Well, the world is ending soon (again…) and what better way to go out than with an ode to the impending end of days in the style of a burlesque freak show. Mat Fraser, the Freak, and Julie Atlas Muz, the Showgirl, have teamed up once more to bring us Apocastrip Wow!! Described as an orgy of flippers, strippers, songs, comedy, magic, freakshow and burlesque the legendary couple pose a show not to be forgotten. For the uninitiated, The Freak and The Showgirl are one of the biggest acts in their genre and make a very unique coupling. Fraser, a self-described sealboy mutant, was born with phocomelia of both arms leaving him with a deformity that he cleverly works with charm during his performances. Together with Muz, an award-winning burlesque artist, the duo put on an erotic cabaret sideshow spectacular that won’t easily be forgotten. If you really are concerned that the world is coming to an end, what better send-off show for the end of life on earth?
The latest work from Natalie Abbott is all about extremes. Big and small, toned and flabby — for something so diverse, it's nothing short of amazing that our bodies all operate in much the same way. In Maximum, Abbott is set to explore these differences and push them into the extreme. Joined on stage by a bulky male body-builder, this small lithe dancer will investigate the universal nature of the body and test its limits via the oh-so-gruelling medium of physical movement. Featuring dance, posing, lifts and even fake tan, Maximum seems more like a durational live art piece than a formal show. This is exacerbated by the fact it has nearly 10 performances in under two weeks. Yikes. Our muscles are hurting already (but we can't wait to see the results).
Beer and Asian food — it's a combo as iconic as salt and vinegar and chips and gravy, except it's a little boozier and even better for the soul. Sichuan Bang Bang is a popular Asian street food venue that allows you to bring your own beer to enjoy alongside its menu of popular street food dishes. This relaxed eatery run by Renata Roberts is dedicated to the lip-tingling, eye-watering spicy food that the Sichuan province of China is known for. Head to its Kenmore or Wilston venue and dive into the share-style menu which includes flavour bombs like peking duck, mapo tofu, sizzling Singapore chilli prawns and fish hot pot. Sichuan Bang Bang allows BYO beer and wine. Heading there tonight? Pick up a six-pack of Zytho Brewing Zesty Pale Ale to take with you. Find your closest BWS store here. Image: Hennessytrill
For locals and tourists alike, Mt Coot-tha is one of Brisbane's must-see spots, particularly if you like peering down on cities from a great height. As first approved in 2017, then confirmed in 2018, visitors will soon be able to do more than drive up to the lookout to enjoy the view, walk along its trails or picnic in its parklands — by the end of 2020, they'll also be able to glide through the treetops and soar down from the summit via a zipline. Given the official go-ahead by the Brisbane City Council this week after a public consultation period late last year, the Mt Coot-tha zipline is set to start construction later in 2019. It'll consist of three parts, each of which will open in stages. Actual ziplines comprise two of the components — and yes, there'll be more than one piece of wire for you to zoom along, with nearly three kilometres of zipline included in the entire project. Firstly, a treetop canopy tour will span 1.5 kilometres between multiple platforms, starting at the west of the summit and finishing to the west of JC Slaughter Falls. As its name suggests, it'll zip through the trees to take riders on a tour of the site's flora, fauna and indigenous cultural heritage. It'll be the first to open to the public, from sometime towards the end of 2019. In 2020, it'll be joined by a two-stage 'megazip' tour that features six parallel lines between the summit and the Mt Coot-tha botanic gardens. As well as that 1.1-kilometre stretch — all in a single span, without any platforms along the way, and with users reaching speeds of around 60 kilometres per hour — there'll also be a second 340-metre run within the gardens, taking patrons zooming over the Melaleuca Lake. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjjtLfALN48 The final section of the project will involve a guided indigenous experience across a new 335-metre suspension bridge that'll be built above JC Slaughter Falls, connecting to the treetop canopy tour and the new arrival centre on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive. And, so that everyone can get between destinations other than via zipline, there'll also be a shuttle bus linking various points. Brisbane City Council will put $1 million towards the zipline, which will be built by Zipline Australia — and, once it's finished, it'll be the longest zipline in the country. Both before and during the public consultation period, the project has also attracted substantial criticism about its potential environmental and noise impacts, especially throughout Mt Coot-tha's vegetation-heavy area — which will likely require some amount of clearing. In response to concerns, Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk advised The Courier-Mail that "extensive independent expert studies have been undertaken as part of the project to ensure the Mt Coot-tha zipline design is sensitive to the environment, including the natural habitat and Botanic Gardens". Images: Brisbane City Council.
Those living with a mental health issue within our community are often forgotten, or stigmatised because of reasons beyond their control. Fortunately, there are voluntary committees and fundraising ventures in place that aim to care for and assist those with mental health issues. You can do your part to help while indulging your love of live music by attending the Music for Mental Health Benefit Gig. This is a launch party to celebrate the work of 26 local artists whose talents are showcased on the Music for Mental Health album, the which all proceeds from sales will be donated to The Coffee Break Project. The Coffee Break Project encourages members of the community to donate the change in their pocket which they might have used on a store-bought coffee. All funds raised by The Coffee Break Project are directly donated to Group 61, a group of volunteers who care for the mentally ill. This evening of frivolity and charity will feature performances by Astrid & The Asteroids, Sahara Beck and Amanda Goddard. Buy your tickets now to support this worthy cause.
Sydney boys, Deep Sea Arcade, have found a home away from home in the UK over the past year and their indie pop tunes have been making waves in London. With their second album in the works and a brand new single, their Australian fans have definitely not forgotten about them and are eagerly awaiting their return. To celebrate their latest single, 'Black Cat', Deep Sea Arcade will be be playing an Australian capital city tour over September and October. The fast paced single is just short of three minutes but packs a punch with its psychedelic riffs, light vocals and driving drums. It serves to give listeners a delicious taste of what's in store on the album due for release in 2014. The lads make a pitstop at The Zoo this Friday joined by Hey Geronimo and other special guests.
Colin Hay might be the man who, despite being of Scottish upbringing, gave the world Down Under (which was definitely played at least seventeen times per square kilometre during Australia Day) but he’s also one of Australia’s most treasured musical icons, having released ten LPs over the past two decades as a solo artist, to critical acclaim. Hay’s said himself that his latest release, Gathering Mercury, may be his best so far. He noted, “The loss of my father last year brought an unavoidable emotional contingent to writing and recording. I don’t have a definitive belief in an afterlife, but I do feel like I had his help when I was working on this album, especially alone late at night, in the studio.” The result is a beautiful insight into Hay’s relationship with his father. Performing for one night at The Powerhouse, Colin Hay will be playing songs from Gathering Mercury, as well as old favourites. It’s an intimate, not-to-be-missed performance from one of Australia’s best songwriters and vocalists.
If you’ve ever had that joyful experience of finishing an arts/creative degree with such pride and hope, marched into the world looking for the big career move only to find yourself doing one of the following: A. waitressing B. working at Maccas C. selling frocks D. stacking shelves – well, you’re not alone. With performing arts degree in hand, Gillian Cosgriff found herself in the no job, no house, and in a place where eating chips and watching Oprah reruns formed the main activities of the day. What did she do? She picked herself up, dusted herself off and became a waitress! In a highly and widely praised new cabaret show, Cosgriff takes her audience on this hilarious journey of life lessons, exploring every detail of this period and its many funny, frustrating, odd and wonderful experiences. The show features many of Cosgriff’s original songs, as well as some old faves given a reworking. This is a show for all those who have experienced this big adventure, and those who are currently embarking on it.
That day of the year is coming up… you know the one. The one day of the year when the world is split into two categories: those who are loved up feel even more so, and those lonely hearts are made to feel even more lonely. Love it or hate it, St. Valentine’s Day is almost here. For those in the former category of people it can be hard to think of an original and special gift for your partner. Roses are a bit cliché, chocolates the same, and it is always nice if you can do something together to celebrate your loving state. Ta da! Enter Shri Yoga’s Valentine’s Day Partner Yoga Playshop. This is an afternoon of exploring and strengthening your trust, love and connection with your partner, while gently stretching together and learning ways to be yogic as a pair. Not just for lovers, the workshop could be done with a good friend - essentially it is a chance to build on your relationship through yoga. Following the yoga session things just get better with each participant receiving a Thai massage to have you floating out of the workshop on a relaxed, loving high! This special session will fill up so surprise your love and book in quickly.
Witch Hats are the kind of band that helps you to remember what it feels like to be 17 again. You know the days, when no one admitted to liking pop music and everything you listened to had to have angry and gritty overtones to be acceptably cool. Described by Mess & Noise as creating “pop songs that sound as if they’d spent twenty years in a trashcan”, Melbourne quartet Witch Hats manage to marry melodically dysfunctional pop with lo-fi dirty noise. The band have evolved considerably since their early ‘caps locked’ days and have stepped their songs up a notch musically by teaming up with producer Casey Rice (Tortoise, The Dirty Three, Ben Lee) for their newly released LP Pleasure Syndrome. Bringing a medley of post-punk, pop and noise rock with a live show that’s been described by the band as an idiotic and loose affair, get set to throw your inhibitions aside and party like an underage teenager. Witch Hats are set to make a mess of Alhambra Lounge this February, buy a ticket and join in on the frivolity.
Barbeque pork buns, sushi, stir fried noodles, pho, laksa, prawn dumplings, rice paper rolls, beef masaman, honey chicken and so much more. Asian food really has the goods: mixing spices, sugar, oils, nuts, herbs and chillies to create flavours that really make the tastebuds sing! Brisbane City Council is giving local folk the opportunity to learn the secrets to making these delicious foods, with Asian cooking classes being held from 12-2pm each Saturday throughout February and March in the China Town Mall in Fortitude Valley. All classes are free, and are hosted by excellent local chefs, each specialising in a different Asian cuisine. A unique cultural dish will be featured each week, and participants will get a chance to observe the cooking process, ask questions, taste test the food and go home with a copy of the recipe. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, meet diverse people and to try some delicious food, to then replicate at home for friends and family (or maybe just yourself)!
Beirut have a gift. Within their own distinct sound they capture the music of the world. ‘Nantes’ has us shaking our hips and doing salsa moves, ‘Elephant Gun’ has us reminiscing about Serge Gainsbourg and imagining ourselves dancing slow and close in Paris, and listening to ‘Postcards from Italy’, it feels as if a mariachi band has entered the building and has you stomping your feet in time. Amongst all of this, Zach Condon’s gorgeous soulful, but lilting, voice guides us on stories of life, love and friendship. At their essence Beirut play indie pop music, but the truth is they play so much more and have re-engaged with the idea of world music in a genuinely exciting way, opening it up to new audiences and new possibilities. In fact, in Brazil there is a music movement called ‘Beirutando’ where Brazilian musicians get together to play Beirut’s songs, but they add a Brazilian beat and styling to the sound! This week they grace Brisbane with their beautiful music presence and play the Hi Fi. I don’t want to build your expectations too much, but apparently on top of being glorious musicians generally, they are even better live!
Books, books, books are a many splendid thing, books lift you up where you belong, all you need are books - but also maybe board games, magazines, CDs and DVDs. So it's pretty convenient that the 2012 Lifeline Bookfest will have all of these items in abundance and it’s happening next week. Never has stocking up on your favourite entertainment material been so easy and so cheap. Held annually at the Brisbane Convention Centre, the mammoth room will, as usual, be at capacity: full of tables piled high with the aforementioned books and other enlightening paraphernalia. You’re able to bring whatever carrier you so desire, but I highly suggest you go with some sturdy bags and/or boxes. Prices begin at 20 cents (hello, bargain!) and go up to a shocking $10, so really a lack of money is not an excuse. Also, the variety of materials they have there is astonishing, making it a 99.999% surety you will walk out with something you like. As with all of their events, the proceeds go to Lifeline’s counselling services, so as well as getting a bargain and increasing your cultural capacity, you’re doing your good deed for the day. Trifecta!
I can't even say the name of this eclectic dance troupe, but I'm sure as hell intrigued by their unique talents. They are coming from far and wide to tell the story of how the Great Lakes of Canada and USA came to be. And they aren't just doing this in your standard show and tell sort of way, the Anishinabek troupe have crafted a beautiful, rhythmic production just for Australian audiences. Much like our own Aborigines, the Anishinabek people are from indigenous land tribes and prefer to communicate through interpretive dance. In this never seen before stage show, the dynamic dance troupe will powerfully drum and sing in traditional costumes. It is a rare glimpse into the lives and stories of a people we know so little about. Let the Anishinabek group transport you to another world. Their cosmic and alternative stylings are sure to evoke a spiritual journey within anyone who witnesses this one-of-a-kind performance.
They are the conflicting voice that sang 'ooh la' to you, then told you you were so naïve, but that you should shine, shine, shine on, and they are in Brisbane for one night only. Britpop seems to have made such a killing these past few years – The Wombats, Arctic Monkeys – that it can be hard to distinguish between groups. One British band that are markedly different though are The Kooks, whose music is very distinctive, thanks to vocalist Luke Pritchard, despite being lumped into the Britpop category. Since touring here in Brisbane in 2009 for the Falls/Sunset Sounds tour, The Kooks have been busy reworking their signature sound, venturing into slightly unfamiliar territory than the jangly pop they are renowned for, but that doesn't mean it won't be upbeat. 'Junk of the Heart' is the product of experimentation and much deliberation to only slightly alter what so many have loved about The Kooks. Even though the new sound is a shift in their now three-album-strong catalogue, you know the album's good when one of the songs was written in an aeroplane bathroom, and that's not even sarcasm! I've taken a piece of advice from these Britishmen, I'm always where I need to be, and that is at this gig on Monday, and you should be too!
Step out of the standard music festival mode, and check out some of the lesser known, but no less amazing non-commercial musical acts from all over the world. They'll be spinning the decks and getting you dancing at the Blah Blah Blah Music Festival! Now in its third incarnation, Blah Blah Blah prides itself on bringing some of the hottest underground dance music to Brisbane in a festival that is a total entertainment experience. On the banks of the beautiful Brisbane river at Southbank, this will be a day to remember, with a strict capacity there will be no hideous lines, no sweaty bodies rubbing against yours (unless you want them to), awesome food, fancy décor, lots of loos, and the opportunity to get your groove on with plenty of room to dance. This truly is a music festival like no other! From the festival that brought Digitalism, Freestylers and Yo Majesty, 2011 again offers a line up of rare but highly sought after gems from around the globe including LTJ Bukem from the UK, alongside B-Complex from Slovakia, Eddie K from the USA and Sietta from Darwin. Remember about the capacity and get your tix quick!
Brisbane artist Timothy L is inviting you into the world of outsiders, the fringe dwellers and those who live on the edge. These are the lives little known to us that exist in ‘the middle’, these are stories of those who live in worlds that are unknown, out of bounds or forgotten. Stories of people who dwell behind locked doors, in darkened subway tunnels, in drains and alleyways. Using photography, visual artworks and the written word, artist Timothy L has captured the stories of those lesser known. The outsider stories Timothy has captured include those of DIY artists, skateboarders, birdwatchers, train spotters, squatters and freight hoppers, asking audiences to ponder ‘the norm’, and the way in which we define our existence. Timothy asks viewers to explore notions of space and place - and the function of them - to ask what makes certain people outsiders and others not. Originally from Melbourne, Timothy L has written and photographed for a range of diverse publications, he has also painted schools in Cambodia, squatted in Barcelona and recently painted for Brisbane’s Flipside Circus and as part of the Valley Fiesta.
We’ve all heard of ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ but that pales in comparison to the tangle that’s about to happen in the Brisbane jungle this Friday night. Presented by community cultural development organisation Contact Inc., Tangle in the Jungle is a celebration of the performance-based work Contact Inc. has done with diverse communities throughout 2011. The event features the cutting-edge dance crew *ALL STARS* who recently brought the house down when they performed at the Brisbane Powerhouse. There is also the Contact’s own Unison Choir, Southside Education’s dance/vogue crew Red Roses, Causus Circle Ensemble (with performers from Circa and Polytoxic) and the beautiful but edgy sounds of all-girl music act Beauty and the Beats. Hosted by the notorious Candy B (Poetry Slam 2011/ Australian Booty/ Who’s that Chik? /Sista She) and very special guest DJ Busty Beatz. Contact Inc. is an incredible Brisbane community organisation that works with people of diverse ages, and from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Through creative practice (from hip hop to visual arts to choirs) they support communities, particularly working with people affected by violence, vulnerability and marginalisation. Tangle in the Jungle is a chance to see some of the outcomes of their amazing work, and to celebrate some of the amazingly talented people in this jungle.
It's always a good thing when the little festival that could gets a leg up on the big 'uns. In this case, Harvest Festival has fully pwned the competitors by sneaking an amazing lineup in before the summer festival season gets too messy and expensive. Harvest says, “fuck ya” to the regular indie music festival mould that says you need to sprawl big names across a few days and use filler acts to make up the rest of the timetable gaps. Seriously, everyone is buggered by the end of a three-day festival and just really want a lie down. Harvest knows we are a lazy bunch and has devised a simple plan to knock us all out in one go: bring Portishead back to Australia after a 14 year absence, throw in TV On The Radio, add in some Flaming Lips (who absolutely blew everyone's minds at Splendour in 2009) and chuck in The National, Bright Eyes, Mogwai, The Holidays and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Big Day Out can eat on that massive lineup and swallow the bitter Harvest pill. This one-day festival may have a program with under 25 bands, but it's exactly that no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point idea that will make it successful. Tickets are still available to The Gathering (as it prefers to be called), so make no mistake – you are going to be disappointed if you miss it.
Rockhampton mightn't be known for much else but its beef cattle and being half-arsedly nicknamed Rocky, but I'm willing to bet that Busby Marou are going to start making a better name for the town. Rocky's Busby Marou kind of sound like Josh Pyke, without the pretention (hey, they lent themselves willingly to Nova) and if you have your finger on the pulse, you would've heard 'Biding My Time', which has enjoyed some pretty heavy rotation on Triple J and 106.9 FM here in Brisbane. They just finished up their sold-out headline tour but have also had the pleasure of hanging with Birds of Tokyo, KD Lang and holy shit balls – Miss Dolly Parton herself. Joining the modest duo is Brisbane boy Ben Salter, who has earned a solid rep as a founding member of no less than seven bands, including being a front man for the Gin Club. He is touring solo this time and is flanked by Sydney’s Winter People. It's the Australian (or, in this case, Brisbane) way to take a good thing and claim it as our own. Call shotgun on Busby when the What's Yours is Mine tour reaches Brisbane this Friday.
The Blake Prize for Religious Art sounds like it should be a very serene, pious exhibition of artworks - classical images of angels and the nativity scene. That assumption would be wrong. Remember the ‘Osama bin Christ’ controversy, anyone? In fact, The Blake Prize is one of the most controversial contemporary art competitions on the calendar. It’s an annual prize named in honor of highly regarded British poet and artist William Blake who was a radical visionary in his day (he passed in 1827). It is open to a diversity of artistic styles, and encourages disparate styles and religious exploration. Entries in this year’s Prize are once again varied in style and subject matter, from photographic triptychs to sculpture and traditional indigenous works. There is also a lovely touch of controversy with a Drag Queen Christ on display. Lucky Brisbanites can see it all! For the first time in ten years the 60th Blake Prize has returned to Brisbane, and will be exhibited for almost two months at the QUT Art Museum. So get down to Gardens Point and prepare to be shocked, offended amazed and challenged by this unique art exhibition. Image credit: Brian Robinson, As the rains fell and the seas rose
Just in time for Christmas, Nine Lives Gallery is putting on a special show stocking-chock-full of the gallery’s most favourite artists. The exhibition will include works from Hollie Martin, Justin Lee Williams, Erin Forsyth, Mia Taninaka, and Hannah Smith – all specially sized and priced to be perfect under the Christmas tree. Small Town is the final show for the year from the Valley’s best-loved gallery. Tucked away on Winn Street between The Flamingo Café and The Outpost, punters can pretty much get all their Christmas shopping done in one pleasant, easy, mall-rage-free trip! The show runs right up until Christmas Eve.
Oh ma gawd, do you remember the Super Happy Fun Slide on The Simpsons? It seemed so good at first, and then it ended tragically. This will definitely not be the case this Sunday as there'll be actual Super Happy Fun Times at The Zoo because Regurgitator are making a resurgence! Yay! Super Happy Fun Times, or known by its proper name (for shits and gigs) as SUPERHAPPYFUNTIMES2011XMASMASHUP, will not only eat my Caps Lock button alive, but it will also feature silly-named Ouch My Face and self-confessed 'idiot pop' group Cannon! Get excited, Brisbane, because it is only so often in our lives that we have chances to smile extra big that aren't in a dentist chair or because we are ruining a photo. There's a legit cause this time because the 'Gurge are back to celebrate their newest song 'No Show' doing great guns on the radio, and what better way than to round up a positively awesome year than to do it in a super fun way? These legends of Australian rock are known for being one-time recording artists in a glass box, and how they still haven't found a way to get 'Polyester Girl' out of our heads. The set for their XMAS2011MASHUP will cover everything from their album SuperHappyFuntimesFriends, all the way back through their catalogue and hopefully ending with complete euphoria amongst all attendees. If you're sick of being repressed in this sleepy town, then it's time to wake up with Regurgitator and their Funtimes Friends: it's gonna be one hell of a ride.
Do you ever bemoan the lack of serious theatre tackling hard-hitting topics of geopolitical import? This is not the play you're looking for. Psycho Beach Party is a tongue-in-cheek homage that lovingly mashes up surf and horror films and was originally called Gidget Goes Psychotic. The 1987 off-Broadway play starred playwright Charles Busch as the 16-year-old female lead, though the role was recast for the 2000 film. This version, playing at the Brisbane Festival, is directed by Stephen Nicolazzo (sex.violence.blood.gore) and stars Ash Flanders (who is half of Melburnian queer theatre heroes Sisters Grimm) in the role of Chicklet.
Prince doesn't have time to muck around. He announced his Australian tour merely a month ago and is going to be here, uh, this week. He ain't no One Direction, that's for sure, i.e. selling tickets 18 months in advance. Pfft. Those kids haven't seen anything yet if they think the coolest people on the planet have landed already. He conjures purple rain and has the odd ability to make doves cry, but somehow he hasn't made touring Australia his number 1 priority. He hasn't been on our soil since 2003 and is now as old as our dads. That doesn't matter though, because this absolute, ultimate musician is going to be in this very city this week and next. Prince has sold over 80 million records and stands to be one of the most influential music acts of all time. Not only that, he can play over 11 instruments, an accomplishment that has made his songs that much more iconic He is funky and still sexy and his 360 degree show is set to blow our faces off. The artist formerly known as Prince, now known as Prince, is a musical powerhouse that made us party like it was 1999 before and after the fact. He has a symbol made especially for him. He has won an Oscar. His real name is Prince. I don't know how we can spell it out to you any more than this: you need to see Prince before you die. He's going to play all of his hits and goddamnit, you better saddle up for the ride of your life in your Little Red Corvette.
Australia’s answer to Ladyhawke, Catherine Kelleher, aka Catcall, will be making her way to Lambda this month as part of her first headlining national tour to promote her highly anticipated debut album, The Warmest Place. From humble beginnings in DIY punk group Kiosk, Catcall has refined her talents to become one of Australia’s finest pop artists. With sublimely catchy songs, Kelleher has gone from strength to strength and has even been featured on some of the most influential indie music blogs and sites such as Gorilla vs Bear, Rose Quartz, Fader and Mess+Noise gaining widespread praise. Her live shows live up her shiny sound with a tightly knit band and an energetic stage presence. Expect old favourites such as the hazy and soulful ‘Swimming Pool’ and the twinkly-pop ‘Satellites’ as well as brand spanking new tracks such as ‘The World is Ours'. This is no ordinary pop music. The songs have deep meaning and will linger with you long after you hear them. Start practicing your dance moves and head on out to Lambda to this Thursday night to embrace the 80’s pop child within.
Motherhood and a mental asylum, home maker and knife wielder. Caught somewhere between Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf, she is of one of Australia's most intriguing writers. Watch, wait and be transfixed as the curious world of Eve Langley steps out onto the Metro Arts stage. It seems that many creative corners of Brisbane this month are rife with expressions and questions on women in contemporary society, and this production promises to add to the heap. Written and performed by theatre magnate and Matilda Award winner Margi Brown Asher, this one women show crosses time to look at what it is to stand in the in-between. Eve is the story, part truth and part fiction, of a Langley's life and the pitfalls of being an artist, and a women, in the early and mid Twentieth Century. She is suspended between the parchment she writes on, the walls of her home and, more so than either of those, the wanderings of her own mind. Ash will step into Langley's shoes to bring to life this vivacious character and, in a world of wacky fashion statements and cyber punks, show us what going against the grain really looks like. Prepare to laugh and possibly prepare to cry. Get your tickets fast!
Brisbane has long been dubbed the ‘poor cousin’ of fancy pants cities like Melbourne and Sydney, but Brisbanites know that the truth is we don’t need to brag- we know how good we are so there's no need to boast to our greater populated relatives. Our Brisbane Creatives are some of the best in the business and the Seven With Another project gives our creative greats the chance to collaborate together. Seven With Another was founded by super talented Brisbane designers Monique Kneepkens and Jessica Huddart. These ladies wanted to prove that being creative isn’t just about the medium. The project takes fourteen creative leaders from completely different fields, pairs them together and challenges them to combine their talent and produce an original artwork. Now in its fifth edition, this leg sees the bonding of a musician and a pattern designer, a director and a jewellery designer, a photographer and an architect, a graphic designer and a builder, a writer and a visual effects artist, a product designer and an artist and a lighting designer and a fine artist. The duos will put their creative heads together and take on the challenge of creating an original artwork. Showing for the first time at the Powerhouse from May 10-16, Seven With Another is an art exhibition like no other. Don't miss this opportunity to bask in in the best of our local talent.
Come one, come all to Queensland’s biggest combined show for the antique and military wares collector. Sick of guarding your precious antique cans? Sell them! Need more precious antique cans? Buy them! Collectors can buy, sell AND trade from collectors all over Australia in the one place. This event is literally like walking into the biggest and most fantastic second hand shop you’ve ever seen, and it’s got a little something for everyone. Most collectors, no matter their field, can get their fix from hundreds of stalls. If it’s deadly weapons you’re after, the show will host modern and antique firearms, all types of Militaria from all countries, antique swords and daggers and all types of knives. There will be coins, medals, badges and bank notes as well as something more broadly aimed such as china, bronzes, prints, paintings, furniture, silverware, art, jewellery, comics, books and kitchen collectibles. Honestly, there is too much to even mention. If you are a serious collector and don’t head along to this thing, then you might want to consider taking up a different hobby. If you’re still not quite convinced take it from The Simpson’s favourite arms dealer Herman – “nothing says ‘I love you’ better than a military antique”… erm right on Herman!
A month-long house party? A place where creative development is rife? A location where the rooms, hallways, nooks and niches are alive with creativity and curious ideas? An invitation so minimal but intriguing that you have no choice but to attend? Freerange 2012 is definitely ticking all the boxes, even though you aren’t sure exactly what it is – are you? Now in its seventh year of occurrence, Free Range will be supporting the next crop of emerging artists in a month long workshop. Giving an eclectic group of independent performance makers the opportunity to refine their work, whilst simultaneously also pushing their boundaries, it’s a great opportunity for both observers and participants alike. This year the new recruits will be pushed further than they ever thought possible with the added bonus of no chance of failure, kinda' like trampolining in a safety net. Or maybe not. I'm sure the group of creatives Metro Arts have gathered could think of a much better visual metaphor. Which is exactly why you should go visit their art-house-party extravaganza. Crazy things happen when you have no boundaries and aren’t limited to words.
The mere uttering of “Italian Week” is enough to get the taste buds salivating and the stretchy pants out of the wardrobe in preparation for excessive amounts of pasta that are to be consumed. Now in its 5th year, Italian Week is just that – a week’s insight into modern Italy. It is your chance to enjoy Italy without the airfare. The theme for this year’s celebrations is Sapori e piaceri, translating to “taste and pleasure”. Yes please. Taking place across various locations around Brisbane, between May 23 and June 2, are an array of Italian-themed events. Acoustic guitar specialist Andrea Valeri will be playing shows, an Italian motor vehicle exhibition is to line the Queen Street Mall and celebrity chef Stefano Manfredi will be whipping up an Italian al fresco dinner for a selection of lucky Brisbane-ites. Italian Week would not be complete without the Jan Powers Italian Food Market at Reddacliff Place. Think Italian cooking demonstrations, traditional Italian dance shows and Murano glass. Italian Week is designed to showcase all things Italian all while promoting a culture that has played a definitive cornerstone role in Australia. But be careful: you may end up tricking yourself into thinking you’ve stumbled La Dolce Vita.
Australia's leading lady of sassy, smokey and sultry blues, Lanie Lane is heading to Brisbane for her Bangity Bang National Tour. Lanie Lane channels a golden era of music as she drenches her tales of love, lust and heartbreak with her distinctive and soulful voice. Her music is a unique blend of rockabilly, blues and country making her a must see. Her single, 'Oh Well, That's What You Get For Falling in Love With a Cowboy' has been regularly spun and requested on Triple J. Although she might look sweet as sugar, it's Lanie Lane's swagger that makes her performances such a treat. Sydney's indie group The Rubens will warm up the crowd for Lanie Lane. The talented four piece specialise in relaxed blues and with the addition of a copious amount of soul, The Rubens are destined for big things. Their track, 'Lay It Down' is a heartfelt, dreamy blues number with raw vocals, best enjoyed with eyes closed. The rich and original sound these guys are making has caused music lovers to prick their ears and eagerly await for more. Tickets for Lanie Lane's Bangity Bang National Tour, with special guests The Rubens are just $20. Grab one before they sell out.
Plenty of bands go through break ups and member swaps, but none more so than The Ocean, who, like their moniker, are unpredictable and mysterious – the German group have gone through over 40 musicians. Thankfully, these switch-a-roos haven’t impacted on their interesting sound and have in fact helped them to find the perfect mix. They started out 12 years ago in Berlin and since then, The Ocean has ridden the tide to success, becoming a fan favourite for their eclectic musical style. They combine hardcore, prog-rock and metal, as well as other hybrid genres, to create a deep, intriguing symphony. As the band changes members, as too has the sound, making them every bit as their namesake. Signed by labels in Spain and LA, The Ocean certainly have been noticed by their musical peers. Hardcore and metal fans adore the noise and that they are well-ahead of the pack in terms of being a DIY group who stretch boundaries lyrically, as well as rhythmically. They’ve never toured here before, so what better chance than this to catch a unique arrangement of members? Who knows if they’ll be in the same room again?
Last month, she danced and pranced her way across the QPAC stage. This month, Alice is gracing us with her presence again, just under slightly more culinary circumstances! As a follow-on from the Queensland Ballet’s whimsical production of Alice in Wonderland last month, Paddington’s Plaza Theatre Café is putting on a Tea Party that you won’t want to miss – it’s the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! It looked amazing on stage, and now it’s your chance to be part of the party yourself. The Plaza Theatre Café always puts on a good show. Their tasty treats are all baked by hand on site (their cupcakes are divine!). Best of all, they’re located next to the Paddington Antiques Warehouse, for all you antique aficionados. Sadly you won’t be finding Johnny Depp in a crazy hat or a pocket watch-touting rabbit at this tea party, but Alice will be making an appearance. It will be an amusing afternoon and is certain to leave you and your entourage grinning wider than the Cheshire cat’s. Costumes are encouraged, however not required. But why not get into the spirit! Don’t be late for this very important date! Make sure to call ahead and book as this is bound to be a popular party.
Australian artist Natalya Hughes has been creating incredible paintings and drawings for 10 years now. This month, Woolloongabba’s Milani Gallery is home to quite a significant exhibition from this Brisbane art scene veteran – a collection of works entitled Significant Men. The works included in Hughes’ exhibition are just as the name suggests (don’t you love that!), with each of the pieces delving into the stories of significant men in Hughes’ life - whether they be real or imaginary. Each of the twelve works is quite symbolic, all depicting portraits of men that has been composed in very a decorative and abstract sense. A seemingly post-feminist theme is woven throughout the exhibition, and marks a new page for Hughes’ artistic direction. Despite having maintained her signature style – an eclectic combination that incorporates pop culture themes with historical art methods - Hughes has taken a slightly more “masculine” path in these new pieces. Previously, Hughes’ work explored the links between feminism and art theory, however this exhibition takes a definitive turn towards the “other sex”. If you're a fan of her work, be sure to check out her current installation at the Gallery of Modern Art, titled Contemporary Australia: Women which compliments her exhibition at Milani Gallery.
When Captain Cook and The First Fleet initially arrived on Australia’s shores back in 1788, it set off a whole chain of reactions. However one thing that historic journey across the seas has never been known for, is as the first time marijuana made it to our fair shore’s of golden soil. Definitely a good thing Border Security didn’t exist back then. One person who very much knew about this exciting development in colonial history is Dr John Jiggens. His work writing about this particular “industry” is famed and luckily for you history buffs he has just released a new book; Sir Joseph Banks and the Question of Hemp: hemp, sea-power and empire, 1776-1815. A long title yes, but it’s certainly very self-explanatory - the book covers how Sir Joseph Banks was Australia’s original dealer and how vital the crop was to the colony. Celebrating the new release Avid Reader and green historian and activist Drew Hutton, who are combining their knowledge and location to host an evening of discussion about Dr Jiggens’ new book. It’s a free event so if you’re out and about in West End, feel free to drop by. You’ll probably pass some working members of the green industry as you walk down Boundary Street.
Have you ever stopped to consider what you are wearing? A lot of the time we tend to just throw something on and walk out the door! But, if you stop to think about how your attire expresses your personality, it becomes apparent there exists a relationship between our outfit choices and our self-representation. Fashioning Self: Artworks from the Collection is an exhibition conceived in response to this question. The exhibition, currently on show at the University of Queensland, demonstrates how bodies are fashioned through dress and adornment. The artworks encourage us to stop and think about how a hoodie or a pair of Louboutins can do everything from celebrating our cultural identities, to rebeling against national icons. All of the artworks focus on how fashion, costume and body marking form identity. Exhibition curators, Kath Kerswell and Samantha Littley have put together a thoughtful collection. Works from both international and local artists, such as Ray Cook, Alexander McKenzie and Fiona Foley (just to name-drop a few), grace the walls of the Art Museum. No longer will you get up in the morning and simply put on a pair of jeans – there is a lot more to it, identity-wise. Talk about taking the “Little Black Dress” to its theoretical roots!
Winter is coming to Paddington’s Kookaburra Café, in the form of a play reading of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Part psychological drama, part comedy, and a real ‘problem play’. It tells the story of King Leontes of Sicilia who becomes paranoid that his wife is having an affair with his friend Polixenes. In true Shakespearean fashion, actions are made, consequences are received, and revelations emerge. Hosted by the Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble, each month will feature a play reading event for members. It's a casual sit-down reading with no pre-casting. Don't think you need to prepare as all of the roles are drawn out of a hat on the night. You never know who you may be cast as! If you'd prefer to just sit and listen rather than reading along, that's fine too, but the fun is in speaking the words! Bring a copy of the script if you can - the more, the merrier! All members are welcome, and if you're not a member already, you can join on the spot for $20. Come along this Sunday to help give new life to this play text with like-minded Shakespearean connoisseurs.
Bubble-gum pop may have left the charts, but it never left our hearts. And this week it's back and bigger than ever with AQUA's Australian tour. Selling out their first Brisbane show in a matter of hours devastation was fast wreaking havoc across the Brisbane burbs. But saving the day like the (cartoon) heroes they are, AQUA launched a second show at the HiFI and are also gracing the Coolangatta Hotel on the Coast. This year has been a big surprise with 90s greats popping up all over. The Venga bus came and went, S Club are on their way and AQUA, arguably the biggest band of the 90s are just around the corner. They survived a lawsuit from Mattel, sold an estimated 33 million albums and singles and became the most successful Danish band to achieve global success. There is no doubt AQUA are prime 90s history, loved by an overwhelming majority of the population. This once in a lifetime AQUA opportunity won't come by again anytime soon. Which ever show you're going to, make the most of this live dose of colourful candy classics. Come on Barbie, let's go party!
Cult favourite Ariel Pink is bringing his gritty lo-fi band - Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti - back to Australia for a string of shows this month. With a sound that spans across the obscurest of genres including freak folk, noise pop and lite FM, Ariel Pink still manage to draw in the masses with his totally danceable sound. Starting out as a solo artist, Ariel Pink is the perfect example of a completely unique yet successful DIY musician. Not only does he record, produce and play almost all of this own music, he also creates his own recorded drum sounds using his mouth and sometimes armpits. Not to mention that he’s recorded over 500 songs on cassette and released 11 albums. This approach to creating music as well as his huge range of influences leaves you with songs that could be mistakenly taken from another era. Having been featured by Pitchfork music in their “Best New Music” category for his latest album and being the only non-member of Animal Collective to be release on their record label Paw Tracks, it’s quite clear that we could name drop about him all day. Instead, check out Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti at The Zoo for an entertaining and intriguing night of music.
When you combine a heated performance about sex and cheating with a group of excitable 20 (ish) year old UQ students you get something very exciting. You can get your mind out of the gutter, it’s not an orgy. It’s the play production of Closer by Underground Productions. Starting their 2012 season with a highly sexual bang, Underground Productions lives up to their reputation with Closer, which was made infamous in it’s 2004 turn to the big screen. With both versions based on the play by Patrick Marber, you can be sure this is one student performance you won’t forget. As anyone who has seen Closer (the movie) will tell you, the play is based heavily around cheating, sexual urges, and the drama that surrounds relationships. Maybe keep in mind that this show is probably not one to see with your folks. The student run production is only showing for a limited season so get in quick. Experiencing a story like this told up close and personal in a play performance is only going to improve it. Note: Natalie Portman will not appear in this play production.
John Cage is a pretty big deal. Widely considered to be one the the 20th century's most influential composers, he was a pioneer of electroacoustic music and was a leading figure in the post-war avant-garde movement. That's got to look good on a business card, right? The Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts introduces The Cage In Us - a festival celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Cage. Partnering up with Brisbane’s own Clocked Out to present the three-night festival, The Cage In Us will explore the many facets of the life and times of Mr Cage himself. The festival will feature a concert series interpreting some of Cage’s extraordinary chamber music, electronic music and multimedia works. There is also a set of 'Music Circuses' curated by Rebecca Clunn, which sound mighty exciting, as well as John Cage inspired installations, exhibitions and performances from an array of different artists. The big shot team of local, national and international guests will have you so involved in the multi-arts experience you might actually think you've been re-born and returned to Brisbane as John Cage. Supporting both free and ticketed events, The Cage In Us is set to be a storm.
Kina Grannis is causing a huge fuss across the globe with her adorable, imaganitave tunes. The gifted singer-songwriter is famous for her live/video performances and original compositions alongside popular acoustic covers. Celebrating the release of her debut album Stairwells, the American lass will embark on her first Australian tour. Her highly anticipated arrival comes in sync with her latest single, 'In Your Arms', a song that's video comprised almost 25000 frames constructed out of 288,000 jelly beans. If that doesn't intrigue you to YouTube, i'm not sure what will! In fact, Kina's claim to fame was actually YouTube, winning her over over half a million subscribers to date. Named one of the most prolific acoustic musicians to come out of the video hosting website, there's no surprises when it comes to her engaging and interactive performances. Responding to the demand of her Australian fan base, Kina will grace The Powerhouse this Wednesday with special guest, ‘Australia’s Best Busker’, Ollie Brown. Obviously the boy got that title for a reason. She won over American and Ellen and soon arrives to dapple us too.Don't miss Kina Grannis in all her harmonic glory.
For serious vintage lovers, Brisbane op-shops can leave a lot to be desired. Once fashion scouts take their picks often all that’s left are ugly puffy wedding dresses, jumpers with appliquéd Australian animals or ‘retro’ bardot. But fear not, there is a way to find genuine vintage goods - The Way We Wear Vintage Fashion Fair! Featuring stalls from dealers all over Australia, this travelling fair will pale every other vintage market place in comparison with its fashion filled racks spanning over two hundred years. That’s right, none of that “oh it’s five years old so it’s vintage” crap, this is the real deal people. In addition to the amazing clothing collections there are cabinets filled with glittering jewels, boxes full of photographs of sartorial men and women, shelves bursting with crisp French linens and all manner of exotic lace, buttons, hats and textiles from far away lands. There is so much to feast your eyes on that the event spans over three consecutive days. If you are a vintage connoisseur or just a lover of the finer things in life we’ve lost, then this is the event for you. Who knows what you might find tucked away in the masses of gorgeous vintage finds and trinkets. Image Credit: Brisbane Daily Photo
Electro duo Canyons have been on the music radar for some time now and with the release of their debut album, Keep Your Dreams, big things are in store for them in 2012. After a busy few months of touring, supporting electronic royalty Justice, and scoring positions at summer festivals, March has seen the boys taking their live show to the road as they tour Keep Your Dreams. Their music is multi-layered, poppy dance beats, folk vocals and euphoric atmospherics combine to make a musical kaleidoscope. Brisbane keeps pumping out exciting musical acts and special guests, Young Men Dead and Silas and The Seasons are no exception. Four piece Young Men Dead have played with the likes of songstress Kate Nash and electronic extraordinaire Yuksek. Like Canyons, they are difficult to pigeon hole as they mix tribal drum beats, funky bass lines with catchy vocals resulting in a unique sound. Silas and The Seasons are masters of chilled out, floaty electronica and are sure to be crowd pleasers. Cobra Kai is one of the last stops on Canyons' nation-wide tour, but don't fret, the pair haven't lost their momentum. Get down to Oh Hello and treat your ears with musical deliciousness, it's going to be a corker of a night.
Although summer has been and gone for another year, our sunshine state boasts wonderful weather all year round. Limes Hotel Rooftop Bar is the perfect place for nibbles and cocktails all to be enjoyed under the stars. If you thought it couldn't get any better than that, think again, Limes Hotel also hosts movie nights. If you missed Black Swan in the cinema or if you saw it and like many, loved it, you're in for a treat as it is the next film to be screened on Limes' movie night. Two screenings of the psychological thriller staring Natalie Portman will be shown: 6.30pm and 9pm on Tuesday. Various movie packages are available to make the night extra enjoyable. It's the perfect place to take your special someone and what better way to impress them than the package for two including two tickets, a share platter and a bottle of Chandon. Sipping on a cocktail as the sun slips behind the city skyline whilst enjoying the fresh air beats a busy movie theatre and pricey popcorn any day. Make sure you book your tickets soon as they are sure to be snapped up quickly.
What do Gertrude Stein, J.K. Rowling, Jack Kerouac, Rudyard Kipling, Sylvia Plath and Colonel Sanders have in common? On top of collectively penning a notable portion of the most memorable and well-known literature ever (the king of KFC came up with that song about Kentucky fried chicken and a pizza hut, right?) they are all familiar with the harsh sting of rejection, each having had their unpublished manuscripts rejected by people whose names no one remembers now. If only these seminal thinkers had been familiar with premier print-on-demand publishing company Blurb they could have cut out the middleman and saved themselves the heartache. The creative platform allows anyone with a computer (aka anyone with a pulse) to create, promote and flog his or her own seriously schmick looking book, photo book, magazine or e-book. This weekend Blurb hosts a series of free masterclasses and workshops run by photographers Daniel Milnor and Garry Trinh, who wax lyrical on the bookmaking process, the future of print and advancements in modern storytelling. Book now to avoid the kind of disappointment experienced by Stein, Rowling, Kerouac and co. Image Garry Trinh via Blurb
Platform 2013, a celebration of the works of artists in the Australia and Asia Pacific region, will once again be bringing together installation and large-scale artworks. The exhibition forms part of the Metro Arts annual Galleries Program, in partnership with Metro Arts and Jan Manton Art. This year’s showcase will include the works of Brisbane-based artists, Judith Wright (from her ongoing series Destination), Carl Warner (and his large-scale, urban landscape photographic works), Shayle Flesser (with her depictions of living creatures and the ‘landscape’ of the human body), Indonesian-born artist Jumaadi (presenting 13 figurative bronze sculptures), and Chinese artist Miao Xiaochun (with his video works Restart and Disillusion forming one of the highlights of the exhibition). The exhibition will be officially opened by Paul Spiro, partner at Gadens Lawyers, on August 15. Tours will be available on Thursdays throughout the exhibition, hosted by curator Jan Manton.
English comedian Russell Brand is in town on Monday for a night of belly laughs. This December sees Brand return to Australia for his first full national tour entitled, I Am A Walrus. Brand first broke onto the scene as the stand out character Aldus Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Since then, he has a list of successful movies and books under his belt and an equally long list of celebrity flings. However, Brand is no stranger to stand-up comedy and his history of stand-up runs back to 2003. The I Am A Walrus tour will be the last time that Brand will feature in the spotlight for a while as he plans to have a crack at directing and weave his magic behind the scenes. Make sure you catch the show and prepare for an onslaught of hilarity. Brand has led a colourful life and is now a former sex and drug addict, so, keep in mind that the show will contain strong adult themes and coarse language.
