As the title of a franchise, Insidious has already been taken. Which is unfortunate, because it would have suited the pictures of Michael Haneke perfectly. Although his movies don't comprise an interconnected series, they're linked by the filmmaker's continued obsession with the way people really behave. In the work of the acclaimed writer-director, seemingly ordinary situations become something else entirely, whether it's strangers knocking at the door in Funny Games, a family going about its normal business in Cache, or an elderly couple at the end of their lives in Amour. With considerable cunning, Haneke's stories unsettle by gradually exposing the facade behind which we all live — particularly when matters of love, loyalty and the complicated bonds of blood are involved. Sporting an ironic moniker, Happy End is no different. If you're onboard with the type of humour Haneke demonstrates in those two words, then you're well prepared for the sly comic social critique that follows. Setting the subject of social media firmly in its sights, the director's latest film doesn't hold back, tearing down humanity's contemporary fondness for screens over in-person interactions. What we're snapping, filming, uploading, posting, emailing, reading, watching, scrolling through and clicking on is one of Haneke's two main targets. How we treat even our closest relatives when we're more concerned with likes, shares and our own busy lives is the other. Opening with Snapchat footage, it's quickly apparent that something sinister is brewing. Although we don't initially know who's responsible, seeing a hamster being drugged doesn't paint a contented picture, and nor does vision of a clearly miserable woman. Then Happy End introduces 12-year-old Eve Laurent (Fantine Harduin), who is bundled off to stay with her father (Mathieu Kassovitz) and his incredibly wealthy extended family after her mother overdoses. Not that anyone in her new mansion home pays the girl much attention. They're as content to ignore her as they are her increasingly senile grandfather Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant). As Eve's stepmother (Laura Verlinden) fusses over her new baby, her aunt Anne (Isabelle Huppert) prepares to take over the family construction company, and various family crises bubble up, the pre-teen and the octogenarian form a bleak kind of bond. Other than his new social media savvy (and a standout karaoke scene soundtracked to Sia's 'Chandelier'), Haneke ticks plenty of recognisable boxes with Happy End. A little too many, perhaps. He doesn't lose his ability to intrigue, but it's obvious that he's relying upon his established tricks and trademarks, almost as if he's making his own greatest hits package. In a way, keeping to his usual beats supports the recurring message in many of his movies: that life's woes and worries tend to repeat. That said, when spotting the filmmaker's familiar flourishes is more interesting than sections of the narrative, it's also a problem. Still, even when he's retracing his own footsteps with a knowing wink and smile, Haneke's work sits in its own category. The playfulness paired with grim scenarios, the long shots urging viewers not to tear their eyes away, the unease oozing from every scene and performance: it's all there, deployed with the requisite finesse. And while the final result isn't among Haneke's best films, when it comes to plunging into the chilling darkness behind carefully cultivated public personas, no one does it quite like the Austrian master. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Jn1AIzcBQ
Some lights burn bright but fast. Rainer Werner Fassbinder's was one of them. The German filmmaker made 39 films — including six television movies and series — and four video productions during his 17-year career. And, because he clearly wasn't busy enough, he also directed 24 stage plays and four radio plays, and managed to act, shoot, compose, design, edit and produce, and work as a theatre manager. Phew. If his life hadn't been cut short by a drug overdose at the age of 37, who knows what else he would've made — or how much lazier he would've made everyone else feel. Alas, that's not how things turned out for the provocative, prodigious, prolific, probing writer/director, but 35 years after his death, his immense body of work lives on. In the first major retrospective of Fassbinder's output in Australia, the Gallery of Modern Art is dedicating two separate months to the New German Cinema pioneer, and for free. Head along from October 14 to November 15, 2017, and then again from June 1 to July 4, 2018. Highlights include the shot-in-two-weeks Fear Eats the Soul; The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant, which is based on his own love affair; sci-fi series World on a Wire; and his final effort, Querelle. Plus, if you're up for a marathon or two, don't miss once-in-a-lifetime chances to see mini-series Eight Hours Don't Make a Day (as screened over two days) and 14-part effort Berlin Alexanderplatz (as screened over three).
Two bears wander around a dystopian world, trying to cope with their surroundings. They're best friends, they're attempting to avoid human hunters, and they dream of a time when bears could be free. If you've spotted some real-life parallels in the tale of One and Ursula, you're supposed to. The latest production by Black Honey Company, it's their latest work of black radical feminism. One the Bear steps through the furry duo's lives — including eating fish fingers rather than real fish — as a change occurs. One gets the chance to speak for their tribe, and finally ask for more. What results is an exploration of everything from identity and friendship to culture and appropriation, and it's hitting the La Boite stage from October 10 to 21. Written and composed by Candy B and Busty Beatz (aka Candy and Kim Bowers), and performed by the former with Nancy Denis, this isn't your usual theatre production. When we say it's hip hop, we mean it. Absolutely everything spoken is said in rhyme, with the show slinging couplets like it's slinging probing themes.
Art often deals with the things people can't talk about, or don't want to. Fears, worries, stresses, anything that makes you feel scared or worried — there's a painting or a sculpture for all it. The list goes on. Superstitions, misfortune, bad days, wondering why things never go your way: they've all inspired something creative too. All of the above factors into The Culprit Club's latest exhibition, which couldn't have a better name or date. Come 6pm on October 13 (yes, that's a Friday), No Such Luck will display a range of works inspired by the concept of being unlucky, cursed or ill-fated, as crafted by Art By Dale, Muchos, Sindy Sinn, Mike Watt, Shida, Irok, Dizzy Little Dotty, Mad Crook, Maid, Micky Hora and many, many more. Clearly, the big list of artists involved have more than a little luck — otherwise they wouldn't be part of this show, now would they? Whether their stroke of luck will improve yours is something you can only discover by going along and seeing their efforts. Perhaps don't break any mirrors along the way.
Friday the 13th rolls around at least once a year, and if you're a horror fan, it's always an occasion worth celebrating. Watching Jason Voorhees' various slasher exploits, staying away from summer camps, devouring a marathon of scary movies — they're all great things to do. Come October 13, the New Globe Theatre and Netherworld are teaming up to provide something different across the two venues. Horror costumes? Tick. A spooky vibe? Tick again. Two stages filled with bands such as The Silencio, The Von Haunts and Ghost Audio cranking out killer tunes? Yep, you guessed it — tick again. Different acts will play at each place, but a whole heap of fun awaits at Friday the 13th — New Globe Theatre vs Netherworld no matter where you start or end up. Dressing up as your favourite horror movie character could win you a prize, but you probably want to go beyond the obvious hockey mask. It all kicks off at 7pm at the New Globe, with entry costing $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Over at Netherworld, expect free entry and an 8pm start time.
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be? Whipping up a sangria and paella feast? Making restaurant-quality cocktails? Perfecting the ultimate duo of layered Italian foods — aka lasagne and tiramisu? They're just three of the classes on offer at Portside between September 27 and October 18, when the Hamilton spot rallies its retailers and endeavours to teach you a thing or two. Concocting a Greek spread of dips, salad and halva; getting fashion tips over champagne; discovering to make sushi — also over champagne: they're all on offer as well, with everyone from Byblos and Gusto da Gianni to Atalanta and Sono involved. Throw in two wine sessions — one a blind tasting of six wines, the other dedicated to Moss Wood — and you could get a dose of tasty, educational fun almost every day of the week. Prices range from zilch to $125, and while some classes run multiple times, others are on-offs. Check the lineup for further details.
Depending on how you feel about dinner parties, Beatriz at Dinner is either an accurate snapshot of getting together for a meal with friends and acquaintances, or a comically discomforting nightmare. And, depending on how you feel about the current state of world politics, it's either a pointed commentary about real-estate moguls with entitled attitudes and their enablers, or a satire of the chasm between those that have it all and everybody else. Actually, in each case, it can be both. Beatriz at Dinner hits close to home while proving darkly amusing, and offers a loaded statement about a specific person as well as a general ribbing of the big gap between the wealthy and the not so. In fact, it feels like the type of film you'd get if you took the 2011-2013 TV series Enlightened, swapped Laura Dern for Salma Hayek, and updated it to reflect just how the world has changed in the last four years. To be honest, that's hardly surprising, given the movie and the show share two key creative forces: writer Mike White and director Miguel Arteta. As the eponymous Beatriz, Hayek is all empathetic eyes and soothing voice, at least to begin with. A Los Angeles masseuse who splits her time between a cancer treatment centre and house calls, Beatriz loves her job healing others as much as she loves her pet dogs and goats — and she's happy to talk about both to anyone who'll listen. At one appointment in a gated community miles from home, she chats away with Kathy (Connie Britton), a regular client with a wheeling-and-dealing husband, Grant (David Warshofsky). When their session is up, Beatriz's car won't start, so Kathy invites her to stay for a meal with Grant's business associates. Predictably, Beatriz stands out with her jeans and earthy attitude. In fact, when eager up-and-comer Alex (Jay Duplass) and his snobbish wife Shannon (Chloë Sevigny) arrive, followed by rich and powerful head honcho Doug (John Lithgow) and his third bride Jeana (Amy Landecker), they think she's the help. The obvious difference between Beatriz and the rest of the guests provides plenty of humour early on, but White and Arteta soon start to subvert expectations. This isn't a take on The Dinner Game, casting the well-off as vacuous and oblivious idiots. Nor is it a sitcom-style comedy where someone lower down the social ladder causes a few laughs and changes a few opinions, like the recent Madame. Rather, the film slowly but surely lets an impassioned and unwavering Beatriz loose on Doug, and watches everyone else squirm. Sharp, smart and funny, the end result is entertaining viewing for a number of reasons – even if its ending doesn't wholly satisfy. Warmly shot but purposefully awkward in tone, the film is unafraid to take chances with its class-conflict concept, but at the same time refuses to make even the most villainous characters mere one-note caricatures. White's astute dialogue helps in this regard, ringing true from both Beatriz and her dinner companions. The same applies to Arteta's framing, particularly his decision to always shoot his protagonist as though she's the shortest one in group. And then there's the cast, including well-judged supporting turns from Britton, Sevigny and company, a decidedly human foe in Lithgow, and the wonderfully textured, quietly commanding Hayek in career-best form. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI8_8O3uKhY
Two weeks. 12 movies. Four venues. Many, many bumps, jumps, frights, spooks and scares. That's Kristian Fletcher's Halloween 2017 Movie Program, with the cult movie buff going all out in honour of the most unsettling time of the year. It might've been easier to list what's not playing between October 13 and 31, given that all of the horror classics are covered: Friday the 13th on Friday the 13th, Re-Animator, Slumber Party Massacre, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Nosferatu, Evil Dead... they're all on the bill. Also on the lineup is the return of Fletcher's Roaring Twenties Cinema program with live piano accompaniment, a night of Halloween-themed music videos and a Halloween dance party, should you be after some scary variety. Gracing screens at New Farm Cinemas, the New Globe, Metro Arts' Lumen Room and Ipswich's Studio 188, many of the movies screen as double, triple and even quadruple features, with prices ranging from $13.50 to $21.50. And while any evening in the program offers an ace night out, October 27's pair of Night of the Living Dead and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a must — not only because they're such iconic flicks, but to pay tribute to the recently dearly departed George A. Romero and Tobe Hooper.
If you're a vintage fiend, fond of theatrical outfits or a lover of costumes, you've probably dreamed about being let loose in a theatre's wardrobe and rifling through their rows of eye-catching pieces. Every year, Brisbane Arts Theatre opens its doors to let fashionistas do that and more. Here, you'll scour their racks for fab finds that you can buy and take with you. As you can imagine, quite the array of clothing goes through a venue dedicated to the performing arts, so their spring clean falls on the massive side. Entry to the Costume and Vintage Clothing Garage Sale is free, bargains will be plentiful and your own closet will thank you. Who knows, maybe you'll nab an item that was worn in Jurassic Park the Musical, or one of the numerous other shows the Petrie Terrace space puts on. Both cash and EFTPOS will be accepted, but don't forget to bring your own bags to cart your wares home.
In 1999, You Am I frontman Tim Rogers broke out on his own to record his first solo album, What Rhymes with Cars and Girls. Fifteen years later, playwright Aidan Fennessy turned the album into a stage play which examines the blossoming of an unlikely romance in contemporary Australia. Now, that production is heading to Brisbane Powerhouse for just over a week of raw, complex and highly relatable urban romance. Running from October 25 to November 4, it's a record come to life and one entertaining show. Tash (Sophie Ross) is a feisty singer in an indie rock band. Johnno (Johnny Carr) is a pizza delivery guy 'from the wrong side of the tracks'. Then one fateful night — yep, you guessed it — their worlds collide (to a Rogers-arranged soundtrack). If you're looking to see Timmy Rogers treading the boards than you're sadly out of luck, but to hear his songs transformed into theatre will undoubtedly bring new life to a classic album. Image: MTC / Jeff Busby.
When The Octoroon premiered in New York in 1859, the plantation-set effort brought politics to the theatre by tackling the topic of slavery. Clearly, playwright Dion Boucicault didn't have any Australian parallels in mind. Neither did fellow theatre scribe Branden Jacobs-Jenkins when he adapted the text into An Octoroon, which made its debut in 2014. At Queensland Theatre, however, Nakkiah Lui does. In her first directorial effort, the indigenous Australian writer and actor helms a new version that doesn't just nod to local similarities — it makes them plain. Hitting the Bille Brown Studio's stage from September 16 to October 8, the Queensland exclusive finds the Aussie core of a global issue, pondering race in a provocative comedy. Accordingly, the production blends everything from historical Louisiana to Far North Queensland, and the act of play-writing to the way culture is portrayed on stage into one satirical, statement-making package. The US version was described as "this decade's most eloquent theatrical statement on race in America today" by the New York Times, so expect something similar, but Australian.
When it comes to exploring Brisbane's neon-lit past, The State Library of Queensland isn't just talking the talk — they're also walking the walk, literally. With The Salon Electric illuminating the South Bank spot's walls until February 11, there's plenty of glowing love flowing. But, seeing signs from and photos of times gone by just can't compare to trotting around town to experience the real thing. Well, their remnants anyway. Brissie isn't the neon-filled spot it once was — which is largely what the exhibition is about — but there's still some bright lights to spy on a mosey by twilight. You know the obvious ones, at the XXXX factory and at The Beat, among others. Now, as you stroll the streets of Fortitude Valley with guide and contemporary neon sign-maker Michael Blazek, you'll discover more. The free wander takes place from 6pm on February 3, meeting at the corner of Little and Wickham streets. Registration is required, as are comfortable walking shoes — and BYO camera and water as well.
There's never a bad time for a food truck meal — whether you just can't face another brown bag sandwich come midday, or you're in the need for something to soak up last night's fun. Or, maybe you've just finished work and want something more exciting to eat on a Tuesday evening, or you're looking for a Sunday afternoon meal with a couple of beverages. Enter Truckin' Hungry. Brisbane's newest food truck hub has set up shop on the corner of O'Keefe Street and Ipswich Road in Woolloongabba — opposite the Princess Alexandra Hospital — and they're not just dropping by for a short stay. Seven days a week, from 7am to 10pm, you'll find between five and eight of the city's finest meals-on-wheels purveyors cooking up a storm. And, if you'd like a couple of brews while you're there, it's BYO so you can bring your own.
When the middle of the week blues hit, there's two solutions. Hitting a bar for a midweek drink is a tried-and-tested pick-me-up, while listening to someone else sing away their troubles also remains an old favourite. Triffid Acoustics, The Triffid's Wednesday night acoustic session, combines both, in the venue's latest ongoing free music series. The music lineup changes weekly; however watching a range of talented performers doing their unamplified thing will make each hump day brighter, with the laidback festivities hitting the Newstead hangout at 6pm. Their relaxed beer garden proves the perfect place for it, and an ideal spot for grabbing a few beverages — and even a burger or two.
Chocolate and Easter go hand-in-hand, but one Brisbane restaurant is upping the seasonal sweet treat ante. For the four-day long weekend only, Nest is throwing a decadent high tea that'll have chocoholics thinking they're in heaven — and it's super affordable, too. For $50, you and your chosen chocolate-loving companion can work your way through a choc-tastic menu that features chocolate-filled doughnuts, triple chocolate cookies, and dark chocolate and orange brulee, plus cinnamon churros with warm chocolate sauce, white chocolate-dipped strawberries, opera cake and macaroons. And, because you can't have a high tea without some actually tea, that'll be on offer as well. Plus coffee — and, if they're smart, mocha. If you'd like to take more than one pal, extra folks can be accommodated for $25 per head. Bookings are essential, with sessions taking place from 12pm to 2pm between March 30 and April 2.
New year, new you — right? If learning a new skill and reducing your stress levels rank among your 2018 plans, then Work-Shop has an unexpected solution to both. Forget yoga or pilates, or getting into crafty. With their suggestion, you can relax while you're making melodic music. At Mind, Body... Ukulele?, the calming effects of playing the stringed instrument are in the spotlight. Under the guidance of musician Erin Harrington, you'll step through the basics, pick up a few well-known songs and discover how playing the uke can clear your mind. If you can — and you're committed to your new de-stressing skill — then you should take a ukulele with you. You can pick something up for around $25, if you need to buy one before you head along. Or, you can hire one for an extra fee. If you don't have your own, you can't put your new talents into action the moment you walk out the door, though.
We've all done it: looked at an album cover and thought of ways to improve the artwork. We've all rifled through old vinyl and found ourselves amused by some of designs, as well. Record Wreckers takes a little from column A, a little from column B, and turns it into an exhibition — gracing Church's walls for one night only on December 7. The brief is simple enough, with the likes of Sober Bob, Kimi Schieren, Erin Kennedy, Nelson Gibbins, Jackson Hambridge and more all finding a cover to revamp however they seem fit. Sure, whoever was responsible for the album's original imagery will probably think they're wrecking the records, but this group of artists is clearly aiming to make improvements. The end result promises to deliver artwork you'll wish you had in your own collection, all while marking the last showcase for the year for the creative folks at The Brisbane Collective. Entry is free from 6pm. Following the exhibition's lead once you get home is free as well.
If it's good enough for Toto's 'Africa', then it's good enough for Smash Mouth's 'All Star'. Because Brisbane sure does love a trend, another local bar is picking a particular tune and cranking it out on repeat for an entire evening. Perhaps somebody once told them it was a great idea. Our apologies that you now have the 1999 hit stuck in your head, but consider it good practice for February 3. From 9pm, The Brightside is gonna roll you with their Smash Mouth 'All Star' Appreciation Night. Prepare to hear that song — and only that song — all evening. It doesn't make sense not to live for fun, after all. We know exactly what you're thinking: get your game on, go play. Or, you could be thinking that perhaps all that glitters isn't really gold. Either way, entry is free, but we can't promise that listening to the track over and over and over again won't cost you something.
Brisbane isn't a great place to exclaim "winter is coming." Sure, the city gets a couple of colder weeks in July and August, but our chilly season isn't really all that frosty. Instead, Brisbanites are gifted brag-worthy sunshine and clear skies almost all year around — aka, perfect outdoor gig and picnic weather. As the site did back in May, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is letting everyone make the most of Brissie's ace climate with a Gigs & Picnics series. Taking place one Saturday each month — running from midday until 4pm on June 30, July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27 and November 24, in fact — the event will rustle up some of the city's best food trucks, put on some free tunes and invite folks to get cosy on their own blanket all afternoon. Entering through the main gateway at the intersection of Alice and Albert Streets, attendees can expect everything from jazz and modern reggae to dub and gypsy, all in gorgeous greenery-filled surroundings. And if you're bringing your own feast, just remember one thing: the gardens aren't BYO. Image: Gigs & Picnics
If Leslie Knope has taught us anything — and, the former Deputy Director of Pawnee, Indiana's Parks and Recreation Department turned City Councillor has taught us many, many, things — it's that Galentine's Day is the best day of the year. And while February 13 has long been and gone, Monday, August 27 might turn out to be just great thanks to The Elizabeth Picture Theatre's Parks & Rec trivia night. Here's hoping that the cinema is firing up a few waffle irons in celebration. It's bound to be just as exciting as the time Leslie met Joe Biden. Or when Ben Wyatt invented The Cones of Dunshire. Or any occasion where Ron Swanson drank Lagavulin whisky. If you were to ask Chris Traeger, he'd likely say that answering trivia questions is literally his favourite thing to do. Andy Dwyer would probably sing a version of "Candle in the Wind" about it, and April Ludgate would either stand in the corner and glare, or try to convince you that she's a witch. As for Donna Meagle, she's too busy live-tweeting the Death Canoe film series. If you know all of the above like you know that breakfast food is the best kind of food, then you'd better show your love for one of the best sitcoms ever made — and yes, there'll be prizes. Maybe you'll win all of the bacon and eggs that Brisbane has. If you lose, maybe you'll have to change your name to Jerry/Garry/Larry/Terry. Either way, it all kicks off at 6.30pm and entry costs $5, which you can then put towards a food and/or drink purchase at the cinema.
On most days of the year, a frosty, frothy beer seems like the solution to many of life's woes. On Tuesday, August 14, however, your cold brew really could help someone in need. At Fritzenberger's Ekka Beers for Drought Relief, the Petrie Terrace hangout is not only slinging yeasty beverages — it's also donating part of the proceeds to help Australian farmers to get back on their feet. From 6–10.30pm, all you'll need to do is swing by, and buy either a Scenic Rim Brewery or Fritzenberger beer. From each schooner, $1.50 will go to Drought Angels. They're the charity helping farmers to stay on their land, especially in such tough, dry, recent conditions. You'll also be able to hear stories from Scenic Rim locals about conditions in the area, with Tommerup's Dairy Farm's Kay and David dropping by as well — and giving away a two-night stay at their family farm, too. Beverage-wise, the event will mark Scenic Rim Brewery's first trip to Fritzenberger; however the 'Berger also has its own tasty tipples. In fact, because the whole shindig happens to fall on Ekka public holiday eve, there'll be a Strawberry Sundae Ice Cream Ale on offer, combining Fritzen Strawberry Belgium Blond and Fritzen Ice Cream Ale.
Do your ears prick up every time you hear the words 'boozy brunch'? Does your heart then sink, because you know that anything before noon is just too early in the day? Darling & Co gets around that dilemma by slinging its boozy weekend session at lunchtime. All of the drinking, plus a meal — but without rolling out of bed before you want to. Happening every week from noon until 2pm, Bottomless Bellini Sundays serves up four types of the drink in question over your choice of stomach-filling dish. Yes, the free-flowing part of the equation does mean that you can try each variety, with peach, passionfruit mango, strawberry and blood orange on offer. Meal-wise, the selection changes seasonally, but currently includes asparagus risotto with goats curd, wagyu brisket ragu tagliatelle and Bangalow porchetta with vegetables. That'll set you back $39 per person, or $49 if you'd like dessert as well.
Come quitting time on a Friday, everyone has a spring in their step — an extra bounce, plenty of zest and the energy to tackle the weekend. With that in mind, you probably don't need an espresso martini. Still, you probably want one. Enter Espresso Martini Fridays. It might be what you call your Fridays anyway, but at The George it means $12 drinks right through into the evening. Taking place from 4pm on July 20 and 27, it also means DJs spinning tunes to turn your afternoon beverage into a party. As for what you'll be drinking, The George's espresso martinis come with fresh, finely-ground coffee from roastery AllPress, plus the boozy part. You can also pair it with a bite from the food menu — think cheese boards, arancini, truffled fries, steak frites and grilled chicken burgers.
When Prince told us he'd be partying like it was 1999, he probably figured he'd get a few good years out of the song. And yet, 36 years after his single was first released back in 1982 — and nearing two decades since the year in question passed — we're all still following in his footsteps. At The Elephant's second annual All '90s All Nighter on Saturday, July 22, the venue will be doing the purple one proud; however, that's not all it's doing. Thrusting 1999 and the nine years prior into the spotlight, it's serving up the next best thing to time-travelling back to the era that gave us everything from grunge to girl power to tamagotchis. Wear something made out of flannelette. Stick some butterfly clips in your hair. Sure, it's winter, but a slip dress would definitely fit in here. There'll be prizes for best '90s wardrobe, and you'll be wanting to give the DJs prizes for cranking out some retro hits. The drinks will also be '90s-themed, and entry is free.
Laser shows, live tunes, learning to make crafty wares and looking at art: they're just some of the fun on offer at southeast Queensland's returning Generate Festival. Taking over the Caboolture Town Square on Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30, it'll do so with music, installations, roving performers, food trucks and more. Yep, it's enough to make you head north of Brisbane for the weekend. Highlights include a night of outdoor comedy to get things started, a light and laser show, and a man made out of milk crates — and that's just the beginning. Throw a sculpture trail, discovering how to play the ukulele, and a heap of glowing bits and pieces into the mix, and just try not to feel creative. Or entertained for that matter. And if that's not enough, Generate's second year will also feature outdoor galleries, pop-up laneways and markets.
Even the best things in life can use a little tweaking — and that includes shopping for vinyl and general vintage fare. Thanks to Bloodhound Corner Bar, your buying and browsing will get better over a few beverages at the venue's aptly named Vinyl & Vintage Fair. Between 1–4pm on Saturday, July 21, you won't need to choose between heading to the markets or heading to the pub, as you can enjoy the best of both in one spot. It's all part of the Brisbane Mod & Soul Weekender, which means that your purchases will have a definite 50s, 60s and 70s feel. No word if you'll be enjoying era-appropriate prices, however, but you can expect to pick up some bargains. For refreshments, Bloodhound's usual food and drinks menus will be available, so expect to pair your afternoon with tacos, burgers and a few craft beers. It's all happening in the venue's upstairs area — with DJs spinning tunes to suit the old-school mood.
Sometimes, even the most adventurous among us need a little push; a piece of extra incentive to take a particular leap. So you've always wanted to wander around southeast Queensland's Scenic Rim region, but have never found the time? Well, consider the area's annual Eat Local Week all the motivation you need. If exploring, eating and drinking can't get you in the car and down the highway, then nothing can. Unsurprisingly, that's just the big-picture view of this nine-day festival. Promoting Scenic Rim produce and the people behind it, the program includes everything from olive grove tastings, brewery chats and artisan markets to a street food fest, wine and pizza in a vineyard, and cheesemaking classes. Camel training, bush tucker, country cooking and a picnic in a Tamborine Mountain paddock are also on the bill — as is a spot of farm yoga. Basically, if it's an event in the Beaudesert, Boonah, Beechmont and Mt Barney area between June 30 and July 8, it's on the agenda. Image: Scenic Rim Eat Local Week
On any old night of the week, Brisbanites can wander down to Netherworld, pop a few tokens into their chosen machines and spend a flipping great evening immersed in pinball. That's not about to change; however if you head by from 5pm on March 6, you'll find yourself in the middle of a Hawaiian Shirt Pinball Party. Never thought twice about what you're wearing when you're watching a silver ball bounce around a table? Never even contemplated donning a Hawaiian shirt while you're in the pinball zone? It's a combination requested by Jessica Lea DeNardo, host of American podcast The Pinball Podcast and creator of the Belles & Chimes Portland Ladies Pinball Club, who'll be onsite for this tropical get-together. Also on offer is Netherworld's usual fortnightly Brisbane Pinball Club shenanigans, pineapple punch cocktails, themed food specials from the kitchen and prizes for the best outfit.
Laughing in a doubled-over, can't breathe, feels-like-you-have-a-stitch kind of way isn't a planned thing. It happens spontaneously. It happens without warning. It happens at times and from sources you mightn't expect. That's what Brisbane Comedy Festival's After Hours component is all about — making the humorous magic happen in a different fashion, away from the usual routines, well-oiled jokes and hilarious shows that unleash the same comic gems night after night. Taking over the Brisbane Powerhouse Turbine Platform on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the fest, this always-changing late-night show is a chance for everyone involved to get loose. As for who that might be each evening, well, that's part of the surprise. Image: Studio Impressions/Brisbane Powerhouse.
Dreaming of a new wardrobe, need to make some room in your existing cupboard first, but don't have much more than pocket change? We've all been there. On March 11, the solution is simple. Just pick up to ten of your own unwanted items that could use a new home, rustle up a gold coin and head to one of five Brisbane hangouts. That's how the inaugural Collaborative Clothes Swap works, and it couldn't be easier. Taking place at Avid Kitchen and Garden, Brown's General Store, Southside Tea Room, Sun and Company, and The Low Road, it'll turn two hours of your Sunday afternoon into a preloved shopping frenzy, with the swapping going down between 12.30-2.30pm. There are a few ground rules, of course. You'll get a ticket for each item you bring, and you'll be able to then swap that for something new. And, don't bring along something in a state you wouldn't be happy with yourself. Other than that, your entry fee will be given to a women-focused charity of the venue's choosing, and any leftover items will be given to a charity as well.
When Welcome to Bowen Hills was first announced, the new permanent food truck hub promised to drive a truckload of deliciousness into Brisbane's food scene — not only courtesy of their regular meals-on-wheels lineup, but via their special events as well. It's safe to say that they've delivered thanks to their latest festival. Who doesn't want to attend a fest dedicated to rosé and cheese? Pink vino lovers and gooey dairy fiends, prepare to head just north of the CBD on March 24 and 25 for two days dedicated to one of the best culinary pairings there is. You'll dink the tipple in question. You'll eat oh-so-much cheese. It's simple really. The local winery list is still be to announced, but food-wise, prepare for quite the feast. On the menu: a flaming cheese wheel from Fuel by Salt Meats Cheese, a special raclette burg from Mr Burger, deep-fried camembert and African nachos from Tastes of Africa, and cheesy versions of the dishes that Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, Brat Haus and Mac From Way Back all do best.
Nothing says summer like wandering around an outdoor market, picking up bargains, enjoying a feast of food truck eats and revelling in Brisbane's balmy weather — even if the season is officially over. At The Endless Summer Markets, it doesn't matter that it's officially autumn. And it shouldn't matter to you either. Coming to 204 Montague Road, West End from 9.30am on March 11, the new one-off event is either the perfect way to keep the summer vibes rolling on or the best way to pretend they never left. We'll let you decide which works best for you. Whatever you opt for, there'll be stalls and suitcases ready for you to browse through, filled with secondhand clothing and treasures as well as artisan goods. And, don't forget the city's meals-on-wheels contingent, ready to serve you up something delicious. All that shopping is bound to make you work up an appetite, and no market in this town is complete without Brissie's best mobile eateries.
Start your long weekend with an extra spring in your step — and an extra-special cup of coffee. Every year when Good Friday rolls around, Bunker Coffee dedicates the day to damn good caffeinated brews, and 2018 is no different. From 7am, the Milton hangout is heading outside, setting up a gazebo and whipping up a filter coffee menu that'll have you buzzing until Easter. Actually, cuppas will be available in sizes ranging from 100ml to 500ml, so you will be able to sleep — and try them all. On the Black Coffee Friday lineup: five selections that showcase four different coffee processing methods and the flavours they can produce, with beans from Bolivia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Colombia. Plus, Alphabet Cafe will be on hand with their treats, Roesti Revolution have something for you to eat too, and there'll be live music as well.
Cabaret really doesn't get much racier than this — or seductive, subversive, or brand spanking new, either. If you've seen one of the previous seasons of Boy&Girl, then you know what you're in for. If you haven't, well, prepare to have your musical theatre horizons broadened as this group of more than 25 performers take to the stage. Here, there's no rules. Instead, there's just gender-bending theatre fun. And singing and dancing from a talented ensemble that knows how to make a whole heap of things pop. In case you're wondering, drinking wine and bubbles while you watch is heartily encouraged. Okay, okay, we'll stop being coy: the show comes with a warning about coarse language, adult themes, nudity, glitter and show tunes. We know that the latter two aren't everyone's thing, but don't let some shininess and songs keep you away from the production everyone in Brissie will be talking about. Again.
It's the garden gift that keeps on giving. And, it's one you can give to the person who brought you into the world, whether your mum works her magic with plants or possesses a couple of not-so-green thumbs. It's also just the thing that the folks at The Succy Bunch specialise in. When they're not helping you send a spiky surprise across Brisbane, they're hosting a one-day market so you can drop by and pick up a few in person. Taking place from 8am on May 12 at Clayfield College, The Succy Bunch's Pre-Mother's Day Succy Sale will be overflowing with potential additions to your mum's garden — think succulents and cacti, both soft and spiky, with plenty of bursts of colour. As well as a blooming sea of green, there'll also coffee from Third Wheel Espresso, in case you need some extra shopping energy. Plus, the school is putting on a sausage sizzle, with funds from every snag going towards their leafy grounds.
As much as we all might want to, not everyone can make it down south for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. No, we're not happy about it — but it's time to turn that frown upside down, because you can go to the next best thing. Yes, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow is back for another year of touring hilarity. Bringing the best of the fest to the Brisbane Powerhouse, its showcase of highlights and hijinks is almost like being there. This year's line-up of local and international acts is certain to tickle your funny bone, with Kyle Kinane, Phil Wang, Fin Taylor, Fern Brady and Sean Patton on the bill, plus Mel Buttle on MC duties. Catch their funny acts live on stage during the chuckle-heavy set, trading their best jokes for your loudest laughs.
Spring is about to hit, and that means having a picnic is one of the best things you can do in Brisbane. The sun is almost always out, the grass is typically quite the shade of green and we've got plenty of parks just begging for you to visit. Combine all of the above with a historic site, food trucks and jazz and you have Newstead House's Sunday by the River. Returning not only for another weekend gathering, but for Father's Day no less, it comes from the folks at the Food Truck Collective — and it'll take over the venue's stunning lawn from 10am on Sunday, September 2. Sunday by the River is the chilled kind of daytime hangout we all need every now and then (or maybe even more often), so bring your best picnic blanket, your dad, your mates and some cash for something to eat, and let the event take care of the rest. There'll be live jazz tunes to set the mood; food from King of the Wings, Micasa, Rolls Pho Mi and more; and beers from Newstead Brewing Co. And, because a Sunday picnic is for everyone, doggos are welcome.
There's something oh-so-relaxing about staring at the sea; however, despite our glorious sunshine most the of year around, Brisbane isn't really a coastal city. Forget the fact that we have rivers, pools and man-made beaches instead by heading to the Ocean Film Festival World Tour. From April 16 to 18, it'll unleash a cinematic feast of water-focused wonders onto the big screen at the riverside Brisbane Powerhouse. Viewers will spend time both above and below the ocean's surface thanks to a compilation of short films from around the world. Chase big waves with the surfers dedicated to the ultimate ocean rush, tag along as to men decide to row across the sea from Namibia to Brazil, find out what it's like to bond with a shark and follow a champion freediver — and they're just some of the sea adventures on offer. Together, the program is united by a love of the ocean, an appreciation of the creatures who dwell in its waters and a curiosity to explore the substance that comprises more than two-thirds of the earth. It's the next best thing to diving in, all without getting wet.
There has been much discussion about what the future of food will look like — lab-grown meat, veganism, Soylent-like meal replacements, insects. And news and finance magazine The Economist wants you to get accustomed with the last-mentioned possibility: eating critters. To help ease you into the idea of snackin' on creepy-crawlies, it's giving out free ice cream. But don't expect your usual go-to flavours — instead think chocolate with grasshopper chunks, strawberry with mealworm swirls and neapolitan with mixed bugs. The insect-laden ice cream truck is popping up in the Queen Street Mall between 10am and 4pm on March 15, as part of the magazine's new Feeding the Future campaign. While insects aren't a totally new concept to Australia's dining scene — in Sydney, you can eat them at Kylie Kwong's Billy Kwong and at Bea in Barangaroo House — this is certainly one of your only chances to try them for free (and prepared by a professional, not collected from your backyard).
Everybody loves a good dip. Barbecues, gatherings, whenever you're eating finger food, when you're trying to justify devouring a whole packet of chips — where would all of these occasions be without this humble condiment staple? And while there's plenty of options lining supermarket shelves, it's also the kind of thing anyone can whip up at home with little more than some sour cream, garlic, parmesan and French onion soup mix. We're guessing you have your own recipe — or, you've just realised how easy dip is to make. Either way, the Southside Tea Room is hosting the perfect event to test out your talents. At the Morningside hangout's first Chip & Dip, attendees are asked to bring their own creation along, which will then be rated by two very important groups: a judging panel and everyone who comes along. Whether it's cold, room temperature, hot, melted, blended or something else, everyone wants to give it a try — just make sure you also bring along the best chips to go with it. Everyone who enters will receive a $10 bar tab, and everyone in the building will get a taste of all the dips. Just remember: no double dipping.
It mightn't be a skill that you can put on your resume, but knowing everything there is to know about gin is definitely one worth mastering. Thankfully, West End has a dedicated gin bar for doing just that — and when they're not simply serving up clear spirits for your drinking pleasure, they're holding juniper-fuelled masterclasses. After their first session sold out quicker than you can knock back a gin and tonic, their next 90-minute effort arrives on February 21. Husk Distillers, the folks behind Ink Gin, are in the spotlight for a night dedicated to their particular tipple. Attendees will learn about the beverage in question, discover how it's made and taste it, obviously, with a Spanish-style G&T and a deeply infused version on offer. Ink Gin-inspired canapes will also be on the menu. And, if you need a sip of something different, there'll be some rum sampling as well.
Calling all clever canines — and their beer-loving human buddies. The Scratch is looking for particularly skilled pooches to take part in their Dog Days of Summer talent show. Yes, being completely adorable totally counts. Whether your pupper can walk on its back legs, bark your favourite tune or just bowl folks over with its charm, this is its time to truly shine. Entries are currently open now via email, with the judging taking place from 4pm on March 3. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place — and for congeniality. And if that's not enough, there's also a separate photo contest as well. Plus, if your doggo wants to make a day of it, the Milton watering hole will be welcoming patrons from midday for Moon Dog, Beard & Brau and BrewDog beers. Keeping the theme going, both meat-filled and vegetarian hot dogs will be on the menu too, from Netherworld's Hellmouth Dinner.
When you've been hosting an oyster and beer festival for the past couple of years, and want to up your game, what do you do next? If you're the fun, food and brew loving gang at Green Beacon, you open up the event to more of the ocean's finest, take over the street and throw a seafood block party. That'd be Salty Days, which promises a happy, tasty, drink-fuelled on November 25. Head to Teneriffe's Helen Street from 11am for a bounty of freshly shucked oysters, Mooloolaba king prawns, Moreton Bay bugs, calamari, barbecued seafood and more meals from the surf, plus two special release oyster stouts to wash it all down with. Throw in a few live music performances, plenty of space for hanging about nursing your seafood-filled stomach, and an after-dark DJ, and it's the perfect way to spend a sultry Brisbane Saturday.
Christmas is one of those things people either love or hate. Love Actually, the Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley and Emma Thompson-starring festive flick, is too. Both have been known to cause arguments — and that's bound to prove the case at Wonderland's Love/Hate Actually. Actually, the entire event is based on a disagreement between pals and creative collaborators. Amy couldn't be more enthusiastic about the movie, Natalie feels the other way. As part of their show, you'll hear their opposing sides and then you'll take part of a vote. Expect to leave airing your own affection for, or grievances about, the film in question.
The catchphrase for Jamie MacDowell and Tom Thum's collaboration says it all, really. In this long-running, highly inventive meeting of musical minds and talents (and styles and genres, too), one is good with his fingers while the other is good with his mouth. Make no mistake: when their guitar strumming and beat boxing combine, a unique sound eventuates. Here, indie-folk meets dynamic rhythms, in a show that won the best music awards at Brighton Fringe 2014 and Adelaide Fringe 2016. It's a one-night-only addition to this year's Wonderland, and it's bound to prove a hot ticket.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it yet another superhero movie? These days, we see the latter as often as flying animals and aircraft. If you're not drowning in comic book film fatigue — or even if you are — you probably have a few questions about these caped crusaders. Let The Modern Guide to Heroism and Sidekickery both pose and answer them. Playing as part of Wonderland, the show comes from the mind of Michelle Zahner, who'll be on stage pondering things like "why are there never pockets in lycra costumes?" and "how do heroes make rent?" Expect comedy, poetry, stories and physical theatre as she delves into our fascination with the folks we expect to swoop in and save the day over and over again.
Call it the Outlander effect. Call it a way to spice up history. Call it comedy that blends the past with the present. Whatever description you throw Elizabeth I's way, this comedic stage show isn't going to turn out how you expect — much like its namesake. In this instance, the production isn't only referring to the first monarch to go by Lizzie. It's also about a Sydney-based royal enthusiast who shares her name and experiences a vision of the past queen. The two combine in a work by the folks behind A Tribute of Sorts and Klutz , and so does stand-up and fan fiction.
Does scouring the city for secondhand threads get you out of bed in the morning? If so, come November 30, you'd best stay up and shopping until well into the evening. That's when Never Ever Pay Retail is hosting its Late Night Thrifting session — and while hitting the racks between 5pm and 8pm isn't all that late in most circles, it is when it comes to the vintage and pre-loved game. In fact, the event's host — the ingeniously named Studio Thrifty 4 — is only normally open during the daytime on weekends, so this Thursday night shindig is special for them. The same applies to SWOP Clothing Exchange, the source of the evening's wares. They might boast two Brisbane stores, but they only usually stay open past 6pm on Friday nights. If that doesn't all sound great enough, in keeping with the venue's usual set-up, everything on offer costs $5. No more, no less. Trawl through clothing and accessories, nab a bargain, catch a recycled runway show at 6pm, grab a drink from the bar and munch on Korean street food. Plus, all proceeds will go to Pay A Sack Forward, meaning that more than your wardrobe will thank you.
How long has Charles Boyle been dreaming of Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago's wedding? What did Rosa Diaz do before she was a cop? Who keeps swooping in and taking the Nine-Nine crew's cases? Which one is Scully and which is Hitchcock? If you can answer all of the above — and name Captain Holt's dog, Terry's twins, Gina's dance troupe and Jake's favourite movie — then you're set for The Brightside's latest trivia night. Yes, it's all about the hit cop sitcom we all know and love. You know, the one that was cancelled and then resurrected in the space of 36 hours. We'd keep asking Brooklyn Nine-Nine questions and dropping tidbits, but we'll save some for the big night — or nights, to be more accurate. Due to demand, The Brighty is hosting a huge number trivia evenings dedicated to B99; however places are getting snapped up faster than Terry can snap open a tub of yoghurt. If you missed out on a spot on June 1, 2, 8 (7pm_ and 16 — or July 6, 7, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 — then make the 9pm slot on June 8 or the 7pm round on August 10 your night to shine (and that can be the title of your sex tape if you'd like). Entry is free, and there'll be a squad room full of prizes. Updated June 4
From US congressional hearings to newspaper headlines to every Facebook user that you know (aka, everyone), two words have been popping up rather often of late: privacy settings. For Polytoxic, however, they're not just the options that control who sees what on your social media feeds. Instead, they're the title of the contemporary theatre company's latest performance, which really couldn't be more timely. First premiering as part of The Festival and now coming to Brisbane from April 26 to 29, Privacy Settings delves into the subject of screen-based surveillance through dance and theatre. Collaborating with acclaimed design duo Craig & Karl plus animator Pete Foley, the piece also incorporates costume design and pop-graphic visuals as it examines just what makes living our lives through screens so damn alluring, even when we know we're being tracked, watched and snooped upon. The end result is a site-specific effort that'll fill Flowstate will colour, movement and pop-graphic visuals — and, as part of the South Bank's space first year, it's free. Sessions run at 7.30pm from Thursday to Saturday, plus 6.30pm on Sunday, with registering in advance essential.
