting efforts to try to make that a reality and her book on Japanese tattooing. The photographer's tale is also intertwined with both gender and class politics, which gives it added significance — she was the first female intern at Nat Geo, she notes, and she's well aware that she has spent years giving visibility to art, neighbourhoods and people that many would rather overlook. It's an informative and engaging delight to hear Cooper reflect on her experiences, and to listen to her friends, relatives, colleagues and admirers relay their parts of the story. But, in a doco like this, the old adage about a picture being worth a thousand words was always going to ring true. Martha: A Picture Story features home-video footage and personal photographs collected over the years, taking viewers through the various stages of Cooper's existence. When it lets the photographer's own snaps take centre stage, however, it makes the case for her greatness one image at a time. Whether she's documenting graffiti on both a broad and intimate scale, focusing on NY children and their makeshift toys, or turning her lens towards the reality of the Baltimore streets, where she grew up, she trades in candid portraits of life, art and personal expression. And, as only the very best pics do, they beam their glory and importance for everyone to witness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOMUHQEYsBQ
Round up the Avengers, call all your SHIELD buddies and pick up your mighty mjolnir. It's time to hulk out at Brisbane's latest Marvel Trivia night — and The Flying Cock's last trivia night, actually. So rove your hawk-like eye over plenty of questions about the huge film franchise, snap out answers faster than Thanos can snap his fingers and prepare to say farewell to the venue. If you've caught all 23 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to-date, watched every TV show, basically dedicated the past 11 years to this superhero-filled realm and already signed up for Disney's streaming service, then it's an evening that you've been training for. And if you're down with flerkens, wish you'd visited Wakanda, and know the difference between Peter Parker and Peter Porker, then you'll be in your happy place. Taking place from 6.30pm on Thursday, December 12, the MCU trivia onslaught comes hot on the heels of Phase Three's final flick, Spider-Man: Far From Home — and will help keep you occupied before Phase Four starts with Black Widow next year. The Flying Cock's Marvel Trivia: Endgame is free to play; however registrations are required. And yes, there'll be prizes — for first, second and third place, and last place too. Also, you can nab a special prize for best dressed if you don a costume, so you'd better break out your finest cape and spandex outfit.
Pups and pints: it's a winning combination. And, it never goes out of style. Brisbanites keep going barking mad for downing beers with their doggos, so The Brightside's Barks & Brews sessions just keep coming back. Folks of the two- and four-legged variety, make another date with your pooch and a few pints. With its appropriate name, the canine-centric afternoon doesn't really need to offer up anything more than just that — but, it wouldn't be a Brighty shindig without some extra fun. Those heading to Warner Street from 12pm on Sunday, November 24 can also expect free doggie portraits for maximum cuteness, dog markets, an off-leash area, cocktail specials and live music. So grab your fluffy companion, flock to the beer garden and prepare to sink a few cold ones while enjoying Brissie's finest late spring weather. And, expect to spend time in the company of plenty of other dog lovers and their pooches too. BYO frisbee.
If you've been making plans to revamp your style, but haven't been able to rustle up the coin, here's your chance. For five days, Hugo Boss will be hosting a mega sale at its outlet stores. You'll be able to score a further 50 percent off a massive range of premium clothing — from comfy t-shirts and soft sweaters to suave suits and women's dresses. Whether you're after a suit for a special occasion or looking to level-up your wardrobe, Hugo Boss's end-of-year outlet sale will have you sorted for a fraction of the fashion label's usual prices. You'll have to get in quick to score though, with the sale only running from Wednesday, December 11 to Sunday, December 15. The only catch? You'll have to take a trip to the Gold Coast to bag yourself a bargain. Just head to the BOSS Outlet at Harbour Town Premium Outlets to get these quality threads for such a steal. Opening hours are Wednesday, 9am–5.30pm; Thursday, 9am–7pm; Friday–Saturday, 9am–5.30pm; and Sunday, 10am–5pm. Hugo Boss end-of-year outlet sale will run from Wednesday, December 11 to Sunday, December 15. To find your closest outlet, visit the website.
Do you like a certain scary movie that helped revitalise the genre in the mid-90s? Are you keen to revisit it on the big screen? If you also like reptiles that've crawled through radioactive ooze and the film that turned Quentin Tarantino into a superstar director, then prepare to settle in for quite the movie-watching evening. Three films. One night. A huge blast from the past. That's Metro Arts' lineup on Friday, November 22, with Kristian Fletcher presenting a trio of 90s gems in one marathon session. Start with the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, complete with an early-career appearance by Sam Rockwell. Next, try to avoid ghostface thanks to a screening of the original Scream. And, to wrap it all up, revisit Pulp Fiction — after taking part in the pre-movie twist contest first. Tickets cost $12 for one film, $16 for two and $20 for all three. It all kicks off at 5.30pm, because turtle power is a great post-work vibe, before jumping into slasher territory at 7.15pm, then pondering royales with cheese from 9.15pm.
Made Neapolitan style in an oven imported from the Italian region, pizza plays a hefty part on Mister Paganini's menu every day of the week. Come Wednesdays, however, pizza is the main attraction — as you'd expect at the South Bank eatery's all-you-can-eat pizza evening. For $20, you can indeed feast on all the slices that your stomach can handle. You can't choose your flavours — instead, you'll munch through a chef's selection — but you can eat as much as you'd like. And, who doesn't love a surprise when it comes to each serving? With Mister Paganini's range feature everything from four-cheese creations, to anchovy-filled marinara pizzas, to a rustic potato-topped slice, your tastebuds can embrace the variety. $20 All-You-Can-Eat Pizza Wednesdays runs weekly from 5pm. Even better — there's no time limit, so settling in and going at your own pace is completely acceptable. Image: Mister Paganini.
Why should humans get to have all the beer-drinking, bar-attending fun? If you have a pet pooch, you've probably spied the look in its eyes when you head out for a beverage, or the curiosity when you're sipping something at home. This March, booze hounds on all fronts unite for Brewsvegas. From 9am on Sunday, March 23, Newstead Brewing Co is throwing open the doors to its Milton digs to drinkers of the two- and four-legged kind. At Day of the Dog, you can enjoy a few brews with your pupper in tow — and there'll be live tunes, food and coffee stalls, too. You can also get your pooch's pic snapped thanks to the onsite photographer and purchase a pint from the karma keg, which'll be donating funds to Queensland Staffy and Amstaff Rescue. Cheers to that.
For the month of May, things are getting spooky, creepy, unnerving and unsettling at the Gallery of Modern Art's Australian Cinematheque. And downright old school, too. Between Friday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 29, one of the venue's big screens will be paying tribute to B movies of the kind they really don't make any more. First, a bit of history. Going to the cinema was usually a two-for-one affair between the 30s and 50s, with the main attraction paired with a second flick. And while the A movie could've been anything big, shiny and glossy, the B movie was typically some low-budget genre delight. As a result, when double features stopped being the norm, the term was still used to describe horror movies, sci-fi fare, creature features and the like. Instead of playing with other, higher-profile films, come the 60s they played at drive-ins and on TV late at night. All of the above should put you in the right frame of mind for GOMA's Beauty in the B Grade program, which is screening a heap of retro treasures. Among the notable names featured are icon Vincent Price, acting legend Steve McQueen, and filmmakers James Whale, Jacques Tourneur, William Castle and Roger Corman — with movies such as Cat People, I Walked with a Zombie, The Blob, It Came From Beneath the Sea and Tarantula on the lineup, as well as House of Usher, Carnival of Souls and the original The Little Shop of Horrors. Films play on Wednesday and Friday nights, as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Even better — they're free, and some are showing on imported 35mm prints.
The Williennium might've hit a whopping twenty years ago, but there's never a bad time to get jiggy wit' the Fresh Prince. And when you walk into this shindig, you just know there'll be plenty of party starters — and the room will shake, shake, shake, too. For one huge night, The Foundry is paying tribute to the music career of Will Smith, all thanks to a party it's fittingly calling Big Willie Style. Summertime might be over, but this event will be more than just cruisin' as it celebrates the three-time man in black. If you consider yourself a good guy, there's your dress code sorted. Entry is free, whether you're bringing the gang or just heading in with your bestie — and singing 'Just the Two Of Us' or Aladdin's 'Friend Like Me' in the process. The tunes start from 9pm, and expect the full spectrum of Smith's tracks, from his days with Jazzy Jeff to his solo hits.
Why drink at one watering hole, when you can head to two, three, six or more? That's always been the motivation behind everyone's favourite boozy journey, aka a pub crawl. And, it's the exact same type of thinking behind the Urban Wine Walk. Taking another wander around Brisbane, it's the bar-hopping excuse every vino lover needs — if you need an excuse, that is. From midday until 4.30pm on Saturday, May 11, you'll saunter around Fortitude Valley — and between the likes of Cloudland, Proud Henry, Gerard's Bar, Bloodhound Bar, Mr Chester, TSO Lounge and Dining, City Winery and more — sampling wines and having a mighty fine time. As for the tipples, they'll be taken care of by a heap of top wineries, so prepare to get supping. Tickets cost $65, go on sale from 12pm on Tuesday, March 12, and places are limited. This moving cellar door will not only serve up more than 35 wine tastings, but also your own tasting glass — plus a voucher for another beverage, and a guide to help you plan your mosey between bars.
Can you solve a good mystery? Or spark one? Channel your inner Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard or Mrs Peacock, roam around a bar looking for the conservatory, cellar and billiard room, and be wary of candlesticks, lead pipes and spanners. That's what Cluedo! The Interactive Game is all about when it sets heads to Baedeker for a month-long run, and we mean that literally. Held on select dates between Wednesday, April 17 and Saturday, May 25, each night will double as a lavish 1930s dinner and cocktail party complete with hidden rooms, enigmatic guests and plenty of secrets. In a theatrical reimagining of the ace board game, you'll solve puzzles, find clues and try to work out who did the deed all while you're eating and drinking. Previous seasons have proven mighty popular, because everyone loves a Cluedo-themed shows. We'll call it a case of murder mystery board game fever. Image: Baedeker.
For their latest excuse to eat, drink and be merry, the Treasury Casino is taking inspiration from Australia's south. Over one cheese and wine-filled evening, the CBD hotspot will be serving up the best dairy and vino that Victoria and South Australia have to offer. Yep, between 5pm and 8pm on Friday, March 8, your tastebuds will think they've ventured to the other end of the country, thanks to a lineup of wares from the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and more. Your wallet, however, will thank you — sip and sample away for three hours for $59 per person. The 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 antipasto, charcuterie, assorted dips and artisan breads too — or, you could just dive deep into as much cheese as you can.
