Guys, we did it. We helped art happen in the face of corporate suckiness. You may remember how last month Lego refused to fulfil Chinese artist and political commentator Ai Weiwei's order for bulk bricks on the grounds that they “cannot approve the use of Legos for political works”. This bizarre and freedom of speech denying move — one that should shock nobody who’s ever stood barefoot on a tiny plastic brick — came just two months before Weiwei's huge blockbuster summer exhibition at Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria, Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei, which will kick off on December 11. When news broke of Lego's tyrannical response, it wasn’t long before the good people of the internet were offering up their own Legos for Weiwei’s use instead. So what did Weiwei do? He announced that he would be collecting donated Lego in different cities to create the exhibition anyway. A collection point was set up in in the NGV sculpture garden in Melbourne as a repository for the Lego blocks. Donors were encouraged to bring in their Lego blocks and drop them through the sunroof of a car parked in the garden. And it worked. In the wee hours of this morning, Weiwei started posting images of his new artworks to Instagram. The portraits are of activists who fight for human rights and free speech, and so far include privacy activist Edward Snowden and the Republic of The Gambia's opposition treasurer, Amadou Sanneh. A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:11am PST A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:26am PST A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:11am PST We love you Weiwei. Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei comes to the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne from December 11 to April 24, in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh. For info and tickets, head to the NGV website. Words: Imogen Baker and Lauren Vadnjal
No, you’re not mistaken in thinking it’s not usually time for the Brisbane Queer Film Festival yet. The festival has come around a little earlier this year, and that’s not the only change. Normally, the long-running event livens up makeshift Brisbane Powerhouse screens in late March and early April, but now it runs alongside MELT, and has moved to nearby Palace Centro. The program kicks off with 2014 Berlinale Teddy Award winner The Way He Looks, before working through a wealth of other queer-focused films. The delightful Appropriate Behaviour is a certain highlight, but wait — there’s more! Also in the 16-session schedule, Lyle plays tribute to Rosemary’s Baby, Xenia takes teens on a Greek odyssey, and Gerontophilia explores an attraction to the elderly. Then there’s The Foxy Merkins, owner of the best title since — and hailing from the director of — the cult hit Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same. The Brisbane Queer Film Festival is one of our top six picks of MELT Festival. See the other five here.
There's never a bad time to explore the centre of Australia, but if you're keen on a trip this Easter, you've got quite the dazzling motivation. While plenty of Australian cities boast radiant arts and culture festivals that brighten up their streets and spaces, Alice Springs' Parrtjima - A Festival In Light takes the whole concept to several different levels. It celebrates Indigenous arts, culture, music and storytelling, including via an eye-catching array of light installations, and also takes place against a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. It's the type of event to add to your travel bucket list, and it has brought its luminous presence back in 2022 — with the event currently running until Sunday, April 17. And, if you're wondering exactly what's brightening up the already-striking Red Centre and how it looks, Parrtjima has unveiled images from its first weekend that just might get you planning a last-minute Easter holiday. As always, the event has taken over the Alice Springs CBD's Alice Springs Todd Mall, plus tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct just out of town — and the festival's main annual attraction, aka a huge artwork that showers the MacDonnell Ranges with light each night of the festival, looks as glorious as ever. When it comes to staring at the stunning natural landmark, this is a 'desert of light experience, as Parrtjima has dubbed it. And yes, from the images, that description is accurate. Also on the lineup: Grounded, which turns traditional and contemporary stories into a projected animation — complete with an immersive soundscape — and consistently proves a crowd favourite. There's Water Tree, too, with the piece inspired by the artwork of Karen Napaljarri Barnes, using acrylic glass to replicate the sight of thousands of budgerigars flocking together, and strung across four archways. Or, attendees can check out Flight, which similarly goes with budgies, this time featuring artwork by Farron Jampitjinpa Furber printed on sheer fabric spears to represent the birds' journey along the Lander River. Another must-see is Eagle's Eye, which takes inspiration from irretye (the wedge-tailed eagle) constellation, and brings a tunnel to life with animation of works by Jeannie Nungarrayi Egan — as well as Wild Wind, by Raelene Ngala Williams, which uses her artwork to celebrate the stories of the whirly whirly through a series of floating and moving structures. There's also the Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists' Energy, comprised of eight static bikes and wheelchairs, which attendees jump on and spin the pedals to illuminate and revolve the artworks. And, the 15-metre-high Night Sky, as created in collaboration with artist Carmen Glynn-Braun and Common Ground, is filled with 1200 glowing orbs that are suspended to look like a blanket of stars. Although the ten-night event has been underway since Friday, April 8, Parrtjima's full lineup also includes live tunes, talks, and the films of Sweet Country, The Beach, Firebite and Samson and Delilah director Warwick Thornton. Of course, Parrtjima is just one of Northern Territory's two glowing attractions in 2022, with Australia's Red Centre lighting up in multiple ways. The festival is a nice supplement to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, which — after multiple extensions — is now on display indefinitely. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs until Sunday, April 17 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information or to book tickets, visit the festival website. Images: Parrtjima 2022.
In 2020, Brisbane made history, becoming the only city outside of Melbourne to ever host an AFL Grand Final. This year, the Queensland capital looks poised to land another huge sporting event — although it won't happen for another 11 years. That'd be the 2032 Olympic Games, with Brisbane named the preferred host for the Games of the XXXV Olympiad back in February. Now, overnight, that quest has progressed. Following a meeting on Thursday, June 10, the International Olympic Committee Executive Board has announced that it is recommending that the Queensland capital gets the official nod. The IOC Executive Board's proposal now moves to the broader International Olympic Committee itself, which will vote on the matter at its next session on Wednesday, July 21. So, in just over a month, Brisbane will likely be named as the actual host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games — not just the preferred host. The move follows a recommendation by the Future Host Commission for the Games of the Olympiad, as happened when Brisbane was named the preferred 2032 host earlier this year. This time, the commission has put together a detailed report, which just earned the Executive Board's unanimous support. Announcing the news and outlining why the city has won its endorsement, the Executive Board listed eight core strengths identified in Brisbane's bid. They include the fact that Australia is apparently a "sports-loving nation"; the use of either existing or temporary venues to cover 84 percent of the Games; the support of the government, the public and the private sector; a commitment to sustainability; and the social and economic benefits — US$6.1 billion in value to Queensland and US$13.4 billion to Australia, according to commission's impact study. https://twitter.com/iocmedia/status/1403007957424611328 If Brisbane is officially named next month, the 2032 Games will be the first held in Oceania since 2000 — when Sydney did the honours — and will mark just a 32-year gap between Australia's most recent hosting slots. The Games were first held on our shores back in 1956, in Melbourne. It'll also mean that southeast Queensland will host the Olympics just 14 years after hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Brisbane has staged the Commonwealth Games, too, back in 1982. Brisbane's bid includes three clusters of venues — in Brisbane itself, on the Gold Coast and on the Sunshine Coast — and proposes that the Games take place between July 23–August 8, 2032. As revealed in April, the Gabba will also undergo a huge revamp if the city hosts the Games, which'll basically involve tearing the stadium down and rebuilding it again. After Tokyo holds the postponed 2020 Games in July and August — without overseas spectators — Paris is on hosting duties in 2024. Then, in 2028, Los Angeles will take the torch. For further details about the International Olympic Committee's announcement, and about Brisbane's bid for the 2032 Olympics, head to the Games' website. Top image: Tokyo 2020 and TMG.
No longer just an empty old Blockbuster store or a vacant lot where said video shop used to be, the patch of land at 458 Brunswick Street is giving Brisbanites plenty of reasons to drop by. First, Hotel X opened its doors and treated the city to a new staycation spot. Then, the building welcomed lavish restaurant Bisou Bisou, complete with an oyster and caviar bar. Next, come Friday, April 30, rooftop bar and restaurant Iris will join the party. The latest venture from the Ghanem Group — which already has Bisou Bisou, Boom Boom Room Izakaya, Donna Chang, Byblos Bar and Restaurant, Blackbird Bar and Grill, and Lord of the Wings to its name — Iris sits alongside Hotel X's pool in its sky-high location. Yes, that means that you'll have quite the view while you're sipping and eating, including of the adjacent water, Fortitude Valley, New Farm, the Story Bridge and the city skyline. While its downstairs sibling has opted for a French theme, Iris is taking its cues from the Mediterranean coast, including everywhere from Beirut to Barcelona. Design-wise, that translates through the exposed stonework entranceway, the rooftop wisteria and olive trees, and the fairy lights twinkling above. You'll also be surrounded by plum, rose and indigo hues accented with gold finishings, plus marble touches. While the full food and drink menu is yet to be revealed, diners can expect Greek and Spanish-style share plate dishes that bring European summers to mind, and have also been made to suit Brisbane's warm climate. Think: barbecue pork rib pinchos, red claw crayfish tails with smoked chorizo butter and spiced toothfish tacos, as well as sangria to wash it all down. Doing the honours in the kitchen is Head Chef Lloyd Evans, who makes the move from Blackbird's private event space. Expect to have company if you're keen to head up — literally — from 11am daily, with Iris seating 200 people in its restaurant space and also featuring a private dining area for 14 people. Poolside bungalows are a feature, too, as is an evening dance floor that'll get patrons cutting shapes to DJs as the sun sets. Find Iris atop Hotel X at 458 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley — open from 11am–late daily from Friday, April 30.
Attention all wannabe heroes: something big is coming. This March, much-loved comic company Marvel will bring its world-class Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. exhibition to Melbourne. The immersive exhibition, held at Federation Square, will give would-be caped crusaders the chance to delve into the history, engineering, genetics and technology behind Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man and the rest of their superhero team. Visitors will also undergo training, as if they were learning to become agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and can explore bespoke equipment and costumes including the Hulkbuster suit, Captain America's uniform and shield, Iron Man's MK armor and Thor's hammer, Mjölnir. Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. combines complex science and technology, developed by Marvel to help bring the successful film franchise to life. Space agency NASA have also contributed to the interactive experience, helping to enhance its scientific authenticity. After successful stints in cities including New York, Seoul and Paris, the exhibition will now head down under for the very first time. Organisers hope it will be an epic fan experience as well as a way to pique visitor interest in real-world science and technology. Earlier this year Marvel broke records when it brought its Creating the Cinematic Universe exhibition to Brisbane, drawing in close to 270,000 fans. Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is expected to be even bigger. Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. will open at Federation Square in March 2018. More information on ticketing will roll out in the coming months – you can sign up for updates here.
'Do one thing and do it well' used to be a mantra of many successful businesses. Google did search. Car makers made cars. Hotels gave you a place to sleep. But now, following the diversification model others have set, Vibe Hotels are releasing music. Vibe: The Chillout Suite is the fourth in the series featuring local talents such as Angus & Julia Stone, Lior and Washington, as well as international acts like Florence + The Machine and Gomez. There's even room for a few classics like Mazzy Star's Fade Into You and Jeff Buckley's Last Goodbye. To celebrate the launch of the album, Vibe are offering one lucky Concrete Playground reader a chillout accommodation package valued at $490 including a one night stay for two people at any of their hotels in Sydney, Melbourne or the Gold Coast, including buffet breakfast, a copy of Chillout Suite, and a late check-out so you can really relax. To enter, just make sure you're a CP subscriber then email us at hello@concreteplayground.com.au by 5pm on Friday, July 8.
'The mormons are coming', posters popping up all around Sydney started promising this week. Come February, they'll officially be here. If you thought you were going to have to head down to Melbourne to catch The Book of Mormon, think again, because Trey Parker and Matt Stone's hit musical is bringing its hilariously irreverent self to the Sydney Lyric Theatre. After playing most of the year down south, with the show's Victorian run due to end in November, the multi-award-winning production will settle in for a Sydney season from February 28, 2018. Tickets go on sale on September 5 for its second Australian stint, and given that all of its 250-plus performances have sold out in Melbourne, it's certain to prove a hot ticket. Written by South Park and Team America's notoriously puerile creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, together with Robert Lopez of genius grown-up muppet show Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon is probably one of the most lauded comedies ever to have centred on the Church of Latter Day Saints, African missions, AIDS, bum jokes and super ironic racism. If it wasn't so smart and so funny, few would forgive it. But since it is, The Book of Morman has picked up nine Tonys, four Olivier Awards, a Grammy and two Helpmanns since it debuted in 2011, and has been called "one of the most joyously acidic bundles Broadway has unwrapped in years". If you've been envious of the throngs seeing the musical in New York, Chicago or London, then you'll be plenty excited that you'll now get the chance to go learn all the idiosyncratic details of Mormonism, meet war criminal General Butt-Fucking Naked and know the true meaning of the hakuna matata-like saying 'Hasa Diga Eebowai'. The Book of Mormon plays the Sydney Lyric Theatre from February 28, 2018. Tickets go on sale on September 5, with the waitlist now open at BookOfMormonMusical.com.au. Image: Ryan Bondy, Zahra Newman, Nyk Bielak and company in The Book of Mormon, AUS 1411. (c) Jeff Busby. By Sarah Ward and Libby Curran.
First it was The Guardian. Then came The Huffington Post. And now The New York Times is the latest international publication to launch in Australia. After vague affirmations that the daily newspaper was looking to expand into Australia in August last year, the Times has today — Tuesday, May 2 — officially launched a Sydney bureau and, with it, extended coverage of news and issues that affect Australians. Unlike The Guardian and HuffPost, the The New York Times' Australian coverage will not have its own edition, but will be integrated into its global site. The addition of an Australian newsroom — which is being led by Damien Cave, who was the publication's deputy national editor in the US — will serve to insert Australian issues into the global agenda. This new coverage, which kicks off today, will include news, investigations, opinion pieces and cultural coverage. The New York Times Australia coverage can be found under the world section of the site. Though the Times works on a subscription model, Australians have unlimited access the site for free until May 8.
Any Questions for Ben? and House of Lies' Josh Lawson writes, directs and stars in an effort destined to be labelled a sex-fuelled Love Actually. Sex Actually? Different types of fetish, kink and between-the-sheets behaviour are explored through the relationships of four couples. Maeve (Bojana Novakovic) wants Paul (Lawson) to fulfil her rape fantasies. Rowena (Kate Box) finds herself aroused whenever husband Richard (Patrick Brammall) cries. Phil (Alan Dukes) finds Maureen (Lisa McCune) at her most attractive when she is sleeping. Dan (Damon Herriman) and Evie (Kate Mulvany) make a foray into roleplaying that backfires. There's laughs both out loud and cringey to be had as the adventurous comedy unfurls. The Little Death is in cinemas on September 25, and thanks to Entertainment One, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=BnnhesQ8Rxc
When Jetstar launched a hefty domestic flight sale last June, it sold 70,000 seats in just five hours, with Australians keen to travel when and where they can in these pandemic-afflicted times. Unsurprisingly, discounted airline tickets have become a common occurrence since travel around Australia restarted — and the airline has just kicked off another sale. The latest Return for Free sale is already running, with discounted fares available until 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, March 7 — if it doesn't sell out prior. In the sale, you'll find cheap flights across a heap routes from destinations right across the country. And, as the name suggests, it's doing return flights for free. So, you buy your ticket to your destination and then Jetstar will cover your trip home. There are a few caveats, as there always is. You have to depart and leave from the same airports and, if you need to make changes down the line to your flight dates, you will have to pay change fees and any difference in fare. The discounted flights don't include checked baggage, either — so you'll need to travel super light, or pay extra to take a suitcase. [caption id="attachment_785574" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] Now that you know some of the things you'll need to take into consideration, here's where you can go. Sydneysiders can snag return tickets to Victoria for $65, Launceston for $89, Brisbane from $92, the Sunshine Coast for $96 and Hamilton Island for $151. Melburnians can book trips to Uluru for $185 and Darwin for $184, and to Hobart from $84, the Gold Coast from $107, and Ballina and Byron Bay from $116. And Brisbanites can head to the Whitsundays for $91, Cairns from $115 and Adelaide from $141. Yes, the list goes on. Tickets in the sale are for trips from April–December 2021, with exact dates varying in each region. If you're keen to get away, book some now and start planning. And, as always, keeping an eye on interstate border requirements is recommended. Jetstar's Return for Free sale runs until 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, March 7, or until sold out.
For a gig that switches from heat to heat faster than Marty McFly into Johnny B. Goode, there ain't nothing like a Hot Dub Time Machine party. Busting out all your favourites from 1954 through to today, Hot Dub is 'powered' by the energy of the crowd, all of whom are nothing short of ecstatic to hear the classics belted out by Sydney's own DJ Tom Loud. And he's bringing the extravaganza to a city near you on a nationwide tour. Bursting onto the scene at the Sydney Fringe Festival in 2011, the Hot Dub concept is simple. The Time Machine runs on the energy of the crowd as it makes its way from the '50s to the modern day. If the energy at the show slows down to anything under extreme, you're literally stuck in time, listening to the tunes of whatever era you crashed in, until you can get crazy enough for lift-off. Coming off the back of a sold-out run across the festival circuit last year, including the Sydney Festival, Hot Dub is more than guaranteed to get your feet, legs, torso, arms and everything else moving to the beat. With balloon drops, glitter bombs and a two-storey-high visual accompaniment, Hot Dub is sure to be a spectacle for the ages. Full tour dates below. SUN 16 MAR – SYDNEY @ TBA (Secret Show) SAT 22 MAR – BRISBANE @ Chalk Hotel SAT 29 MAR – QUEENSTOWN @ World Bar FRI 4 APRIL – FREMANTLE @ Metropolis SAT 5 APRIL – PERTH @ Capitol FRI 11 APRIL – MELBOURNE @ Northcote Social Club. Tickets from northcotesocialclub.com THURS 17 APRIL – CANBERRA @ Academy SAT 19 APRIL – SYDNEY @ Metro Theatre. Tickets from www.metrotheatre.com.au THURS 24 APRIL – BALLARAT @ Karova SAT 3 MAY – BYRON BAY @ Beach Hotel SUN 4 MAY – DARWIN @ Discovery SAT 10 MAY – NEWCASTLE @ Argyle House SAT 17 MAY – COFFS HARBOUR @ Plantation For more info, head to the Hot Dub website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=iIVVvtWSBZo
If you've decided to take an experience-based approach to gift giving this year, we will always suggest that you go with the satisfaction-guaranteed gift of food. You could, for example, extend an invitation to enjoy a meal and merriment at an iconic Brisbane institution like The Regatta Hotel. The breezy and versatile venue's open-air courtyard, private dining rooms and award-winning restaurant all deliver a reliably summer-friendly backdrop for myriad festive season occasions. However, if you'd rather give your gift recipient the chance to pick their own venue of choice, then the good people at Australian Venue Co. have made it completely foolproof. You can purchase a gift voucher to use at any of their 200+ pubs and bars across Australia — including 50 right here in Brisbane. Australian Venue Co gift cards are an extremely easy gift solution for your fun friends or hard-to-impress corporate clients. Bonus if they invite you to come along. With no need to lock in a specific location or book a time, picking the perfect Australian Venue Co. gift card really is as simple as browsing their extensive list of bars, pubs and restaurants for inspiration.
Let’s get this out of the way early: As pretty much every article ever written of The Tallest Man on Earth will tell you, no, folk troubadour Kristian Matsson is not particularly tall, and no, he doesn't make any secret out of channeling his hero, Dylan. But you wouldn’t call Mattson derivative. As anyone who has ever seen this not-so-tall man live will tell you, Matsson has become known for coming on stage alone with just an acoustic guitar, and blowing everyone away with his charisma and stage presence. This tour offers a great chance to get a taste of songs off the back of his latest offering, There’s No Leaving Now, a home recorded album which explores different territory to his last two releases. To his intricate guitar work he’s added layers of woodwinds, drums and songs that explore more grounded, relaxed territory. The stage might be bigger, and the arrangements more complex, but Mattson’s reputation as a performer will remain. If you’re a seasoned fan, chances are you’re already salivating over the chance to see Mattson again. If you’re not, chances are he’ll win you over with his honest, humble performance that has charmed audiences the world over.
After adding German-themed drinking spots to Chermside, South Bank and Bowen Hills, Rockpool isn't done with its new mission to spread steins and schnitzels across Brisbane. The hospitality group has set its sights on a new location for one of its brands, The Bavarian, which'll open at the top of Petrie Terrace in July. Situated on the edge of the Barracks complex, the site is no stranger to hearty meals paired with hefty brews — for 26 years, up until April 2018, it was home to the city's most prominent Hog's Breath Cafe. When The Bavarian takes over the currently empty premises, the two-level spot will become a huge restaurant and beer hall that can accommodate 600 people. It'll also feature a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, including in its beer garden. [caption id="attachment_670022" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Bavarian Beerhaus, King Street.[/caption] While further details are thin on the ground, visitors to any of Rockpool's other Bavarian joints — including those on Eagle Street, at Broadbeach and Coomera, and on the Sunshine Coast — will know what they're in for. As well as a range of 40 Australian, German and international brews on top, plus a sizeable schnapps selection, the menu will include pretzels, pork knuckles, sausages and platters piled with meat. And, although it might seem as if The Bavarian's latest outpost is rather close to its sibling venues in the CBD and just over the river in South Brisbane, setting up shop on Petrie Terrace is a smart move. The inner-city area is already home to more than a couple of watering holes, with two pubs and a burger brew bar just along Caxton Street; however, the proximity to Suncorp Stadium means that there are always plenty of hungry, thirsty Brisbanites in close range. Find The Bavarian at 5 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane from July. We'll keep you updated regarding an opening date.
Whether you live in an airy apartment or spend your time in a cosy cafe, the physical spaces you inhabit are likely to be warm and welcoming. They're a careful product of architecture and design calculated to make you feel comfortable; however not all places boast the same look, feel and atmosphere. Some spaces can be hostile and exclusionary, acting as a deterrent or enforcing forms of power and control. For audiences largely unaccustomed to this relationship with the walls around them, Melbourne-based creative Lachlan Anthony explores the more formidable side of the built environment. Geometric Asylum will turn Metro Arts into the kind of restricted area no one usually wants to find themselves within, imposing limitations on each patron's movement throughout the gallery in order to explore the harsher side of spatial strategy. Wander through the world Anthony has created from July 13, then head back on the exhibition's closing day on July 30 to hear the sculpture, performance and installation artist reflect upon the experience. Image: Lachlan Anthony, Vast Impenetrability, 2015.
Throughout 2014, Anita Holtsclaw has held the esteemed position of Metro Arts' Artist in Residence. Now, she brings her year in the spotlight to an end with an exhibition that continues her career-long screen-based experimentation. Holtsclaw is known for focusing on vision and representation in her work, particularly how female protagonists are depicted and seen in cinema. Searching continues this focus, enacting the poetic definition of the titular term in a contemplation of dialogues of longing and loss in the landscape. The output of Bas Jan Ader proves influential too, with the Dutch conceptual and performance artist lost at sea during his final work, 1975's In Search Of The Miraculous. Using video shot off the shores of Bundaberg (her home town) combined with sea soundscapes and sail-like textiles, Holtsclaw shapes Searching as a continuation of Ader's efforts and a response to his tragic end, while also furthering her own theoretical framework and filtering through various personal experiences.
While in lockdown, you've probably been battling with your hairstyle a little. Should you attempt to trim your bangs? Shave your head? Dye it blue a la Hilary Duff? Well, if you decide to cut yourself a mullet, you'll score some free beer courtesy of the folk over at Melbourne's Moon Dog Craft Brewery. The team behind Abbotsford's OG Moon Dog and Preston's OTT Moon Dog World is celebrating the launch of its new strawberry sour ale, Jean-Strawb Van Damme, by giving away four-packs of the brew to everyone who takes on the mullet challenge. To prove you've gotten your new 'do in iso, you'll need to post a before and after photo and tag both @moondogbrewing and @beefsbarbers. And not only will you score yourself a four-pack, you'll also go into the running to win a year's supply of beer. The 365 days of brews — plus and epic prize pack — will go to the best/worst mullet, so go all out. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_EcsWFjDXs/ If you need some inspo, we suggest heading on over to the Mulletfest website. Held every year in the regional NSW town of Kurri Kurri, the festival awards prizes to the best mullet hairstyle in a heap of categories, from 'grubby' to 'extreme' and 'everyday'. Those who don't want to look like Patrick Swayze in Point Break (or Road House), can still try the tasty sour ale. Moon Dog is delivering it across Australia ($20 a four-pack or $100 a 24-pack) and it's available at select bottle-os across the country, too. To score yourself a free four-pack of Jean-Strawb Van Damme — and go into the running to win a year's supply of beer — you'll need to post a before and after photo and tag both @moondogbrewing and @beefsbarbers. To buy the beer, head to the Moon Dog website.
If you thought extreme skiing didn’t get much wilder than the Perisher Blue half-pipe, have we got news for you. From sliding down steep ascents at incomprehensible speeds, chasing avalanches (or being chased by them), to batting away thoughts of stupid sexy Flanders in the name of adrenalin, extreme skiing is almost as wild to watch on the slopes as it does on the big screen - and if there’s one film production company that knows blood, sweat, tears and ice better than anyone else, it’s Warren Miller Entertainment. Since the 1950 release of Deep and Light, the first extreme skiing movie, they’re latest production Ticket to Ride, proves a friendly, and exhilarating reminder of the high-octane, clean-cut, icy-precise production that comes from 64 years in the snow business game. Capturing the athletic elite-ship of Sochi Gold medallist Ted Ligety, Seth Wescott, Julia Mancuso, Sean Pettit and Chris Davenport in action, Ticket to Ride shows off some of the worlds finest skiers, on backdrops of some of the world's most dangerous snow ranges. The Judith Wright Centre will be screening Ticket to Ride this Thursday and Friday over four sessions. Experience the most epic ski adventure to date, with some of the globes most dangerous, sought-after and gob-smackingly beautiful ski locations on show – from Alaskan Tordrillos, Iceland’s Troll Peninsula, the fjords of Greenland and the Big Sky country of Montana, Ticket to Ride covers more snowy terrain than The Rocky Mountaineer, and shows off twice as many thrills. Check out the Ticket to Ride trailer here.
Heading to a bar and truly being yourself don't always go hand-in-hand. Whether you're a veteran hospitality worker who spends too much of your life pouring beverages, or you're just fond of hitting your local once the working week is done, navigating the nightlife scene usually involves being on guard — especially for women. Enter Brisbane's newest pop-up: Cream. Here, relaxing, tearing down barriers, and feeling welcome and respected are all on the agenda, as is — according to co-organiser Gibby Odlum — "letting your freak flag fly". The regular event is the brainchild of Odlum, Kayla Reid and Allison Jones, who all work in Brisbane's watering holes — Odlum is the venue manager at Blute's in Fortitude Valley, Reid holds the same role at Savile Row and Jones does the same at Super Whatnot in the CBD. Once a week, the trio would get together over margaritas and let their hair down, inviting different friends and colleagues along to join them. Then, after being approached by Black Bear Lodge owner Aidan Beiers, the three decided to turn their regular gathering into a public party. [caption id="attachment_729537" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Brendan Grimley[/caption] After kicking off back in February, Cream's second event will take place on Monday, July 15 — and the galactic rodeo theme offers a great insight into what's in store. Think dressing up, letting loose and getting into the partying spirit, all while sipping drinks from Jagermeister, Puerto Pacifico and Young Henrys, and making shapes to Moon Spoon and Thicc Shake Crew. "We all know you have a cowboy hat somewhere in the back of your cupboard," Odlum says. While plenty of bars and shindigs combine tunes, booze and a chilled mood, Cream's focus on providing a safe, judgement-free space for everyone is a welcome one. "Our mission statement is simple: no matter how you identify or your background, it's a place we can all come together and just enjoy a really honest event," says Jones. "Being a woman in a male-dominated industry isn't easy, but, for the three of us, we wanted to use this platform to not fight it in an aggressive way, but to turn the image of women being on the outside to women being these hardcore, badass legends." From here, Cream doesn't have a firm plan, but eager Brisbanites can expect more pop-ups, including potential collaborations with other events. Venturing to Sydney could also be on the cards, too. "We want to keep our options open as much as possible and branch out where we can," says Reid. Cream's Galactic Rodeo takes place at 7pm on Monday, July 15 at Black Bear Lodge. For more information and upcoming events, keep an eye on Cream's Facebook page. Top image: Blute's Bar.
Back when streaming platforms and digital television were just a futuristic dream, and when every Australian TV network only had one channel, SBS was an Aussie cinephile's go-to source for free international cinema. The public broadcaster has continued to uphold that role over the past decade or so, especially via its online service SBS On Demand. But now it's giving movie buffs what we've always wanted: a new, free-to-air, 24-hour world movies channel. SBS World Movies will launch on Monday, July 1 on channel 32, playing flicks from around the globe all day, every day. Prepare for quite the movie marathon, as more than 700 films will be broadcast each year. The channel will also become the network's third in HD — a far cry from the days when folks at home would record the station's international movies on grainy VHS tapes to watch again later. While the full launch slate hasn't been revealed, a selection of recent high-profile titles will be heading SBS World Movies' way, including Yorgos Lanthimos' dark and twisty The Killing of a Sacred Deer with Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman; moving French drama Amanda, which just screened at this year's Alliance Française French Film Festival; and applauded 2018 festival hit Ash is the Purest White, the latest film by acclaimed auteur Jia Zhangke. Norwegian historical drama The 12th Man, French thriller Just A Breath Away and Belgian Cannes winner Girl round out the just-announced first movies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=QT3KlMWHfzw The channel will also showcase women in film via a weekly double focusing on female filmmakers and lead actors, highlight favourites from the international film festival circuit, delve into up-and-coming cinema from far-flung corners of the world, and curate seasons around events like Diwali, Lunar New Year, International Women's Day and Mardi Gras. Along with programming world movies on its existing channels, as well as on SBS On Demand, SBS is no stranger to the dedicated film channel game. For nearly a quarter of a century up until January 2018, World Movies was available via subscription TV services such as Foxtel. When SBS World Movies joins the network's lineup, it'll sit alongside existing channels SBS, SBS VICELAND, SBS Food and NITV. SBS World Movies launches on Monday, July 1 on channel 32.
Cast-off materials are their paintbrushes and their infinite imagination is their canvas. Mason Sinclair present a range of clever pop-inspired, hand-printed artworks with a nostalgic twist. Melanie Mason and Belinda Sinclair are Bayside artists who celebrate each and every literal piece of their cultural heritage, using bits and pieces, including the wood from demolished Queenslander homes. They give second life to once beloved materials facing the loneliness of the scrapheap. “By adopting these re-purposed works, we hope they will be given a new home and to honour the legacy of the timbers that housed our ancestors.” Their exhibition Trash Bandits, Scrounge Lizards will be hosted by Lust For Life Tattoo in Fortitude Valley, the exhibition will be housed here until the end of March in the Lust For Life Tattoo Gallery Espresso Bar.
If you've been looking for an excuse to eat cake, don't wait around for the next office birthday. Gelato Messina thinks every day is a good day to eat an entire cake by yourself, which is why the frozen treats expert has launched a new range of its single-serve gelato cakes last year — and now its finally bringing them to Brisbane. Already on the menu at Sydney's Rosebery and Darling Square outposts and Melbourne's Fitzroy, Messina Monoporzione (or Monos for short) is now available to buy at its South Brisbane digs. Unsurprisingly, these single-serve cakes are just as gorgeous as Messina's usual creations, but you don't have to share them. The six adorable mini cakes include the brand's signature Dr Evil's Magic Mushroom (dark chocolate mousse with dulce de leche and peanut butter, placed atop edible grass) and the Bombe Alaska (marsala-soaked sponge cake, vanilla gelato, strawberry mousse and compote, wrapped in torched meringue). [caption id="attachment_745192" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ballin'[/caption] There's also a striking bubble tea-shaped number — the white chocolate 'cup' is filled with earl grey and lychee mousse, topped with lychee compote and finished with a red and white striped chocolate 'straw'. Then there's the all-black Lamington³, with milk chocolate mousse, raspberry gel, coconut gelato and almond crunch. For nut lovers, the final two in the Monos range are the spherical malt and peanut praline Ballin' and the Seymour Nuts: a disc of chocolate hazelnut ganache and hazelnut gelato, finished with caramel glaze and cocoa nibs. These beautiful babies will cost you $12 a pop or, if you still have it in your mind to share, you can also nab a box of three or six for $33 and $63 respectively. Gelato Messina's Monos are available in-store at Gelato Messina South Brisbane, 1/109 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane. If you're choosing to go out and support local businesses, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health.
Brisbanites, if catching a train is on your agenda today, Wednesday, June 16 — and catching one to get to or through the inner-city in a hurry in particular — then you might want to start making other plans. Every line that runs through Central Station is currently experiencing major delays due to a track fault near the CBD transport hub. All services on all lines that run through the inner city are affected, which spans a lengthy list, including the Airport, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast services. Also impacted: the Beenleigh, Caboolture, Ipswich/Rosewood, Springfield, Cleveland, Doomben, Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe and Redcliffe Peninsula lines, too. Buses haven't been brought in to replace trains, but commuters can expect delays of up to 50 minutes on all lines — so, if you don't have any option but to catch a train, prepare to spend some time waiting. https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1404958025660747777 At the time of writing, Translink has advised that technicians are onsite attending to the fault. Fingers crossed that it's fixed before the end-of-day commute hits. Today has been an eventful day for Brisbanites when it comes to leaving the house, with a blanket of thick fog sparking weather warnings and road visibility issues first thing this morning. For further details about the rail delays, head to the Translink website — or keep an eye on the Translink Twitter feed.
Black cats and witches go hand-in-hand, if many a fictional tale is to be believed. And even if such stories aren't 100 percent accurate, no one is going to complain about combining the cuteness of the former with an occasion oft-associated with the latter. No, they're not, because who doesn't want to go Black Cat Market this Halloween? Thank the clever folks behind Annerley's Lucky Cat Cafe for having a stroke of genius that'll help you stroke more than a couple of cute kitties. Yes, free mingling with the establishment's felines is one of the things on offer on October 29, much to the delight of cat lovers around town. So is a vegan bake sale, a sausage sizzle, designer arts and crafts stalls, a raffle, bargain pet supplies and free cat treats. Image: Mark Richards.
If you've spent the past year with your nose buried in a book, that's about to pay off beyond the everyday joys and thrills of reading. Sydney Writers' Festival returns for 2023 with another hefty catalogue of thought-provoking events — 226 of them, with almost 300 writers and thinkers involved. Every writers' festival converges around an annual theme, with Sydney's focusing on 'Stories for the Future' for its 2023 iteration from Monday, May 22–Sunday, May 28 at various venues around the city — and also beamed digitally. Today's most current Booker Prize-winner, plus three from past years as well, top the lineup: Shehan Karunatilaka, who won in 2022 for The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida; The Luminaries' Eleanor Catton; The Narrow Road to The Deep North's Richard Flanagan and Girl Woman Other's Bernardine Evaristo. Still on highly applauded attendees, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist Colson Whitehead — for The Underground Railroad, which was then adapted into a TV series, and for The Nickel Boys — also leads the bill, arriving between Harlem Shuffle's 2021 publication and sequel Crook Manifesto's arrival this July. Among the international names at the Sydney Writers' Festival, the above headliners have ample company. When Trinidad-born UK musician Anthony Joseph isn't talking poetry — he is 2022's TS Eliot Prize for Poetry winner — London restauranteur Asma Khan from Darjeeling Express, and also seen on Chef's Table, will chat about comfort food; Daniel Lavery from Slate, who penned the Dear Prudence column from 2016–21, will run through his best advice; and Vietnamese author Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai will introduce her new novel Dust Child. On the local front, get ready for two iconic pairings: former Prime Minister Julia Gillard being interviewed by Indira Naidoo, plus Jurassic Park favourite Sam Neill discussing work, life and writing with his Sweet Country, Dean Spanley, Dirty Deeds and Palm Beach co-star Bryan Brown. Also on the must-attend list: Grace Tame chatting about The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner: A Memoir, Heartbreak High's Chloé Hayden doing the same with Different, Not Less: A neurodivergent's guide to embracing your true self and finding your happily ever after, and Stan Grant on The Queen Is Dead. Also, on Monday, May 15 before the main festival, Tim Winton will discuss writing the ABC TV documentary Love Letter to Ningaloo. And, if your main relationship with the printed word is through recipe books, the 2023 festival is going all in on the topic for one day at Carriageworks Farmers Market. Stephanie Alexander and Maggie Beer will talk with Adam Liaw, while fixing the food system and family recipes will also nab chats by culinary talent. Capping off the bill will be foodie gala The Dinner That Changed My Life, with everyone from Nat's What I Reckon and Jennifer Wong to Alice Zaslavsky and Colombo Social's Shaun Christie-David involved. As always, free events are a big part of the program as well, with more than 80 on this year. And, also in the same category, the spread of venues is hefty — including Carriageworks, Town Hall, and 25 suburban venues and libraries across Sydney. [caption id="attachment_893385" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grace Tame by Kishka Jensen[/caption] Images: Prudence Upton.
There is something very interesting about the concept of ‘emptiness’ in relation to the art of printmaking. Printmaking, by its nature, relies just as much on its positive elements as it does on its negative, ‘empty space’ elements. Its very essence lies in deciding what to remove; what to make empty. In mathematics, the ‘empty set’ is the “unique set having no numbers”. It looks like this: { }. According to D.J. Darling’s The Universal Book of Mathematics (2004), the empty set is not nothing, but rather "the set of all triangles with four sides, the set of all numbers that are bigger than nine but smaller than eight, and the set of all opening moves in chess that involve a king". The empty set, therefore, is the possibility of something; the endless possibility of something impossible. The same might be said for artist group The {Empty Set}, comprised predominantly of graduates of Griffith University's Queensland College of Art. They are Gwenn Tasker, Alex Gillies, Karen Kase, Heidi Stephens, Ann Roworth, Carolyn McKenzie-Craig, Louise Irving, Belinda Sinclair, Kathryn Danger Sawyer and Ky Curran. "Transience, fragmentation, dissolution, ritual, hybrid forms, myth, magic, new cosmologies and the undead are some of the soft fruits of metamorphosis that inhabit the liminal landscape and are some of the themes explored by the artists in The {Empty Set}.” Working in print and paper, this exhibition will showcase the set’s diverse contemporary talents across a wide range of media including installation, video, jewellery and artist books, demonstrating the place for printmaking in cross-disciplinary practices. Image credit: Belinda Sinclair - “Wolfberries for the Goldwitch”, courtesy of White Canvas Gallery
Whenever a new blockbuster exhibition opens at the Gallery of Modern Art, it comes bearing plenty of gifts. You'd expect a heap of paintings, sculptures and installations, and you'd be right; however GOMA's high-profile attractions also boast their own series of parties — after dark, when the gallery is usually closed. With Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection currently gracing the South Brisbane spot's walls, it's time for a new batch of evening shindigs. From 5.30pm every Friday between June 8 and July 7, Patricia Piccinini Up Late will feature bars, bands and talks alongside the artist's distinctive creations, with Amaya Laucirica, Xylouris White, Lydia Lunch Retrovirus, Zola Jesus, Miss Blanks, Cable Ties and The Gooch Palms on the bill. Given that the Curious Affection exhibition and its accompanying film program both contemplate the intersection of science, nature, fiction and the unconscious, this isn't going to be your usual late-night art party. Also on offer is a series of chats that will explore the emotions conjured up by Piccinini's work. Yep, you're going to have plenty to talk about. Images: Patricia Piccinini, Australia VIC, b.1965, Teenage Metamorphosis. 2017. Silicone, fibreglass, human hair, found objects. 25 x 137 x 75cm. Courtesy the artist, Tolarno Galleries, Melbourne; Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney; and Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco / Zola Jesus.
Purrfect news, feline fans: everything a dapper doggo can do, a cute cat can as well. While that's an accurate statement in general, as anyone who has ever shared their life with both a pooch and a kitty will know, it's also the thinking behind Brisbane's brand-new animal event. From the folks behind the Dog Lovers Festival comes the mouser equivalent: the Cat Lovers Festival. If you wear the 'crazy cat person' label as a badge of honour, stop to pat every moggie you meet while you're walking down the street or spend your all of your spare time watching cat videos (or all of the above), then you'll want to block out Saturday, March 9–Sunday, March 10, 2024 in your calendar. Expect the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre to come alive with the sounds of meows, and expect pussy lovers to come out in force. On the agenda: feline-focused education and celebration. Before you go thinking about adorable kitties wearing glasses and sitting at desks, or popping streamers and wearing party hats (awwwwwwwww), humans will be doing the learning and rejoicing. Really, what's more informative and exuberant than entering the Pat-A-Cat zone and getting cosy with cats of all shapes and sizes — and possibly taking one home with you? If that doesn't tickle your whiskers, expect to meet more than 200 kitties, hit up a cat supermarket, listen to talks about felines, watch cat shows, see a Hello Kitty! performance and grab a bite to eat. Just remember: there'll be plenty of mousers in the Cat Lovers Show house, so you'll need to leave your own moggie at home. Also, over the same two days, the Brisbane Dog Lovers Festival will be on next door.
The hit rock musical based on Green Day's iconic album American Idiot will return to Brisbane in 2018. Following a hit season in 2017, this next run of Green Day's American Idiot will see Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson reprise his lead performance as St Jimmy — a role played internationally by the likes of Melissa Etheridge, Chris Cheney and Green Day's own Billie Joe Armstrong. The acclaimed Aussie musician will again be joined on stage by Phoebe Panaretos, whose performance as Whatsername during the show's Brisbane run scored her a Helpmann nomination. Hailed as a bold and explosive production, the Tony and Grammy award-winning show features every song from the band's eponymous album, along with a number of tunes from Green Day's follow-up record, 21st Century Breakdown. It's the tale of three lifelong mates, torn between remaining in their safe, aimless ruts, and challenging the status quo to embark on a journey of self-discovery. The American Idiot 2018 tour will begin with a brief season at the Sydney Opera House, before runs in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. Images: Dylan Evans.
If you're looking to dip into a few fresh literary delights, why not opt for a deep-dive into some of the world's oldest storytelling traditions? That's what you can expect to enjoy when this week's Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival serves up a celebration of First Nations stories and writers, fusing tradition and innovation. Running from Thursday, March 17 until Sunday, March 20, the festival will spotlight over 67 talented storytellers — both emerging and familiar — across a program of conversations, workshops, readings and performances. Most events will be held at Melbourne's Wheeler Centre, with many also streamed online. The festival's launch night kicks off with a Welcome to Country and multi-disciplinary performance piece Solace, as traditional owners and artists Philly, Bryan Andy, James Henry and Steven Rhall explore ideas around men's mental health. During Borrow a Living Book, you'll have the chance to sit down with an elder at Indigenous-owned eatery Big Esso and immerse yourself in the stories of their lived experiences. With Kimmy Lovegrove as MC, Gammon (Aboriginal slang for 'joking' or 'kidding') delivers a serve of Blak comedy, while The Monologues showcases words from celebrated First Nations playwrights including Kodie Bedford, Anita Heiss and Jane Harrison. Elsewhere, you'll catch a series of ten-minute talks by social justice activists, an in-depth exploration of Aboriginal aesthetic within the Australian design landscape, and a group poetry read featuring writers like Jazz Money and Charmaine Papertalk Green. Can't make it in person? A stack of the events will also be available to enjoy streamed online, with various ticketing options on offer. [caption id="attachment_846280" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maurial Spearim, by Tiffany Garvie[/caption] Top Image: Richard Frankland and Stan Yarramunua, by Tiffany Garvie
In the very near future, a patch of Eagle Street will be changed forever, with Eagle Street Pier about to be torn down and replaced by a new precinct. As a result, the riverside spot's tenants are all saying farewell to their current digs — including Saké Eagle Street Pier. The Japanese favourite is shutting its doors on Saturday, July 16, but it's doing two big final days of food, drinks and beats first to go out with a bang. That's what's in store at Saké's Itterasshai! (See You Again!) Closing Party, taking place on Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16. A DJ will be spinning tunes, while the four-course food and drink menu will set you back $99 for a tasty evening. On offer: kingfish jalapeno, oysters with white ponzu, sashimi ceviche tacos, popcorn shrimp, gyoza and karaage among the entrees — with cold and hot selections spanning their own courses — plus mains such as miso marinated toothfish and wagyu steak with truffle cream. For dessert, there's Japanese cheesecake. Each course comes with a matched drink, and you'll also sip a cocktail upon arrival. And if you're wondering why the party is called 'see you again!', that's because the Saké crew hopes to return to a new Brisbane location, although nothing has been announced as yet. Unsurprisingly, Saké's final sittings are proving popular, so booking ASAP is recommended.
This winter, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is hosting a sales event of most peculiar stock. Strange things they are, full of pages, rampant with words and with covers of the most beautiful colours. You can't charge them, they don't run out of battery, their brightness is unalterable, and they won't smash when you drop them. After being forced to shake up its usual schedule over the past few years due to the pandemic, Lifeline Bookfest is coming back for another round of vintage bargains between Saturday, June 4–Sunday, June 12. It's where you'll find everything from Australian Women's Weekly Cookbooks to a bit of cheeky erotica, as well as games, DVDs and puzzles. If you've been before, you'll know there are warehouse quantities of books for sale – your grade five diary is probably hidden under a copy of Shantaram, and you'll come across at least three copies of Cooking with Days of Our Lives. In fact, over this year's nine-day winter run, more than one million items will be up for grabs. Prices tend to range from $2.50 to the big bucks — and when it last unleashed its treasure trove in mid-2021, the $1 selection got the axe so that the sale could spread out in these social-distancing times. Don't go thinking you won't have plenty to choose from, though. Whenever Bookfest hits Brisbane, it always brings hundreds of crates of reading materials with it. You'll still want to bring a trolley and your glasses, obviously, and to clear some space on your shelves at home. And, you'll want to bring your cards, because this Bookfest is cashless. Also, you'll need your own bags, as books won't be wrapped for you this year. Head along from 7.30am–6pm on Saturday, June 4; 8.30am–6pm between Sunday, June 5–Thursday, June, 8; 8.30am–9pm on Friday, June 10; and 8.30am–6pm between Saturday, June 11–Sunday, June 12. Images: Bookfest.
Anything a human can do, a dog can do too — at least according to every single canine that's become someone's best friend. If you have a pet pooch, you know the drill. Wherever you go, they want to go. Wherever you sit, they want to sit. Whatever you eat, they want to eat as well. Sadly for your four-legged bestie, that mindset doesn't always pay off — but throughout August at The Prince Consort in Fortitude Valley, it's Pawgust time again in 2023. The Wickham Street pub is dedicating the entire month to pairing pints with pooches. The beers are for you, obviously, not your barking companion. A heap of special events are on the agenda, including the venue's Four-Legged Pub Crawl on Saturday, August 5, a Paws and Pints session on Sunday, August 6 and a fundraising brunch on Saturday, August 12. Also on offer: cocktails named after canines and fundraising for the Animal Welfare League Queensland. Indeed, $1 from each of those special tipples will go to the AWLQ.
If you're serious about bacon, then there's only one place to be over the weekend of Friday, August 18–Sunday, August 20. That's the town of Kingaroy, about two-and-a-half hours north-west of Brisbane. As it does every year, it's dedicating three whole days to one glorious type of foodstuff. Whether you're keen on eating it or buying a heap of it, if there's bacon involved, it's on offer during Kingaroy BaconFest. Browse the bacon market, watch bacon cooking demonstrations, catch pork masterclasses or try your hand at the tastiest eating contest there is. Yes, it's about bacon, obviously. Getting cooking: headlining chef Miguel Maestre, plus Alastair McLeod leading the Ready, Steady... Bacon food series. There'll also be a big bacon breakfast and a wine-and-swine party. Live music is also on the bill, plus bacon ice cream. And, you can get jogging at the running event called Rasher's Fun Run, then have your tastebuds tempted again a barbecue pork smoke-off competition. [caption id="attachment_854893" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nancy Jayde Photography[/caption] Updated June 19.
Every Brisbanite with a vinyl collection has bought something from Rocking Horse Records — and over the years, with the store dating back to the 70s, we've all bought more than that, too. CDs, DVDs, band merchandise: they're just some of the reasons that stopping by the city spot has long proven a must. Back in the days before the internet, it was a go-to for gig tickets as well. Fancy trawling through the Brissie icon's wares, but in the huge surroundings of South Bank Piazza? That's about to become a reality for one day only. From 12pm on Friday, August 12, Vinyl Village will take over the South Brisbane venue — and bring Rocking Horse across the river. Browsing for and buying all the records you can dream of — thousands of them, in fact — is only part of the fun, however. The record market will run until 8pm, but there'll be DJ sets from 4.30pm, as hosted by fellow Brisbane legends Ben Ely (from Regurgitator) and Patience Hodgson (from The Grates). Ely will also hit the decks, as will DJ Elnorto. If you have a favourite track, you'll be able to request it, too. And, from 6pm, Ely and Hodgson will chair a Vinyl Listening Party, complete with a panel discussion after each song featuring Lissie Turner (aka former Triple J presenter Mel Bampton), the Brisbane Jazz Club's Malcolm Wood, Luke Henery from Violent Soho, hop hop artist Sachem and singer-songwriter Andrea Kirwin. All of the above is free — other than the records you'll be stocking up on, of course, and any food you nab from Bill's Burgers and El Corazon, plus drinks from Hop and Pickle. Updated August 9.
Before Daiso popped up in every Brisbane shopping centre, another store was helping locals get their cheap knick-knack fix. If you've ever walked along Brunswick Street — and who hasn't? — then you know which place we're talking about. With shelves filled with plastic toys, bamboo trinkets and all things in between, I Life Factory is an unsung Valley institution, as well as the kind of place where plush souvenir koalas and one-use sunglasses live side by side. And now, it's also the inspiration for The Foundry's latest event. Yep, they're throwing an I Life Factory party. It's about time, to be honest; if ever a Brissie landmark was crying out for some recognition, it's this one. In what promises to be the first of many such celebrations, Caroline, Simi Lacroix, Makeout Creek Death Cult and The Dollar Bill Murrays will be pumping out tunes to mark the occasion, alongside a secret headliner. BYO novelty wallet, waving cat or bunch of fake flowers.
When Georgia, aka Dord Burrough, doesn't paint, she babysits. And when she's doing neither, she's existing as one of the cruisiest, coolest and most genius artists that's ever spawned from Brisbane. Having shown her work in dozens of underground galleries - in both Australia and Berlin - she's an export worth keeping a creative eye on. For now she's home in the sweet state of Queensland, and will be showcasing her latest work at Ryan Renshaw Gallery for one month. With pieces that border on romance, and stray into fields of gore, this selection of Burroughs' art is one easily posed through a psychedelic lens. The fey, pale works of Dord Burrough's make for a viewing experience that induces squeamishness as much as thought. Aquatic tones upon pastel sprays, in movements that droop and drape, yet strangely stick to canvas, her art pays gentle homage to alchemy. In lay man's terms, it's trippy as jump rope. Don't miss out on seeing the Dord Burrough sometime this month - if you leave it to the last minute, you risk missing a free passage into a psychedelic unknown.
In the past, The Plant Market has popped up at West End's West Village — but that's not the only patch of Brisbane benefiting from its greenery. Making a return for 2021, the event is heading northside, setting up shop at The Soul Pantry in Stafford for a Saturday filled with nature's splendour. Looking for something leafy to sit on your window sill? A statement plant for your back deck? Succulents and cacti, because they brighten up any space? Expect to find them here, all from local growers. Indoor and outdoor green babies will be on offer, as will pots from Brissie creatives. Just head on down to the free event from 9am–2pm on Saturday, April 24 — and if you have some plants at home that don't quite suit, you can bring them along to the onsite greenery adoption centre. It works the other way, too, so you can pick up a plant that someone else didn't want and take it home with you for free.
Doggy day spa and pet boutique Dogue has finally landed in Brisbane, with the group's first Queensland store opening its doors in Bulimba this week. And your four-legged friends are definitely going to want to get involved in the launch celebrations, which'll take over the Oxford Street boutique on Saturday, May 26. The grand opening party has a program packed with fun for humans and pooches alike, kicking off at 10am with a Dogue goodie bag for the first 50 guests through the door. There'll be face painting for kids and colour chalking for the dogs, a 'pup-arazzi' photo booth, plus grooming demonstrations in case you're thinking of signing up your pup for a spot of pampering by Dogue's team of experts. What's more, you'll likely head home with a few treats in tow, thanks to a swag of giveaways and a range of specials on both grooming services and products. And don't forget the dapper outfits if you want to be in with a chance to take out the prize for Best Dressed Pooch.
It doesn't snow in Brisbane. Sometimes, if it gets cold enough, the skies can whiten around the Granite Belt; however, that isn't Brissie. For seven days in Fortitude Valley, however, you will be able to surround yourself with the best thing that winter has to offer without leaving the city — and there'll be 50 tonnes of the stuff, in fact. Yes, all that snow will be real. You'll find it at The Prince Consort as part of the venue's returning Snow Week, and it'll be falling from the sky from Tuesday, June 25–Monday, July 1. The Wickham Street spot is turning into a winter wonderland, because it's that time of year. And, it's hosting a heap of snow-themed festivities to help you make the most of the event. Fancy a round of Snow (Drag) Queen Bingo? Have an ugly sweater you'd like to bust out at a party dedicated to terrible woollen wares? Fancy pretending you're at a ski resort? They're all options throughout the week. So is attending a shindig dedicated to Canada, to celebrate Canada Day — poutine included — and, for the same occasion, a Shania Twain appreciation party. Also on offer: nooks to get cosy in, live tunes and DJs, and special food menus to suit the occasion. Even the week's State of Origin viewing is happening in the snow. Rugging up is recommended, obviously.
Since late in 2020, if you've been near the South Bank and North Quay stretch of the river – or even just driven along the Riverside Expressway — then you've likely seen Will & Flow. It's the overwater bar that's perched right on top the river on the CBD side, and it's hard to miss. After the floods forced a revamp, it's also been back up and running since mid-2022. You can stop by whenever you like to pair a bite to eat and a few drinks with the venue's view, of course. Or, you can make a visit on a Sunday between 11.30am–6pm. That's when Will & Flow hosts Sundaze sessions — and yes, they're really just an excuse to kick back in a scenic spot over a couple of beverages and a snack. [caption id="attachment_860072" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe[/caption] Entry to Sundaze is free, but there's usually specials to tempt your tastebuds. In April, you can enjoy a $50 deal for two that includes a rosé each and an antipasto platter to share, while the May offer swaps in gin with a mixer as the beverage. Whether you go for that option or sip and munch on whatever else you feel like, you'll pay as you go — and you'll also be treated to live tunes. The music lineup changes weekly, but you might find yourself listening to Kirby Lunn Duo, The Fonoti Brothers Duo, Nik Conomos Duo, Parallel Duo by Michael Hickey or Bros of Eustance Road.
Darlinghurst's Forbes and Burton is under fire after the cafe's owner denied a Brazilian-born Australian man a barista job, telling him his customers wouldn't want their "coffee made by black people," according to the Daily Mail. Yep, WHAT. Although Nilson Dos Santos is an Australian citizen and has worked as a barista in Australia for nine years, the owner (who would only give the Daily Mail his name as 'Steven'), told the 39-year-old he "only wanted locals" for the job. A recent migrant from Shanghai, Steven is taking some furious heat for his hypocritical and outrageously racist actions. "There are a lot of white customers at the cafe and I think the clients here want local people, not African people," Steven said after this weekend's events. "We need to offer good service at this cafe and I think the coffee culture is more about white people." He keeps going. "I prefer the barista to be local, not from Italy or other countries ... In some people's opinions African people can’t make good coffee." Dos Santos saw the ad on Gumtree and rang Steven on Saturday, telling the owner he was from Brazil on the phone. When Dos Santos arrived at the cafe the next day for his interview, Steven pulled an incredibly racist (and geographically ignorant) switch. "When I came to the cafe for the interview today, he looked at me and looked surprised. He didn’t like what he saw," Dos Santos said. "We sat down and he said, 'But you’re black?' I said yes and he told me, 'But my customers are white. I don’t think they’d like to have their coffee made by black people. That’s not part of the coffee culture. You’re African.' I said to him, 'I’m sorry.' But he said I was not able to do the job because I am black." Dos Santos kept a cool head for someone who's just been point-blank discriminated against. "I thought to myself, what do I do? I wanted to punch him but I thought that if I reacted badly, that wouldn’t be the right thing either. But I thought that if I just left and closed the door, he’ll do that over and over again to everybody else that comes. So I felt I had to do something, to show him that he needs to learn his lessons and that's not the way to treat people." According to DM, Dos Santos stood up and addressed the Darlinghurst cafe, informing customers why he'd missed out on the job and asked if they'd have any problem having a coffee made by a black man. In a moment of pure high-fivery, many customers ditched the cafe in a walk-out, a bunch hit up Facebook and a staff member quit right then and there. Forbes and Burton are truly taking a hit on Facebook, with reams of angry posters shaking fists at owner Steven and calling for a boycott (although some are being outright racist in return about Steven's Chinese heritage, not cool): "I have never experienced anything like that in Australia," Dos Santos said. "I love it here, I am free here, that’s why I chose to stay. I’ve always felt welcomed and accepted. For me, it was never a problem that I am black until today." According to the Daily Mail, Steven needs to run Forbes and Burton for two years to nab his Australian visa. Good luck with that. Via Daily Mail.
Back in 2021, Queensland's Scenic Rim region was named one of the best places in the entire world to visit in 2022. The folks behind Yonder Festival clearly took note. When the three-day music, arts and camping fest returns this spring — running from Thursday, November 24–Saturday, November 26 — it'll make a massive move, shifting down from the Sunshine Coast. The Mary Valley's loss is the Scenic Rim's gain — and the fest's laidback atmosphere, plus the jam-packed lineup of stellar tunes and performances, will obviously make the jump as well. It's safe to assume that campers will once again slumber surrounded by luscious greenery, and cross your fingers that the new site still lets you go for a swim in the creek while you watch a gig. [caption id="attachment_829123" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josephine Cubis[/caption] Even if those dips aren't part of the 2022 festival, Yonder will obviously still celebrate creativity and kicking back in a big way, just in the Gold Coast Hinterland instead. And, it'll boast Meanjin-based Gunggari illustration and digital artist Desirai as its feature artist, with the full lineup announced in late September. Last year's fest boasted everything from a stacked music roster across four stages to a feast of roving theatrical and visual artists, plus a heap of workshops and panels on wellbeing, if you're wondering what's likely to be in store. The 2021 event also placed a significant focus on Indigenous producers, artists and communities, as well as local creatives. Listening to Ruckus Slam's poetry, wandering through the visual arts displays, taking part in a laughter yoga session, walking across a slackline, doing water aerobics, and browsing the boutique food and market stalls — that's usually on the Yonder bill as well, as is being able to BYO alcohol. Those drinks do need to be in plastic containers, and you can also only show up with a reasonable amount of booze. Keen even without the lineup? Tickets go on sale from 9am AEST on Wednesday, August 17. Yonder Festival runs from Thursday, November 24–Saturday, November 26 in the Scenic Rim, Queensland. For more information or to buy tickets from 9am AEST on Wednesday, August 17, head to the festival website. We'll update you when the festival lineup is announced.
Frontmen rarely come as charismatic as Henry Wagons. A storytelling character and a half, the Melburnian native has returned from the dark desert highways of the US to reunite with his band and bring Wagons' shiny new album to the townspeople. Seeing music as a joyous occasion rather than a moment to wallow in your sorrows, Wagons' shows are downright shindiggerous in their approach. "'Music is a public activity — the very birth of music was designed to be joined in on,'' Wagons told SMH. ''The first music was played at celebrations. The insular emo songwriter in the bedroom is this recent offshoot of what music is at its core. Music for me is for other people. I write it alone, but with the idea of playing it for other people.'' Wagons have just released their latest single, 'Beer Barrel Bar', taken from brand new, sixth studio album Acid Rain and Sugar Cane and nabbing a four-star rating from Rolling Stone. With Mick Harvey (The Birthday Party/Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds) behind the mixing desk and Wagons himself bringing his US-inspired country stomping style to the plate, Acid Rain and Sugar Cane has quite the Nashville twang to it. Best enjoyed with a whiskey in hand and a soulmate far away, the LP is a natural evolution of Wagons' indie country blues into an Ameristralian tavern hootenanny. WAGONS AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES: Thurs May 22 – Pirie & Co Social Club, Adelaide Fri May 23 - Fly By Night, Fremantle Sat May 31 - Republic Bar, Hobart Fri June 6 - Barwon Club, Geelong Sat June 7 - The HiFi, Melbourne Sun June 8 - Karova Lounge, Ballarat Thurs June 12 - The Abbey, Canberra Fri June 13 – Rad (Yours & Owls), Wollongong Sat June 14 - Factory Theatre, Sydney Sun June 15 - Lizottes, Newcastle Fri June 20 - The Zoo, Brisbane Sat June 21 - Railway Hotel, Darwin Thanks to Spunk Records, we have three double passes to give away to Wagon's Acid Rain and Sugar Cane tour — one double pass each for the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane shows. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=WXoiX2bFPDY
We’ve finally reached the time of year where we begin to reflect on what has been, and plan on what we want to come. The New Year is a time for people to quit bad habits, start up new health regimes, and create new life goals. On a less philosophical note, New Years Eve is the time for everybody to get drunk and be merry, preferably with delicious drinks and food on hand. While many Brisbane-ites escape the river city for sun and surf, there is still plenty of fun to be had if you are sticking around, so here we have five great options for bringing in the new year in style. Next Door Kitchen Bar’s Burlesque spectacle Gatsby lovers will be thrilled to know that Brisbane’s newest venue Next Door will be open for a spectacle of burlesque performances and 1920’s style with delicious food and drinks. From 7.30pm until 12.30am you will be able to step back in time in the flavour of the roaring 20’s with cocktail style food and drinks, music and a performance by Brisbane’s burlesque performer Sunday Lucia. Tickets cost is $110 per person and you can purchase tickets via email at: info@nextdoorkitchenbar.com.au 164 Grey Street; 3846 6699; www.nextdoorkitchenbar.com.au Cove Bar + Dining fireworks extravaganza For some front row firework action head to Cove in the River Quay precinct at South Bank. With fabulous drinks, atmosphere and food, you will have a brilliant night with friends (and strangers!). DJ Cool Hand Luke will be spinning tunes keeping you and your friends dancing well into midnight. A ticket includes canapés and drinks and you won’t pay a cent until 2013. Tickets are $180 per person. You can book via email on info@covebardining.com.au or phone. River Quay, Sidon Street, South Bank; 07 3844 3993; www.covebardining.com.au. Bar Alto Porchetta spit roast special There's no more delicious way to bring in the new year than with a spit roast. Bar Alto knows the way to any foodie's heart by offering a traditional spit roast Porchetta in the early moments of the new year. Jackpot! Start off enjoying food from the à la carte menu while enjoying the river views and watching the magnificent Porchetta spit roasting on the deck. Once its countdown time, sip on your bubbles and prepare your second stomach for the amazing spit roast - no need to get a kebab on the way home. Bookings can be made by emailing info@baralto.com.au or phoning. The Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm; 07 3358 1063; www.baralto.com.au. New Year’s Eve at Sake For a romantic evening with your loved one why not head to Sake for some delicious food and fireworks. Alternatively, you and a group of friends could organise a private dining room to enjoy Head Chef Shinichi Maeda’s signature dishes. Choose to have a degustation, a la carte or the special NYE 6 course menu with Veuve Cliquot NV on arrival for $110pp. At the end of the night you can enjoy a midnight fireworks display from the balcony to truly make it a momentous occasion. Level 1, 45 Eagle Street, Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane; 07 3339 0999; www.sakerestaurant.com.au Bavarian Bier Cafe If there's one thing the Bavarians know how to do - it's how to entertain. Whether you are hoeing into some delicious pork knuckle or chewing on a pretzel, there is something that makes festivity so effortless when you are drinking out of a stein.Prost! You can choose off the a la carte menu or enjoy the NYE 4 course set menu for $95pp. With panoramic river and surrounding views, the venue is one of the best spots in the precinct to watch Eagle Street Pier’s fireworks spectacular at midnight, so book your reservation here: reservations@bavarianbiercafe.com.au. Level 1, Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane City; 07 3339 0900; www.bavarianbiercafe.com
Get your lederhosen cleaned, your stein arm warmed up and your belly prepped for endless pork knuckles and oversized pretzels. Willkommen to Oktoberfest! This inaugural celebration of all things German starts over October 10-12 then is back for round zwei on October 17-19. Brisbane is fortunate to be the home to Australia’s largest event of this kind, so you know the beer will be flowing and the snacks piling up in greater fashion than anywhere in this hemisphere. Not only is this the only way to get your German fix (short of catching a plane), the entertainment is non-stop — yodelling, dancing, singing and cow bell ringing will bring out the giddy in young and old. Strongmen may compete in the jam doughnut eating competition or out-beard their neighbour, while the ladies are for some reason kept away from the doughnuts and funnelled towards Miss Oktoberfest Brisbane.
Recognisable faces spilling essential facts about important topics: it worked for Damon Gameau's documentaries That Sugar Film and 2040, and it works for the Christiaan Van Vuuren-fronted Big Deal. With the same emphasis on being accessible, engaging, clear, sometimes light-hearted and even hopeful, the tactic has also done what it's meant to in Craig Reucassel's various small-screen doco series — see: War on Waste and Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Change — so it should come as little surprise that he directs this big-screen takedown of money in Australian politics. Accordingly, one of the Bondi Hipsters joins forces with a member of The Chaser to lay bare the murky minutiae behind buying sway in our democracy. The subject couldn't be worthier of attention, especially in the lead up to the next federal election, which needs to be held by May 2022. The approach taken in Big Deal couldn't be more familiar, but it proves effective for the same reason it did when sugar and the environment were in the spotlight. These films take something that's crucial, rustle up all the convincing detail, expose tidbits the average viewer mightn't know and make it personal. And, if it matters to the person on-screen as they not only explore a pivotal topic but see it through the lens of their own life, then it's easy for audiences to take their lead. Van Vuuren couches his deep dive into cash for political access, the inequity it represents and the lack of transparency behind it, in two factors: his six-month experience quarantining in hospital with a rare form of tuberculosis, and his growing awareness of the kind of world he wants his kids to live in. Those children show up to build towers of blocks that signify the significant fossil fuel donations to Australia's Labor and Liberal political parties, putting a few additional relatable faces on the subject — because the matters here really do impact everyone. That extended stretch under medical care underscores the documentary's entire perspective, though. Van Vuuren worries that Australian politics is taking more cues from the US than the nation's population realises, or can easily discern given that donations to political parties only need to be disclosed once a year, and nothing underscores one of the big chasms between the two countries like healthcare. It's a blunt card to play, especially during a global pandemic, but it makes the point savvily and well. No Aussie should want to follow America's lead if it could potentially weaken our universal healthcare scheme and the free or affordable treatment available under it, obviously. That's why Van Vuuren doesn't want Australia to be like the US, and it resounds powerfully. Also compelling: all the instances he collates of our political system following in America's footsteps anyway. If you're wondering how, lobbying and the funds filtered to political parties to gain access to leaders and members of parliament — and at the local, state and federal level alike — is the main focus of Big Deal. The film explains how easy it is to buy a dinner with a minister or premier, if you have the cash, and therefore push the interests of corporations or other groups trying to sway our laws. It contrasts that with the struggles of ordinary Aussies to get meetings with the very elected officials that are supposed to represent them. Money talks, while constituents spend months trying to. That dosh is meant to have an impact, and it does. And, if they're attempting to speak to an MP about a pressing subject — the mining and gas industries are used as examples — everyday voters mightn't get the chance to before the organisations they're rallying against have had many, and decisions have been made accordingly. Big Deal doesn't merely proclaim how wrong and dangerous it is for corporate interests to donate fat stacks of cash to politicians, who then use those funds to advertise their parties' platforms — and get to keep the source of that money secret for an entire year. It easily could've; however, following that cash and showing what big bucks in politics actually means in practical terms firmly hammers the message home. Among the doco's interviewees sit folks who are well-acquainted with greasing the political wheels, as well as ordinary Aussies working through the system as it is supposed to function. The contrast between the two and the treatment they have received or do receive when endeavouring to access Aussie pollies speaks volumes, as it's meant to. From the roster of experts, journalists, lobbyists, and current and former politicians who chat with Van Vuuren, ex-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, former senator Sam Dastyari and current senator Jacqui Lambie bring their respective political experiences to the discussion — and their candid thoughts say plenty as well. Given Van Vuuren and Reucassel's involvement — plus the tried-and-tested issues-focused documentary template they adopt — Big Deal isn't just about getting talking heads to explain their parts in Australia's political ecosystem. An oversized novelty cheque gets a workout, Van Vuuren sings and infographics pop up on-screen. The tone: rightly concerned, understandably impassioned, always sincere, and determinedly keen to highlight what's going on and why it shouldn't be. There are fewer gimmicks and pranks than might be expected given the talent behind the flick, and there's more earnestness than anticipated as well. When the film moves its focus to people across the country who've been doing their parts to thwart the status quo and fight back against the pervasive influence of money in politics, it's rousingly heartfelt, but that feeling also comes through Van Vuuren, too. All those people who stopped eating sugar after That Sugar Film? They didn't solely respond to a slickly packaged movie that delivered details people needed to know in an approachable and entertaining way, but to the person who took them on the journey. Big Deal hits the same mark, and Van Vuuren is up to the task. Mobilising people here is a bigger challenge, of course — your diet is something each one of us can change instantly by ourselves; an entrenched political norm isn't — but this film smartly and eagerly takes it on.
As well as being one of Brisbane's best concert venues, The Triffid is an ace place to enjoy a drink. While you don't need to be there for a gig to kick back in the beer garden, combining both tunes and brews is one of this Newstead favourite's drawcards. At the Sip Happens Festival, that's still the formula — but at an afternoon-long wine-tasting fest with a live music soundtrack. Up-and-coming small producers are in the spotlight at this excuse to sample more than 100 drops, with folks making organic, minimal-intervention and biodynamic tipples — and with a focus on sustainability — earning the event's love. These kind of wine fests aren't just an experience to indulge in for a few hours; they're a way to top up your vino knowledge, expand your drinking horizons and discover your next favourite plonk Sip Happens Festival debuted in 2023, proved a wine-adoring hit and is now returning from 12–5pm on Saturday, August 3 — and, alongside vino, attendees will also be sampling craft beers and spirits. Your $71.81 ticket includes everything that you're keen to taste, a glass to sip from and a $25 wine voucher for purchases. Opt for the VIP treatment instead for $96.29 and you'll also receive a welcome glass of prosecco, snacks to nibble on and access to the VIP zone.
This year hasn't involved wearing as much smart casual and business attire as we imagined — come on, we all wore PJs out of frame in at least one Zoom meeting. Right? But with society starting to open back up at different rates across the country, our neglected wardrobes are going to be back in rotation very soon. And, if you've realised that you didn't really miss your 'nice' clothes during lockdown, it may be a sign you need to do a little outfit rejig. Big fan of signs? Here's another one: menswear label M.J. Bale is hosting a huge two-week sale. The Australian fashion house focuses on producing timeless pieces that'll last beyond the seasonal trends, and this month you can get your hands on some high-quality, suave styles for an absolute steal. We're talking suits for just $399 (for one week only, between September 14–20), plus casual attire like jackets for under $199, trousers for under $99 and shirts for under $69 — it's all up to a whopping 50 percent off. The sale is running from Monday, September 14 to Sunday, September 27. You can jump online here to check out what's on offer. If you live in NSW or Queensland, you can also go to your closest M.J. Bale store. The M.J. Bale Spring Bale Sale is running between September 14–27, both online and at its stores (besides Victoria).
