In the words of the great man himself, let's dance in Fortitude Valley on January 21. Bowie fans — aka Brisbane's real cool cats — will want to flock to the latest tribute evening dedicated to the man that music, and the world in general, won't ever forget. Modern Love: A David Bowie Celebration is exactly what it sounds like, and it'll make you party. Whether you want to dress up as your favourite version of the all-round icon (we love the early '80s stylings from the song that gives the shindig its name ourselves), or just enjoy his tunes, head to Bistrotheque for a night of adoration and admiration with your fellow Ziggy Stardust, Thin White Duke, Major Tom and Aladdin Sane lovers. There'll be all the tracks you've always dreamed of, with Concrete Surfers and Reckless at Tiffany's rocking some covers (plus a few of their own tracks). Plus, Bistro's resident DJs will be spinning everything else you can think of. With so much of his work to choose from — Bowie made 25 albums over five decades, after all — it's bound to be an emotional ride through the career of a creative genius.
Morningside's Wynnum Road is set to become Brisbane's dessert hybrid haven, thanks to the arrival of Lick! Ice Cream's second store. The frozen sweet treat parlour is setting up shop just a short stroll down from beloved Brissie bakery Flour & Chocolate, meaning that grabbing a cronut or gonut, then chasing it with a doffle (all things), is well and truly on the menu. If you don't know what a doffle is, then you clearly haven't been to Lick!'s original Graceville joint — or you've only had eyes for their ice cream lineup. Available in cinnamon, Nutella, banoffee, peanut butter and jelly, black forest and tropical flavours, its a combination of a doughnut and a waffle. In other words, it's the type of mashup Parks and Recreation and Twin Peaks fans would be proud of. Unsurprisingly, doffles will be quite the feature among the store's decadent selection when it launches at midday on November 22, operating from Wednesday to Sunday, and opening until 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Their menu also includes ice cream sandwiches, their own tiramisu, milkshakes, thickshakes, ice cream spiders and more. Given the folks behind Lick! have been responsible for the Ekka's beloved strawberry sundaes for the past six years, they have more than a little experience in the dessert department. If you'd rather just enjoy a few tasty scoops, don't worry — you'll be more than catered for there as well. Twenty-four different ice cream and sorbet flavours will be on offer, spanning existing hits and limited-edition newcomers. Think choc-chip cookie dough caramel, salted nut brown butter with roasted almond, bubblegum and marshmallow, Redskin, and spiced apple cider, just to name a few. Find Lick! Ice Cream's Morningside at 5/591 Wynnum Road Morningside from November 22. Anyone stopping by on November 25 and 26 will receive a buy-one-get-one-free card for their next visit. Head to their website and Facebook page for further details.
KT Tunsall isn’t your average pop singer. Or country howler. Or even your run-of-the-mill world class performer. Within the last few years, she’s climbed a scale of talent and prestige to become one of the most critically acclaimed song writers and performers on the planet. Once a busker, Tunstall burst on the scene through UK’s Later program when she performed with her guitar in her hands and loophole machine at her side. Since then she’s collaborated with Suzanne Vega, Jools Holland, Daryll Hall, Robyn Hitchcock and Martin and Eliza Carthy. She’s released four albums, and pumped out hits like Invisable Empire, Suddenly I See, and Feel it All, as well as covers of the Jackson 5’s I Want you Back and Dylan’s Tangled up in Blue. Now KT Tunstall is bringing her melodic styling, heartfelt lyrics and howling vocals, to The Zoo. Witness a musical legend in the making.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia so, when The Big Anxiety Festival makes its Brisbane debut in February 2022, it should be well-attended. First staged in Sydney back in 2017, and now taking its first trip north, the mental health and arts festival was created by the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute along with over 25 partners across Greater Sydney, to use art as a means to transform the way people think about and deal with mental health. Given everything that life has thrown our way during the pandemic, that task is as worthy now as ever — although there's never a bad time to focus on mental health. Accordingly, from Wednesday, February 9–Saturday, February 12, the inaugural Brisbane fest will bring together artists, scientists, technologists, thinkers, mental health workers, activists and people with lived experience to explore the field. The main focus: how arts-based experiences can help people work through not just anxiety, but stress and trauma, whether via interactive environments with a big reliance upon technology or thanks to innovative conversation formats. Taking place at QUT Gardens Point Theatre, highlights include Edge of the Present, the world's first virtual reality environment for suicide prevention, which uses visual transformations to help improve mood and hopefulness — and EmbodiMap, another interactive VR tool that tasks users with painting out their feelings, thoughts, and emotions onto a 3D life-sized version of their body in order to confront feelings of anxiety, stress and trauma. [caption id="attachment_837623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edge of the Present, Jessica Maurer.[/caption] Plus, Gold Coast artist and art therapist Daniele Constance will curate Awkward Conversations, which'll enlist artists with lived experience to participate in no-holds-barred discussions. Chatting about the subject will be a big part of two-day festival-within-the-festival The Big Reach, too, with the ticketed event bringing together workshops, conversations and performances, as well as immersive media demonstrations, all thanks to more than 30 artists and presenters. This is the kind of festival where you can take sessions on writing as a form a self-care, use augmented reality as a way to explore trauma in storytelling, and step into a 3D experience based on memories of time spent in the Parramatta Girls Home. Or, you can view virtual reality artworks by Uti Kulintjaku, which is an Aboriginal-led mental health literacy project comprised of Ngangkari (traditional healers) and multi-artform artists from the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara lands in the remote western desert of Central Australia. [caption id="attachment_837622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Uti Kulintjaku[/caption] Responding to the pandemic, and examining what needs to change in the mental health after the last two years, is also a key part of the Brisbane event. "The arts are the best means we have for sharing complex experiences, and are also critical to the future of mental health where 65 percent or more Australians with mental health concerns do not seek help and more than 50 percent of those who suicide have not reached out for help," said The Big Anxiety Founder and University of New South Wales Professor Jill Bennett. "Raising awareness about mental health is not enough — we need new ways of thinking, imagining, feeling and acting and resources that are both practical and inspiring," she continued. The Big Anxiety Festival Brisbane will run from Wednesday, February 9–Saturday, February 12 at QUT Gardens Point Theatre. For more information, head to the festival's website. Top image: Edge of the Present.
Other than Christmas Day's requisite feast, no one likes cooking at the end of the year. If you're not so fond of getting in the kitchen on December 25, that's okay, too. So, as 2020 dwindles to a close, takeaway is firmly on the menu. And if you're keen to both support local eateries and keep an eye on your bank balance, Deliveroo has announced a handy special for the festive season. From Monday, December 21–Sunday, December 27, the delivery service is offering Australians free delivery from a sizeable range of local restaurants. In total across the country, more than 130 eateries and restaurants are on the list — including Gelato Messina, Mary's and Royal Stacks. With Sydney's northern beaches area currently experiencing a COVID-19 cluster — and subject to stay-at-home public health orders from 5pm, Saturday, December 19 until midnight on Wednesday — Deliveroo is also kicking things off early in the region. Free delivery is already available in the area, including from I Love Pizza, BenBry Burgers, Banana Blossom, DeVita: Tastes of Napoli, Chat Thai in Manly and Little L in Mona Vale. To ensure that all of the eateries involved aren't missing out on revenue or left out of pocket, Deliveroo is footing the bill for the free delivery — in terms of the delivery fees, that is. Obviously, you'll still need to pay for whatever you'd like to eat; however, you won't have to fork out more on top to get it brought to your door. If you're in Sydney's northern beaches and you're suddenly hungry, or you're in the rest of the country and you're thinking ahead, orders need to be placed via the Deliveroo app. Deliveroo's free delivery is on offer from Saturday, December 19–Sunday, December 27 in Sydney's northern beaches area — and from Monday, December 21–Sunday, December 27 across the rest of the country — via the Deliveroo app.
It's been nearly four years since Mumford & Sons topped the ARIA charts with its third album, Wilder Mind — and last visited the Antipodes. But, angst-ridden fans, you can now breathe a sigh of relief. The British quartet will release its fourth offering, Delta, on Friday, November 16 and, soon afterwards, will embark on a 60-date worldwide tour. It includes six stops right here in Australia, presented by Secret Sounds. To catch the boys in Brisbane, make sure you're around in January. They'll play the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, January 15 with the support of English soul singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka, whose sophomore album Love & Hate, produced by Danger Mouse, topped the UK charts in 2016. According to Mumford & Sons' lead singer Marcus Mumford, Delta represents a place where "order meets chaos and shelter meets wilderness". Described as the band at its "impassioned and muscular best", the album was two years in the making and recorded at Church Studios in North London with Paul Epworth, whose production credits include Adele, U2 and London Grammar. To get a taste of what to expect, check out the lead single, 'Guiding Light', over here. The Secret Sounds presale, for email subscribers only, will begin at 2pm on Wednesday, October 10 and finish up at 8am on Friday, October 12. General sales are slated to drop an hour later, at 9am on Friday, October 12. For further event details, visit the Secret Sounds website.
It begins with an ad in the classifieds: "Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have only done this once before. Safety not guaranteed." Anyone who's ever seen Craigslist knows that's pretty much par for the course, but for sleazy magazine writer Jeff (Jake M. Johnson), it throws up two irresistible opportunities: an amusing puff piece during an otherwise slow news week, and a chance to hook up with an old flame living in the same town from where it was placed. He selects two interns, the dour Darius (Aubrey Plaza) and studious Arnau (Karan Soni), and together they head off to the beachside community of Ocean View to track down the advert's mysterious author. That man turns out to be Kenneth Calloway (Mark Duplass): an awkward loner and paranoid grocery story clerk who's convinced he's cracked the secret of quantum-mechanical travel. When Jeff's cynicism sees him immediately rejected as a possible partner, it falls to Darius to befriend the man based on her boss's logic that since they're both weird, perhaps they'll get along. And as it turns out, eccentric outsiders do attract just as powerfully as opposites. Darius quickly warms to Kenneth's tender idiosyncrasies, even as questions over his mental stability linger, and by the time the film builds to its inevitable climax in which Kenneth's time machine has its moment of truth, you come to realise you no longer even care if it works. Like 2012's other sci-fi hit Looper, this is a time-travel movie where the time travel is entirely incidental to the storyline and characters. Just as Looper explored the 'what' of the concept (what consequences might time travel bring, intended or otherwise?), Safety Not Guaranteed asks 'why?'. Why would you go back, assuming you could, and why yearn for second chances when new and possibly better opportunities keep showing up right in front of you? Regret, of course, is the answer, and it's what drives each of the film's four principals, from Kenneth's literal time travel to Jeff's symbolic one — seeking out his high school sweetheart in the hope of recapturing faded former glories. It's a film of excellent performances all round, but Plaza offers the standout. Her disillusioned 20-something shtick initially plays like a cut-and-paste job from Parks and Recreation; however, she imbues Darius with an unexpected depth and warmth that utterly enchants. Duplass is also fantastic, making Kenneth feel somehow terribly familiar for a person we've almost certainly never met. Soni and Johnson provide fine supporting performances, and all four characters develop wonderfully over the 85 minutes in a testament to the actors and screenwriter alike. Safety Not Guaranteed is an inspired and heartwarming tale that's almost certainly the surprise indie hit of the year. https://youtube.com/watch?v=73jSnAs7mq8
Everyone has a favourite aspect of the 90s, whether it's the clothes, the music, the movies or the TV shows. Maybe you just can't get enough scrunchies and glitter. Perhaps you loved everything grunge. Maybe you adored A Night at the Roxbury so much that you couldn't stop playing 'What Is Love' on repeat. Or, you could've lived for the weirdest family sitcom that ever graced the small screen, Dinosaurs. While several of those categories will apply to everyone heading to Black Bear Lodge's latest themed shindig, there's no guessing which one gave the retro gathering its name. At the Fortitude Valley venue's A Night at the Roxbury 90s Party, you'll dance, drink, feel mighty nostalgic and bop your head to Haddaway. With tunes selected by Mumgenes, expect more blasts from the past, all from a couple of decades ago. There's plenty of tracks to choose from, after all — it is the era that gave us everything from Eiffel 65's 'Blue', Ace of the Base's 'The Sign' and The Offspring's 'Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)' to Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise', Vanilla Ice's 'Ice Ice Baby' and The Spice Girls 'Wannabe', after all.
In 2017, one filmmaker had viewers around the world swooning. From the moment that Luca Guadagnino's big-screen adaptation of Andre Aciman's Call Me By Your Name premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and then the Berlinale, it wowed audiences, made a star out of Timothée Chalamet and had everyone talking about Armie Hammer's dancing skills. So the news that the acclaimed director is serving up another Italy-set coming-of-age drama is firmly — and understandably — cause for excitement. This time, Guadagnino is doing so on the small screen, courtesy of new HBO mini-series We Are Who We Are. It's set in 2016, and follows two American teenagers living on a US military base with their parents. Jack Dylan Grazer (IT: Chapter Two) stars as 14-year-old Fraser Wilson, a new arrival from New York with his mothers Sarah (Chloë Sevigny, Queen & Slim) and Maggie (Alice Braga, The New Mutants) — while first-timer Jordan Kristine Seamón plays Caitlin Poythress, a veteran of living on the base with her older brother Danny (Spence Moore II, AP Bio), father Richard (Scott Mescudi, aka Bill & Ted Face the Music's Kid Cudi) and mother Jenny (Faith Alabi, Cold Feet). Also featured in this eight-episode tale of friendship, teen angst, first love and finding one's identity are Francesca Scorsese (daughter of iconic filmmaker Martin Scorsese), Ben Taylor, Corey Knight, Tom Mercier (Synonyms) and Sebastiano Pigazzi — with the cast blending well-known names and faces with plenty of newcomers. We Are Who We Are started airing in the US on September 14, but it'll head to Aussie screens via SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand at a yet-to-be-revealed date. If you're in the need of a virtual trip to Northern Italy, as directed by the filmmaker also behind I Am Love, A Bigger Splash and the 2018 Suspiria remake — and co-written by Guadagnino with Paolo Giordano (The Solitude of Prime Numbers) and Francesca Manieri (Daughter of Mine) — then add this to your future must-watch list. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6VAQ6LdnKs&feature=emb_logo We Are Who We Are will screen on SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand at a yet-to-be-revealed date — we'll update you with further details when they come to hand. Top image: Yannis Drakoulidis/HBO.
3D printing: is there anything it can't do? Given that houses, office buildings, custom bikes, portable living pods, cupcakes, pizza, food in general, pot plants, toothbrushes, casts and prosthetic feet for ducks can all be printed these days, it doesn't seem like it. And while piling different flavours of chocolate on top of each other mightn't be the most revolutionary thing the technology has gifted us, it's certainly one of the tastiest. Two Sydney companies, design firm Universal Favourite and sweet treat wizards Bakedown Cakery, have joined forces to create Complements. They're staircase-shaped for the easiest possible stacking, and they come in flavours that give Japan's Kit Kats a run for their money. Fancy shortbread, fairy floss, watermelon, blackcurrent or matcha — or a combo of a couple? Single origin dark, vanilla, cookies and cream, cherry, strawberry, lemon and pistachio pieces are also available. Which ones go best together? Experimenting to find that out is the whole point. Universal and Bakedown said that they wanted "to create something outside the box that could be paired in endless combinations" — which sounds like a great reason to eat more choccies to us. Sadly, the bad news is the modular chocolate creations aren't actually for sale. Sorry. In better news, you can win a box of them from the Complements website — all you have to do is come up with your best new flavour pairing. Get dreaming.
Cinemas in Melbourne have been given the go-ahead to reopen, but that doesn't mean that you need to farewell that groove in your couch — or, if you're located elsewhere in Australia, that you need to miss out on one of the Victorian capital's top film festivals. After its physical event for 2020 fell victim to March's COVID-19 lockdowns, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival is returning with MQFF Interrupted, a largely online fest that's streaming nationally from Thursday, November 19–Monday, November 30. Film buffs around the country can look forward to 17 features and 40 shorts, all telling lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer stories. And it's an impressive lineup — whether you're keen on Aussie teen rom-com Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt), haunting British thriller Make Up, trans drama Lingua Franca, American vampire comedy Bit or Georgian romance And Then We Danced. Melburnians can also attend an in-person event, thanks to a Coburg Drive-In screening of Happiest Season. It stars Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis as Abby and Harper, a couple who head to the latter's parent's place for Christmas dinner — but said folks don't know that Harper is gay, let alone about Abby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxx76RnyVIo&feature=emb_logo
When you're grieving, you're haunted. Not in a literal sense, but you might wish you were. Instead, you're haunted by bittersweet flashes of happier times. Haunted by the spaces you shared with someone who'll never again walk through that door, sit on this couch or share your bed. Haunted by knowing you'll always associate certain places with a person who is gone forever. A Ghost Story only shows this experience directly for a small portion of its running time, but the entire movie whispers it like the sweet nothings the bereaved still yearn to hear. When M's (Rooney Mara) husband C (Casey Affleck) is killed suddenly, she roams around their Texan house, cries and devours a whole pie, and then eventually finds a way to move on. But he does not. Wearing the sheet M placed gingerly over his head when she identified his body, C gets up from his morgue slab, returns to their home, watches her grieve, and then continues to wait long after she has left. A woman mourns and a deceased man lingers. Drawing upon ideas as old as humanity, there's little else to the narrative than that. It's an easy plot gets an obvious gimmick to go with it, with Affleck spending the bulk of the film wearing a costume you probably donned as a kid. Emotionally and intellectually, however, the second collaboration between writer-director David Lowery and the two stars of his debut feature Ain't Them Bodies Saints couldn't be more intricate. Like standing under a sheet to jokingly taunt those around you, physically covering up the anxiety-inducing nature of mortality in the process, sometimes the simplest expressions of complex thoughts and feelings are the most effective. While everything that appears on screen seems straightforward — the bed linen attire, the feature's box-like Academy aspect ratio, the use of hard cuts to jump from one scene to another — watching A Ghost Story isn't the same as experiencing it. The film is as much about what happens inside of the audience as it is about what happens around C himself. As Affleck, who proves a skilled actor even under a sheet, observes new residents come and go, buildings rise and fall, and time swirl around, audiences are reminded of all the places that once meant something to them, and the people to whom those places will be forever tied. The sensation that creeps over you when you drive past your childhood home, revisit your old favourite bar, or walk past a site where something life-changing once happened to you: that's the sensation that A Ghost Story perfects. Ultimately, Lowery understands that it's people, rather than places, to whom ethereal memories cling, and that it's mourning that causes our minds to forever link individuals and experiences with certain spaces. Much, much more than just the human equivalent of a ghost emoji standing in an Instagram snap, A Ghost Story is moody and minimalistic in exactly the right ways, and one of the most astute depictions of grief to reach cinemas in a long time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcYZFmh3sHM
Master sommelier Madeline Triffon describes Pinot Noir as 'sex in a glass', while winemaker Randy Ullom calls it 'the ultimate nirvana'. One of the most challenging grapes in the world of vinification, it's also one of the most surprising and rewarding. No wonder Bottle Shop Concepts — the good folk who bring Game of Rhones our way — are coming back to town with Pinot Palooza, an epic travelling wine festival celebrating all things Pinot Noir. For just one day, Brisbane wine connoisseurs will have the chance to sample more than 100 drops, direct from the Southern Hemisphere's best producers. Think Ata Rangi, Curly Flat, Marlborough's Greywacke, Yabby Lake, Shaw + Smith, Mount Difficulty — and that's just the first few leaves on the vine. Whether you're a newbie who wants to start with something light and inviting, or a Pinot pro ready for the biggest, most complex mouthful on the menu, there'll be an abundance of selections at either end — and plenty along the spectrum, too. You'll even be able to vote for your favourite. If, at any point, you need to take a pause in your tasting adventures, you'll be catered for. There'll be food from Gerard's Bistro, beer from Sydney's Young Henrys, and the epic Burgundy Bar – a kind of Pinot Noir mecca where you'll be able to sample some seriously good (and spenny) bottles at cost price. Expert sommeliers will also be on hand to help you make selections. What's more, those keen to fuel their brains (as well as their tastebuds) can spot $95 for a VIP pass. For that you'll get pre-event access (two hours before those pesky crowds), a food voucher, a tasting at the Burg Bar and a one-on-one with one of the event's sommeliers, who will personally curate your Pinot experience for you. Pinot Palooza will hit Fortitude Valley's Light Space on Sunday, October 16. Tickets are $60, which includes tastings and a take-home Plumm Vintage glass.
Part of Bowen Hills' ever-expanding King Street precinct, Il Verde has become the inner-city area's unofficial home of all things cheesy. Think pasta tossed around in a wheel of parmesan, gooey raclette and the aptly named twice-weekly combination of both: Death by Cheese. And, then there's the Italian joint's signature four-cheese dish, which serves up pasta with melted grana parano, in a cream sauce filled talegio, plus soft montasio and provolone. If just reading about it has your tastebuds salivating, then you'd best sit down: for National Cheese Day, Il Verde are giving away 200 takeaway servings of this cheesy extravaganza for free. Arrive at midday on Monday, June 4 to make all your four-cheese pasta dreams come true without spending a cent — but it you can't make it during the day, then drop by for dinner for something extra special. That's when the restaurant is premiering its new offering, aligot, as part of a quatro formaggi meal for $55. As well as a four-cheese linguine entree, cannoli for dessert and a glass of wine, you'll be among the first in Brisbane to try this combo of melted cheese and mashed potatoes, all blended together, then drizzled over a house-made sausage.
Balance is a collection of new and conceptual pieces by Brisbane artist Andy Harwood. Working in the deep and dynamic world of geometric abstraction, his latest show explores shape, size, position and the properties of space via a series of gritty, eye-brow raising pieces. Harwood has exhibited his work in Australia and abroad, venturing as far as London and Berlin. Indeed, he's had nine solo exhibitions, been a part of over a dozen group shows and co-founded Brisbane art galleries Love Love Studio and S&M Studio. Favouring clean cut lines and the purposefully imperfect use of shape, Harwood's work has become synonymous with famous names such as Duchamp, Kandinsky, Malevish and Rothko. His mathematically determined, colour drenched compositions focus on the relationships of forms and how they interact with one another. Balance will exhibit at The Hold Artspace from the July 15 to 18, with opening night on July 17 at 6pm.
Southeast Queenslanders, 2024's Groovin the Moo isn't your only chance to party to Spice Girl-spun tunes. If seeing Mel C hit the decks in Brisbane is what you want (and what you really, really want), this year's Big Gay Day invites you to say you'll be there. The annual street party held by The Wickham — and the annual excuse to shut down a Fortitude Valley street, too — has announced its lineup, starting with the singer nicknamed Sporty Spice. Just like at Groovin the Moo — which is on the same day as 2024's Big Gay Day, on Sunday, May 5 — Melanie C will do a DJ set. The LGBTQIA+ event's biggest name for this year is a blast from the past in two ways, then, both thanks to instant Spice Girls nostalgia and the fact that she headlined the festival back in 2020 as well. This year, Chisholm will be joined on the Big Gay Day bill by Sneaky Sound System, Tall Paul, Hanna Conda, Briefs Factory, Jarred Baker, Mega Drag and DJ Enn. On hosting duties: Paul Wheeler. Big Gay Day 2024 marks a return to May for the event, which usually takes place over the Labour Day weekend, but moved to October in 2023 "due to scheduling conflicts with neighbouring stakeholders", swapping places with The Wickham's also-annual Little Gay Day. The Wickham's huge queer party is no slouch when it comes to top talent. In 2023, Peter Andre did the honours. And in 2022, it was 'Absolutely Everybody' singer Vanessa Amorosi's turn. The event also spans multiple performance spaces, food trucks, themed pop-up bars and plenty of partying people — and, for the second year in a row, Big Gay Day gets to enjoy The Wickham's $3.1-million revamp, which added a weather-proofed beer garden to the venue. Big Gay Day 2024 Lineup: Melanie C (DJ set) Sneaky Sound System Tall Paul Hanna Conda Briefs Factory Jarred Baker Mega Drag DJ Enn Host: Paul Wheeler Big Gay Day 2024 will take place on Sunday, May 5, 2024 — head to the festival website for tickets and further details.
Spotting strange sights is all part of a trip to the Gold Coast — however, giant sand versions of beloved animated figures and over-sized, inflatable octopuses aren't normally within view. But this month, they are. In fact, they're two of the highlights of the tourist hotspot's latest event: Sand Safari. As the name suggests, the free three-week celebration sings the praises of the one substance (well, other than sun and surf) that the Gold Coast has plenty of. Expect more sand sculptures than you can shake a shovel at, and a different take on street art as well. Those keen on the former will find 22 mini sculptures scattered across the coast — but that's not all. The main drawcard is the 2016 Australian Sand Sculpting Championships, which will take place from February 12 to 14. Over the course of three days, ten talented folk will carve ten tonnes of sand into giant creations. And because everything has to have a theme, they're not just fashioning any old over-sized sand statuettes — they're making granular versions of DreamWorks' beloved animated characters. Other than large amounts of tiny grains, the event also boasts the latest in giant inflatable street art and urban interventions from international artists Filthy Luker & Pedro Estrellas. If you remember the hefty blow-up squid that appeared at Currumbin back in 2014, then you're familiar with their work. Prepare for more massive sea monsters in the Cavill Avenue Mall and at both the Islander and the Soul Hotels. And remember: they don't call their pieces "art attacks" for no reason. Sand Safari runs until February 28, with the 2016 Australian Sand Sculpting Championships taking place from February 12 to 14. For more information, visit the event website. Image: Filthy Luker.
Roller Dance Australia loves pretending that it's still the 90s. Already the hosts of Brisbane's Roller Raves, the organisation is now hosting a Summer 90s Roller Disco. Instead of EDM tunes setting the beat, tracks by TLC, Britney Spears, Salt-N-Pepa and more will provide a soundtrack, all while you put your skates on. Here, you can kick it back three decades on four wheels — and yes, there'll be disco lights to go with the old-school tunes. Fancy a souvenir, other than the memories? A retro photobooth will also be onsite. It's all going down from 6.30–9pm on Saturday, January 18 at PCYC Lang Park / Suncorp Stadium in Milton, with entry costing $20 and pre-booked skate hire on top setting you back another $10. No matter your skating level, or if you just want to dance without strapping on wheels, everyone is welcome. You might also have a few fresh-faced skaters for company, with the event open to ages 12 and over. Images: @youartmore and @soggybreadissad.
Brisbane's riverside Howard Smith Wharves precinct is leaning into Queensland's summer vibes in a big way, all thanks to its Weekends on the Lawn series. Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 4pm, the space is home to outdoor activities aplenty, including live music, lawn games and food. Bring along your mates to enjoy a refreshing beverage — Felons Brewing Co. is right there, after all. There'll also be plenty of food to dig into, too, because lining your stomach is important. Running until 10pm, the lineup changes each day, and so do the live tunes by local acts — Greg Alston, Zoe Everest, Amy Kate and Oscar Richardson are among the names slated to perform before 2019 is out. All that's left is to bring your friends, your kids and your pets, and enjoy that Brissie's sultry weather.
It's been more than 18 months since the world first got a glimpse of Dev Patel going medieval, all thanks to the initial sneak peek at The Green Knight. The action/fantasy-thriller sees him mess with Arthurian legend, swing around a mighty sword and giant axe, and head somewhere completely different after filming two of his last four movies in Australia (Lion and Hotel Mumbai) — and also stepping into a Dickens classic set in Victorian England (The Personal History of David Copperfield). A second trailer for The Green Knight dropped earlier this year, and the movie released in the US in July; however, if you're an Aussie fan of Patel, medieval thrillers or both, you're currently still waiting to see the dark and ominous-looking film. Thankfully, that delay is about to come to an end, with the movie set to stream locally via Amazon Prime Video from Thursday, October 28. Based on the 14th-century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the film casts Patel as Sir Gawain. Nephew to King Arthur (Sean Harris, Mission: Impossible — Fallout), he's a knight of the Round Table and fearsome warrior. The character has popped up in plenty of tales, but here, he's forced to confront the giant green-skinned titular figure in an eerie showdown. As the poem explains, the Green Knight dares any other knight to strike him with an axe, but only if they'll then receive a return blow exactly one year and one day later. Based on all of the movie's trailers so far, this adaptation looks to be sticking to that story rather closely — and the end result also looks more than a little moody, brooding and creepy. Patel is in great company, too, with The Green Knight also starring Alicia Vikander (Earthquake Bird), Joel Edgerton (Boy Erased) and Barry Keoghan (Calm with Horses). Games of Thrones' Kate Dickie pops up as Guinevere, while her co-star Ralph Ineson — who is also known from the Harry Potter flicks, The Witch, Gunpowder Milkshake and the UK version of The Office — plays the Green Knight. Originally set to release in 2020 until the pandemic hit, The Green Knight is the latest movie by impressive and always eclectic writer/director David Lowery. His filmography spans everything from Ain't Them Bodies Saints and Pete's Dragon to A Ghost Story and The Old Man and the Gun — and The Green Knight isn't like anything on his resume so far. Check out the trailer below: The Green Knight will be available to stream in Australia via Amazon Prime Video from Thursday, October 28.
Sixty years after his death in a car accident at the age of 24, James Dean remains both an icon and an enigma. Much about him, including his hair and stare, have become instantly recognisable and commonly copied. Just as much about him, such as the contrast between his rebellious attitude and his evident shyness, still defies proper description. In Life, writer Luke Davies and director Anton Corbijn attempt to replicate what was seen on the outside and unpack what lurked on the inside of James Dean. That Davies wrote the novel and co-wrote the script of Australian drug drama Candy gives an indication of the intimacy of the storytelling. That Corbijn made his leap from photographs to music videos to movies with Control, a portrait of Joy Division's Ian Curtis, shows the style, patience and perceptiveness so keenly needed in such a biopic. Their approach to the smouldering Dean (as played by Dane DeHaan) is to show rather than tell the essence of the moody star, as seen in a snapshot spanning the lead up to the world premiere of his first film, East of Eden, plus his attempt to secure a role in his second, Rebel Without a Cause. Their entryway into his tragic narrative comes via 26-year-old Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson), then an aspiring but struggling photographer looking to turn paparazzi gigs into acclaim, art and ongoing work. History already dictates that one of Stock's big breaks came courtesy of the series of candid images he snapped of Dean; however, they only eventuated after much convincing. From first meeting at a Hollywood party to exploits across Los Angeles, New York and Indiana, Life tracks Stock's efforts, Dean's reactions, their problems and personalities, and their blossoming friendship. The film bears the name of the magazine that would ultimately publish the photos, though that it doubles as an expression of a pivotal chapter in both its subjects' existences is always clear. Forget on-set antics and other markers of glitz and glamour, though, with the movie determined to stress that Dean didn't ever want to subscribe to the usual star behaviour. "I don't want to play their stupid games," he complains — and that he's often earning the ire of studio head Jack Warner (Ben Kingsley) by avoiding his publicity tasks also makes that evident. Indeed, Dean is painted as a picture of complexity above all else, and afforded a portrayal to match. DeHaan may be following in James Franco's footsteps again — after playing Spider-Man's Harry Osborn, too — but his efforts here do more than impersonate either figure. His mannerisms conjure the famous actor's mix of awkwardness and panache, so much so that taking your eyes off of him is impossible. That's not to discount Pattinson's latest impressive post-Twilight performance, nor the rapport that springs from the two circling around each other — it's just to highlight DeHaan's intensity. A similar level of concentration and attention to detail emanates in the graceful helming of Corbijn — and the visual precision of cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen. The end result doesn't just step beyond the facade of a cinema treasure or tell the tale behind iconic images, it helps to create the same itself. Indeed, there's ample life in this film, which succeeds in capturing something and someone elusive.
Swords, sandals, speeches and spectacle: in a Ridley Scott-directed epic, all are to be expected. It comes as no surprise that Exodus: Gods and Kings has each in abundance. Men fight, moral dialogue dominates, and 3D computer-generated imagery delivers everything from palaces and now-fallen monuments to parted seas and giant waves. What might come as a surprise is that Scott’s latest round of swinging steel fares better than it perhaps should. The veteran helmer’s vision of the tale from the Old Testament Book of Exodus falls between his lauded Gladiator and less applauded Kingdom of Heaven. Repetition reigns in an over-extended, blood-soaked effort, but so does a strong sense of character and contemplation. For those unfamiliar with biblical narratives, the story of Moses swaps between sides in one of the greatest tussles in Judaism. In Egypt circa 1300 BC, a punishing regime saw the empire’s 400,000 Hebrew inhabitants worked to death as slaves — a system that had been in place for over 400 years. Moses (Christian Bale) grew up alongside Pharaoh-in-waiting Rhamses (Joel Edgerton), unaware of his true heritage. Upon discovering he belongs to the people his friend so willingly exploits, he is exiled, but remains unwavering in his quest for change. So far, so standard — at least where film depictions of the oft-covered pseudo-sibling-rivalry circumstances are involved. Indeed, standard is an apt description for a feature that goes through the motions in relaying its well-documented plot points. Moses and Rhamses argue. God sets Moses on a mission. Plagues — a river of blood, frogs, locusts and more — try to convince Rhamses of the right decision. Bale’s involvement, as culturally questionable as his and other casting may be, provides a stirring central performance and a strong protagonist. In channelling the conflict at the heart of the story, he broodingly expresses the impact of Moses’s many battles — with himself, his origins, his identity, and the notion of faith. In an effort that muses at length about these issues, he offers an eloquent manifestation of the inherent struggle. The film suffers whenever he isn’t on screen, though such instances are rare. Elsewhere, the rest of the cast doesn’t fare as well, more as a result of a script tinkered with by four writers than anything else. With eyeliner aplenty, Edgerton simmers with corruption and confusion, and Ben Mendelsohn hams it up (in an unlikely Animal Kingdom reunion). Ben Kingsley is quiet but convincing as a symbol of the oppressed, but many other big names — Aaron Paul and Sigourney Weaver, most notably — are given little to do. The less said about the squandering of talented actresses such as Golshifteh Farahani and Hiam Abbass, the better. Thankfully, among the clumsiness and the bulging roster of familiar faces, Exodus: Gods and Kings finds the midway point between the overblown and unnecessary, and the interesting and epic. Come for the biblical action, stay for the powerful lead performance, and witness an average but still engaging take on a famous tale.
Star Wars fans, prepare to punch it on down to Sydney's Powerhouse Museum in November — and prepare to come face to face with 200 original objects from the popular sci-fi franchise at Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition. You might have to wait more than 12 months until Star Wars: Episode IX reaches cinemas late next year, but you can spend your days from November 16, 2018 until June 10, 2019 perusing the items that helped make space opera movie magic happen. Coming to Australia for the first time, that includes costumes, props, models and artworks from the Lucasfilm archives, complete with a galaxy's worth of favourites — think BB-8, R2-D2 and the Millennium Falcon just for starters. Get a glimpse of Yoda, you will, circa Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back. You'll also feel the power-hungry menace radiate from Darth Vader's suit from Star Wars: Episode VII — Return of the Jedi. Star Wars Identities is also an interactive exhibition, with creating your own unique character also part of the experience. If you've ever felt as though you should be hanging out in a cantina somewhere on a remote planet, here's your chance to answer a heap of questions, work through a series of stations and find your inner Star Wars hero. You won't need to use the force — rather, you'll receive a smart technology bracelet and a headset to use while you're in the exhibition (but if you want to say that you're using the force or even want to give midi-chlorians some credit, no one will stop you). The Powerhouse Museum is no stranger to Star Wars shenanigans, having hosted a weekend's worth of May the Fourth fun earlier this year. For those already planning their costumes for this 90-minute experience, you're welcome to attend as Han Solo, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker or whichever other character you'd like — but helmets and masks will need to be left in the cloak room, and you'll also need to leave your lightsabers at home.
With drought blighting the country, Australia just sweltering through its hottest summer on record, and severe storms popping up with frequency in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, there's little doubt that the earth's climate is changing. And while the subject has fuelled many a documentary in recent years, a new Australian film is taking a different approach. Rather than chronicling the bleak status quo, it ponders how we could improve things for the future. The second film from actor-turned-director Damon Gameau, 2040 sees the Aussie exploring areas such as climate, economics, technology, civil society, agriculture and sustainability — chatting with experts, assessing the best technology currently available and prognosticating on what life might be like if we were to embrace solutions that are being worked on today. Specifically, he muses on the state of the planet in 21 years time, using his young daughter as inspiration, with the doco framed as a letter to the now four-year-old. In his previous feature back in 2014, Gameau took on unhealthy diets by consuming a whole heap of sugary food — and given That Sugar Film's local success, it's hardly surprising that he's taking a personal approach to an important topic once again. 2040 premiered last month at the Berlin Film Festival, where it struck a chord with audiences, and will have its Aussie debut at the Gold Coast Film Festival in April before releasing around the country in May. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-rTQ443akE&feature=youtu.be 2040 opens in Australian cinemas on May 23.
It's a scenario that every Australian can relate to: it's summer, the temperature has reached scorching levels and you can hear the sounds of someone splashing around in a cool, refreshing pool. Alas, those noises aren't emanating from your own pool, because you don't have one — and you don't know your neighbours well enough to just pop by for a dip. And, maybe your local swimming spot is too far away, you don't live near the beach or the nearest public pool is closed for the day. Add all of the above together, and you're stuck trying to cool down in the bath or under the fan. Enter Swimply, a service that's operational in nearly 20 American states, just launched in Toronto in Canada, and is set to head to Australia by summer, according to Lonely Planet. Like every other service that's popped up in today's sharing economy, it's all about renting out something that one person has and doesn't use all of the time, to another person that has a short-term need. In this case, it lets folks with pools lease out their backyard swimming spots when they're not in use, and lets folks without pools find a place for a splash. If you fall into the latter category, you can look for a spot by the day or for a weekend. If you're after a pool with specific facilities and inclusions — such as a changing area, lounge chairs, wifi, a shady spot to sit under and heated waters — you can do that too. Prices aren't particularly cheap, hovering around the US$40 mark for a day, but if you're planning a dip with your pals and can split the cost, it's much more affordable. Add Swimply to the list of Airbnb-like ventures popping up — services that let you stay in architecturally significant houses, the homes of friends of friends, camping grounds, and caravans and campervans; rent out your spare room to refugees; find a music studio; and take care of your luggage needs overseas. This one sounds particularly enticing, however, especially as the warmer weather starts to hit. For further details, visit Swimply's website and Facebook page.
Are beverages are on your long weekend agenda? Of course they are — and let The Scratch and Your Mates Brewing Co. help you kick off four days without work in quite the boozy style. The latter has a new dark ale. The former has a bar. Combine the two, and it's a pre-Easter miracle. As well as getting to taste the new tipple, everyone who heads along to Milton's finest dive bar from 5pm on April 13 can also help come up with a title for the new brew. There'll be free beer on offer, and more if you win the naming competition.
It’s all in the name: shows in Anywhere Theatre Festival can take place wherever strikes their creators' fancy throughout Brisbane, be it a suburban hairdressing salon, an inner city street corner or an ordinary home. In the festival’s fourth year of encouraging sustainable modes of delivering performances to audiences and eschewing the usual restrictions facing theatre professionals, it stays true to its stated purpose with a fresh program of 67 productions at 47 locations. Here are our picks of the top ten things you should see and the strange spots to see them. Red Cordial Love One of the standouts of the 2013 2high Festival, Red Cordial Love returns to Brisbane for another season of retro music fun. Embracing all the trimmings of a 1990s dance party, the interactive performance transforms nostalgia into a time-warped night of old pop songs and bad fashion. Inspired by their own teen diaries, creators Emmaly Langridge and Brodie Peace tap into fond memories of years gone by. How much you interact is up to you — play along, or just watch and enjoy the show. The cost of the ticket includes '90s makeup and lolly tuckshop bag. May 7-11, 7.30pm at Fish Lane Studio, The Fox Hotel. Tickets $25/$22 Up Late with Scott Wings (and Friends) To the crowded comedic landscape of late-night variety entertainment comes Brisbane’s very own contender: Up Late with Scott Wings (and Friends). In what's billed as the city’s newest — and only — late-night show, poet-comedian Scott Sneddon (aka Scott Wings) harnesses his inner TV host after the success of his 2013 show MaXimal. Local performers and artists tag along for a performance described as “kind of like Rove but not as wholesome, and kind of like Jimmy Fallon except the host can’t dance.” May 9 and 16, 10pm at SBH Pop-Up, Story Bridge Hotel. Tickets $22/$18. Pre-drinks When is a performance not just a performance? When it rolls the refreshing beverage you enjoy before the action, the cathartic cocktail you consume as a nightcap, and the main show all into one. Rocket Boy Ensemble creates an event to be watched as well as experienced, stepping through the milestones — and the confessions and drinking games — essential to any big night out. May 8-17, 8pm at Artslink Queensland. Tickets $18. HolePunch A hit at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, HolePunch sees twenty-something creatives Violet & Veruca delve into the inner workings of the modern workplace — one item of stationery at a time. Part circus, part cabaret,and ideally all comedy, HolePunch promises to serve up pun-filled reflections on office life, including the cubicle and lunchroom antics all nine-to-fivers know and don’t quite love. May 8-17, 6pm at SYC Studios. Tickets $20. Sweet Meniscus Ballet moves from the stage to a pool — and we’re not talking about synchronised swimming. Endeavouring to make a stylish splash, three dancers from the Queensland Ballet dip their toes into the water at the Spring Hill Baths in a work from choreographer Joseph Stewart. The mystery of the concept and the history of the venue make this show a very intriguing prospect. May 16-18, 6pm and 8pm at Spring Hill Baths. Tickets $28/$17. Little Boxes These little boxes aren’t on the hillside, and they’re not all just the same — instead, sets made from industrial cast-offs create a large-scale, 360-degree outdoor theatre at Northshore Hamilton. The show’s construction mimics an apartment building, relating tales of disparate lives and communal isolation inherent in densely populated urban areas. A different way of presenting a show might just trigger a different way of thinking about city living. May 8-17, 8pm, at Beside-the-Shed, Northshore Hamilton. Tickets $24/19. Plays Well With Others Who says you need to leave the house to see a live performance? Not theatre maker Robbie O'Brien. In Plays Well With Others, O'Brien brings the show to you in a playdate for adults. Gather a group of eight, pick your theme and the right room in your home, and the rest is taken care of, turning a night out into a unique night in. May 7-17, 7.30pm at your house. Tickets $20 (minimum bookings of eight). Monster If the idea of a cabaret horror show doesn’t immediately pique your interest, then maybe the structure of this performance will: the host, known only as ‘Madam’, shares stories designed to delight and disturb. In a show informed by the opinions and life experiences of the public, the combination of blood and glitter is in the service of exploring transgender perceptions. In its presentation, a love of scary movies seems a must; in its ideas, Monster asks for a willingness to peer beyond the ordinary. May 7-11, 8pm at Blackwall. Tickets $18. Turning Tricks If you’ve ever fancied your skills with a rabbit and a hat, wondered how television psychics entice audiences, or questioned how all manner of supernatural entertainers make money, mentalist Sean Mergard and comedy magician Pete Booth might just have the answers. In an expanded version of their sellout show from the 2013 Brisbane Fringe Festival, Turning Tricks navigates the patter and promises of a profession more associated with scams than skills. May 8-11, 7.30pm at the Warehouse. Tickets $20. A library for the end of the world Amidst all the pondering of catastrophic and dystopian futures in the arts, how would the narratives and memories of ordinary lives be saved? In a solo performance that sees participants guided to a secret location and then left to add and explore a database of recollections, a library for the end of the world creates a communal catalogue meant to stand the test of time — all on cassette tapes, of course. May 7-17, 30-minute slots from 5pm to 9.30pm at a secret location. Meet under the sculpture at the intersection of Boundary, Melbourne and Mollison Streets, West End. Tickets $15. The Anywhere Theatre Festival is on from May 7-18 all around town. For the full program, visit the festival website.
There's no swapping faces in John Woo's latest English-language action-thriller. Instead, the iconic Hong Kong filmmaker brings guns, chases and a quest for revenge to the festive genre. As anyone who rightly considers Die Hard among the pinnacle of Christmas movies already knows, seasonal cinema offerings don't need to drip in schmaltz, holiday humour, or Santas and reindeers to be an end-of-year present. Still, in making his first Hollywood effort since 2003's Paycheck, the director behind Hard Target, Broken Arrow and Face/Off in the 90s — plus Mission: Impossible II in 2000 — keeps the ties of family gleaming in Silent Night. That said, from the moment that the picture opens with a man in a Rudolph-adorned jumper, fuzzy red pom-pom and all, in a battle on Texan back streets with gang members who've just torn his brood apart on Christmas Eve, Woo also goes the brutal route. Silent Night's name echoes in several ways. Recalling a tune that's all about the jolliest time of the year is just one. Setting scenes in a period when halls are decked with boughs of holly is merely another. If protagonist Brian Godlock (Joel Kinnaman, The Suicide Squad) gets his wish, there'll be no more noise — let alone violence and bloodshed — from the criminals responsible for killing his young son (Alex Briseño, A Million Miles Away) with a stray bullet from drive-by crossfire as the boy rode his new bike in the front yard. Woo's main stylistic conceit comes to fruition instantly, however, because Silent Night largely avoids dialogue. Aided by meticulous sound design, that choice isn't a gimmick purely for the sake of it. Rather, Robert Archer Lynn's (Already Dead) script has Brian lose the ability to speak in the introductory sequence's fallout. The film's propulsive arrival is all frenzy, mayhem and intensity as Brian runs, cars packed with armed men blasting with abandon can't fell him, but being shot in the throat by villainous head thug Playa (Harold Torres, Memory) heralds blackness. If there's any doubt that Woo is enjoying staging the chaos, his use of slow motion says plenty. So does spotting a red balloon drifting away. Elsewhere, while the filmmaker mightn't work in his trademark doves, a bird does flutter. With cinematographer Sharone Meir (Echo 3) doing the lensing, Silent Night realises that stripping out chatter means heightening the visual experience, whether the picture is in frenetic or plotting mode. But there's also an earnestness to the movie and its aesthetics; this is a grim and bloody Christmas flick, and it's well-aware in every inch. As Brian prepares for his vengeance mission in training montages, then endeavours to execute his plan, an emotional underpinning anchors Silent Night's almost total lack of words (text on-screen features via SMS messages, and the radio still blares), too. He's a man robbed of the ability to verbally process his trauma. He can't shout, swear, scream or cry out. There'll never be any catharsis from just uttering his feelings aloud to a kindly listener. So, he's driven to act. As played with expressive physicality by Kinnaman, he's obsessively haunted into doing the only thing that he thinks he can — even if it means that his marriage to the also-mourning Saya (Catalina Sandino Moreno, From) suffers, and regardless of police detective Dennis Vassell's (Scott Mescudi, Crater) request for his assistance to lawfully bring the culprits to justice. There's a full-circle touch to Silent Night's disdain for talking as well, given how stellar the clearly Woo-influenced John Wick films have proven by also letting actions say far more than words, albeit never to this degree. Before that, it was the similarly Keanu Reeves-led The Matrix movies that help cement Woo's brand of stylised imagery as a Tinseltown standard, as far too many imitators have continued to ape ever since. Although Woo has kept adding to his resume over the past two decades, thanks to two-part war epic Red Cliff, wuxia effort Reign of Assassins, the also-split The Crossing and action-thriller Manhunt, he makes his Hollywood comeback with passion. In its look and feel, Silent Night is a work of relish — and, in its staircase sequence alone, a reminder of what American cinema has missed while it has been content taking Woo's cues over boasting him behind the camera. The filmmaker, his flair and his knack for eschewing words have it, then — plus the committed Kinnaman and Moreno — more than the plot, no matter how well-grounded in Brian's situation it proves. Death Wish, Taken and their own mimics have mined dads dishing out retaliation before, after all. Indeed, as fellow 2023 release Retribution demonstrates, Liam Neeson has resided comfortably in the "father in a fray for his family" niche ever since busting out his particular set of skills 15 years back. Silent Night isn't here to hold up Brian as a hero gleaming as brightly as a star on a Christmas tree, though. In other hands, that might've been the vibe, but there's no doubting that he's unravelling in desperate pain as he fixates upon his vigilante rampage. Marco Beltrami's (Renfield) score has it, too: this is an action-melodrama as much as an action-thriller. Woo hasn't just switched conversation for an onslaught of operatic sights and grunting, crunching sound effects — amid the kinetic altercations, of which there's many, he also lingers on his cast to see what's getting his characters ticking, pondering, yearning, hurting and swirling. This film spies in silence what wouldn't be done justice in dialogue, with feelings simmering and steaming in looks and gestures. Silent Night's action choreography impresses, unsurprisingly, but so does its emotional dance. Pass the Parcel might be a birthday-party game rather than a Christmas one, but it sums up this movie: each layer offers a gift, some expected, some exquisite.
Most music festivals have been lucky to host even one event over the past couple of years, thanks to the pandemic. Many are gearing up for their big returns — and first fests since 2019 — this winter, spring and summer, in fact. But when This That hits Newcastle and Brisbane in October and November, it'll mark its second festivals in both locations this year. That's huge as it is, and so is the just-dropped lineup. Already spent a day dancing at This That in 2022? Get ready to do so once more. This That will make its return to the Sandstone Point Hotel in Queensland on Saturday, October 29, then head to Newcastle in New South Wales on Saturday, November 5 — and it'll do so with Earl Sweatshirt and Flight Facilities leading the bill. The fest will also play host to What So Not in Brissie only, and to The Presets in NSW. And yes, the list goes on. Also set to grace the fest's three stages: Vera Blue, Winston Surfshirt, DMA's, Chillinit, Skeggs, Hockey Dad, Jesswar and more. Some of the acts on This That's 2022 2.0 bill already hit its stages earlier this year — The Presets played Sandstone Point then, but will do Newcastle now, for instance — not that anyone is complaining. If you did already attend this year, you'll get a discount for backing it up, too, thanks to a 48-hour period for autumn This That attendees to buy tickets at the fest's first-release price. THIS THAT OCTOBER–NOVEMBER 2022 LINEUP: Alice Ivy Chillinit Dear Seattle DMA's (NSW only) Earl Sweatshirt Flight Facilities Godlands Hockey Dad Hooligan Hefs Jesswar Kinder Lola Scott Ruby Fields Set Mo Skegss Slumberjack The Presets (NSW only) Trophy Eyes Upsahl Vera Blue What So Not (QLD only) Winston Surfshirt THIS THAT OCTOBER–NOVEMBER 2022 DATES: Saturday, October 29: Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point, Queensland Saturday, November 5: Newcastle, New South Wales This That returns to Sandstone Point and Newcastle in October and November. For more information, or to buy tickets — with pre-sales from 9am on Wednesday, June 29 and general sales from 9am on Friday, July 1 — head to the festival's website. Images: Mitch Lowe / Jordan Munns.
When Christmas and New Year are over, the temptation to hibernate grows pretty strong — so, you're probably going to need a little something extra to tempt you off the couch come January. Handily, online reservation platform The Fork has a winning idea up its sleeve: it's offering a huge five weeks of dining specials nationwide. Kicking off on Monday, January 6, the second ever The Fork Festival will see top restaurants across the country offering sit-down meals for half the usual price. Yep, 50 percent off your total food bill, folks — think of it as the proverbial carrot luring you out of the house. So far, 300 restaurants have signed up, but The Fork is expecting this number to grow to over 500 by January. To snag a half-price meal, you just need to make a reservation through The Fork website or app at one of the participating eateries for any service (breakfast, lunch or dinner) during the five weeks. [caption id="attachment_653288" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Boathouse at Blackwattle Bay by Kitti Gould.[/caption] There are some great venues coming to the party, too. In Sydney, you'll find discounted eats at the likes of Eliza Food and Wine, Uccello, The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay, Berowra Waters Inn, Butcher and the Farmer and Little Jean. Melbourne spots include Tulum Restaurant, Pascale Bar & Grill and Meat and Wine Co in South Yarra and Hawthorn. Brisbane folk can score discounts at the likes of Corbett & Claude and Malt Dining, and Perth diners should put Hunter and Barrel and Meat and Wine Co. You might want to revisit an old favourite or you could get a little adventurous and road-test somewhere new. Either way, there's ample time to squeeze in a fair few discount feasts before the festival wraps up on February 9. The Fork Festival runs from January 6–February 9. The full list of participating restaurants will be released on the website on January 6. Top image: Eliza Food and Wine, Sydney.
FBi Radio's boots are getting bigger, better and shinier by the day —for the first time ever, Sydney's independent radio legends are launching an Australia-wide competition. Extending their Northern Lights competition nationwide — in which FBi flies two above-and-beyond newbies to Iceland Airwaves Festival in Reykjavik — FBi are looking for talent across Australia this time. A hotly-anticipated date on the music festival calendar, Iceland Airwaves has seen everyone from Bjork to Omar Souleyman, Savages to Harpa Silfurberg playing to packed halls of Icelandic and international fans. FBi competition's now in its third year, offer two winning spots to join the Airwaves lineup — one solo producer/artist, one band. With the help of philanthropist Mitchel Martin-Weber, this marks one of FBi's biggest-scale competitions to date, kicking another goal after yesterday's FBi Click launch. Winners of the first Northern Lights, Oliver Tank and Rainbow Chan, have seen super success following their Icelandic escapade (with Tank supporting Lorde on her recent national tour and Chan joining the lineup for Vivid LIVE's recent Avalanches tribute Since I Left You, no biggie). "It really changed my life that whole trip. It was so incredible," says Tank. "I got to play music overseas before I’d even done that many gigs in Australia. And there were people over there that were interested in my music and that just blew my mind. It was like a dream come true. It was such an experience." A national callout means a national road trip for FBi, taking their Music Open Day (a monthly staple event for FBi where new bands/artists can meet FBi music director Stephen Goodhew and learn how to get their music on radio) to community stations around the country. "Over 300 artists have been to Music Open Day in the last 12 months," says Goodhew. "Oliver Tank, Cloud Control, Gang of Youths, Movement are all examples of the kind of talent that have responded to and engaged with our Music Open Day in the past and gone on to establish themselves as prominent figures in the Australian music scene. It’s a great way to discover new talent and give emerging musicians some valuable advice about the industry." To apply for a spot at Iceland Airwaves and enter FBi Radio's Northern Lights competition, you simply have to be an emerging solo artist/producer or band (and an Australian resident). Head to FBi's website to throw your name in the ring from June 26 - July 21. Music Open Day is on the road from July 11-18. 11 July - Brisbane's 4ZZZ 15 July - Adelaide's Fresh FM 16 July - Perth's RTR FM
Lean, mean and a Nazi-killing machine: that's Sisu and its handy-with-a-hunting-knife (and pickaxe) protagonist alike. This stunningly choreographed Finnish action film's title doesn't have a literal equivalent in English, but means stoic, tenacious, resolute, brave and gritty all in that four-letter term; again, both the movie and the man at its centre fit the description. Former soldier Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila, perhaps best-known internationally for 2010's Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale) has one aim. After he strikes gold and plenty of it in Lapland's far reaches, he's keen to cash in. For someone who has already lost everyone and everything to World War II, that requires transporting his haul; however, the year is 1944 and German troops still lurk even as the combat winds down. Accordingly, getting those gleaming nuggets from the wilderness to a bank means facing a greedy and unrelenting platoon led by Helldorf (Aksel Hennie, The Cloverfield Paradox), who can spy a payday and an exit strategy for himself. Before anything yellow shimmers, Nazi-filled tanks are sighted, a single shot is fired or a blow swung, Sisu explains its moniker as "a white-knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination". Text on-screen also advises that "sisu manifests itself when all hope is lost." As a film, Sisu may as well be shorthand for John Wick meets Inglourious Basterds meets Django, the iconic 1966 spaghetti western that Quentin Tarantino riffed on with Django Unchained, too — plus all of that meets the work of legendary spaghetti western director Sergio Leone as well. The carnage is that balletic. The Nazi offings are that brutal, roguish and inventive. And valuing deeds over dialogue as a lone figure dispatches with nefarious forces against an unforgiving landscape, and no matter what they throw at him, is firmly the setup. "He is one mean motherfucker that you don't want to mess with," the Nazis are told of Sisu's one-man death squad after they cross paths, the Germans think that their numbers will win out, and Aatami swiftly and savagely shows their folly. Of course, Helldorf and his underlings don't heed that advice. They're heading to Norway, destroying villages and also transporting a wagon filled with Finnish women they've taken captive, such as the spirited Aino (Mimosa Willamo, Memory of Water) — and the nihilistic Helldorf is soon fixated on the gold at any cost. That's a bad choice for the Nazis but great news for audiences. Enter: minefields proving deadly and also coming in handy, oh-so-many limbs going flying, the most grisly way to breathe underwater that's possibly been seen in cinema, taking the battle onto boats and planes, and Aatami continually demonstrating why he's earned such a fierce reputation. The latter doesn't take kindly to Nazis, as no one should, nor to being attacked, having his gold stolen and, like Keanu Reeves' best character of late, seeing his dog threatened. Sisu writer/director Jalmari Helander also helmed dark festive action-comedy Rare Exports, giving seasonal flicks a memorably twisted spin. Then, although to much lesser success, he cast Samuel L Jackson (Secret Invasion) as a US President evading terrorists-slash-hunters in the woods in 2014's Big Game. Here, he knows which footsteps he's treading in — Mad Max: Fury Road also springs to mind in Sisu's staging, setting and elements of its story — and also how to make his film its own extravagantly bloody and entertaining spectacle. There's ticking boxes, and then there's colouring them in with your own hues and designs so that yes, they've been marked off but in your distinctive manner. Sisu works through everything that audiences think will happen, even winkingly signposting via named chapters splashed across the frame with western-esque font, and yet it's no mere exercise in lazily fulfilling a checklist. Helander is too willing to get as OTT and pulpy as he can manage, to get as immersed in the film's playfully and gruesomely engrossing violence as he's able to, and to keep one-upping the creative and downright novel kills at Aatami's hands. In every case, he's giddily going for broke — and frequently getting in close via cinematographer Kjell Lagerroos (another Memory of Water alum). Sisu casts its solo hero against a sprawling setting that's oppressive in its immenseness in classic western style. The colour palette is colder, though; the feature surrounds Aatami with visible, inescapable, ever-present and grey-tinged desolation, as reality dictates of war movies. Helander paints this intense, grim and devastating big picture, while also seeing the gore and dirt and sweat intimately and intricately. What would the John Wick franchise be without Reeves? Django without the great Franco Nero (who popped up in John Wick: Chapter 2) in his breakout role? A Fistful of Dollars and its sequels without Clint Eastwood (Cry Macho)? The question now: what would Sisu be without the irrepressible Tommila? Every single one of the films just mentioned boasts a sublime mix of perfectly chosen stars and directors doing their utmost — brothers-in-law Tommila and Helander among them. With so few words uttered, Tommila's physical performance has to convey everything. So, a stare screams with ferocity, a gaze at Aatami's dog bubbles with emotion and a twitch is never just a twitch. Watching silent protagonists dispensing with a constant onslaught of foes also gets audiences mirroring the characters, aka surveying the scene for even the slightest change or sign given that even the smallest details can alter so much. As villains get slain again and again — and Aatami keeps weathering what's blasted his way — Sisu unleashes its barrage with weight. That isn't only because the atrocities of the Second World War should never be forgotten. All those lingering views of messy and madcap carnage? They don't just notice Aatami's actions, but show what he goes through as he persists and subsists. This is a film about survival as much as it's about payback. It has stakes and makes them plain, even as it's as blatant a good-versus-evil movie as they come. It's grounded in the past, stripped down to bangs and smacks and crunches that pack a visceral and emotional punch (smashes and crashes, too, with meticulous sound design that makes every pop and snap echo), and pulled off with cartoonish flair. Sisu is many things, just like the term itself in its native Finland — and impossible to stop watching is one of them.
For Melburnians, this long weekend is a little different to most. Lockdown might be over, but a number of restrictions still remain. Heading to a big music festival isn't on the cards, for instance — but, because we now live in a time where virtual fests are becoming the norm, The Long Weekender is bringing six hours of Victorian music highlights straight to your couch. The latest event in the Victoria Together initiative — aka the online program that delivered plenty of things to watch during 2020's lengthy stay-at-home periods — The Long Weekender will stream a heap of past festival sets from plenty of the state's big events. Falls Festival, Meredith Music Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Golden Plains and Yirramboi Festival are all covered, as are Summersalt, Share The Spirit, Brunswick Music Festival, Roots Picnic and A Day On The Green. You'll just need to head to ACMI's streaming service, Cinema 3, between 12pm–12am on Monday, June 14, and turn your volume up loud. Myf Warhurst is on hosting duties and, if you're wondering who'll be belting out tunes, it's a hefty lineup. Everyone from Courtney Barnett and Archie Roach to You Am I and Frente! is on the bill — with no clashes, no queues and no worries about rushing between stages. THE LONG WEEKENDER LINEUP: Adalita Alex Lahey Alice Skye Allara feat. Culture Evolves Archie Roach Cable Ties Courtney Barnett Djirri Djirri Dancers The Black Sorrows The Cat Empire The Dirty Three Frente! Hachiku James Henry King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Loose Tooth Magic Dirt The Meanies Mo'Ju Sampa The Great Spiderbait Simona Castricum Sleep D The Teskey Brothers Total Giovanni You Am I Top image: Falls Festival.
A masquerade-ball rock show celebrating the stellar soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet. Blind cinema screenings, where a child describes what you can't see on screen. A 40-foot-tall outdoor light installation inspired by a Czech/French animated science fiction flick. On-stage dating, with a volunteer plucked from the audience each night. A participatory trance-noise music/dance ritual. Next, throw in the world premiere of pop-up technicolour world FUN HOUSE, that is, the house party-like, jumping castle-filled latest effort from Blanc de Blanc and LIMBO's Strut & Fret. Oh, and LIMBO UNHINGED, a sequel to their 2014 hit, too. While you're at it, add a month-long season of unnerving and alluring Italian giallo cinema. Mix it all together, and get excited, arts, culture, performance, music and cinema lovers of Brisbane — they're all coming to this year's Brisbane Festival. In his third year as artistic director, David Berthold has put together a lineup of more than 60 events — five world premiere commissions, 11 Australian premieres and 25 Queensland premieres among them — for the 22-day fest, which takes over the city from September 9 to 30. As its just-announced 2017 program reveals, the annual onslaught of all things creative is committed to that age-old fest adage: yep, there's something for everyone here. That includes the return of Brisbane Festival's hub, Arcadia, on the South Bank Cultural Centre Forecourt. When you're rushing between shows, you need a wine bar, craft beer bar and six food stalls to sustain you, after all. So that's what you'll be doing when you're not in the thick of the action. As for what else you'll be doing when you're not eating and drinking, just choose your favourite art form and dive deep. Treading the boards offers everything from circus and physical theatre piece Per Te to culinary chaos in Chef: Come Dine With Us! — and The Tivoli turned into a Parisian music hall for a reimagining of Orpheus, plus famous Chinese dance and choreographer Yang Liping joining forces with Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Oscar-winner Tim Yip for the battle-focused dance piece Under Siege. Over at the indie showcase Theatre Republic, audiences will also find music, comic performances and all things weird and wonderful, such as the world premiere Laser Beak Man puppet show. Music-wise, this year's Brisbane Festival boasts a London Grammar-headlined mini-fest within the fest, taking the party over to Riverstage for a day. They'll be joined by international and local support acts, while the rest of the festival's music lineup spans Megan Washington teaming up with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Regurgitator performing The Velvet Underground and Nico, The Aints playing The Saints, a Bowie cabaret tribute and more. Of course, it all comes to an end with the explosive finale that is Riverfire. Of course it does. How else would we know that we've just had a mighty fun month if we didn't bring it to a close by packing out South Bank en masse, staring at the sky and watching pretty fiery lights? It's a Brisbane tradition. Brisbane Festival runs from September 9–30 across Brisbane. For the full 2017 program, or to book tickets, visit the festival website.
When it comes to consuming culture for a cause, you can't go past Youngcare's benefit concert. Since 2006, the organisation has put together a regular musical showcase to help raise money for young Aussies with high care needs. They get some much-needed funding to assist with providing purpose-built accommodation, grants, research and a phone line. You get a great night out. This year marks ten years since the first event, so expect something extra special. One of the stars of that initial show, Bernard Fanning, returns to not only belt out a tune, but also takes on a curating role. The former lead singer of Powderfinger has assembled a stellar lineup that includes Mosman Adler and #1 Dads, plus surprise guests still to be revealed. With The Chaser's Julian Morrow on hosting duties, an evening of excellent entertainment is guaranteed, as is Youngcare's ample appreciation of your support and assistance. Image via Yael Stempler.
Whether you're keen to kick on once lockout time comes, are hankering for a bite in the evening's early hours or need somewhere to dance the night away, Fortitude Valley's new watering hole will offer a one-stop-shop — and, when Beirne Lane opens its doors in the heritage-listed T.C. Beirne Building, it won't close them. Settling into the Brunswick Street spot from early November, Beirne Lane is set to trade 24 hours a day. The indoor and outdoor two-level space is the latest venture from Trent Meade and Matt Blyth at the Celissa hospitality group, and it combines the vibe of some of their other projects, blending the gastropub aspect of Isles Lane in the CBD with the hangout feel of fellow Valley residents The Met and GPO. Mixing things together drives the venue's food menu, too, which takes inspiration from Beirne Lane's namesake in an interesting way. If you're not up on Brissie's past, Thomas Charles Beirne came to Brissie from Ireland, opened a department store in the Valley at the turn of the twentieth century, and initially employed James McWhirter — who would then open a competing department store across the street. Beirne also apparently loved Japanese culture. What this mini-history lesson means is that Beirne Lane will be slinging an Irish-meets-Japanese menu in its iconic location, complete with a dedicated katsu sandwich menu featuring the likes of beef with spicy miso mayonnaise and tonkatsu sauce, and fish with Kewpie tartare, bacon, Sriracha and pickled jalapeño. Also on offer are chips slathered in Japanese curry, cob loaf with beer cheese, plus spicy pork rinds with seaweed crisps and peanuts, as well as king prawns with black garlic butter and marinated spatchcock with charred lime from the charcoal grill. In another nod to Brisbane gone by, the spot will also revive the 'shilling meal'. A plate of oysters, steak and more, it was available to T.C. Beirne's employees for just a shilling. The new version won't be as cheap, we're certain, but it will feature four oysters, dry-age rib-eye steak, buttermilk onion rings and a clotted cream cannoli, and is recommended for sharing. Drinks-wise, rotating beers and a range of natural, organic wines will be joined by a cocktail list that throws together combos of Australian native produce, house-made syrups and whatever's in season. That's evident in the Oh Boys! We Must Have Another!, which blends gin, brandy, rum, orgeat, lime and orange juice, and sherry, and is inspired by — like most of the joint — T.C. Beirne's past. Find Beirne Lane at 315 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley from early November, open 24/7.
It's barely spring and Queensland's weather is hardly at its warmest, but bushfire season is already off to a horror start. Catastrophic blazes have been carving a destructive path through both the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, ramping up in recent days — which means that it's, understandably, an inopportune time to unleash a fiery installation in the middle of Brisbane. Between Wednesday, September 11 and Saturday, September 14, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens were set to host the world-renowned Fire Gardens as part of this year's Brisbane Festival. But in light of current events — and taking into consideration the total fire ban presently in place across southeast Queensland, as well as advice from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services — organisers have decided to reschedule the installation. It'll now run next week, between Wednesday, September 18 and Saturday, September 21. One of highest-profile inclusions on Brisbane Festival's 2019 lineup, Fire Gardens has already popped up everywhere from Stonehenge to The Kremlin to Melbourne. It's the work of French art collective Compagnie Carabosse, who has been starting fires professionally for more than 20 years — so it knows how to do so safely. This isn't just about watching things burn, obviously, with a mysterious soundtrack boosting the mood and allure. Expect live musicians performing French music, adding to the radiant ambience. Although Fire Gardens has popped up around the world, this iteration will be crafted specifically for the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. That means that you really won't see anything like it anywhere else. And, of course, you haven't seen the gardens set on fire before — on purpose, and in a controlled and safe manner — anyway. More than 40,000 people are expected to make their way through the huge work, which usually sells out wherever it pops up. If you've already nabbed a ticket for the old Brisbane dates, you'll be emailed about the changes. For those still keen to purchase, you can also donate to disaster relief charity GIVIT when you buy online — and Brisbane Festival will also be collecting public donations for the same cause at its Arcadia hub at the South Bank Cultural Forecourt. The rescheduled Fire Gardens comes to Brisbane as part of this year's Brisbane Festival, running from Wednesday, September 18 to Saturday, September 21. Tickets were not on sale at time of writing, but will become available once organisers have made the necessary arrangements — keep an eye on the event website for details. For updates on the Queensland bushfires, head to the Rural Fire Service website and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Twitter. Images: Sylvie Monier, Regina Marcenkiene and Vincent Muteau.
Things are heating up at the Regatta Hotel, and not just because spring is in the air. Over the weekend between Friday, September 6 and Sunday, September 8, the Toowong pub is playing host to a three-day barbecue festival. You'll eat, you'll drink, you'll watch grilling masterclasses and you'll learn a few tricks — and, in the process, you'll take your barbie experience up a notch or several. All of the barbecue essentials will be covered, from smoking meats, to making side dishes, to rubs and sauces as well. Want to learn how to cook up the best steak you can? Whip up the perfect barbecue sauce? Pick up a few butchery basics? Then you'll be in the right spot. You can also spend time discovering all there is to know about Italian bubbles, Australian pale ales, bourbon cocktails and whisky in general — because a good barbie always comes with a few beverages. From trimming a brisket to cracking tinnies (yes, there really is a session on that), the list goes on. If you're really serious about barbecuing, you can also sign up for an in-depth five-hour class. While attending the Regatta Barbecue Fest is free, as is much of the fun, you can show your commitment for $199, which includes three hours of drinks. The Regatta Barbecue Fest also features a live fire precinct, live music, and a malt, bine and vine hub for satisfying your thirst. Menu-wise, expect smoked wings, brisket burgers, pork tacos, beef short ribs and more — or, if you're feeling extra peckish, you can take part in the hot wings eating competition. Images: Regatta Hotel.
This 15th annual Brisbane Queer Festival brings to our city a engaging, inspiring and of course, entertaining selection of LGBTIQ films from an international landscape. From documentaries, to shorts, feature lengths to sweaty romps, the line up has everything for any picture palate. If you're going to catch any though, we'd be happy to suggest a few: Camp Beaverton: Meet the Beavertons - Meet the dwellers of Camp Beaverton’s experimental make-shift community that hosts events like clit-tail social hours and the infamous strap-on-a-thon – possibly the largest play party for women on the planet. Monster Pies - It’s 1996 in Western Melbourne. Often picked on by the jocks for seeming “gay”, high school student Mike has felt alienated and alone for as long as he can remember. Test – the natural fitting dance movie, with twice as much flair as Step Up, with half the cheap tricks. Free Fall - Marc, a young police cadet with a pregnant girlfriend named Bettina, finds himself drawn to his rebellious and handsome roommate, Kay. Passion ensues. Films aside, there'll be a Kokomo-krazy love shack beach party to open the festival. BYO bikinis, trunks and towels (there won't be any water, but there's a strict theme), and dance around with a coconut in hand, all in homage to the Beach Boys - band, and 'racey' photo. The festival is on until April 5. Make your picks, jog along and enjoy.
We've had a lot to thank Winn Lane's Outpost for over the years. Think nice shirts, cool gigs, practical pocket knifes, zines, hats, expensive soaps and all those things that make cool people just the bit cooler. And now, this humble little jack-of-all trades of a store is rolling into the double digits. To celebrate, they're throwing a hell of a birthday do. To help Outpost mark their 10th birthday, White Lodge, I Heart Hiroshima and El Norto will be delivering some live music right throughout the evening. For those who like their tunes with a dash of art, the event also features visual showcases from a list of over 20 local and international artists. Most notably, skate artist Simon True will be jetting in from Japan. For one night only, you can witness the true genius of this talent as well many others, firsthand at this art-packed shindig. The night kicks off at 8pm this Friday and doesn't cost a cent. Yes, that means free birthday cake. HB2U Outpost!!
One of Brisbane's finest adult playgrounds, Cloudland, is playing host to the best wine from the world over. That's right — the Vintopia Festival is returning to take wine enthusiasts on a journey to some of the best producers from across the globe. Amidst the luxe backdrop of Cloudland's Rose Room, Moon Room and Terrace, guests can get their noses and palates across a selection of 85 drops spanning international and local winemakers. The tastings are just the start of it. During the three-hour festival experience, you and your crew will be able to chat with a rockstar lineup of winemakers and producers behind the drops on offer. Between sips, you'll feast on Mediterranean-inspired fare from gourmet food stations, and each guest will take home swag that includes a limited edition Vintopia tasting glass and tote bag. There will also be live music, the chance to win prizes, and the option to take home bottles of your favourite drop from the day and have them delivered to your door. Vintopia Festival 2024 is happening for just one day on Saturday, July 20, over two sessions (12–3pm and 4–7pm). It's a stellar outing for a group, and when you book for six or more guests, you can nab tickets for just $45 per person, so rally your people and lock it in your diary now. Your ticket includes unlimited tastings, so arrive thirsty.
Next time you walk up to a truck or van, you might not just be looking for something to eat. The folks behind one of Brisbane's most popular roving restaurants are planning to branch out — and instead of setting up a permanent store like many of their peers, they're switching from food to drinks. Yes, after conquering the latest culinary trend, the proprietors of Juan More Taco have their sights set on creating the city's first mobile Kombi bar. Juanita Margarita is the new venture's rather fitting name. No prizes for guessing their beverage of choice. Once it's up and running, the van will be available to hire for events, functions and fiestas. To get to that point though, they need your help — which is why they've set up a crowdfunding campaign. Donations will help the Juanita Margarita crew restore, convert and fit out their 1976 Kombi camper. If enough cash is raised — their target is $30,000 — a margarita machine, beer tap, themed props and maybe even some AstroTurf will form part of their plans. It's another one of those obvious but ingenious ideas we can't believe no one has thought of before, but are really glad that someone finally did. Every food truck event needs a bar, after all — and in Brisbane, there's certainly plenty of meals-on-wheels gatherings in need of delicious accompanying refreshments. Help support Juanita Margarita by checking out their Pozible campaign. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Kimberley Bowden has quite a few feathers in her cap: a grand final berth in the 2008 Toyota Star Maker competition, a place on the Billy Thorpe Scholarship shortlist, and national airplay for the first radio single, 'Do I', from her 2009 debut EP, just to name a few. After taking some time out to perfect her stagecraft, write, record and collaborate, Kimberley is ready to send her new EP, Burnt on You, out into the world. We had a quick chat with the singer ahead of her official EP launch. Hi Kim! Thanks for talking to us. First of all, we'd love to know, who are your musical idols? At the moment, I'm listening to a lot of One Republic, Sia and Miranda Lambert. I've also flogged Adele, Sara Bareilles, Ed Sheeran and Lily Allen's albums and many more. Have any particular artists been an inspiration for this EP? I'd probably say Miranda Lambert the most. I'm not sure that it's her music exactly, more her image and the attitude she portrays. She's got spunk! The EP is all based on real events in my life, so that was how the songs came about. It's been several years since you released your debut self-titled EP. What have you been up to in that time? Yeah, it's taken a while! I was lucky enough to go to Nashville two years in a row to co-write and perform. I've also been gigging all over Brisbane with a good friend of mine, Ryan 'Brooksy' Brooks. I owe my stagecraft to him in many ways. I've been writing with people and on my own. Mostly I think I've just been growing up. Being twenty-six is a good time! https://youtube.com/watch?v=9Rg5JdeAMK0 Burnt on You has a more rock/pop vibe than your previous alt-country work. Do you think this is a permanent shift or will you return to your country roots one day? Who knows? Only time will tell. You mentioned that you've been to Nashville several times. Could you see yourself moving Stateside in the future? Yes, definitely, under the right circumstances. It's always in the back of my mind. I'd definitely miss Australia, though — it really is the best. How does the Brisbane music scene compare to America? For a start, genre. But Nashville in particular, which is where I've spent most of my time, has a real pulse going through it. Every single person you come into contact with is gigging around, writing something, has had a hit or is producing something. Brisbane has immense talent, just on a smaller scale and it doesn't live and breathe music quite as much. In Nashville people are fanatical! It's cray. Tell us a little bit about your writing process. It's always same process for me — I write the music and the lyrics at the same time. I might go back and tweak lyrics after, but it always starts with just gibberish and noise that turns into a song. You are playing with a full band at your EP launch on Sunday. How does playing with a full band differ from just you and your guitar? Which do you prefer? When I play on my own, I'm definitely more comfortable because I can fly by the seat of my pants more and change things around if I want. I'm usually solo so it's a comfort zone thing. But I hardly ever get to play my songs with a band and when I do I love it. So if I could I'd always have a band … no question. I still have fun either way, though. How can people get a copy of Burnt On You? Every single Brisbane citizen should come to my EP launch on Sunday and get a copy! Otherwise, it is available on iTunes now. You can also keep an eye on my Facebook page for upcoming shows elsewhere in Australia and news. Kimberley is launching Burnt on You at the New Globe Theatre this Sunday, July 20, from 4pm.
First it was the smartphone game no one could've guessed they'd get addicted to. Now it's a film that spins a story around a flightless flock of feathered friends, their unhappy attitude, and a posse of porky interlopers. We're talking, of course, about Angry Birds, an animated effort that not only brings the must-have app of 2009 to the big screen, but also comes up with an origin tale to explain its feuding characters. When we first meet Red (voiced by Jason Sudeikis), he's certainly far from chirpy, preferring to live on the outskirts of his island community. Despite working as a clown, he's more likely to incite rage than inspire laughs — and after doing just that at a hatch-day party, he's sent to anger management. There, alongside the speedy Chuck (Josh Gad) and explosive Bomb (Danny McBride), he's taught to control his temper, or at least try to. But then a ship bearing green pigs arrives, with their leader Leonard (Bill Hader) attempting to charm the birds with parties and presents. Instantly suspicious, Red soon discovers that his anger has other uses. Although there's certainly a message about accepting the good with the bad bundled into The Angry Birds Movie, if you're looking for a nuanced look at the emotional spectrum, you'd be better off sticking with Inside Out. This is a bright and busy effort that sticks to the usual all-ages recipe: slap together a breezy narrative, throw in a wealth of pop culture references to everything from The Shining to 50 Shades of Grey, add a soundtrack that's designed to appeal to ironic Rick Astley lovers as much as pre-teen Demi Lovato fans, and keep things moving as fast as humanly possible. Indeed, as questionable as making a movie out of Angry Birds may seem, its source of inspiration isn't the feature's main problem. A lack of energy and enthusiasm is — though given that the film remains bouncy and bubbly from start to finish, it might not initially appear that way. Alas, as The LEGO Movie proved, there's a difference between shoehorning in the required brand elements and demonstrating a true understanding of why people like the original product. Directors Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis don't concern themselves with that; they're content to plaster on the movie equivalent of a fake smile, and try not to make too much of a flap. That leaves the eye-popping visuals, along with a voice cast that includes Keegan-Michael Key, Maya Rudolph and Sean Penn, to do too much heavy lifting — and while everything looks and sounds the part, it also feels quite hollow. Perhaps two of writer Jon Vitti's past credits sum up the feature's fortunes best, with the scribe's background including episodes of The Simpsons along with a couple of the Alvin and the Chipmunks films. Sadly, The Angry Birds Movie has much more in common with the lazy cheesiness of the latter than the clever comedy of the former.
Art is a matter of life and death in the star-studded Velvet Buzzsaw, which might just earn the title of 2019's most out-there film so far. The movie marks the reunion of Nightcrawler writer/director Dan Gilroy and actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo — and if you've seen that 2014 standout, you'll know that you're in for a wild ride. Both an unhinged horror effort and a satire of the art world, the film is set to premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival, but general audiences won't have to wait long at all to see the flick for themselves. It'll hit Netflix worldwide on Friday, February 1, while Sundance is still running. While Nightcrawler took aim at tabloid news media and charted its deadly consequences, Velvet Buzzsaw has another realm in its sights. With Gyllenhaal playing an art critic, Russo an agent, and everyone from Toni Collette to John Malkovich to Stranger Things' Natalia Dyer among the cast, the film charts a spate of sinister happenings that are linked to a batch eye-catching paintings. The art collection in question is only found after an unknown elderly artist passes away, and comes with strict instructions to destroy the work; however, when that warning is ignored, everyone who profits from the pieces starts to suffer. Check out the trailer below, and add the movie to your streaming queue for your next fright-filled date with your couch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdAR-lK43YU Velvet Buzzsaw will be available on Netflix from Friday, February 1.
Through multimedia, creation and the physical theatre uniquely defined by Zen Zen Zo, Medea: The River Runs Backwards brings a powerful story of betrayal, passion and loss to the stage. This classic tragedy has received a revamp by Resident Director Drew der Kinderden and been perfectly marriaged with a theatre troupe of astounding talent. The plot follows the blurred life Medea – one of the great Greek sorceresses of the ancient world. Pulling tales from the past and present, she lingers on the years passed and the guilt that rode them before she dies. Time and space shatter as the echoes of Medea’s deeds ripple through her life. This unique and strikingly beautiful interpretation has already captured the attention of audiences with most shows already sold out, and two more announced by popular demand – don’t miss out.
It's been a busy couple of months of stargazing, with both the Lyrid and Eta Aquarids Meteor Showers lighting up our skies, as well as a supermoon. This weekend, there are another two reasons to look up, too: a strawberry moon and an eclipse. Well, it's penumbral lunar eclipse. And you'll have to shake yourself out of your warm bed at a super-early hour on the morning of Saturday, June 6 to catch this one. While the penumbral lunar eclipse — which occurs when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, but they don't form a perfectly straight line — will start around 3.45am, the maximum eclipse will occur at 5.24am. From here, you'll only have a very short amount of time to catch the main event, with the moon setting at 6.59am. For the full details, timeanddate.com has put together a handy to-the-minute schedule of when the eclipse will be happening in each city. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon turns a shade of red, but during a penumbral eclipse, which is much subtler, it'll appear to look dark grey or silver. For a lunar eclipse to occur, there must be a full moon. This June full moon is called a strawberry moon after the wild strawberries that ripen at this time of year. If you can't get a clear view, The Virtual Telescope Project will be live-streaming the partial lunar eclipse from the skyline above Rome from Saturday, June 6 at 5am AEST.
The Gold Coast, with its enviable combination of good weather and beaches, already gives off festival vibes all year round. But the real kicker happens when you add beer to all of that goodness. Add vitamins B (beer) and C (cider) to the vitamin D you cop on the coast with the Crafted Beer and Cider Festival, on Saturday, October 6. Taking place in Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach, the beer festival will unite 35 of Australia's top craft breweries, more than 150 different brews and some good food and live music to line your stomachs and ears. It's as good an excuse as any for a cheeky getaway to the Goldy. Locals like Balter Brewing Company, Black Hops Brewing and Burleigh Brewing Co join up with visitors like Sydney's Akasha Brewing Company, Yulli's Brews and Young Henrys and Victoria's Bridge Road Brewers and Mornington Peninsula Brewery — and that's but a few of the many beer houses to be represented on the day. More of a cider person? Cheeky Tiki Apple Cider and Granite Belt Cider Co. are some of the cideries making the pilgrimage to the Coast. Food-wise, your picks include Greek Street Kantina, Mac From Way Back, The Wiener Haus, SoCal Tacos and more. The music lineup is equally eclectic with punk-pop quartet RACKETT, hip hop band Bootleg Rascal and Canberra's indie rock band Young Monks all providing the soundtrack to your day. Also on the day's agenda is a classic stitch up from comedian Aaron 'Gocsy' Gocs, who'll also be hosting a ping pong competition and beer yoga, where you can perform a few downward dogs before you down your beer — it's all about balance, after all. And, in even better news for your beer-loving palate and soul, you can win a pretty big prize bonanza: we've got two tickets to the festival up for grabs, along with $100 Crafted Cash to spend there, a night's accommodation and a Crafted Festival stubby cooler. To enter, see below. [competition]685434[/competition]
On January 20, wake from your sleep and wander down to The Triffid. There, you'll hail to one of the most influential English bands of the last three decades. Stop daydreaming — there's no surprises who we're talking about. Karma Police: A Tribute to Radiohead will run through Thom Yorke and company's greatest and latest, and won't leave you high and dry as it touches on everything in between. For the paranoid androids worried about just how it'll work, here goes: Tyrone Noonan from George, Inigo, Speedstar, Danny Ross (featuring Ryan and Will from The Cat Empire) and Hannah Rosa will take to the stage, and each belt out for of their favourite Radiohead tracks. Because you're lucky, they won't just be doing that, with two original songs also part of each set. So, where do we go from here? Just hanging around a bar, knowing that something great is going to happen. The band of the evening are so very special, after all. And if you've attended one The Triff's tribute gigs before — honouring Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, Pink Floyd, The Clash, Metallica, Iggy Pop and The Go-Betweens — then you know the kind of night you're in for.
