Festivals seem to be a dime a dozen these days, with no weekend complete without some sort of celebration of film, music, food or all three. However, only one event sends most of Brisbane flocking to Musgrave Park en masse. That'd be Paniyiri Greek Festival, the city's source of autumn fun for 40 years and counting. Paniyiri is a kaleidoscopic cultural explosion. More than 50,000 people descend upon West End each year for the annual two-day tribute to the Hellenic Republic, and it's not hard to understand why. First, there's the entertainment, featuring dancing lessons, traditional music, comedy, fireworks, amusement rides and then some. Then, there's more spanakopita, baklava, Greek salad, haloumi and other tasty treats than you can possibly devour — including both olive and honey puff eating competitions, if you really want to try. Finally, there's the laidback vibe of people feasting, drinking and just being merry. There's a reason there's no other Brisbane festival quite like it, and not just because of the grape stomping. Yes, that really is part of the Paniyiri shenanigans.
Hands up if situation sounds familiar: you're out in Fortitude Valley on a Saturday night, and a hefty dose of post- (or pre-, or mid-) drinking hunger strikes, but the clock has already struck 10.30pm. That means your eating options are few and far between, unless something greasy takes your fancy. Yep, we've all been there, and more than once; however from May 21st, we won't have to again. That's when Valley Late Night Bites starts up to take care of your after-hours munchies. About time. Simply head to the Chinatown Mall until 3am, take your pick from the assembled line of Brissie's best food trucks, and prepare to have a very satisfied stomach. Of course, you don't bring a heap of meals-on-wheels eateries together without making a party out of it, complete with live music, free bottled water and a chill-out zone for those in need of some quiet digestion. Image: Albert Melu.
Aaah, that Morrissey: he's never boring. He won legions of fans as the driving force behind one of the '80s biggest alternative rock bands, and has caused plenty of head scratching with the outspoken antics that followed. You know the stories. You've read — or read about — his autobiography. The legendary musician's biggest claim to fame is what the New Globe Theatre is focusing on at their video night, in a belated celebration of the influential artist's birthday. Expect an audiovisual ode to all the things that made the Smiths great, from their iconic singles to their memorable performances. There'll be music videos, of course, featuring everything from the upbeat strains of 'This Charming Man' to the darker guitars of 'How Soon Is Now?' (aka the Charmed theme song, for those fond of bad supernatural TV dramas). There'll also be television appearances, interview extracts and concert footage, too, because this event can't get enough of this particular band and man.
If you're planning to swing by Sabotage Social this Friday night, you'd best stop in at Vinnies or Lifeline beforehand. Their end of week shindig isn't just any old party — it's their second annual Op Shop Prom. Here, secondhand formal wear rules once more, and everyone can relive the high school rite-of-passage experience. First, find some funky threads at your nearest thrift shop (including a cummerbund or an oversized scrunchie, ideally). Then, head to the corner of Gipps and Wickham streets, and indulge in a night of cocktail-fuelled shenanigans. If you like finessing pre-loved fashions into awesome outfits, as well as pretending you're in an American teen movie, well, it's the best of both worlds. Yes, a prom king and queen will be crowned. Yes, there's nothing wrong with trying to win in all your vintage couture glory. Image: Sabotage Social.
Every festival has a standout show, whether it's a surprise hit or just something so quirky and comedic that no one can stop talking about it. At the 2015 Queensland Cabaret Festival, Warmwaters took that honour. Now, it's back for another round. Well, now they're back, to be more accurate. If you're not already acquainted with "the southern hemisphere's most inspirational nu-folk duo", aka Lena and Luke Warmwater, then here's your chance to remedy the situation. That they're the alter-egos of actor/comedian Bridget Boyle and playwright/songwriter David Megarrity might give you an idea of the cheeky folk fun that you're in for. This is one of our five top picks from this year's Queensland Cabaret Festival. Read the full list.
Sabotage Social's upcoming Sunday session is a group effort. The venue provides the location, of course. Victoria's Holgate Brewhouse will be serving up tasty, tasty beverages. And because you'll no doubt be hungry after all of that hanging out and drinking, The Smoke BBQ will be offering up their meaty best. That's what the last daylight moments of the weekend are all about, aren't they: eating, boozing, spending your time somewhere relaxing, and just being merry. All in all, it's not a bad way to spend the last non-work day before summer. There's more: aka The Gutterbirds playing their mash-up covers of Violent Soho, Jay Z, Snoop and others, plus another yet-to-be-announced act joining in on the music fun. The only thing that's left is for you to settle in for a long, fun, (probably) sunny afternoon.
Why does the name Michael Myers (no, not that Mike Myers) cause a shiver down horror movie viewers' spines? And why should you stay away from anyone wearing a red and green sweater? If you know the answers, then you're primed to slay everyone with your tidbit-retaining talents at the Brightside's Killer Trivia night. Freddie, Jason, Leatherface, the heap of folks that've donned a ghost face mask in the Scream movies — they'll all get a mention, we're sure. So will Hannibal Lecter, Jack Torrance from The Shining and anyone else who has picked up a weapon and wreaked havoc in a scary flick. They slashed their way through many a feature, and now you can use your knowledge of their exploits to slash your way through the horror film-loving competition. And, the usual Brighty trivia conditions apply: it's free, costumes are 100% encouraged, and prizes will be handed out for the best dressed, the best team names, and for winning (obviously).
Brisbanites, meet one of your newest arts festivals. Yes, it covers visual arts, theatre, music, dance and film. Yes, it takes place over four days and features more than 100 artists. No, it's not your usual event. As devised by Brisbane-based theatre collective The Stan Dup Ensemble, the DIY Festival doesn't even adhere to the norm when it comes to the acronym in its name, actually. That D doesn't stand for do, but for devise, though it could also reference diversity. Emerging creatives have been encouraged to craft their own innovative and original works, and to go wherever their imaginations take them. Everything from a self-help guide about combatting awkwardness to a play about fiery red hair comprises the end result, and an exploration of physicality and a contemplation of the meaning of life, too. If it's fresh and inventive, you'll find it here, in the city's newest showcase of the next generation of artists.
It's one of those jobs that everyone wants, even if we all know that the reality isn't as glamorous as we think it is. And given it's a line of work focused on snapping the perfect shot to convey the mood of a live show in one image, that's quite amusing. Yes, we're talking about music photography. That's the life Markus Ravik has chosen for the last seven years, and he has an amazing portfolio of pictures — featuring everyone from Yeezy, Peaches and Arcade Fire to Violent Soho, Lorde and Metallica— to prove it. And, for the month of September, he's parlaying his shutterbug prowess into his own exhibition. That's what happens when you're Beach Burrito Fortitude Valley's artist of the month. Drop by the Brunswick Street eatery for a gander at some of the best gig shots from recent years, all while you order a Mexican dish. Or, head along on September 2 for the event's opening night celebrations. There'll be beers, art and burritos (of course), plus all of Ravik's ace prints will be available to purchase. Image: Markus Ravik Photography.
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 new community seafood event that'll take over Edith Street overlooking the iconic Wynnum jetty on October 22. Eating is the main thing on the agenda, of course, so you'd best skip brekkie and make sure you're in the mood for some local catches. And it wouldn't be a fest without live music and market stalls. How else are you going to work off all that delicious seafood you're going to be devouring — and wander around the foreshore, learn about its heritage, breathe in the sea air and check out the charming stores that make it such a popular destination?
Fancy spending your Friday night hearing about murder? Stick with us here. The Australian Academy of Science's latest event promises to be both gory and informative, and touch upon everything from poisons to venom to a peek in to what makes a killer. Murder in Brisbane is the third session in the AAS's The Science of Life & Death series, which aims to push audiences to the edge of our comfort levels, and start a national conversation about life, death and beyond in the process. You're either horrified at the thought, or you're fascinated and already booking a ticket. Join Dr Aaron Sell to delve into the mind of a murderer, and then hear Dr Harendra Parekh spill the deets on substances that aren't so good for you. Plus, Associate Professor Bryan Fry shares what he's learned from a life studying venom. You'll also discover a few modern murders with strange new weapons, because this really is the morbid topic that keeps on chilling. Don't say we didn't warn you.
D'you know the great thing about hit new films or TV shows that take their cues from great movies or programs from a few decades ago — other than being enjoyable in their own right, that is? They're likely to inspire you to dig through your DVD collection or head to your favourite streaming service and feast on a heap of beloved classics. Take Stranger Things, for example. If it hasn't made you want to re-watch The Goonies, then we don't know what will. And if you are craving some time with the never-say-die gang, Crowbar has you covered at their regularWednesday evening pizza, movies and beer shindig. Eat, watch, drink and enjoy the acting talents of The Hobbit's Sean Astin, Sicario's Josh Brolin and Sharknado 3's Corey Feldman when they were much, much younger. Enjoy reliving a highlight of everyone's childhoods, too. The booze is just a bonus.
Think Barbara threw a Stranger Things shindig just because they — like everyone — wanted justice for Barb? Think again. The boutique Fortitude Valley bar are clearly fans of pop culture in general, as their next themed night shows. Prepare to get down. Or, make that The Get Down, with the joint we've just started calling Babs celebrating Baz Luhrmann's Netflix-streaming '70s hip hop odyssey. Get ready for the kind of music you're going to want to wear your best vintage threads to dance to — and your comfiest, coolest sneakers. From 8pm, Disco Dolani will get the party started with just the kind of tracks you'd expect; however, that really is just the start of the evening. At 10pm, Spare Time DJs take over to bust out some early tunes and breaks, with Gnash Johnson hitting the decks from midnight for some post-'90s bangers. Yep, you'll be getting down indeed.
It's a weighty topic, and one that's unavoidable in our daily lives, even if we're not always actively thinking about it. What impact has humanity had upon the earth? How has our relationship with the world around us changed? And, as we consume more and more natural resources, is the planet still plentiful? They're the questions at the heart of Brisbane Powerhouse's latest exhibition, Plenty, which takes over the venue's walls from September 27 to October 23. Peruse your eyes over pieces influenced by ecological crisis, as created by prominent and emerging Australian artists. Curated by Griffith Uni's Associate Professor Marian Drew, Plenty forms part of RONA16: the Rights of Nature Australia National Arts Fiesta. The country-wide event contemplates the connection between people and nature via a host of different creative activities — including a showcase of art crafted by school kids from natural objects, called Home, at Nundah's Neighbourhood Centre from October 7 to 9.
Some films are long, slow and serious. Others are brief, quick and fun. There's a place for the former, of course; however Radical Reels champions the latter category, combining the most action-packed mountain movies it can find into a compilation of high-octane shorts. Radical Reels is the adrenaline-loving little brother of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, the most prestigious international film competition and annual presentation of short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports, and environment. From the most recent festival's 300-strong submissions, a subset of daring displays have been singled out for their own showcase. Over a three-hour session, nine shorts approach the very edge of action sports and natural highs: the wild rides, long lines, steep jumps, and skilful stunts, as well as the rugged playgrounds thrill-seekers explore on their mountain bikes, paddles, ropes, skis, snowboards and wingsuits. Expect the world's best extreme athletes getting fast and furious when the Radical Reels Tour 2016 stops in at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
On January 11, Australian time, music lovers heard the news of David Bowie's passing — and, oh boy, did the grief come thick and fast. The chameleonic performer also known as Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke and Aladdin Sane was an icon for many, many reasons. And while the world will miss his inimitable presence, we'll always have his immense catalogue of tunes. It's that rich musical legacy that David Bowie: Nothing Has Changed celebrates, with iOTA, Steve Kilbey, Deborah Conway, Adalita and Tex Perkins joining forces with the QSO for an evening to remember. Hear the group of singer-songwriters pay tribute to a legend by belting out his hits backed by a full symphony orchestra. Let's dance, indeed. Given that the show takes its name from Bowie's 2014 compilation album, it really will be a best-of package, ranging from turning and facing the strange with 'Changes', pondering whether there's 'Life on Mars', and singing along to 'Under Pressure' while screaming "let me out". You'll tap your toes, shed tears and enjoy stellar renditions of his standout tracks — and, afterwards, there'll probably be dancing in the street.
Did you wear out many VHS tapes re-watching your favourite movies as a kid? Don't worry, you're not alone. There's a type of fanatical viewing that comes with childhood, as we immerse ourselves again and again in the stories that we love most. For Owen Suskind, however, this rite-of-passage ran even deeper. Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Owen threw himself into Disney flicks. For him, they weren't just entertainment. They were a way of learning how to process the world. That's the real world narrative that Life, Animated explores — and the heart-warming details are worthy of an animated musical. When the documentary begins, Owen is 23 and getting ready to leave home, an achievement that family members credit to his singular obsession. As he grew up, titles such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Peter Pan helped him understand those around him, giving him the tools he needed to forge a life of his own. Taking his cues from the best-selling book by Owen's father Ron, Oscar-winning director Roger Ross Williams (short documentary Music by Prudence) recounts this moving story, combining home video with new footage in order to chronicle both Owen's childhood and his big move into his own assisted-living apartment. As the film unfolds, Ron and his wife Cornelia step through their two-decade journey, while Owen offers his own thoughts on his favourite films and the role they played in his coming-of-age. Unfortunately, while there's plenty of emotion to be felt here, Williams doesn't trust the audience to feel it on their own. His filmmaking tactics are as heavy-handed as they are steeped in easy emotion, and as repetitive as Owen's own viewing habits. Not only that, but by including countless moments from the movies that Owen loves, Williams trades far too heavily on viewer nostalgia, rather than actually focusing on the true tale he's meant to be telling. As a result, Life, Animated also struggles with tone, wavering between compassionate and self-congratulatory. Interestingly, the documentary's most effective sections aren't the interviews or Disney clips, but animated recreations of the Suskinds' lives provided by artist Mac Guff. These moments convey the underlying sentiment with much more subtlety than you'll find elsewhere. A cautious comment by Owen's older brother Walter, worried about someday having to take responsibility for his sibling's care, also stands out. As magical as Mickey Mouse's output may be, reality still leaves a stronger impression.
Before we were all capturing selfies on our phones and uploading them to Instagram seconds later, posing for a photo was a serious affair. Given that getting your portrait taken involved a trip to a photographer's studio, that's understandable. Still, when commercial outfits popped up in Brisbane in the 1850s, plenty of folks were eager to get their picture snapped. It seems some things really don't change. Sit. Pose. Snap. Brisbane Portrait Photography 1850 – 1950 steps through the images that resulted, drawing from an extensive private collection of portrait photography and featuring hundreds of Brissie folks in original photos from the period. So, how did snaps differ then? What changed over the course of a century? How were portraits displayed? What types of milestones and occasions did they chronicle? And did anyone pull duck face? From March 24 to July 30, the Museum of Brisbane has the answers.
One Saturday morning, a ragtag group of high schoolers were forced to attend an early morning weekend detention session. Chaos, contemplation and connection ensued. That's The Breakfast Club, the excellent '80s film — but that's not Wandering Cooks' version of The Breakfast Club. Instead, expect food glorious food. From 8am on March 19, Indie Treats and Nutsy Mylk will come together to serve up healthy and delicious fare, with brekkie cranked out right through until 1pm for those that get up later in the morning. That's how you start your Sunday with a whole lot of yum. Oh, yes it is. Almond, cashew and walnut mylks, porridge, granola, cookies: the list goes on, but keep an eye on the Wandering Cooks website for the exact menu. And in even better news, this is a regular event. Keep an eye out for future dates while you're at it.
Brisbanites, it's money and mouth time. If you want to have nice things like Junky Comics, then you have to put the former where the latter is. Offering up an ace selection and hosting awesome events such as their current Buffy-themed art show don't happen without hard work and heaps of support, and while the West End favourite has the first part taken care of, they need some assistance with the second. After the initial Junky fundraiser aimed at helping the shop keep its doors open, the Zine and Indie Comic Symposium are lending a hand to put together another — and, they've hit it out of the park. Or, off the green, to keep with mini-golf terms. At the Junky Comics Mini Golf Benefit Party, you'll put some funds towards Junky and score an afternoon of indoor sporting fun. No prizes for guessing that it all takes place at Holey Moley, so head on down at 11am on March 19. $20 gets you 18 holes, with $10 going to the game and $10 straight to the comic-selling cause. A friendly reminder: here, cash is the only currency that matters.
When it comes to spirits, do you have clear priorities? Is your go-to drink the fruity tipple that has made many a glass of tonic taste great? Can you taste the difference between Tanqueray and Hendricks? If you answered yes to any of the above, then you'd best mark June 10 in your calendar. Because there's a special date for everything, that's when World Gin Day falls this year — and you'd better believe that Dutch Courage Officers' Mess has put together a series of gin-focused masterclasses to celebrate the occasion. That's what you'd expect from a bar that has more than 120 gins on its menu, but they really have outdone themselves this time. Start things off with a history of the beverage in question, enjoy a few food and drink pairings, and work your way up to cocktails. And, for even more fun in-between sessions, lounge around downstairs, listen to all-day soundtrack of live entertainment, win a few prizes and keep wetting your whistle at gin tastings.
Greta Gerwig dances out her angst to David Bowie. Annette Bening learns the difference between Black Flag and Talking Heads. Throw in Elle Fanning reading Judy Blume, and 20th Century Women is filled with fantastic actresses not only interacting with cultural touchstones, but playing characters trying to make sense of their life through art. Inspired by writer-director Mike Mills' own formative years, you could say that that's what he's doing too. A tale of a 15-year-old boy coming of age surrounded by influential females, Mills has called the movie a love letter to the women that raised him. We'll call it a soulful window into three ladies coping with the paths walked, rather than the ones not taken. The year is 1979, the place is Santa Barbara, and that teenage boy in the centre, Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann), doesn't think he needs help growing up — but his single mother Dorothea (Bening) disagrees. Worried about the lack of male guidance in his life, and unable to get him to bond with their handyman lodger (Billy Crudup), she enlists fellow tenant Abbie (Gerwig) and Jamie's best pal Julie (Fanning) to shape the boy's blossoming persona. What follows is less a straightforward narrative and more a series of episodes as several months pass. Jamie embraces his skateboard-riding rebellious side, follows Abbie into punk as she deals with her own maternal issues, and grapples with his crush on the more sexually experienced Julie. This isn't the first movie that the music video director and graphic designer turned feature filmmaker has fashioned from his own experiences. His previous effort, Beginners, won Christopher Plummer an Oscar for a part inspired by Mills' father. 20th Century Women oozes a similar lived-in insight. While the drama depicted mightn't appear to be anything special, his characters and the way they face their situations most definitely are. Mills' Academy Award-nominated screenplay overflows with such authenticity, sensitivity and genuine emotion that it seems like Dorothea, Abbie and company have simply walked out of his memories and onto the screen. Of course, there's another factor at play here: when you want to make a film about remarkable women, you need a remarkable cast. 20th Century Women's lineup is phenomenal — and not just because Gerwig gets another Bowie moment after Frances Ha. She's more assured here than in her work with Noah Baumbach, but still astutely reflects the uncertainty that comes with trying to make your way in the world. But as good as Gerwig, Fanning, Crudup and newcomer Zumann may be, they all stand in the shadow of Bening. Make no mistake: the movie belongs to her as much as it does Mills. That's not to say that 20th Century Women doesn't look and feel every inch like a Mills movie. Switching between narrators, offering up postcard-like summaries of the past, favouring artful montages, and demonstrating an affectionate eye for messy detail, the film couldn't have been made by anybody else. But it also wouldn't work as perfectly with anyone other than Bening. She owns Dorothea's past disappointments, yet ensures she still embraces whatever the future brings — and takes her cues from Mills' mother to the point that she even wears her jewellery. Bening clearly loves her character, as does her director and the entire cast of characters. As, indeed, will you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDa48CnquLU
Sunny Sunday afternoons are made for rolling a few bowls; however, even a crackerjack idea like that can benefit from a few boosts. Throw in some of the city's favourite food trucks, as well as a few great brews and tipples, and you've got yourself the perfect way to see out the weekend. Taking place at Bardon Bowls Club from midday until 3pm on June 4, that's exactly what Food Trucks on the Green is serving up. Hop on the grass to do your sporting best, grab a feed from The Bone Lorry, King of The Wings, Micasa, Pizzantica and Churros & Chocolate, and knock back a few beverages from Green Beacon and Stone & Wood. You'll be so relaxed, you'll completely forget that Monday is just around the corner. And, if you're thinking that it's a great time to love hanging out and eating from food trucks in Brisbane, you're right. The one-off Bardon shindig is the latest event from The Food Truck Collective, who've also just launched a permanent Newstead meals-on-wheels meet-up every Friday night. Image: Digital Designs.
What do Jane Austen, Kate Bush, Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, Olivia Newton-John, Peter Allen and Alan Cumming all have in common? Stars of page, stage and screen, past and present, they're all represented in some shape or form at this year's Queensland Cabaret Festival. Maybe a one-woman show full of promise and promiscuity gets you a-flutter? Perhaps a tribute to 'Wuthering Heights'-era Bush gets you singing? Or, maybe you're keen on watching seven great Brisbane songstresses bat their ol' blue eyes, crooning takes on plenty of other famous talents' output, or Cumming himself treading the boards live and in the flesh? All of the above is on the bill — and, as proves the case with all of the best fests, that means that there's something for everyone on offer. Surfers Paradise housewives, sassy Aussie satire, a showcase of emerging talents and the Modern Māori Quartet are also on the lineup.
Where's the best place to enjoy a mouth-watering chef-made meal and a few glasses of fine wine — other than your own home, if you're lucky? Restaurants are top notch, but if you want the ideal dining and drinking experience, head to the source. That's what The Golden Pig Cooking School's Food, Wine and Jazz Afternoon is all about. Taking care of your hunger, thirst and yearning to unwind, the three-hour June 3 soiree features chef Katrina Ryan whipping up a storm in the kitchen, See Saw Wines winemaker Justin Jarrett offering a taste of his fine tipples, and singer Tenille West setting the mood. As for what you'll be eating, the food menu includes venison osso bucco with streaky bacon, as well as roast Trunkey pork with sour morello cherry sauce. That should be enough to whet your appetite. With the best of Orange's vino flowing, and the $95 ticket price including all of the above, it sounds like quite the relaxing Saturday arvo.
It's an occasion worth breaking out the bubbly for — south-east Queensland's sparkling wine festival is back. All things fizzy and alcoholic are in the spotlight at Effervescence, after all. Indeed, the event's name both nods to its favourite type of beverage and describes the sensation champers-swilling attendees are bound to experience. And yes, we really do mean champagne, as in the sparkling wines specifically from France's Champagne region. In fact, it was a trip to the area that gave champagne enthusiast and educator Amanda Reboul the idea to start the festival. Fellow fizz lovers have two options to get their drink on at Spicers Hidden Vale: walk the Champagne Trail, or hunker down for the weekend-long VIP package. The former offers an at-your-own-pace wander between themed tasting stations, complete with bread, cheese and charcuterie, plus games of boules and other activities. The latter serves up all that, as well as expert masterclasses, lunches, a degustation dinner and a cocktail evening — but only if you have a spare couple of grand to really treat yo'self and then some.
Remember coming home from school with your latest vibrantly coloured artwork, then beaming with pride when your parents stuck it on the fridge for all the world to see? The Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art do the same, just on a larger scale. The exhibition takes a selection of outstanding pieces from senior students from schools across Queensland, then places them on display at GOMA. For the best and brightest teenage artists, their childhood dream has become a reality. They haven't even made it to university yet, and their work is already hanging in the state's premier gallery. For everyone else, it's the chance to sneak a peak at the next generation of creative geniuses, before they go on to even bigger and better things. Who knows — one day, you might even be able to say that you saw the early creations of an art superstar before they made it big. Image: Holly Gibson / St Hilda's School (Southport) Veil 2016 / Photograph / © The artist.
Feel like treating yo'self this long weekend? Of course you do. How about a trip to the Gold Coast for an afternoon of basking in the sunshine and sipping delicious beverages that'll keep you buzzing well into the evening? That's what's on offer at Sunset Affair Gold Coast — aka the annual event's return trip to the QT Hotel's Stingray Lounge after a successful kickoff in 2016. Wear your best summery cocktail outfit and prepare to make a day of devouring delicious drinks and canapés. Live acoustic music will help get you in the mood, food stands will keep your stomach satisfied, and everyone from animal handlers to magicians to champagne pourers on stilts will make the occasion one to remember.
There's a reason that Mavis! has an exclamation mark in its title. The film doesn't only chronicle the life and music of Mavis Staples, but celebrates everything that has made the rhythm-and-blues/gospel singer and civil rights activist a star. It can't hide its enthusiasm, nor does it try to, but that's okay. While they're watching, audiences probably won't be able to contain their adoration either. Set to an obvious soundtrack of songs such as "I'll Take You There", " Respect Yourself" and "Let's Do It Again", Mavis! is just that kind of biographical documentary: affectionate about a thoroughly deserving figure, and informative about her rich history. The latter informs the former, of course, with every chapter of her past — from her humble beginnings singing in family band The Staple Singers and their rise to the top of the charts, to the intertwining of the group's hits with the civil rights movement and their relationship with Martin Luther King — painting a portrait of an artist who has earned the right to be considered an icon. The movie also benefits from the considerable and eager involvement of Staples herself, aged 75 at the time of filming, who never proves anything less than a candid and engaging interviewee. She starts the documentary showing off her vocal prowess with her friends and colleagues before a gig, then offers a few pearls of wisdom about her longevity — the combination of her voice and views setting the template for the content to come. As she explains, "I'll stop singing when I have nothing left to say — and that ain't going to happen." Her talent is big; her passion is bigger. Both are on display not just in her many chats to camera, but in clips and performance footage — snippets of Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz among them — spanning the length of her 60-year career. Both also encourage many an entertaining discussion with a parade of famous faces, such as Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Chuck D and Sharon Jones. Their awe is infectious; indeed, if writer-director Jessica Edwards was searching for a high-profile posse to mirror her own evident fondness for Staples, she definitely found one. Movies that double as exercises in hero worship often outstay their welcome; however, at a brief but busy 80-minutes, such a fate doesn't befall Mavis! The adoring tone doesn't only cater to existing fans either, with the film working equally as well as a primer for newcomers as it does as a refresher for devotees. That's a rare achievement for a documentary love letter, but then again its subject is anything but typical. Among her many career highlights, Staples made two albums with Prince, after all. Inspiring and enlivening an emotionally vibrant doco is just the latest in her long line of achievements.
In 2014, when high-altitude filmmaker and veteran climber Jennifer Peedom trekked to Everest, she was determined to shed light on the peak's under-sung heroes. The year prior, conflict had rocked the towering landmass, courtesy of a tussle between European hikers and the Sherpas the industry so heavily relies upon. Media coverage brought the battle to international attention, but Peedom wanted to delve deeper. Then disaster struck, forever changing the course of her film. In Sherpa, the perilous work carried out by the titular figures is tinted with the tragedy of April 18, when a 14-million-ton block of ice crashed down onto the climbing route, killing 16 of their number. The documentary that results simply has to be seen to be believed, with stunning mountaintop cinematography combining with an empathetic look at the real costs of Nepal's lucrative drawcard. After wowing audiences at film festivals around the world, the doco reaches Aussie cinemas on March 31 — however Kathmandu and Intrepid Travel are offering viewers a chance to get an early glimpse of this epic feature. All funds raised will go to the Australian Himalayan Foundation and Intrepid’s Namaste Nepal Appeal to help rebuild the country’s economy, infrastructure and tourism industry. Yes, this is a screening with a difference for a whole host of reasons.
It's not every day that one of Australia's most renowned contemporary dance troupes joins forces with some of China's most talented performers. Black – A Triple Bill marks the coming together of Expressions Dance Company and Guangdong Modern Dance Company in what's far from an ordinary show. In fact, as the name suggests, it's actually three exquisite dance pieces in one. In Sumeru, GMDC choreographer Liu Qi transports audiences to the titular mountain, all in search of a mustard seed. Then, in Don't, Expressions' artistic director Natalie Weir examines the impact of words in an expressive work that has never been seen before in Brisbane. Finally, there's Black, aka the main attraction. Here, dancers from both companies explore the mysterious colour in all its guises. Mesmerising movement is just part of the piece, with the performers using materials and textures seen in their lives to create a dream-like collage. How else do you capture the darkness of night, the shade we see when we close our eyes, and the hue associated with infinity, after all? Image: Lin Xiaoyi.
When is sitting and drinking tea more than just one of life's simple pleasures? When it's also art. Dhana Merritt's interactive piece asks you, the viewer, to enjoy a hot cuppa and participate as you see fit. Reading, chatting and just kicking back and relaxing are all encouraged. While you're doing all of the above, you're also invited to contemplate your particular contribution to the artwork. Here, you're not just thinking about someone else's creative efforts, but also contemplating the fact that you're a part of it. Of course, that’s not all there is to DM teahouse, with Merritt using the shared act of pausing to consume a heated beverage to delve into relational aesthetics and experience theories. Given that she's also interested in medicinal plants and communal art activities — as befitting her current university studies in naturopathy, as well has her degree in visual art — that all seems rather appropriate.
When it comes to truly fine furniture, it's the little things that matter: the small details, refined designs, highest quality materials and best possible craftsmanship. Pieces made with such ideals in mind become more than just tables, chairs and lamps — they become works of art. That's what Brisbane-based studio Nooko & Co believe, and Artisan too. The latter has chosen the former for their latest exhibition, highlighting homewares and other household objects that aren't just functional; they're beautiful. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Nooko & Co's partners, Rhys Thomas and Kristie Lahey, draw upon their backgrounds in mechanical design, marketing and the creative industries to guide their striking creations. They're interested in multiple manufacturing processes, using different materials, and working out how they can be balanced in composition and paired together. Once you see the results of their work — and the useful, aesthetically pleasing products they come up with — you'll be interested as well.
When that slice of inner-city, riverside delights known as Teneriffe was officially named a suburb back in 2010, locals threw a party to celebrate. Six years on and the shindig is still going strong. You know it as the Teneriffe Festival. For its 2015 outing, the event has compiled a wide-ranging lineup. For the first time, it welcomes the Brisbane Cheese Market to the fold, for example. Tasty coagulated cow, goat and sheep secretions are only the beginning, of course. Elsewhere, the Tastes of Teneriffe showcases the area's bars and restaurants, for those after more sustenance than dairy products can give. Then, work off all that food by walking around 100 bespoke market stalls, or sit down and digest on a Magical Mystery History Tour. In between, check out the packed program of performers, including 32 acts and more than 100 musicians. Everything from theatrical crooning to acoustic post-punk gets its moment, thanks to the likes of Cheap Fakes, DJs Matt Lapish and Cliftonia, and the raw talent at the busking stage.
While the word ‘rainforest’ conjures pretty postcard images of lofty trees, misty ferns and dappled, sunlit pools, the forest floor is a much darker, messier tangle of detritus and decay. On the surface, renowned Brisbane/Sydney artist Grant Stevens’ latest solo exhibition is an exploration of that space beneath the canopy — however, this is no nature documentary. The rainforest is merely a catalyst for a much deeper question: what troubles lie in the undergrowth of the human psyche? In Dark Mess, Stevens combines video, sound, photography and installation to engage multiple senses in a somewhat unsettling self-examination. Just as the lightness and beauty of a rainforest canopy disguises the murkier depths below, the constant strive for happiness and self-improvement can hide our own darker, messier selves. Dark Mess opens at Boxcopy on July 25, with the exhibition continuing to August 29. Image: Grant Stevens, 'Dark Mess', 2015, production image, courtesy the artist and Gallery Barry Keldoulis, Sydney.
What if a bomb had taken out Adolf Hitler in 1939? That's the question that haunts Georg Elser (Christian Friedel) after his assassination attempt fails due to timing. He hatched a plot, built explosives and set a timer, but it all went off too late. As the English-language name of the film that unfolds his story foreshadows, just under a quarter of an hour proved the difference between the past everyone knows and a World War II-free alternate timeline. In telling his tale, those titular 13 minutes are influential; however this measured, methodical feature is more concerned with the state of affairs that led Elser to such drastic deeds, instead of a well-worn account of what happened next. How did a mild-mannered pacifist and seemingly ordinary German citizen become the would-be killer of the 20th century's most despised figure? What injustices did he witness? What paved his path towards trying to save his country through a potentially revolutionary act of violence? Again, many of the broad strokes of life at the time are known, but 13 Minutes filters a familiar situation through one man's experience. After the blast, Elser is detained, interrogated and tortured by the Gestapo, his brutal treatment intercut with his preceding years. First, he's a carefree musician; then, he's a carpenter trying to save his family farm; next, he's fooling around with a married woman (Katharina Schuttler). Around him, society and sentiment changes under the Nazi party's influence. Best known as the director of Downfall, the Hitler film that launched a thousand memes, Oliver Hirschbiegel has explored this chapter of history before. That he does so again in meticulous detail isn't surprising, nor are the handsome images he works with. Though his last feature — the abysmal Diana — might indicate otherwise, the filmmaker shows an assured hand with conflict-riddled, based-on-real-life material. Indeed, 13 Minutes looks, sounds and feels the part. Yet it's never anything more than interesting, rather than gripping. Workmanlike best describes Hirschbiegel's effort, hitting all the right notes but playing a standard tune rather than a truly affecting melody. Given the rollercoaster ride his last decade of filmmaking has provided, perhaps he's just happy to play it safe. To the director, splitting the difference between the intense heights of his biggest hit and the considerable lows of his most recent biopic probably doesn't seem like such a bad outcome. Thankfully, the committed, charming Friedel is marching to his own beat, his performance as impassioned as the rest of the movie is restrained. That the film around him is just competently going through the motions of an important story doesn't seem to sway his complex portrayal. Of course, shining a bigger spotlight on a figure barely remembered in the official record, let alone seen in cinema (with a 1989 film called Seven Minutes Elser's only other big screen depiction), is a feat worth applauding regardless of the muted end result. And that's what lingers in 13 Minutes: the true tale surrounding the greatest act of WWII heroism that never was.
Creative Brisbanites and wannabe artistic types, prepare to meet your new home away from home. Work-Shop has made Brisbane their latest permanent stop, and they want to teach you all the cool things you wish you knew — and about making Polish paper chandeliers, the basics of hand lettering and the Japanese art of flower arranging, as well. To celebrate the arrival of the community class collective, they're doing what all fresh faces should: throwing a party. This isn't just their own welcome to the neighbourhood, or the opening of their first foray into Queensland, but a taster of all the great things to come. Think workshop demos, a mini makers market and karaoke — aka more fun than official launches probably should be. And if all the excitement isn't inspiration enough, Stone & Wood, Sailor Jerry and Cake Wines will be providing social lubricant. Now that's how you make a good first impression.
If you're looking for the shindig to end all shindigs this weekend, don't just head to the Valley — hop aboard the Hogwarts Express. Or pretend to, complete with all the Harry Potter costumes such a journey needs. Yes, the Brightside is once again celebrating a certain boy wizard, his wondrous world, and the books and films that defined many a childhood. Of course, Brighty Goes to Hogwarts 2 is a grown-up affair, complete with master potion makers behind the bar brewing up some very special batches of delicious concoctions. If cocktails aren't your thing, prepare for a chamber of buckets of beer. Apart from drinking and dressing up — which everyone does, so consider yourself warned — there's plenty of other potty party fun to be had. Get a free spray-on lightning bolt tattoo, find out whether the sorting hat thinks you're a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff, test your trivia wizardry and just generally groove the night away. It really does sound like magic, doesn't it?
If one artist could be credited with creating a soundtrack for slipping between the sheets, it's Marvin Gaye. When the Motown artist wasn't encouraging listeners to get it on, he was relating his feelings and his need for sexual healing, or crooning other sweet and soulful odes. His music — including the likes of 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine', 'Ain’t No Mountain High Enough' and 'What’s Going On' — provided the soundtrack to romance in the '60s, '70s and '80s, and to politics, too. Indeed, his songs only tell part of his story. More than just a famous musician, Gaye seethed with social commentary and activism, and suffered from family troubles. It's a complex, compelling tale worth telling, complete with the tracks designed to do so, which is what Vika Bull and Andrew De Silva are going to do. Australia’s first lady of soul joins forces with the 2012 winner of Australia’s Got Talent to celebrate an artist and icon like no other. To paraphase Gaye himself, it takes two to make a music dream come true.
There’s no greater game than that of fame — and chances are that if you’re reading this, you’re just a commoner like the rest of us. Though, there’s one way for a person to deflect the label of ‘lay’ and that’s having your very own brush with a celebrity. Maybe you saw a tumbleweed that looked like Donald Trumps toupee? Or you saw Russell Crowe at a Rabbitoh’s game? Either way, it’s exciting stuff, and the perfect material for Yarn’s latest storytelling night. At Black Bear Lodge this Wednesday, six storytellers will share their most interesting tales of fame. Some will be beautiful, others grotesque, and if all pans out as expected there will be a stalker story in the mix. The night kicks off at 7pm, and like all Yarn Storytelling evenings, entry is free. Rumour is every a-list star is going to be there.
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 six 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 fuss-free cooking to decadent high teas, featuring celebrity chefs such as Matt Preston, Kate Gibbs, Lola Berry and Adam Liaw? 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.
Every month, the fine folks at the Brightside show their affection for a film that everyone knows and loves — and in July, we're not worthy of their pick. Well, unless you don a trucker cap and a flanno, and headbang along to 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in a car filled with your mates, that is. Yes, Brighty is going Wayne's World, and declaring the '90s music comedy the Baberham Lincoln of Saturday Night Live spin-offs. Both the original film and its 1993 sequel will be screening on their beer garden projector, but the night doesn't stop there. Because Wayne and Garth are all about classic rock tunes, Wherewolves, Zefereli and Bonerstorm will be serving up more than a few, as will the Brightside's resident DJs. As always, themed drinks specials and a prize for the best outfit are all part of the fun — and we recommend denim and leather for the latter. Party on, Brisbane.
For those of us who don't remember what photography looked like before the selfie, the Queensland Art Gallery is giving us a reminder in the most beautiful of ways. A touring exhibition of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, The Photograph and Australia turns the camera lens back onto itself to explore how photography, as a medium, has shaped and influenced the identity of Australia. It's the biggest exhibition of Australian photography seen in 25 years, showcasing more than 400 photos taken by more than 120 artists around the country and dating back to the 1840s. Work by big wigs Morton Allport, Richard Daintree and Olive Cotton (just to name a few) will sit side by side with the photos of lesser known artists as well as cool pieces of photographic history such as domestic albums and some of Australia's earliest X-rays. From daguerreotypes to digital, this exhibition explores the evolution of photography and the development of a nation with a beautiful collection that celebrates them both. It's like the picture book of Australian history we never saw.
Ever driven across the Story Bridge and thought, "Wouldn't it be great to go to a market here?" We know, that might not have crossed your mind exactly. But it must've popped into the heads of the folks behind Hamilton's Eat Street Markets, because that's exactly what they're about to do. On July 5, the Brisbane landmark will be doing more than just linking Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley. In fact, cars will have to find an alternate route across the river, because a food market is taking over the entire bridge. Around 50 vendors have been invited to sell their delicious, delicious wares, so there'll be plenty of tasty treats on offer. A whopping 20,000 people are allowed on the bridge at a time, which sounds like a lot — but what Brisbanite would miss out on checking out this historic, ultra-novelty event? Indeed, given that everyone in Brisbane has already seen the bridge covered in fireworks many, many times, there's probably no better way to celebrate the 75th birthday of the heritage-listed icon. The bridge officially opened for business back on July 6, 1940 after five years of construction, and now sees an average of 97,000 cars zoom across it each day. While gathering for a bite to eat on the bridge might be something new, spending money there isn't. It was originally a toll road, with charges removed in 1947. Since 2005, people have been paying to scale its heights as part of the Story Bridge Adventure Climb experience. Now, for one night only, you can snack, browse and devour delicious local food with the best view in town. Brisbane's Story Bridge will closed to traffic for the food market for one day on July 5.
Wouldn't it be nice to see a music biopic that does its subject justice? One that understands that telling the tale of a rock or pop star requires something other than splashing songs over scenes of arguing? Focusing on conflict is what most movies end up doing, but they don't always elicit much interest. While Love & Mercy does plenty that toes the genre line, thankfully it's more interested in the man behind the band than the usual unhappy group shenanigans. That man is Brian Wilson, and his band is the Beach Boys, the '60s and '70s surfer-themed act turned '80s collaborators with John Stamos. There's much, much more to them than that, of course, and to Wilson. Many consider his innovation, experimentation and harmonies, as evidenced on the widely acclaimed 1966 record Pet Sounds, as markers of musical genius. At first glance, his story reads like a typical before and after snapshot of fame and stardom, including the obligatory drug benders and erratic behaviour, as well as the later fading out of the scene. What simmers beneath the early parties and the eventual burnout is the extent of his musical abilities and its interplay with his fragile mental state. In fact, Love & Mercy makes his mindset the main attraction, rather than the career highs or lows. The film cobbles together a portrait of Wilson from two points in his life, and they comprise quite the contrast. Wide-eyed in his twenties (as played by Paul Dano), he retreats from touring to invest his talents not just in new songs, but in creating the greatest album ever made. Over-medicated in his forties (now in the guise of John Cusack), he tries to rebuild a sense of normality with the help of a new girlfriend (Elizabeth Banks) and his psychologist (Paul Giamatti), the former offering a more nurturing relationship than the latter. You need not be a Beach Boys fan to become invested in his plight, nor fond of Wilson's songs to enjoy an engaging ride through his history. For aficionados and the uninitiated alike, filmmaker Bill Pohlad makes Love & Mercy a personal tale first and foremost. Yes, the movie uses the expected soundtrack, but only when the music suits the on-screen events depicted. Singles such as the iconic 'God Only Knows' take on an entirely new meaning when they're given context by Wilson's troubles and moods. The film also attempts to match its style to its subject, collages combining the two time periods, and mimicking the ups and downs of Wilson's energy. It's a smart, immersive and entertaining move from a director who last made a movie way back in 1990 and is actually better known as a producer of Brokeback Mountain, Into the Wild, The Tree of Life and 12 Years a Slave. His choice of leads similarly proves savvy and well suited, and while Dano and Cusack look nothing alike, they do perfect the one thing that could've made or broken the entire feature. That'd be the vibe of a singer and songwriter who attempted first to thrive, and then to survive, the roller-coaster that is the music industry. Wilson's vibrations aren't always good, befitting the ebb and flow of his reality — but as sensitively transferred to the screen, they do inspire more than enough excitations.
If you're planning on spending this gig mildly toe-tapping, you might want to wait in the car. Sydney's long-labouring beatsmiths Hermitude are back with a brand new album already sitting pretty on winter playlists Australia-wide — and a national tour ready to bust a few hard-dancing ligaments. Start stretching y'all. Hermitude's new album Dark Night Sweet Light takes the lads' unmistakeable blend of heartfelt hip hop, majestic build-ups and big bass drops to a new level; standing firm on a #1 ARIA chart spot and one hell of a rapidly expanding fan base. Luke Dubber (Luke Dubs) and Angus Stuart (El Gusto) have plenty to celebrate on this national tour. After nabbing the Australian Music Prize in 2012 for their straight-up killer album HyperParadise, they're riding a sweet wave of toastworthy accolades surrounding their new album Dark Night Sweet Light. The LP debuted at #1 on the ARIA chart (a first for Hermitude's label Elefant Traks) and has been featured as album of the week on FBi and triple j, alongside serious airplay for lead single 'The Buzz'. So it goes without saying, you're going to have to get in quick for a ticket to this show. The lads have come a long way from their early days of performing entire shows dressed as neanderthals with their decks covered in vines (actual thing), but the bombastic energy and unpredictable live instrumentation of Hermitude's live shows remains an unmissable combination for longtime fans and newcomers like. Do yourself a favour and don't read the tweets the next day, get to this show. Supported by Basenji + Jayteehazard.
If you're setting off on a day-long walk through the Atlas Mountains, who better than Viggo Mortensen to act as your guide? That certainly proves true in Far From Men, first in a story that sees an accused murderer trek towards an execution, and then in a film that goes on an existential wander towards the true meaning of courage and honour. With plenty of empathy lurking beneath his penetrating gaze and no-nonsense attitude, Mortensen is the ideal candidate for both journeys. His rural schoolteacher, Daru, displays the kind of patience that clearly stems from a complex past — and the type of fortitude that will serve him well for any future troubles. At the beginning of the Algerian struggle for independence from the French in 1954, he finds the latter when a lawman deposits Mohammed (Reda Kateb) into his care, asking Daru to escort him to court to face the consequences of his actions. First, Daru refuses, not wanting to be complicit in the fate everyone knows awaits. When Mohammed won't leave on his own, he reluctantly agrees to the deed, leading his charge over rocky terrain and through opposing troupes of fighters. Based on Albert Camus' The Guest, Far From Men might turn a short story into a stately adventure of sorts, assembling an episodic series of encounters as it does; however this always thoughtful, often tense film never shies away from the complicated emotions at the heart of what becomes a North Africa-set western. Indeed, it's in expressing the stoic sympathy of the feature that Mortensen demonstrates his worth, proving perfectly suited to playing a tough guy with a softer centre. Of all the roles the actor has taken since The Lord of the Rings trilogy in an attempt to steer clear of mainstream movies, this might just be his most subtle and stirring — and his finest. Making only his second feature, writer/director David Oelhoffen doesn't just rely upon his star to sell his feature, as great a feat of casting as the filmmaker has pulled off. The slow-building interplay between Mortensen and the equally excellent Kateb is never less than captivating, as is the camaraderie these two strangers eventually cultivate. But the visuals that surround them are even more so. Lingering looks at furrowed faces and steely stares abound, as do long shots of the stark, dusty, scrubby plains. Each provides their own style of landscape — as marked by their own worries — that the eyes of the audience feel compelled to explore. Oelhoffen matches such striking images with a similarly sparse yet rousing score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, ensuring Far From Men haunts in its soundscape as much as it does in its performances and cinematography. As a result, when it comes to intelligent updates of the western that contemplate the stark realities of conflict in intimate detail, this delivers the full package — along with the best actor to lead you through it.
If you consider yourself a Beatles fan, you probably rank Rubber Soul and Revolver — their sixth and seventh albums, originally released in 1965 and 1966 respectively — among your favourite records. You're in good company, it seems. Four of Australian’s brightest musical talents share the same fondness, and have channelled their love into a tribute show. Don't expect a pub-quality covers-band-style gig though, or any other type of gimmickry either. Instead, Marlon Williams, Husky Gawenda of Husky, Jordie Lane, and Fergus Linacre of Kingswood will join forces with 13 other musicians to simply belt out their best renditions of these iconic tunes. All 28 songs from both albums get a look in, and in track order, too. That means the evening starts with Rubber Soul's 'Drive My Car' and closes with Revolver's 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. Plus, it will probably feature a 'Yellow Submarine' singalong about two-thirds of the way through. You know you want it to.
Throw those GoPros, bubble bottles and novelty gumboots in your rucksack, Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands for another year of festival merriment. With the epic likes of Blur, Mark Ronson, Florence and The Machine, Death Cab For Cutie, The Wombats, Tame Impala and Of Monsters And Men, Pond, Royal Blood and the Dandy Warhols on the bill, 2015's fest has one heck of a huge lineup. Odd Future's Earl Sweatshirt is back, Australia's own dancefloor kings Flight Facilities are landing back home, Azealia Banks makes her Australian festival return and Spiritualised will play their only Australian show. Ryan Adams is comin' on over, Best Coast is bringing the beachery back to Splendour, while recent Coachella-smash Jenny Lewis is another of the bigwigs we can all get squealy about. SXSW buzz artists like Gengahr and Elliphant are coming, UK producer Shlomo will take things down a notch (and King Khan will do exactly the opposite), while Canadian duo Purity Ring should be one packed-out, all-the-emotions must-see. Australian artists really dominate the lineup this year, including Client Liaison, Elizabeth Rose, Hayden James, Megan Washington, Thundamentals, Meg Mac, Japanese Wallpaper, Dune Rats and more. Plus, there's going to be four stages this year, with the new Tiny Dancer stage joining the Amphitheatre, Mix Up, GW McLennan stages to host Splendour's DJ lineup. Splendour will return to North Byron Parklands on Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July. Onsite camping is once again available from Wednesday 22 July. Splendour In The Grass 2015 lineup Blur Florence + The Machine Mark Ronson Of Monsters & Men The Wombats Tame Impala Peking Duk Ryan Adams Flight Facilities Royal Blood (only Aus show) Death Cab For Cutie Earl Sweatshirt Boy & Bear Porter Robinson (Live) The Dandy Warhols (only Aus show) Xavier Rudd & The United Nations Azealia Banks The Rubens Jamie T Pond Spiritualized (only Aus show) Alison Wonderland Thundamentals Best Coast Everything Everything San Cisco MS MR Jarryd James Purity Ring Allday Carmada The Grates The Smith Street Band Tkay Maidza Johnny Marr Last Dinosaurs Megan Washington The Vaccines #1 Dads The Church Kitty, Daisy & Lewis The King Khan & The BBQ Show Alpine Catfish and the Bottlemen Paul Mac Dustin Tebbutt MØ Years & Years Jenny Lewis C.W. Stoneking Seekae George Maple Elliphant Client Liaison Palma Violets SAFIA Hayden James Dune Rats Wolf Alice Meg Mac Cosmo's Midnight Marmozets Oh Mercy Mansionair The Districts Shlohmo Elizabeth Rose The Delta Riggs Circa Waves Nancy Whang Eves The Behaviour Urban Cone Art of Sleeping Japanese Wallpaper Gengahr Bad//Dreems Ecca Vandal Holy Holy Vallis Alps UV Boi The Babe Rainbow Harts Generik Young Franco Mickey Kojak GL Benson Harvey Sutherland Total Giovanni DJs Dugong Jr I'lls Akouo Noise In My Head triple j Unearthed Winners Plus ... Joyride Post Percy Ara Koufax CC:Disco! Adi Toohey Set Mo Edd Fisher Mike Who Shantan Wantan Ichiban For more info, check out the official Splendour In The Grass site.
Everyone loves a comedy festival, but sometimes being so spoiled for comic choice isn't just amusing — it's overwhelming. That's where comedy festival showcases come in. They add laughs to the lulls between annual fests, plus they offer a bite-sized sample of the up-and-coming comedians you might not have seen live yet. The Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase certainly promises both, serving up the brightest and most buzz-worthy performers from the 2015 event. If it's highlights of hilarity you're after — from international and local funny folks alike — then this is the place to get it. LA Comedy Awards' comedian of the year Al Del Bene tops a packed bill, as corralled by Ray Badran doing MC duties. They're joined by Nikki Britton, Corey White, Jacques Barrett, Michael Workman and Jared Jekyll, aka the nation's next big comedy names in waiting. Check them out now, and then put their solo shows on your must-see list for the 2016 festival circuit.
