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.
South Bank's Little Big House boasts plenty of things to lure you in: chicken parmi spring rolls, canned cocktails and a free karaoke room included. The Grey Street has another as well — and it'll definitely pique your interest if you're keen on some not-quite-the-weekend shenanigans. Every Thursday is now a Little Big Thursday, with the venue putting on a big music gig every single week. Young Franco christened the series when it launched, and Client Liaison are the next big act that's dropping by. On April 19, they'll be in the house for a huge DJ set. Even better: like every Thursday night event, it's free. Acts on the curated roster change weekly, which gives you an excuse to drop by regularly. Plus, the twilight timeslot of 5.30pm means your post-work plans just got better. There's also free pool, which'll keep you occupied between tracks and tipples.
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.
Does your pet pooch have its own calendar? We're not talking about monthly cute canine pics — although every pet owner should definitely make their own. Rather, we mean a system to keep track of your doggo's social engagements. Given the number of pupper-friendly events happening around Brisbane, it's really not that far-fetched. To the growing list of markets, festivals, paddleboard sessions and more comes Paws and Pints, The Osbourne Hotel's new doggy drinking session. Taking place for the first time from 11am on November 12, it's not only a chance to take your furry best friend for a few brews — with stalls, a puppy photo booth, drinks specials over Yappy Hour and donations going to the Animal Welfare League, it's quite the occasion. If the concept sounds familiar, that's because downing a few bevs with your barking mate in tow is becoming quite the Brissie trend. In fact, if you're taking old Fido to the Valley for this booze sesh, you can also walk him around a couple of corners to The Brightside's equivalent.
How many hours have you spent playing the best karting game ever made? Too many? We'll throw a shell at that idea — when it comes to Mario Kart, there's no such thing as too much. In fact, you should race on out of the house and down to Netherworld to play more at their very own speedway. Between midday and 6pm on Sunday, July 8 the Fortitude Valley bar will become a haven for everyone that knows just when to sling a ghost at their opponents — and just how to press buttons in the right order to get an early boost. The Mario Kart-obsessed afternoon has two components: bring your Switch along and play with other aficionados, or feel the need for speed at the venue's 48-player Mario Kart 64 tournament. By coming along and taking part, you'll also have the chance to win your own Switch (with Mario Kart included, obviously), so you can keep the speedy gaming wherever you are. There'll also be beers on offer, given it's all taking place at a bar — and we're assuming that there won't be any banana peels to throw around the place, but maybe watch where you're walking anyway.
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.
It's been three years since Australia's cinema scene welcomed the American Essentials Film Festival — and while a fest dedicated to US flicks might seem obvious, this event sets its sights much further than Hollywood's usual suspects. Given that mainstream, megaplex-friendly movies reach our shores every week, the Palace-run showcase instead curates a lineup of other American titles, delving into films from the US indie realm. Screening in Brisbane from May 9 to 20, the 2018 fest has a particular fondness for emerging practitioners, with artistic director Richard Sowada noting "the obvious talent from some of the filmmakers in the early stages of their feature film careers," as well as "the deep and obvious respect even some of these newer filmmakers have for the traditions of storytelling in American cinema." With that in mind, this year's event kicks off with The Boy Downstairs, a Zosia Mamet-starring effort from debut feature writer-director Sophie Brooks, which proved a hit at the 2017 TriBeCa Film Festival. The opening night pick also highlights one of the festival's other trends — thanks to its focus on American cinema, it boasts plenty of familiar faces on screen. Standouts include Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair battling a murderous rage in horror-comedy Mom and Dad, Helena Bonham Carter and Hilary Swank recreating a landmark '80s case for patients' rights in 55 Steps, and war effort The Yellow Birds, featuring Solo: A Star Wars Story's Alden Ehrenreich, Ready Player One's Tye Sheridan, plus Toni Collette and Jennifer Aniston. There's also two star-studded flicks about sons and their fathers: Humour Me, which pairs up Jemaine Clement and Elliott Gould in a deadpan comedy, and Kodachrome, which takes Jason Sudeikis and Ed Harris on a road trip to a photo processing laboratory. Other notable titles range from Stuck, which brings the train-set off-Broadway musical of the same name to the cinema; to Outside In, director Lynn Shelter's latest featuring Edie Falco as an ex-high school teacher; to mob drama Gotti, starring John Travolta as the mob boss and screening in Australia just hours after its Cannes Film Festival premiere. On the documentary front, How They Got Over takes a far-reaching documentary into African-American gospel quartets in the '30s and '40s, while RBG examines the life and career of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. For the fest's retrospective section, Los Angeles is in the spotlight courtesy of classics Chinatown, Heat and Shampoo, as well as '70s masterpieces Killer of Sheep and Wattstax.
The most envy-inducing time of year is here, dividing music lovers into two camps. Either you're literally going camping in Byron Bay or you're moping around Brisbane wishing that you were. Don't worry, non-Splendour-bound folks — The Flying Cock's Splendour in the Cock has you covered. For two nights across Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21, the Valley pub is pretending they're at the centre of the music universe with a playlist of Splendour in the Grass greats not only from this year, but also spanning previous ace lineups. Close your eyes, and you might just think the live cover tracks are the real thing. Do the same while DJs spin the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Flume, Kanye, Bloc Party, Florence and the Machine, The Strokes and more, and it might just have the same effect. Wearing something glitzy and flashy is recommended — when you're acting like you're at Splendour, you have to dress the part. Entry is free, so as well as helping cure your desire to be dancing in a muddy field, the shindig will also be kind to your wallet.
"All the world's a stage," Shakespeare's As You Like It proclaims. All of Brisbane is a stage at Anywhere Theatre Festival, a fest the Bard would surely be proud of. Every year, the city-wide event puts on theatre performances anywhere and everywhere — in bars, bowls clubs, markets, homes and pools, for starters. Actually, taking place from May 10 to 27 in a whole host of different spaces, Anywhere Theatre Festival spreads its love across southeast Queensland, with shows on offer from Ipswich to Brissie right on through to the Sunshine Coast. Go west for a choose-your-own-adventure-style mashup of Doctor Who and The Wizard of Oz. Head north for performance workshops in a butter factory or an Aussie take on The Wind in the Willows on the Noosa Ferry. Or rove around Brisbane for Star Wars sketches in a cafe and an intimate play in a bar's bathroom. The list goes on, throwing up anything and everything in places you'd never think of as performance venues. One show takes place in a shopping centre carpark, another at the Queensland Maritime Museum and another in an art gallery. They're the kind of theatre you don't normally see, in the kind of spaces you don't normally see theatre in, so prepare — above all else — to be surprised.
Making its return after a year hiatus, the German Film Festival is set to shower Brisbane's screens with the latest and greatest in Deutsch cinema. And we really do mean latest and greatest — opening night's true tale The Silent Revolution premiered at the Berlin Film Festival mere months ago, while closing night will celebrate Wim Wenders' newly restored Wings of Desire, the exceptional 1987 effort about angels in Berlin. Screening at Palace Centro from May 31 to June 10, the rest of the lineup spans from stars to snow to psychological thrills, plus everything from biopics to road trips to a beloved German comedy trilogy. Explore the tension of a new couple taking to the mountains in Three Peaks, laugh at the Fack Ju Göthe franchise — about an ex-con trying to get his loot back and unwittingly becoming a teacher in the process — or catch Gutland's account of an outsider just showing up in a small town, featuring Phantom Thread's breakout talent Vicky Krieps. Other highlights include's Mademoiselle Paradis, which delves into the story of blind piano player Maria Theresia von Paradis; 303, a flick that follows a pregnant student driving to reunite with her boyfriend; and 2017 German box office hit Paula, a biopic about artist Paula Modersohn-Becker. Or, step into a dark fairy tale with Heart of Stone, or test your nerves with crime thriller Four Hands. Plus, if you have any young movie buffs in tow, the festival is also screening a children's program called Kino for Kids.
It's a problem that every whisky aficionado is happy to have: so many amber-hued tipples, so little time. Don't just resign yourself to the fact that you can't possibly taste them all, though. Firstly, no one likes a quitter. And secondly — and more importantly — there's nothing to lose by giving your dram-drinking quest a red hot try. Celebrating the annual occasion that is World Whisky Day, the Osbourne Hotel will be doing their bit to assist your noble endeavour, with six hours of sampling, sipping and drinking on the agenda from midday on Saturday, May 19. Plus, in welcome news if your love of the good stuff doesn't match your bank balance — tickets are only $15, which includes your first tasting of either scotch or bourbon. There'll be a range of Australian, American, Canadian, Scottish and Irish varieties on hand, so you can enjoy both whisky and whiskey, with each brand coming up with their own cocktails as well. While you're there, you can also learn about the basics in small masterclasses. Yep, here, you'll drink, talk and breathe whisky all afternoon.
Combining art classes with alcohol: it's a classic example of taking something that's great and making it even better, and it's what Cork & Chroma is all about. For three days only, Brisbane's source of boozy creativity is boosting its wine-fuelled sessions even further — by taking its paint and sip sessions to Good Food Month's Night Noodle Markets. Between Wednesday, July 25 and Friday, July 27, you can head to what's likely to be the busiest spot in the city, get comfy at an easel, drink Brand's Laira vino and snack on Asian canapés. And, you'll be doing it all at the South Australian winery's Night Noodle Market pop-up cellar door. The classes run from 6–8pm, and include talented folks giving you expert art advice, as well as all the supplies that you'll need on the evening. Tickets cost $55, bookings are essential — and expect to whip up a painting inspired by Brand's Laira's Coonawarra home. Drink wine, paint pictures of a wine region... it makes sense, really..
Unlimited seafood is something worth clearing an afternoon for. Unlimited mussels — well, that's something worth a road trip as well. On Sunday, July 29, prepare to head on down to the Miami Marketta on the Gold Coast, because that's where you'll find as many molluscs as you can devour over the course of four hours. A Festival of Mussels will unleash a horde of new season blue-lipped mussels from 1-5pm, with everything included in the $30 online / $35 on-the-day ticket price. There'll also be an oyster bar, although you'll have to pay extra if you're keen on slurping down some shucked seafood. And, if you don't want anything from the ocean for some reason, woodfired pizza and a selection of desserts will also be on offer. Because it is a festival, there'll also be live music to get everyone in the mussel-eating mood. But, let's face it: if you're heading to an event serving up all-you-can mussels, you're all ready primed. And hungry, of course.
It's very easy being green at The Plant Market — and picking up something green, finding something green to put it in and eating something green as well. Brisbane's latest botanical-focused pop-up, the event is taking over the Albion Peace Centre from 10am–2pm on Saturday, August 4, complete with stalls upon stalls of green wares. There'll be plants, obviously. Indoor, outdoor, small, established: they're all on offer thanks to The Botanist, with cacti, fiddle leaf figs and rubber plants a highlight. There'll also be ceramics by Billeta Wood, plus brass pots and vases, vintage wall planters and plant stands. Or, pick up a kokedama and a macrame hanger from Luvia Designs. When you aren't choosing a new green baby to take home with you — or re-homing it on-site at the market's potting station — you can nab yourself some botanical acrylic earrings from September Creative, or snack on cactus cookies and macarons cooked up by Hansel & Gretel Cakes. To top it all off, there'll be a coffee van. You'll need energy for all that browsing and buying, after all.
If you're a beer-loving Brisbanite fond of venturing to Melbourne, then you've probably sipped one of Stomping Ground's yeasty brews. And, you've probably got a hankering for their inventive flavours — a Zoolander-themed Orange Mocha Frappucino Nitro Cream Ale, anyone? Even if you're a newcomer to the Collingwood brewery and beer hall's tipples, there's no need to hop on a plane to get a taste this weekend. On Sunday, June 10, Stomping Ground is heading north to take over the taps at The Mill on Constance. In response, the Fortitude Valley venue is throwing a garage party. It's all about the beer, really, thanks to the kind of brews you don't taste everyday. If the vanilla-laced Boston Cream Donut Nitro Ale doesn't wet your whistle, then the caramel and chocolate Upside Down Brown Ale might — or the German-style Laneway Lager, citrusy Hop Stomper IPA or good ol' Passionfruit Sour.
Every Monday night, Salt Meats Cheese Gasworks serves up slices upon slices of pizza — and a few extra slices just for good measure. While that might sound like a regular evening at the Skyring Terrace eatery, there's nothing like an all-you-can-eat night. But if you're a vegan, you might've been holding back. Fancy as much pizza as you can handle, but without any animal products? Then mark Tuesday, June 19 in your diary. From 5pm, SMC will serve up unlimited vegan slices for $20. "Does this look like someone who's had all they can eat?" isn't something you'll be saying, so calm your inner Homer Simpson. The only catch is that you'll have to buy a drink as well, but you can choose from both boozy and non-alcoholic options. As for the pizza lineup, patrons can choose from six varieties, including margherita with not-zzarella cheese, eggplant with basil salsa, roasted potato with garlic and rosemary, and pumpkin with spinach and walnuts. Or, opt for the vegetariana, which combines tomato, zucchini, eggplant and roasted red capsicum — or the absolute must-taste slice that is the truffle and mushroom.
Between Thursday, August 9 and Wednesday, August 15, Palace Cinemas is giving movie buffs an extra gift. It's not just the gift of great flicks — that is, their daily bread and butter — but the gift of cheap great flicks. Head to either of the chain's two Brisbane locations in New Farm and Petrie Terrace across the week in question, and any film at any time will only cost you a fiver, plus an online booking fee of $1.50. Want to see Mission: Impossible — Fallout with your friends on a Saturday night? It'll cost you $6.50 in total. Keen to laugh your way through The Breaker Upperers after work one afternoon? Still $6.50 all up. We'd keep naming movies, but you get the picture. Booking in advance is highly recommended, given how much everyone loves going to the flicks for little more than the price of a cup of coffee, so you will want to nab your tickets online and pay the fee. And if you're wondering what $5 Movie Week is all about, Palace is about to launch its new rewards club. Consider this the first reward — although you don't need to be a member to benefit. Image: Palace Barracks.
Good Food Month is here for 2018, which means it's time to jump around town and enjoy the best meals and beverages that Brisbane has to offer. Or, you could just block out every weekend morning across the month and make plans to tuck into the best meal of the day — with unlimited mimosas and bloody marys. That's what Pourboy is serving up on Saturdays and Sundays throughout July, with the venue's Bottomless Boozy Brunch running from 10am–2pm. It's the drinks that won't stop at the South Brisbane eatery — well, at least within the allocated time slot. Food-wise, you can choose from one of four breakfast options. Seeing your morning slide into the afternoon with a drink in hand will set you back an affordable $39 per person. Unsurprisingly, bookings via email or phone are highly recommended, so gather the gang and plan ahead.
Three days. One pub. Plenty of German-themed food, beverages and entertainment. That's what's on the agenda at the Regatta's German Festival, which comes to the Toowong hangout between Friday, October 12 and Sunday, October 14. As you've no doubt noticed, the shindig takes place during the month that's all about brews, pretzels and pretending you're in Europe — so you may as well grab a stein and say "prost!" to the occasion. To help, expect German musicians to play a spritely tune, while a selection of draught and bottled beers, and German liqueurs and wines will also assist. Upping the ante even further, there'll be a jägermeister ice luge, too. The food menu has yet to be revealed, but you can safely start salivating over pork and baked treats, two staples of every German-themed menu. It all takes place in the Regatta's laneway, and entry is free. You'll still have to pay for whatever you'd like to eat and drink, but it's cheaper than a plane ticket.
Like ramen? Like the brothy noodle soup more when it doesn't include any animal products? So do I Like Ramen. That's the eatery's domain, and the reason that the Gold Coast joint has built up a name for itself — but for three Sundays only, it's bringing its dishes to Brisbane. In fact, it's bringing them to a rather unlikely place in The Coop; however rest assured, there won't be any real chicken in the chick'n white miso (or any bone broth in the boneless broth, either). Other varieties include mushroom in an earthy shiitake and soy soup, kimchi with plenty of spice, and 'mean green', which involves spinach, bok choy and wakame. You can also opt for a combo of any two types, a super-full loaded bowl, or something non-soupy courtesy of deep-fried panko mushrooms or a panko mushroom po' boy. Get slurping from 12pm on August 19 and 26, plus September 2, with ramen on offer for both lunch and dinner. A specially curated array of natural wines will also be available — and if all of that takes your fancy, take note: The Coop will only be accepting walk-ins unless your group consists of eight or more people.
Itching to enjoy the great outdoors, but can't escape the big smoke? Don't worry — you don't need to travel far. Brisbane's Peaks to Points Festival will get you out, about and immersed in natural surroundings without venturing beyond the city. Birdwatching in wetlands behind a Bunnings and taking a bushwalk in suburban parklands are just some of the events on the agenda — alongside spotting koalas, touring tributaries, moseying along mountaintops and planting trees. Workshop-wise, you can also learn about seed preparation and propagation, discover how to turn your kitchen and garden waste into compost, and build nesting boxes for wildlife. Running from July 14 to 29, Peaks to Points is all about showcasing the south side of the Brisbane River, so expect to explore everywhere from Carina, Mount Gravatt and Corinda to Ipswich, Redlands and Logan. It's family-friendly, should you have a little nature-lover in tow — and, even better, the majority of events are free.
A black comedy about neighbours fighting over a tree. A harrowing recreation of the worst incident on Norwegian soil since World War II. A gothic interpretation of a well-known folk tale. A film about an infatuated college student who discovers she has unusual abilities. These are just some of the Nordic films headed to Australia as part of the 2018 Scandinavian Film Festival — and yes, it's shaping up to be a great year for movies hailing from the colder parts of Europe. All of the above titles — the opening night's Under the Tree, Berlinale hit U – July 22, the gorgeously shot Valley of Shadows and the empathetic thriller Thelma — head to the festival after amassing quite the buzz at overseas events, and they have plenty of company. Across the Scandinavian Film Festival's almost month-long tour of the country, between July 10 and August 5, 21 features will grace Australian screens, showcasing everything from the latest award-winners to the career output of one of the region's late master filmmakers. In the first camp falls Border, which is based on a short story by author John Ajvide Lindqvist and just won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes; high-school comedy Amateurs, the recipient of the best Nordic film award at this year's Goteburg Film Festival; and Winter Brothers, a flick about siblings living in a remote region that nabbed nine Danish Academy Awards. In the latter category, viewers can celebrate the life and career of renowned Swedish director Ingmar Bergman in the 100th anniversary of his birth, with six Swedish figures — including Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy's Tomas Alfredson — making shorts inspired by the influential filmmaker for compilation effort Bergman Revisited. Other highlights include a semi-scripted cross-cultural comedy about two Danish men trying to set up a dog breeding business in China, aka The Saint Bernard Syndicate, SXSW-standout Heavy Trip, a film about a heavy metal muso spearheading a music festival in a small Finnish town, and The Real Estate, which attacks the chasm between the rich and the not-so in an unflinching fashion. In short: if it hails from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland and it popped up over the past year, it's probably on the lineup.
Everyone in Brisbane has been to the Ekka on more than one occasion, but have you heard of the food and drink-focused equivalent? There mightn't be any rides, sideshows, goldfish, fireworks or flu at the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show; however, there are plenty of tasty delights of the edible and drinkable kind, all vying to be crowned the state's finest in their respective category. Don't worry — if you're wondering why you haven't come across RQFWS before, that's because it's not open to the public. Well, not usually, anyway. Grape Grazing by Night is a delicious, alcohol-infused exception. For one boozy evening on Friday, July 13, more than 1800 wines submitted for the judges' seal of approval can also compete in another taste test: yep, that'd be yours. You'll sample award-winning tipples, snack on cheese, beef, lamb and other canapés, and chat with the experts, all while raising your glass — or several — to the best boozy grape drinks in the country.
If you have a four-legged friend, you'll know that they can brighten your day just by looking cute. If you don't — or you're stuck in the CBD doing the 9-to-5 grind — then scurry on over to Waterfront Place to gawk at the next best thing. Between June 5 and 16, the riverside building is hosting an exhibition by Serenah, the acclaimed pet photographer. With the very apt title It's a Dog's Life, her first showcase aims to celebrate the joy animals bring to our existence. Yes, you should be envious about the fact she's made a career out of taking snaps of her dogs, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the fruits of her dream job. And yes, when you're not fantasising about how you could do the same, you should revel in the sight of Rocco, Ralph, Simon, Garfunkel and Henri looking absolutely adorable.
Once upon a time, going to the circus meant walking into a big top, watching clowns pal around and witnessing everything from animals to tightrope walkers in the ring. Today, that's probably the type of experience audiences are least likely to have. That's right — modern circus looks a whole lot different. The twisting, contorting and flipping trickery remains, but that's about all. Indeed, while Pants Down Circus ROCK! boasts trapeze, juggling and hula hoops among its physical feats, it unfurls them all to a pumping rock soundtrack. Both your eyes and your feet will be thoroughly engaged and entertained as you watch acrobatic displays and try to resist tapping your toes to the accompanying tunes. It's the second show for Pants Down Circus, who won the Best Circus in the 2015 Adelaide Fringe. And it's a one-day, two-session-only affair for the four-person troupe, so we'd advise getting in quick.
Think music festivals are dying out? Think again. Sure, plenty of bigger events have called it a day — but as the old guard finish up, they're giving a swathe of smaller, more specialised, boutique, curated fests the chance to carve out their own niche. Since 2014, the two-day Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival has been one such smorgasbord of creative activities, taking place in the Borumba Deer Park in the Sunshine Coast. Instead of ridiculous queues and heaving crowds clamouring for space in an ordinary city showground, you'll find a laidback vibe, a campground surrounded by luscious greenery, and the chance to go for a swim in the creek while you watch a gig. Oh, and did we mention that it's a BYO festival as well (though no glass is allowed)? Plus, rather than boogying to all the usual bands, you'll check out a combo of funk, soul, disco, pop, rock, jazz, fusion, prog rock, psychedelia, punk and gypsy acts. Visual arts displays are also part of the Jungle Love experience — and, for the first time, panels and workshops will also feature. While this year's lineup is a "watch this space" kind of deal at the moment, we think buying tickets now is a safe bet based on previous outings. In fact, if you get in early, you can subscribe to a payment plan. Yep, this just might be our new favourite festival.
On July 1, Brisbane's late-night entertainment scene will change forever. With new lockout laws kicking in, catching a few gigs, having a couple of drinks and partying away into the early hours of the next morning is going to be a whole lot tougher — and that's before another round of even harsher rules drop next February. Alas, with just days to go, it seems like the legislation really is going ahead, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy one last hurrah before it does. On June 30, a heap of Brissie joints are banding together to throw a final multi-venue extravaganza. Think of it as a celebration of the city's thriving music scene, a showcase its talent and another protest about the forthcoming situation. Oh, and did we mention that it'll cost you absolutely nothing? Black Bear Lodge, The Brightside, The Flying Cock and The Foundry are the places to head to for the aptly named Brisbane's Big Kick On, with each space highlighting just what makes a night out in the Valley so damn great. They'll have a heap of help, of course, courtesy of a lineup that features Baskervillain, Carmouflage Rose, Dumb Punts, Erick Sanders, Golden Vessel, I OH YOU DJs, The Jensens, Lastlings, Leø, Midas.Gold featuring Gallus, Romy, Shady Bliss, Shag Rock, Surfin' Bird, Twin Haus, Zaped x Groszek, Krasnov and Butterlungs. Now that's how you throw a party.
On any given weekend, Brisbanites have plenty of opportunities to pretend that they're on holidays. No, we're not talking about taking a staycation, as fun as that is. Instead, we're encouraging you to embrace the city's busy array of cultural festivals. Come August 12 from 10am to 4pm, it's the Korean community's turn to celebrate the cuisine, culture and everything else that makes their nation great. For one day only, the Korean Cultural Festival will take over King George Square. Expect to fill your stomach at the many food stalls, and then digest your tasty treats while watching martial arts displays. Of course, the list of events and activities only continues, with the whole affair offering attendees a showcase of traditional and contemporary elements such as meals, music and much, much more. In fact, the range of entertainment sums up the combination of old and new perfectly. After you've listened to pan-sori, or Korean singing, you can groove along to some K-pop courtesy of AO Crew & P4pero. Image: AO Dance Crew.
Pre-loved fashion is the gift that keeps on giving; one person's sartorial trash really is another's stylish treasure, after all. Hopefully, you'll find the latter at Revive Fashion Festival. Yes, it's an event dedicated to all things vintage and secondhand — or a way to spread the pre-loved love. Popping up at the Cultural Centre Forecourt at South Bank for one afternoon only, Revive is a chance to grab a bargain and garner a heap of great outfit ideas all at once. The city's best best pre-loved and revived clothing stalls will be selling their wares at a pop-up market, but that's only part of the fun. Who doesn't want to watch a fashion parade filled with secondhand savvy, enjoy some live entertainment and feast on bites to eat from an array of the city's best food trucks as well? Plus, you can get some sewing and style tips from the experts to ensure you really are making the most of your wardrobe. The fest is a precursor to National Op Shop Week, which runs from August 21 to 27, so consider it a warm-up for all of the vintage shopping in your future.
Sometimes, timing is everything. For the past few weeks, the whole country has been buzzing about the potential privacy concerns associated with inputting personal information into the nation's biggest data collection exercise, aka the census. Now, in an exhibition that has been planned for some time, Marnie Edminston's latest show ponders the same topic. A FAKE Estate presentation that's taking over Metro Arts, A Plant is a Plant contemplates the ever-growing world of everyday spying, because the days of simply placing bugs in lamps and greenery are well and truly over. Espionage has now moved away from targeted individual activities, and become a continuous enterprise used by governments and corporations to monitor as much of the population as possible. And, via social media, it's something that every one of us plays a part in. Just what that means is something the Melbourne-based Edminston, who is the 2016 Metro Arts ARI in Residence, considers in a collection of pieces about some of the irrational effects of increased surveillance. The exhibition celebrates its opening with a shindig on August 17, and then closes not with a bang but with a critical brunch on September 3. Yes, there'll be plenty of food for thought.
Straight white men. They're the most hard done by group out there, if Mark Latham is to be believed. But Korean-American playwright Young Jean Lee isn't quite so sure. Making its Queensland premiere at La Boite following hit runs in New York City and Melbourne, this whip-smart satire strips back stereotypes for a funny, compelling and at times uncomfortable conversation about gender, class and privilege. Straight White Men follows three adult brothers returning to their widowed father's home in time for the Christmas holidays. Progressive and 'enlightened', these are modern men, aware of the advantages they receive as a result of their gender, race and sexual orientation. They even go so far as to play a homemade Monopoly variant called Privilege. And yet despite their elevated social status, things don't seem to be working out in their favour. Directed by Nescha Jelk, the La Boite season of Straight White Men runs from July 27 to August 31.
If there's one certainty in life, it's that drinking and singing go hand in hand. After a few beverages, everyone likes to belt out a tune. However, there's pub karaoke, and then there's Brewski's latest evening of fun. At Opera in the Bar, Dan Dainton from Victoria's Dainton Family Brewery will be putting his vocal chords to the test — but with the kind of music you don't often hear at Brewski. Expect the visiting brewer to let loose with a few of his operatic favourites. Yes, really. Of course, expanding your cultural horizons isn't the only thing on offer, with plenty of yeasty, foamy goodness coursing through taps. Grab a pint of Samurye Lager, Das Duffel Draftt Alt Bier, Insane Uncle IPA, Bad Daughter Choc Orange Porter and Black Sheep Brunch Stout, and then pull up a chair for the kind of boozy show you really won't see anywhere.
Who doesn't love a pre-fest shindig? It's the best way to express your enthusiasm for an upcoming event — and when it comes to Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival, there's plenty to be excited about. This is a festival where you can swim in a creek while watching bands crank out tunes, after all. After making everyone's laid-back weekend dreams come true by announcing that they're returning for another year, the Jungle team will descend upon The Triffid from 7pm on August 6 to reveal the next big piece of the puzzle. Yep, we're talking about the 2016 complete lineup. Yep, that's why they're throwing a rather epic party to celebrate. It wouldn't be a gathering without some friends to share in the fun, which is where the other great part of the evening comes in: the entertainment. Enjoy sets from past faves BULLHORN, Baskervillain, beneb and PocketLove, plus newcomers Lastlings and Yoste; check out performances by Kimera Visual Theatre and Pent Upglamour Productions; dance to a DJ set by Mood Swing & Chevy Bass; and get a glimpse of new live visual art works curated by The Brisbane Collective. And remember, this is just a taste of the main event to come in November.
It has been a century since the First World War rocked the entire planet. While plenty of time has passed since that conflict changed the course of history, its impact is still felt — as is the toll of every other battle that has raged in the years that followed. Timed to commemorate the ANZAC Centenary, Lest We Forget ponders the lingering effects of combat through contemporary dance and neo-classical ballet. Across a triptych of pieces crafted by a trio of top choreographers, the performance reflects upon the way that war can prove inescapable not only for those who serve, but for those who are left behind as well. And, given that it hones in on something that isn't always easily spoken about, it also provides a physical expression of a difficult topic. Accordingly, in We Who Are Left, Natalie Weir tells personal tales taken from poetry written during World War One. Paul Taylor's Company B explores the small-town repercussions of World War Two via a study of contradictions set to the hit songs of the Andrews Sisters, while Ma Cong's The Best Moments focuses on love, commitment and passion as inspired by The Hours Suite by Philip Glass.
Movie buffs of Brisbane, prepare to spend a good chunk of July in a darkened room. After its successful debut in 2015, Queensland Film Festival returns for another year of championing the best in international cinema — and its second annual program is even bigger. In fact, the boutique, curated festival has doubled in size in 2016, with 40 films — aka 20 features and 20 shorts — due to light up the silver screens at New Farm Cinemas from July 15 to 24, and at the Institute of Modern Art at a pre-festival teaser on July 9. Expect everything from gems of the global festival circuit to restored greats, with 19 titles in the lineup screening in Australia for the very first time. QFF 2016 kicks off with a slice of colourful melodrama courtesy of Pedro Almodovar's Julieta, and that's just the start of the festival's ten-day movie frenzy. A collaboration with Studio Ghibli, the dialogue-free animation The Red Turtle comes to Brisbane after premiering in Cannes, as does Morocco-based mountain travelogue Mimosas. Elsewhere, QFF will get loud and terrifying with heavy metal horror film The Devil's Candy by Australian director Sean Byrne, delve into competitive masculinity via absurdist Greek New Wave comedy Chevalier, explore a personal essay of love, loss and a pet pooch called Lolabelle in Laurie Anderson's Heart of a Dog, and take a different look at combat via Guy Maddin's Bring Me the Head of Tim Horton. And then there's the unsettling fable of Lucile Hadžihalilovic's Evolution, the pulpy magic of Anna Biller's The Love Witch, the Guillermo del Toro-championed mystical poetry of Chinese effort Kaili Blues, and Dead Slow Ahead's sci-fi like examination of cargo ships. If some of these titles sound familiar, that's because we've been excited about them for a while now. Plus, because 2016 marks two very important milestones in Brisbane film history, QFF is casting its eyes back to the past as well. First, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the initial Brisbane Film Festival — which actually took place at the movie theatre that eventually became the current New Farm Cinemas — with a screening of Agnes Varda's Cleo From 5 to 7, a selection of shorts and a free discussion panel on fifty years of film fests in the Queensland capital. Then, commemorate 25 years since the now-lost Brisbane International Film Festival started by watching David Cronenberg's Naked Lunch from BIFF's 1999 program.
Like eating? Like South Bank? Then you're going to love the combination of the two. Yes, it's Regional Flavours time again. If you haven't made it along to the inner-city precinct's signature food and wine festival over the past seven years, don't make that same mistake again. For two days, the length and breadth of the parklands will become a culinary wonderland, complete with themed spaces for all of your favourite taste sensations. At Queensland Taste, you'll find wine, cheese and live music. At the Hunting Club, you'll enjoy beef, lamb and brewed beverages. At the Epicurious Garden, you'll discover where your food comes from. And there's no prizes for guessing what's on offer at Sweet Escape or the Picnic Patch. Want more? How about classes, demonstrations and presentations on everything from recipes for longevity, fuss-free cooking, fancy toast toppings, making Instagram-worthy dishes and turning savoury ingredients sweet, featuring celebrity chefs such as Maggie Beer, George Calombaris, Matt Preston, Adriano Zumbo and Lola Berry? Or a producer showcase where you can shop for the freshest ingredients? Or a long line of food trucks serving up meals for $8 or less? As long as you have a healthy appetite, there's something delicious here for everyone.
For whatever reason, Vin Diesel and the gang have yet to take their globe-hopping Fast and Furious franchise to New Zealand. But if they do, they'll be racing in the tyre tracks of a couple of Mini-focused homegrown films. Back in 1981, Goodbye Pork Pie saw a ragtag bunch of misfits careen across the country's two islands in a tiny yellow vehicle. Driving into remake territory with a newer model, Pork Pie takes the idea out for another spin. When struggling novelist Jon (Dean O'Gorman) fails to win his girlfriend back at a pal's wedding, he decides to try again after she heads down south to Invercargill. Luckily, he crosses paths with Luke (James Rolleston), who's driving a stolen car and fleeing a troubled past. Recently unemployed fast food worker and animal rights activist Kiera (Ashleigh Cummings) soon hops in as well, and the trio of strangers are suddenly on the road to adventure – albeit with the cops hot on their trail, the media going mad, and the entire nation seemingly watching their every move. Will they all become friends, learn life lessons and grow into better people on their journey? Will you see so many shots of a glistening Mini that you'll think you're watching a car commercial? Will the film showcase just as many scenic New Zealand sights as the Lord of the Rings films? The answer to all three of these questions is a resounding yes. Still, what Pork Pie lacks in surprises, it endeavours to make up for in jovial road trip vibes. Put it this way: if you were stuck travelling for a couple of hours with nothing but this movie for entertainment, you wouldn't mind. Even if they don't always prove the best long-haul companions on-screen, it helps that the three central performers make the most of their roles. None of their characters are particularly well-developed, but the genuine rapport between the energetic O'Gorman, charismatic Rolleston and spirited Cummings more than helps pass the time. Writer-director Matt Murphy boasts a significant connection to the original — it was helmed by his father Geoff Murphy, and Matt was part of the crew. It shouldn't be surprising then that the remake focuses on two things that made the first outing memorable: stunts and humour. In terms of the former, prepare for a standout dash through Wellington that happens to involve a coffin, and cars and trains colliding (but not in the way you might expect). As for the latter, it's more warm smiles and light chuckles than belly laughs. The gags are mostly conventional, but then that's Pork Pie to a tee: affable, enjoyable, but not quite as freewheeling and frenetic as it thinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPJpLfKG1AI
Are you a carnivorous, eat-the-coat-of-arms sort? Think that crocodiles are best served on a plate, rather than roaming across the continent? Keen to sample some of the flora this grand ol' country has gifted us, as well as the fauna? Native & Wild is just the feast that'll let you eat and drink your way across the Australian landscape. On May 8 from 7pm, Catchment Brewing Co.'s latest serves up a dinner that couldn't be more Aussie — and there's not a meat pie or lamington in sight. The menu kicks off with wild boar meatballs with Australian cheddar; wild pepper, black garlic and wild thyme crocodile skewers; and Warrigal greens — and yep, wild is a theme. From there, munch on wallaby fillet with wattle seed syrup and burnt onion, braised rabbit with native veg and bush tomato caprese salad, plus emu schnitzel with outback sea parsley and lemon myrtle, kangaroo sliders with finger lime mayo and quail egg, and charcoal samphire. Aussie spirits, beers and produce will be flowing in abundance, but needless to say, this isn't a meal for vegetarians. Tickets cost $95 per person for the kind of culinary lineup you mightn't come across again.
We've known for a while that the Wynnum-Manly area is brimming with the ocean's finest bounty. In fact, we've even suggested going on a fish and chip crawl there. Who doesn't want to mosey between coastal greasy spoons and eat seafood by the seashore at every one of them? Well, the fine folks in the city's east have gone one better: they've made a whole day of fun out of the bayside's fondness for bugs, crabs, prawns, oysters, scallops and plenty of kinds of fish. That'd be the Wynnum Seafood Festival, a community seafood event which started last year, and will take over George Clayton Park overlooking the iconic Wynnum jetty for the second time come October 7. After 15,000 people turned up in 2016, this one promises to be bigger and better than ever. This time around, there'll be a fresh seafood market, a gourmet food tasting area, a cooking stage and an wine and oyster bar, in case you thought the fest wasn't serious about upping the ante. Favourites such as the prawn peeling competition and mud crab race will return, plus live music, cooking demos, panel discussions, workshops, rides and activities, and market stalls.
With Monster Fest showering Melbourne with an annual showcase of horror, thrills and just a bloody good time at the cinema since 2011, non-Victorian genre buffs can be forgiven for experiencing a severe case of film festival envy. Don't worry, the Monster Fest Travelling Sideshow is the cure for that green shade you've been sporting. After taking the best of the festival around to Sydney in March, they're headed to Brisbane in May. From March 12 to 14, Event Cinemas Myer Centre will become Monster Fest's temporary home away from home with a lineup that should excite and unnerve cinephiles in equal measure. Topping the bill is the homegrown thriller double of Hounds of Love and Killing Ground, which will make you think of Aussie actors Stephen Curry and Aaron Pedersen in a whole new way. Also on the Australian front, shark frightfest Cage Dive will make sure you won't want to go near water. Attendees can also catch the Hitchcock-obsessed documentary 78/52, which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival, and find scares on the road in Canada's The Void. Rounding out the program is classic Italian horror Suspiria, plus the 15-years-in-the-making The Evil Within, as well as heavy metal horror The Devil's Candy by Aussie The Loved Ones director Sean Byrne.
For most of us, selecting our preferred type of alcohol is like trying to pick our favourite day of the weekend — we love them all equally. Alas, Cloudland is determined to make everyone decide which kind of best booze is best — or try to, at least — at their second annual Beer vs Wine dinner. After their first battle of the beverages proved a hit last year, the Fortitude Valley venue is once again putting the two tipples to the test from 6.30pm on May 26. Expect four wines and four beers matched with four courses, complete with Craig from Mezzanine and Hugh from Stone & Wood on hand to help. Come prepared.
Sitting down, taking pen to paper and writing a letter is fast becoming a lost art. Sitting around and talking about words and correspondence is too. Well, almost. If there's one thing that Women of Letters aims to achieve, it's showcasing the merits of both. If there's another, it's doing so with some fantastic women. For the event's ninth Brisbane outing, new host and co-curator Angie Hart plus founding co-curator Marieke Hardy will help prose flow freely as they take over The Zoo from 3pm on June 18. And, they'll have company: actor, writer and theatre-maker, Merlynn Tong, journalist Pip Courtney, theatre director Paige Rattray, film and TV actor Sibylla Budd, youth arts facilitator Claire Christian and criminal defence lawyer Debbie Kilroy. Now there's a squad of formidable females. As is the custom, each will pen a letter, with this session dedicated to the topic of 'A Letter to My Second Chance'. Hear their scribblings, soak up their insights, and drink wine and eat cheese while you do so. Getting tickets asap is recommended, as Women in Letters is always popular.
We can't know exactly what every moment in history was really like, but we can imagine. Take the events of 1770 that shaped Australia, for example. Sure, there are plenty of accounts of the first interactions between James Cook and the nation's Aboriginal population; but what was it really like? In a project developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast, East Coast Encounter aims to dive deeper into this chapter of the past. More than 40 pieces by 16 creatives contribute a variety of takes on the significant occasion every Australian learns about in school, courtesy of the work of Australian Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, writers and songwriters. The aim of the exhibition is to bring different perspectives and ponderings together, reflecting upon and recreating the moment that two worlds started to combine. Sounds like plenty to view and contemplate, with East Coast Encounter showing at the Caboolture Regional Art Gallery until January 21, 2017. Image: Gail Mabo, Constellation (2014), Monoprint on paper, 59.5 x 89.5cm. Courtesy of Monsoon Press for Umbrella studio.
