When JK Rowling dropped those last terrible three words on us at the close of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, all was not well. It would never be well without Harry, Ron, Hermione and co. in our lives. But great things are bubbling in the wizarding world, with Supreme Mugwump Rowling announcing the release of an eighth Harry Potter book. If we look Petrified, it's because HOLY SHIT. According to Pottermore, Rowling's own kickass content website, 2016 will see a special rehearsal edition of the script book of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II — Rowling's first play on London's West End that picks up 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and that abominably cheery epilogue on Platform 9 3/4. Print and digital editions of the book will publish right after the play's world premiere in winter 2016. You'll be able to read the version of the script from the Cursed Child's preview performances (a Definitive Collector's Edition will come later). JUST. LOOK. AT. IT. What's in store for Harry and the gang? The Cursed Child is set 19 years after the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry is now a Ministry of Magic employee, and the play focuses on his youngest son Albus Severus Potter — the heart pangs. The official synopsis of the play (and now official eighth book) was released by co-writers J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany on October 23, 2015: "It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places." It's been 20 years since the UK publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Twenty. Re-read it, go see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them when the film comes out and sit on your sorting hats until the EIGHTH HARRY POTTER BOOK arrives. Oh god, I need a butterbeer. Via Pottermore.
What’s crazier than a beer cocktail? Matching brews to circus acts. Pick up an IPA and head for the contortionist, pass a pale ale to the strongman, or pour stout down your gob while another shoves knives where they shouldn’t go. Okay, so we don’t know what acts and surprises will be there on the day, but we’ve always wanted to visit the Little Creatures Brewery. Luckily they’re bringing the goods to The Motor Room and say previous hula hooping experience is highly regarded.
It's been one heck of a tough year for the country's bar industry, as venues spent months navigating lockdowns, restrictions and, more recently, capacity limits. But despite all the craziness, Australia has still managed to make a splash at this year's edition of the World's 50 Best Bars Awards. Four local drinking establishments each nabbed themselves a spot among the 51–100 top bars in the world, as announced last week. Those voted in the top 50 will be revealed at a separate virtual awards ceremony held on Thursday, November 5. All four Aussie bars to make the 51–100 list are located in Melbourne, which has just lived through some of the world's toughest COVID-19 restrictions as part of its second-wave lockdown. Fitzroy bar The Everleigh snagged the 73 spot, while newer CBD haunt Byrdi came in at 80. Petite Collingwood bar Above Board followed not too far behind at number 84 and the long-running Black Pearl — which has scooped a spot in the Top 50 list numerous times throughout the award's 12-year history — was voted in at 98. [caption id="attachment_748362" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Byrdi by Kate Shanasy[/caption] Elsewhere on the list, London's Scout (by the now Sydney-based bartender Matt Whiley) came in at 51, while the USA had seven bars in the lineup, including The Dead Rabbit in NY and San Francisco's Trick Dog. The annual awards are voted on by over 540 bar industry experts from around the world, including bartenders, consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists. Australia will now wait to see if any more local venues make it into the World's 50 Best Bars list later this week. Last year's one–50 lineup featured just one Aussie bar, with Sydney's Maybe Sammy taking out position 43. Check out the full World's 50 Best Bars Awards 51–100 list at the website. The one–50 list will be revealed at 3pm UK time on Thursday, November 5, via Facebook and YouTube. Top image: The Everleigh by Gareth Sobey
By the time the triple-headline Blind Date Tour comes to an end with final shows in Sydney and Brisbane, the bands will have visited seven cities across Australia, bringing the nation together for eight fantastic shows. Sydney’s Jinja Safari were recently called “a bristling force of nature” by New York label Neon Gold. And before jetting off to the UK for a massive set at the Isle Of Wight Festival, they’re eager to remind their fans exactly why they’ve been given that title. Auckland’s Opossum deliver a sound drenched in groove-laden psychedelia, with homespun tales about love and drugs from the just-released Electric Hawaii that’ll take the crowd on a hazy roller coaster. Playing a set labelled as “a cul-de-sac of orgasmic, sweet indie-synth psychedelic-pop” that’ll blow minds, Los Angeles’ White Arrows round off the triple bill.
If New Year’s Eve isn’t an excuse to get all dolled up and treat yourself to a fancy meal at an expensive restaurant, well, nothing is. Whether you’ve been to celebrity chef Matt Moran’s Brisbane establishment before, or if this will be your first time, the three-course set price menu will get your mouth watering. There’s more than the food, of course; there’s also Aria’s extensive wine list to caress your palate. Possibly the classiest and tastiest way to spend the evening, it also puts you in the thick of the city action thanks to the restaurant’s river views and Eagle Street Pier location.
If you're a fan of Gelato Messina and its sweet treats, the past couple of years have just kept on giving. That saying doesn't apply to much at all during the pandemic, but it definitely fits in this situation. The dessert chain has released all manner of one-off specials, launched a new range of chocolate-covered ice cream bars in supermarkets, dropped a merchandise line and brought back its Christmas trifle, for starters — and, as it did in 2021, too, it's also doing Easter cocktails. A collaboration with Cocktail Porter, Messina's DIY drinks kits let you whip up your own boozy beverages — and, because it's that time of year, you'll be doing so inside an Easter egg. Yes, you read that correctly. What's the point of being an adult at Easter if you can't combine sweet treats with alcohol? Basically, these kits answer a familiar dilemma, especially at this time of year. No one likes choosing between tucking into an orb of chocolate and having another beverage, after all. Flavour-wise, get ready to sip and eat a whole heap of salted caramel. These packs come with Messina's popular dulce de leche topping, as well as Baileys, cold-drip coffee and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur. You'll also receive chocolate Easter eggs, obviously, which you'll pour your mixed liquids into — as well as pieces of salted caramel popcorn to pop on top. You can pick between two different-sized packs, with the small kit costing $80 and making five drinks, and the large costing $145 and making 12. Fancy drinking Easter cocktails out of rabbit-shaped mounds of chocolate? That's on the menu as well. This kit doesn't actually feature Messina products, but espresso martinis served out Lindt milk chocolate bunnies should still tempt your boozy tastebuds. This one also comes with vodka, cold-drip coffee, sugar syrup and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, and the prices for both small and large batches are the same as the salted caramel kits. Cocktail Porter delivers Australia-wide, if that's your Easter drinking plans sorted. It's now doing pre-orders for both packs, which'll start shipping from mid-March. To order Cocktail Porter's Easter cocktail kits, head to the Cocktail Porter website.
If you, like us, have been cooking at home much more frequently since the pandemic hit, you've probably also become more aware of your food-related waste. Luckily for us — and the environment — though, more and more companies are focusing on sustainability in the kitchen. Next on that list: Great Wrap, a compostable alternative to cling wrap that's made from 100 percent plant-based material. The Australian-owned, family-run business was co-founded by Julia and Jordy Kay, who spent 18 months developing the Great Wrap formula. While many compostable plastics can take ages to decompose, Great Wrap is made from plants and breaks down into non-toxic molecules in less than 180 days — faster than an orange peel. If you're already a sustainability warrior, you know that's an impressive feat. The cling wrap is (of course) food safe and durable as well. Each roll is 30-metres long and perforated in 30-centimetre intervals for easy tearing. And, most importantly, it's another way for home chefs to enjoy cooking while minimising their environmental impact. Apart from the cling wrap, the company also produces pallet wrap for businesses — something that's especially useful in breweries, bottle shops and other venues. It's currently out of stock, but will be back in September, so keep an eye out. For domestic use, you can buy three rolls for $29.90 or six rolls for $49.90, with free shipping on all orders — and a ten percent discount currently on offer for all new accounts too. Great Wrap has also garnered the support of online natural wine shop Drnks. If you're interested in trying the product out on a smaller scale, you can grab a single-roll order on the Drnks website for a tenner. To find out more about Great Wrap and order a three- or six-pack, head over to greatwrap.co.
For the past three decades, catching live tunes at The Zoo has been a Brisbane staple, with local favourites like Resin Dogs and Screamfeeder, Aussie greats such as Nick Cave and Silverchair, and international acts including The Pixies and The Black Keys all taking to its stages. It really has been 30 years of such gigs, with the venue launching back on December 11 in 1992. Obviously, that's something worth celebrating. Can't remember a time without The Zoo? That's understandable. Keen to mark this huge birthday at the Ann Street spot? That is, too. For the latter, the venue's team has put together a hefty December slate of gigs to commemorate its massive anniversary — spanning nine events, including jazz afternoons, art exhibitions, reunions and love letters, and featuring more than 100 artists. Whether you're keen to celebrate by enjoying what The Zoo has always served up best — bands, bands and more bands — or you're eager to get nostalgic, there's something on the venue's The Zoo Turns 30 lineup for you. Current co-owners of Cat Clarke, Luke 'Boo' Johnston and Shane Chidgzey, who've added a pizzeria, launched a separate punk-inspired bar and started a bottle-o this year as well, have collaborated with OG co-founder Joc Curran on the bill. The roster aims to mark as much of what The Zoo has done, embraced and represented in Brisbane's music history as possible, with the end result running from Friday, December 2–Sunday, December 11. "Thirty years ago in December 1992, myself and C Smith opened a venue with the help and support of our community; our families, local artists, musicians, tradies, and even the government did their bit to help us open the doors. We came together to create The Zoo. We started as a simple BYO café where art adorned the walls and music flowed through the open windows," explains Curran. "Fast forward to 2022, the stage is larger, the room is now air-conditioned. The keeper of the keys are now Boo, Cat and Shane. Community, music and art are still the binding elements that keep The Zoo's heart beating just as strong." [caption id="attachment_873288" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luke Henery[/caption] The Zoo's birthday shenanigans kick off with A Love Supreme doing its thing — aka curating an ace night of tunes — presenting Nu Genea and Bárbara Boeing. Next on the list: an official birthday bash, headlined by original opening-night performers FAT, and also paying tribute to Brisbane's Punkfest events. For seven years, Jazz on a Sunday Vibe took over The Zoo on the last Sunday of each month — and it's doing it again on the first Sunday in December, including performances by Katie Noonan and Zac Hurren. Still looking backwards, the venue's birthday art show will exhibit photographs and memorabilia captured and collated over the past 30 years, and also act as a reunion of past and present Zoo crew members. Plus, Ben Ely will perform, as he has at The Zoo countless times before. Airlock Studios will present an evening of tunes, with the studio established by Powderfinger's Ian Haug — a former Zooie himself — bringing in The Predators alongside a lineup of fellow Queensland talent. These festivities aren't all about The Zoo's (and Brisbane's) history, however, with one big gig dedicated to up-and-comers. That said, another regular old favourite, Dub Sessions, will make a return — and there's a The Zoo OG All Stars show that'll feature the aforementioned Resin Dogs and Screamfeeder (of course), and more. And, wrapping it all up is Why I Love The Zoo, a spoken-word session where 12 friends of the Zoo have been asked to commit their affection for the place to paper. Among the list: Clarke, Curran, Haug, Butterfingers' Eddie Jacobson, Screamfeeder's Kellie Lloyd and Violent Soho's Luke Henery. THE ZOO TURNS 30 LINEUP: Friday, December 2 — A Love Supreme presents Nu Genea and Bárbara Boeing Saturday, December 3 — Punkest presents The Zoo 30th Birthday Bash Sunday, December 4 — Jazz on a Sunday Vibe Anniversary Concert Wednesday, December 7 — The Zoo 30th Birthday Art Exhibition and Zooie Reunion Thursday, December 8 — Airlock Studios presents Friday, December 9 — The Zoo 2022 Saturday, December 10 — Dub Sessions featuring DJ No MC Saturday, December 10 — The Zoo OG All Stars Sunday, December 11 — Why I Love The Zoo The Zoo's 30th birthday lineup will run from Friday, December 2–Sunday, December 11 at 711 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley. For further information and to buy tickets, head to the venue's website. Images: Cat Clarke / Luke Henery.
Not only is Troye Sivan one of Australia's brightest pop stars, he's also a Queer icon with a strong perspective on diversity and inclusion. At Town Hall, he'll be in conversation with Lillian Ahenkan — AKA Flex Mami, the multidisciplinary Sydney-based creative — to discuss "beauty, art and fluidity" as part of Vivid Sydney's Global Storytellers series. Despite being only 26 years old, Sivan has been in the eye of the public since his teens — performing on TV and online from 2006 — and has spoken out about his discomfort around being singled out while also wanting to be a voice for the Queer community. This layered experience forms a unique standpoint, with the creative force sure to have some fascinating insights to share in this intimate event.
Queensland residents will all soon be able to holiday in New Zealand again, in the latest change to the trans-Tasman bubble. Quarantine-free travel between Australia and NZ was put on pause back in June due to rising COVID-19 cases in the former, and was then reinstated with some Australian states at the beginning of July — and now it's returning in Queensland as well. From 11.59pm NZT/9.59pm AEST today, Monday, July 12, folks who live in the the Sunshine State will be permitted into NZ without quarantining — so if you're a Brisbanite in need of a holiday after the city's lockdown earlier this month, that's great news. The trans-Tasman bubble will now only sill remain suspended with New South Wales, which is unsurprising given Sydney's current lockdown. https://twitter.com/covid19nz/status/1414406542367940615 In a statement today, Tuesday, June 29, on Twitter, the NZ Government advised that "a public health risk assessment for Queensland has been carried out by the Ministry of Health, and they have assessed travel with the state as presenting a low public health risk." It continued: "The last community case was 7 July 2021. The last time a case was infectious in the community was on 4 July 2021. There have been no unexpected wastewater detections and community testing rates have been good. Queensland is also easing restrictions within the state." Queenslanders keen to head to NZ when the bubble kicks back in will need to provide evidence of a negative pre-departure test before they're able to fly. Also, you can't have been in New South Wales on or after 10.30pm NZT/8.30pm AEST on Saturday, June 26. No word was given regarding a timeframe for reinstating the quarantine-free travel between NZ and NSW, but again that isn't a surprise. The latter reported 112 new locally acquired cases in the past 24 hours, and isn't expected to get out of lockdown this week — even though a target date of July 16 was set a week ago. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. To find out more about the virus and travel restrictions in New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub.
That glorious summer staple, Maltesers Moonlight Cinema, is back for its 18th season of open-air cinema. And they've put together another cracking program to tickle the cinematic tastebuds of old and young alike — from advance screenings of the hottest blockbusters to cult classics, blood-rushing action flicks to heart warming rom-coms. New Farm Park at Brisbane Powerhouse will be the venue for this year's cinema. Hire a beanbag or simply sprawl out on the grass under the stars with a loved one. Don't forget to indulge in some delicious snacks and perhaps a few beverages to complete your cinematic experience. It's the perfect way to unwind after a hard day and usher in those balmy summer nights. There's also the option of 'Gold Grass' tickets, which gets you a bean-bed in the front rows and designated waitstaff. New releases include the much-anticipated return of Ron Burgundy in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues as well as sneak previews of big Boxing Day releases The Railway Man and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Sometimes it's the classics that can be most fun, however. Embrace your inner dag and negotiate how much a set of jousting sticks should cost with the much-loved and highly quote-able Aussie comedy The Castle. Or roll out the picnic rug and share a meal fit for Jehovah over Monty Python's 1979 gut-buster, The Life of Brian. If there's one thing Moonlight Cinema has proven itself more than capable of, it's cherry-picking the most enjoyable moments in cinema and creating a relaxed and sociable atmosphere to boot. Maltesers Moonlight Cinema runs from December 12, 2013, to February 23, 2014, and Concrete Playground has five double passes to give away (valid for a screening of your choice). To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address at win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au.
For more than two years, everyone has been asking the same two questions — everyone that's a fan of Stranger Things, that is. They're obvious queries but, if you've been hooked to the 80s-set Netflix sci-fi series since it first debuted in 2016, they're important. Question one: what happens next? Question two: when will we see what happens next? Indeed, when July 2021 came and went, it marked two years since Stranger Things last graced our streaming queues. So, you've been wondering what's become of all the series' characters — especially Hawkins' beloved police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour, Black Widow) — for quite some time. You'll be pondering into next year as well, because the streaming platform already announced that the show won't be returning till 2022; however, it does keep dropping sneak peeks. Back in February 2020, Netflix provided an initial clip. Yes, that now seems like a lifetime ago. It also dropped a couple more teasers in May this year, and released another one back in August. Need more? The streamer has just unveiled yet another teaser trailer, this time focusing on a spooky spot called Creel House. First, we see it years ago — and then, we see it being explored in its abandoned, dusty and eerie guise by Steve (Joe Keery, Spree), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy) and Max (Sadie Sink, The Last Castle). When you're hanging out for anything and everything related to the show's fourth season, each trailer and teaser drop is exciting — and they all keep threading together pieces that are bound to prove important when new episodes actually hit. Indeed, we already know what happened after season three's big cliffhanger and Russian-set post-script — when Hopper, the mind flayer, the Russian lab below Starcourt Mall and that pesky gate to the Upside Down all had a run-in. And, we know that Hawkins Laboratory is going to feature again moving forward, thanks to clips focusing on Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong) and Dr Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine, Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal). Now, with this latest teaser, we know a little bit more as well. Of course, it's worth remembering that when Netflix announced the show's renewal for a fourth season back in 2019, it did so with the catchphrase "we're not in Hawkins anymore". Naturally, we'll have to wait to see what that really means for its full cast of characters — including Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America), Will (Noah Schnapp, Hubie Halloween), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The New Mutants) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer, Things Seen & Heard). Check out the new Stranger Things season four sneak peek below: Stranger Things season four will be able to stream via Netflix sometime in 2022 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
Whether you're a Queenslander exploring your own backyard, or you're holidaying in the Sunshine State from another part of the country — including New South Wales and Victoria from Tuesday, December 1, once the border reopens to both regions — visiting the beach is probably on your to-do list. The state is known for its sun, surf and sand, after all, but that isn't the only attraction that Queensland holds. In fact, it has just added another big drawcard, which is particularly great news if you're fond of a few vinos. The Vine and Shine Trail is Queensland's first official wine trail, and it's rather hefty — covering more than 70 wineries, vineyards and cellar doors. It's a self-guided affair, so you can choose just how much of it you'd like to explore, and in which spots in the southern portion of the state. If you'd like to try to see 'em all, treating wineries like Pokemon, well, that's up to you. Fancy moseying through the Granite Belt or the Scenic Rim? Eager to see what drops the Gold Coast Hinterland has on offer? Prefer something in the Brisbane area? They're all on the trail. So is everywhere from the South Burnett and Wide Bay-Burnett regions, to the Sunshine Coast — and the Darling Downs and western Queensland as well. And they're split into six separate mini-trails, if you only have so much time to spend hopping between wineries. Just how you interact with the trail's many stops is also a choose-your-own-adventure-type experience, with some cellar doors hosting lunches, some vineyards letting you picnic beside the grapes, and plenty of places offering tastings. And, variety-wise, you'll be able to sip an array of types, whether you're fond of popular drops or you're eager to drink something you mightn't have tried before. The idea, like most things in 2020, is to encourage everyone to get out of the house, explore this area of the country and support local businesses. It's specifically part of a dedicated campaign in Queensland to get folks to do more than just hang out on the coast, enticing them inland to roam along the vines and enjoy a heap of wines. For more information about the Vine and Shine Trail, visit its website.
As the drummer for Nirvana and the frontman for Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl doesn't have many mixed bags on his resume. The music superstar has been in the spotlight for three-plus decades now, and boasts success after success to his name, complete with a list of awards and hits bound to make almost everyone else in the industry envious. But all their lives, Grohl and his fellow Foos must've dreamt of being horror movie stars — and the result, the pandemic-shot Studio 666, shouldn't entice any of them to quit their day jobs. A haunted-house horror-comedy, this rockstar lark is gonzo, gory and extremely goofy. It's a clear bit of fun for everyone involved, and it's made with overflowing love for the genre it slips into and parodies. But it's an indulgent and stretched exercise in famous folks following their whims at times like these, too. Achievement unlocked: there's Grohl's mixed bag. Studio 666's setup revolves around Grohl, drummer Taylor Hawkins, guitarists Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear, bassist Nate Mendel and keyboardist Rami Jaffee packing their bags for a live-in recording session at an Encino mansion. As the movie's 1993-set prologue shows, their temporary new home has a dark past, after the last group that inhabited the spot met bloody ends; however, ignorance is bliss for the Foo Fighters. Actually, an obligation to deliver their tenth album to their overbearing manager (Jeff Garlin, Curb Your Enthusiasm) inspires the move, as does the band's creative lull in conjuring up the record otherwise. Grohl instantly falls for the sound of the space as well, to an unhinged degree, and his bandmates begrudgingly agree to the month-long stay to make musical magic happen. Recording an album doesn't usually spark The Evil Dead-style murderous mayhem, cursed book and all, but that's Studio 666's gambit. Its Californian abode isn't just stalked by a grisly ghoul with a love of gut-rumbling tracks — it possesses Grohl with the need to craft a killer song, length be damned, and with satanic bloodlust, cannibal cravings and prima-donna rocker behaviour. Is he monstrous about doing whatever it takes to get the tune because he's bedevilled by the house's resident evil, he's on a power trip or both? That's one of the film's big gags, and also a hefty splatter of the kind of sense of humour it's working with. Winking, nudging, satirising, and sending up fame, egos and the all-devouring nature of entertainment stardom: they're all on the movie's menu, alongside as much gleefully cheap-looking viscera as any feature can manage to splash around. Amid the deaths by cymbal, barbecued faces and projectile-vomited guts — no, what's left of the Foos at the film's end won't be getting their bond back — there's zero doubt that Grohl and company are enjoying themselves. Actors, they aren't, but playfulness has always been part of Foo Fighters' mood. When the band began in 1994, initially as a one-man project by Grohl after Kurt Cobain's suicide the same year, it was instantly perkier and sillier than Nirvana. For the 'Big Me' music video from the group's self-titled first album, they shot an unforgettable Mentos ad parody in Sydney. With the 'Learn to Fly' clip in 1999, they satirised airline flicks — Airplane!, which was already a send-up, plus disaster fare Airport 1975 and Airport '77 — aided by Tenacious D's Jack Black and Kyle Gass. Getting so delightedly bloody might be new, but refusing to take themselves seriously definitely isn't. Surrounded by Lionel Ritchie cameos and Will Forte's (MacGruber) bit-part as a delivery driver-slash-wannabe muso, all in the house where they did actually record 2021's Medicine at Midnight, the Foos are in on all of the jokes — Grohl goes overboard with his eye acting, Jaffee couldn't be more buzzed to revel in New Age-y stereotypes and Smear is gloriously flippant about sleeping on the kitchen bench — but they also overestimate how entertaining their mucking around is for audiences. The ever-longer it sticks around, the more Studio 666 resembles viewing your mates' holiday videos and hearing them relive their in-gags from that trip you didn't take with them. The Grohl-originated story, as scripted by the Pet Sematary remake and latest American The Grudge flick scribe Jeff Buhler with Rebecca Hughes, a veteran of mid-00s sitcom Cracking Up, has more to it than a mere clip for a Foo Fighters song could sustain. There isn't enough for Hatchet III and Slayer music video director BJ McDonnell's 107-minute movie, though. Splitting the difference, a tight half-hour short like the Beastie Boys' 2011 Fight for Your Right Revisited might've hit the mark perfectly, but then no one could've sold cinema tickets. Studio 666 is a tad haunted by those other alliterative American music icons given that the Beastie Boys made ridiculously parodying movie genres an art in their clips for 'Sabotage' — aka the best music video ever made — and 'Body Movin'. This Foos' effort strives for the same vibe, but more is less here. There's a bit of A Hard Days Night to Studio 666, too. Obviously, The Beatles-starring 1964 film doesn't care too much for horror, or at all, but the two movies share a days-in-a-life angle that peers beyond the facade of fame. That's a nice piece of music synergy, in fact, given that Grohl was part of a makeshift band tasked with playing the British group's songs for the Backbeat soundtrack back in 1994, the same year Foo Fighters was born. Not just due to Grohl's flannelette-heavy wardrobe, the Nirvana of it all proves a monkey wrench for Studio 666. In coming up with a story that includes a hit early-90s band's demise after the suicide of their lead singer, it's impossible not to see Grohl's bad-taste cribbing from his own history — a piece of satire that doesn't land for a second, was never going to and is mind-bogglingly ill thought-out. When the film does work, however, it's a screwy, entrails-strewn jape. When it toys with horror fans' knowledge of the genre by using Halloween-style text with an opening theme to match, then reveals the track to be the product of the iconic John Carpenter (who also cameos on-screen), it's knowing in an ideal way. But, when Jason Trost of the cult-fave The FP franchise shows up briefly, Studio 666 lays bare its own demons. This Foo-driven film wants to be the best of that exact kind of midnight movie, but is really just a cover version.
If justice and equality were concepts that truly applied to everyone, I Am Not Your Negro wouldn't need to exist. In fact, it wouldn't be able to. Author and social critic James Baldwin wouldn't have lived through the murders of three of his high-profile friends, civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. A decade later, he wouldn't have felt compelled to put his fingers to the typewriter to capture his experiences of America, intending to write a manuscript but only jotting down 30 pages of notes. He wouldn't have been shaped by standing out in a white man's world, and spent his life rallying against it. The list goes on, and the answer remains the same: none of this would've had to happen. Alas, as filmmaker Raoul Peck so powerfully and passionately conveys in his documentary, that was not Baldwin's reality — or ours now. And, as I Am Not Your Negro also makes plain, the difference between the past that Baldwin lived through and our present is virtually non-existent. With Samuel L. Jackson's solemn, patient tones reading the essayist's probing words, the movie steps through the complicated state of American race relations. The deaths of Baldwin's friends provide the framework for not only a picture of history drawn from Baldwin's observations, but of a struggle that still continues. Indeed, when talk show host Dick Cavett asks Baldwin, "is it at once getting much better and still hopeless?" in a clip from 1968, it couldn't feel more relevant now. In a film driven by eloquent statements of harsh facts, such comments keep on coming. "The truth is that this country does not know what to do with its black population," is just one telling utterance of many. Every line feels like a lament and a curse, the former spoken with sadness for humanity's true nature, the latter evidenced by the lack of progress to this day. And yet, I Am Not Your Negro isn't a lecture, as informative as its contents are. Baldwin's writings might dictate the movie's shape and structure, but this is a documentary driven as much by images as words. Peck demonstrates the reality of Baldwin's remarks through a deftly edited array of footage, pairing voiceover with historical photographs, benefiting from archival clips of spirited speeches, and weaving in appropriate snippets from movies that deal with race both overtly and implicitly. Glimpses of King, Evers and X understandably hit home hard, though so do modern parallels and pictures of recent police shooting victims. Indeed, the entire feature lands with the full force that its harrowing, heartbreaking material demands — in sharp contrast to the elegant and poetic way it has been pieced together. Any frame could sit in a history text, and many do. However, as a blend of sights and insights, I Am Not Your Negro could hardly offer a more urgent, perceptive or illuminating viewing experience. With the wisdom of someone who lived, lost, struggled, strived for change and saw others struck down in the process, Baldwin understood that knowing something to be true and facing it aren't one and the same, and that America's history of racial trouble is as built on well-meaning folks failing to act as it is by open violence and hatred. The question that Peck and his film ask is whether the audience can understand that too. Once again, Baldwin says it best: "we are cruelly trapped between what we would like to be and what we actually are." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG6VE1BRF9I
Stories involving someone's testicles (especially engorged ones like this) usually aren't very heartwarming. But 31-year-old Thomas Cantley is currently proving that assumption wrong. Over the course of this month, Cantley has been rolling a giant inflatable testicle across the USA to raise awareness of testicular cancer. Relying on people's kindness and support, he is currently travelling from California to New York and has been raising a lot of eyebrows along the way. Diagnosed with a stage three testicular cancer in 2009, Cantley started his ballsy mission in order to break some of the taboo surrounding the topic. "It's a 96 per cent survival rate if caught early," he told KSBW. "I want to prove you don't need billions of dollars or the promise of a cure to make a difference in the fight against cancer." His mission is instead about creating conversation. With his own cancer currently in remission, he's travelled more than 750 kilometres over the course of the month. People are inviting him to stay with them, buying him meals, and writing their own cancer-related stories on his giant testicle as he goes. With the Ball Push project now nearing its end, he's even earned himself the nickname of Mr Ballsy. Ever since Forrest Gump began running for the sake of running, we've had a fascination with these novel acts of endurance. Frankly, we're personally fascinated whenever anyone completes a regular marathon. What would compel someone to do that to themselves? But in the case of Thomas Cantley, the reason is very clear. Taking advantage of the humour all young men seem to find in their balls, Cantley is tactfully asking guys between 15 and 35 to "go check their nuts". And hey, if a cancer survivor can trek all the way across the USA dragging a very annoying inflatable ball, you can probably muster a quick fondle or trip to the doctor. Follow the rest of the journey via the Ball Push website or Facebook page. For more on the issue, check out the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation. Via A Plus and KSPW.
Feel like you've experienced every date option that Brisbane has to offer? Run out of new ways to spend an ace night with your mates? Don't want to celebrate the festive season in the usual manner? If glitz, glamour, drinks, dinner and feeling like you're in a speakeasy several decades ago amount to your idea of a good — and novel — time, then make a beeline to Cloudland's returning Big Band Cabaret. This time, it's Christmas-themed. Taking place in the Valley venue's Rainbow Room on Saturday, December 14, the decadent shindig will have you and your loved one dancing to the Swing Central Big Band, listening to Susanne Campbell and Renae Suttie, and lapping up performances by Jacqueline Furey's Burlesque Ensemble — all while eating your way through a three-course meal and enjoying a three-hour package of beer, wine and sparkling. It has been such a hit on previous occasions that it's no wonder that Cloudland has brought the event back for one particularly merry occasion. Tickets aren't cheap at $110 per person, but it's certain to liven up your pre-Xmas routine with something more than a little different.
The stage is about to get saucy this weekend as finalists shimmy and sparkle away during the Miss Burlesque Australia 2012 Competition. Set to woo audiences and judges alike, Oz's brightest burlesque stars - one from each state - will take to the stage in a succession of themed performances. Each will show what they've got in a 'Classic', 'Gown Parade', and their choice of a 'Unique' or 'Neo' performance. Not brushed up on your burlesque lingo? Not to worry: these ladies will spell it out in feather fans and sequins. Not to be left out, burlesque-loving guys will compete in the pageant's first ever Mr. Boylesque Competition. Male entrants from around the country will perform their most outrageous 'Unique' routines in hopes of winning that crown. Regarded as one of the world's leading burlesque pageants, Miss Burlesque Australia 2012 promises to deliver the very best of this revived, tongue-in-cheek art form. Prepare for the finalists' one-two punch of sexy and sassy; it's bound to be one hell of a show. Further details can be found here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yyfz6dJkx2s
We might never know what the future will hold, but we do know one thing: come December 31, Brooklyn Standard will throw one heck of a party. As 2017 becomes 2018, they're not only taking over Eagle Lane — they're turning it into a Midnight Disco. Actually, the fun starts at 6pm — and the five-hour drinks and street eats offering from 7pm — but you know just what's on offer. As the clock ticks towards the top, getting glam under a mirrorball, making your best shapes, drinking vodka and whiskey cocktails are all on the agenda. Plus, an array of bands will be taking over the bar's stage, extending the revelry even further.
It is definitely a hard slog for emerging bands to get noticed. There is Triple J Unearthed of course, which is a fantastic exposure tool through the interwebs, but finding the chance to play live on a major stage in front of potential new fans alongside the industry elite can be near impossible. Enter ‘Emergenza’, a unique international music festival that doubles as a band competition. Now in its twenty first year, Emergenza has helped hundreds of musical groups put their name in lights, or at least give it a red hot go. The festival and competition is global, with sub-events in different ports around the world. From Australia to Japan, to the USA and many places in between. All these mini-festivals culminate in a final major event in Rothenburg, Germany. Groups of any type are encouraged to get involved - performing originals or even covers that have been reworked. Bands are then knocked out through audience voting at each mini festival until there is a group of winners from all over the world, and they compete to reign victorious in Germany. Set to be an exciting night of competitive sets, head down to the HiFi for Emergenza, the band competition to end them all!
UPDATE, April 24, 2023: Slowdive are no longer on the Daydream bill, after drummer Simon Scott was injured. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Float on, festival fans: come April, Australia's newest excuse to see a heap of bands in one spot will make its way along the country's east coast. That touring event: the just-announced Daydream, which joins the country's ever-growing roster of excuses to see and support live music. Daydream is hitting the Riverstage in Brisbane on Sunday, April 30 with quite the roster of indie-rock talent — headlined by Modest Mouse three decades after the Washington-born group first got together. Don't listen to the title of the band's acclaimed 2004 album, though — this is good news for people who love good news, not bad. Joining Modest Mouse on the bill are Australian favourites Tropical F*ck Storm, and the roster keeps going from there. The lineup varies slightly per city, with Beach Fossils and Cloud Nothings also taking to the stage at all stops. [caption id="attachment_817946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Somefx[/caption] Top image: Modest Mouse by Matthewvetter via Wikimedia Commons.
The Apple iPod has been nipped and tucked since its original version to become the compact, nearly paper-thin music-playing masterpiece that it is today. We now have room for thousands of songs and videos on a piece of metal that's smaller than a playing card and lighter than a feather. Just when we thought there was no more improving the little guys, technology went ahead and proved us wrong. Scientists from Georgia University of Technology, lead by Dr. Zhong Lin Wang, are in the experimental stages of developing nanotechnology that will create self-generated energy that could power portable devices like iPods. In presenting their findings to the American Chemical Society, Dr. Wang explained that the devices would have a microchip made of zinc oxide nanowires (500 of them could fit on a human hair) that generate energy at any body movement, even just the beat of a heart. So far the human-powered technology has been used to power LCD screens and store radio signals. These advances may seem small, but Dr. Wang believes that the team's development of the microchip is a significant milestone in the creation of power that isn't battery-operated or plugged into an electrical outlet. "Their potential is only limited by one's imagination," he said. We're certainly looking forward to listening to beats powered by heartbeats. [via The Telegraph]
Anyone who's been in Sydney over the last few weeks will have noticed that it's been unseasonably warm. Winter's usual chill has been swapped for mild temperatures and, instead of regular downpours, the city has seen a stream of clear sunny days — during the day, you barely even need a light jacket. And this weird weather all came to a head this weekend, with Sydney copping one of the hottest winter days it's ever had. Earlier in the week, Weatherzone has predicted that yesterday — Sunday, July 30 — would come pretty close to topping the highest temperature on record for July: 25.9 degrees (which was set back in 1990). And they were right. At 2.10pm, the mercury hit 26.5 degrees — making it Sydney's warmest July day ever. #Sydney sets new July heat record, 26.0 degrees. Last year it took until October to get this warm https://t.co/sbzHtvvHzG — Weatherzone (@weatherzone) July 30, 2017 It's pretty insane. But while Sydneysiders reaped the benefits of the warm day — and all the warm weather has been undeniably delightful — it doesn't bode well for us in the long run. In fact, if only adds to our ever-present anxiety about global warming, an increase in extreme El Niño events and what that might mean for Australia and the world.
Spring might be in full swing across southeast Queensland, but a patch of the Scenic Rim is already thinking about autumn — and about beaming with gold. When summer ends, orange, red, brown and yellowing leaves usually take over, other than at Kalbar Sunflowers. Sat just over an hour outside of Brisbane, the farm couldn't be more vibrant when its blooms are blossoming, so much so that it puts on the Kalbar Sunflower Festival to celebrate. In 2024, the much-loved and obviously stunning-to-look-at event will return for three days from Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21. Tickets aren't on sale as yet, but you'll want to nab one ASAP when they drop in February or March — this fest is unsurprisingly popular and sells out, with more than 12,000 people attending annually. If you're lucky enough to score entry, expect to spot sunflowers as far as the eye can see at the Jenner family farm. In its early years, more than 200,000 of the vibrant blooms reached up to the sky, which is a hefty number. In 2023, over a million sunflowers were planted across 24 acres — and the same number will bloom in 2024. All those golden petals also help the fest play host to a highlight to get lost in, literally: a four-acre sunflower maze. Next year's Kalbar Sunflower Festival won't just be gorgeous to look at and frolic through. It'll also support a supremely worthy cause. To pay tribute to her husband Russell, who battled oesophageal cancer for 18 months and passed away in July, the event's organiser Jenny Jenner is aiming to raise $100,000 for cancer research and care at the Mater. With picking sunflowers a huge part of the event, every sunflower sold during the festival will also see $1.50 go to the hospital and its Cancer Care Centres in South Brisbane and Springfield. While the fest's 2024 program hasn't been released as yet, it will include yoga sessions among the sunflowers, and also see sound-healing meditation classes among the blooms make their debut. Photo sessions will be back, of course, taking Kalbar's sea of gold to social media feeds. As always as well, the farm makes one helluva picnic spot. In past years, the event has included painting classes — yes, so attendees could channel their inner Vincent van Gogh and paint sunflowers — plus helicopter rides over the field, sunflower crafting, cooking demonstrations and classes, photography classes, a sunset soirée, champagne lunches and food trucks. The Kalbar Sunflower Festival came about after Russell and Jenny changed direction during Queensland's ongoing drought conditions. Previously, they farmed lucerne but, with water levels low, they opted to switch to a crop that doesn't require as much H2O. And, with all those sunflowers then looking rather striking, the couple was keen to let everyone else enjoy their golden petals. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kalbar Sunflowers (@kalbarsunflowers) The Kalbar Sunflower Festival 2024 will take place from Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21 at Kalbar in Queensland's Scenic Rim. For further information, and to keep an eye out for tickets when they go on sale in February or March, head to the event's website.
Like chicken? Love your poultry products slathered in spiciness? Think you can eat a whole lot of wings and then a whole heap more? Get your stomach ready and head to the Buffalo Bar. We guarantee that you won't be leaving hungry. Yep, the Mary Street hotspot is asking all brave folks to test their tastebuds at Brisbane's Hottest Wing Easting Comp. This finger lickin' good feast is exactly what it sounds like (and yes, bibs and goggles are provided). The winner will take home a Buffalo Bar voucher and prize pack, as well as bragging rights, while the audience will enjoy an afternoon of competitive eating entertainment.
In an emotional sense, things aren't really looking up in Australia at the moment. 2020's horror show has continued into 2021, thanks to new outbreaks and lockdowns, because the chaos of the pandemic hasn't passed just yet. But, for one night, it's worth literally looking up with your eyes and your noggin — because a conjunction of Venus and Mars is about to happen way above our heads. Peer skywards tonight, on Tuesday, July 13, and you'll see the two planets in close proximity. How close? According to NASA, they'll appear a mere finger's width apart. They won't actually physically be that close, of course, but they'll sure look like it. If you're not familiar with the term 'conjunction' within the field of astronomy, it refers to two objects or spacecraft sharing the same right ascension or ecliptic longitude — so they're at the same angular distance in one way or another. Specifically, it's used to describe the moment that two objects are at their closest apparent point together in the sky. You might remember the term from last year, because Jupiter and Saturn went through the same thing in December. https://twitter.com/NASAAmes/status/1414660845557125120 For this conjunction, you'll want to find a spot where you can peer in a northwestern direction. That's where you need to look — but if you're wondering when you should take a peek outside this evening, The Conversation advises looking up between 6.30–7.30pm. You'll be able to see Venus before then, from dusk, but Mars will only be visible once it gets dark. In Australia, you'll spy Mars slightly above its neighbour, and to the left. Venus isn't hard to spot; it has been called "the evening star", after all. To get a glimpse of the red planet, you'll need to peer a little harder, as it is nowhere near as bright. To get the best view, you'll want an unobstructed vantage of the sky — and, to look even closer, to use binoculars or a telescope. If you do choose some optical help, you'll be able to see both Venus and Mars in the same field of view. 2021 has already delivered a few sky shows, via pink, blood and strawberry moons, so this is just the latest astronomical gift this year. But, at a time that hasn't been big on good news, it's definitely worth looking up for. The Venus and Mars conjunction will be visible in the evening of Tuesday, July 13. For further details, head to the NASA website.
Feel like treating yo'self this long weekend? Of course you do. How about a trip to the Gold Coast for an afternoon of basking in the sunshine and sipping delicious beverages that'll keep you buzzing well into the evening? That's what's on offer at Sunset Affair Gold Coast — aka the annual event's first trip to the QT Hotel's Stingray Lounge. Wear your best summery cocktail outfit and prepare to make a day of devouring delicious drinks and canapés. Live acoustic music will help get you in the mood, food stands will keep your stomach satisfied, and everyone from animal handlers to magicians to champagne pourers on stilts will make the occasion one to remember.
It seems a pretty hard task to follow Hannah Gadsby's international smash-hit show, Nanette. After all, the one-woman stand-up performance copped serious praise on its 18-month travels across Australia and the UK, even scooping the top honours at both the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It also spawned its very own Netflix special. And when Gadsby used the show to announce she was quitting comedy for good, we thought that was it. But indeed, the beloved Aussie comedian is set to give the follow-up a red hot crack when she returns to the stand-up stage with her latest work, Douglas, named after her own pet pooch. While Nanette pulled apart the concept of comedy itself, dishing up an insight into Gadsby's past, Douglas promises to deliver a serve of "very new ideas", collected during her recent travels around the planet. This show will mark Gadsby's first-ever US tour, although she is hitting up Australia as well — coming to Brisbane on Wednesday, January 29 and Thursday, January 30, 2020. Hannah Gadsby: Douglas tickets will go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, June 11 — head to the venue's website for further details, including pre-sale information. First image: Jim Lee.
Cheer until your throat gives out as gold and black collide in a melee of mud, sweat and blood in the final test of the Bledisloe Cup 2012. Ranked first and second respectively New Zealand and Australia have clashed for the converted Bledisloe cup since, depending on who you ask, 1931, and the All-Blacks have dominated the majority of the time, including a recent ten year winning streak. With Suncorp Stadium awash in a sea of gold and filled with the shouts and screams of undeterred wallabies fans, the haka might fall on deaf ears. Regardless, it will be a great game; not to be missed.
If there was ever a time for a beloved underground music celebration to make its return, it's Easter. Yes, there's more than one resurrection worth talking about this year — particularly if you're a fan of garage, punk, rock and metal. Taking over the New Globe Theatre on March 26 and 27, EarCandy #12: Resurrection features 50 bands playing on three stages over two days, in what just might be Brisbane's biggest underground and alternative event ever. Think of it as a demonstration of the city's musical vibrancy, variety and vitality; if you think the Brissie scene is dying, then you obviously haven't discovered these talented folks yet. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Since 2020, the Museum of Brisbane has been throwing the city some major love as part of exhibition The Storytellers. Alas, even sprawling showcases that turn Brissie history into a storybook must come to an end — but this huge celebration is evolving rather than wrapping up. Meet The Storytellers: Next Chapter, which is taking over MoB from Thursday, December 9–Sunday, January 23. Targeted at the school-holiday crowd but open to everyone — kids and kidults alike — it's morphing into a community installation and giving the whole storytelling concept an interactive spin. That ripped-from-the-pages look mentioned above? You'll be able to colour it in, with drawing on the walls 100-percent allowed here. You'll be stepping inside the black and white interior of a dilapidated Queenslander, in fact, which you can add hues and patterns to however you see fit. (Think of it as an obliteration room, which every Brisbanite should be familiar with thanks to GOMA, but with pencils instead.) Other highlights include sharing your memories of last decade's floods, creating paper poinciana blossoms, making lanterns, crafting an ibis — yes, this is still all about Brisbane, so bin chickens obviously feature — and fashioning handmade fabric sunflowers to add to a wall blooming with them. While entry is free and some events won't cost you a thing, there is a $3 fee on a range of the crafting activities.
“Your nose like a delicious slope of cream / And your ears like cream flaps / And your teeth like hard shiny pegs of cream.” Diner en Blanc — like Howard Moon's poem — will have you in all white. But sorry, Booshers: the third edition of this Brisbane event is just for the sophisticated. Now on five continents, the Diner en Blanc began in Paris 26 years ago thanks to François Pasquier and friends. This year, 2000+ of Brisbane's creme de la creme will once again dress in all white on Saturday, October 11, for the event held at an iconic location that remains secret until the very last moment (last year it was the beautiful banks of the Brisbane River at Portside). Following an evening of elegance, fine dining and live music, the foodies then pack up their crystal, dinnerware, tables and litter. Like ghosts (white 'n' all), they leave behind no sign of their rendezvous. (But don't get any ideas: a white sheet thrown over your figure will not do for an outfit). Diner en Blanc guests must either be invited by a member from the previous year, or get on the waiting list for a ticket.
Think you know everything there is to know about Brisbane? Think again. In a year that's seeing us all stay close to home — exploring our city rather than venturing too far — there's plenty more to learn, including at the Museum of Brisbane's new major exhibition: The Storytellers. On display now — and free to enter — this sprawling showcase examines the city's history, myths and tales. But, it doesn't do so in a standard, straightforward way. Rather than just displaying historical objects and artworks, this interactive and immersive exhibition has enlisted nine Brissie storytellers to help spin both written and narrated accounts of Brisbane's past. Doing the honours: Victoria Carless, Simon Cleary, Matthew Condon, Trent Dalton, Nick Earls, Benjamin Law, Hugh Lunn, Kate Morton and Ellen van Neerven, aka a lineup of names that'll be familiar to anyone who loves both Brisbane and words. One huge highlight, other than tales about everything from Boggo Road Gaol to Kangaroo Point's link with kangaroos, is the showcase's distinctive storybook aesthetic. Keep an eye out for walking tours of the city, workshops on creative writing and other storytelling-focused events as well. Expect this huge celebration of all things Brissie to stick around for a while, too — at least until the end of the year. [caption id="attachment_777680" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Toby Scott[/caption] The Storytellers is on display at the Museum of Brisbane — with free entry from 10am–5pm Saturday–Thursday and 10am–7pm on Fridays. Images: Toby Scott.
As a certain Christmas carol has told us all for our entire lives, decking the halls with boughs of holly is a one way to mark the jolliest season of the year. As the festive period rolls around for 2020, Cocktail Porter has another suggestion: trimming your tree with baubles filled with ready-to-drink cocktails. They ornaments look like tiny bottles of booze, because they are tiny bottles of booze. So, you won't mistake them for something else. Each is filled with the equivalent of 1.5 standard drinks, and they'll give you something to say cheers to (and with) while you're standing around the tree. Four different types of cocktails are included — and, given that they come in either four-piece ($99) or five-piece ($109) sets, you'll either just get one of each or also score two of a particular variety. And they've been given festive names, but you'll already be familiar with negronis, gimlets, martinis and old fashioneds. In the 'Rudolf's Negroni', you'll be sipping sweet vermouth, Italian bitters, Tanqueray London dry gin and blood orange. As for the 'Santa's Old Fashioned', it features Bulleit Bourbon, honey, sea salt and orange oils. If you'd prefer the 'Elf-flower Gimlet' (with elderflower, Ketel One Vodka, fortified wine and lime) or 'Gin-gle Bells Martini' (with Tanqueray London dry gin and French Vermouth), they're actually supposed to be served cold — so you'll need to plan ahead and pluck them from the tree before cocktail hour. For more information about Cocktail Porter's cocktail baubles — or to order them for delivery Australia-wide — visit the service's website.
If you tend to take out your stress and anxiety on your innocent writing utensil, then it's about time you chomped on something a little less plastic-flavored and a lot more delicious. Feast your eyes upon the edible pen. Dave Hakkens was one of those nervous pen-chewers, leading him to invent this tasty ballpoint. He wanted a pen that he could chew on without making it dirty or, for lack of a better word, gross. After realizing that the only essential part of any pen was the ink, Hakkens set about designing a pen that he could entirely eat, and that he did. The body of the pen is made out of 22 pieces of sugary candy, similar to those in candy necklaces, which enclose edible ink. The only part that cannot be consumed is the small tip, which can be thrown away or transferred to another refill once the whole pen is eaten. The best part? The candy is made so it won't melt in your hands or stick to anything. Hakken's first prototype was peppermint flavoured, but the edible pen now comes in five other fruity flavours. As well as being a treat for your sweet tooth, an edible pen makes ecological sense when you consider all the ballpoints that get binned every year.
Imagine starting the day with a spot of yoga and one of the best views of the city. That's the new weekly promise at Eleven Rooftop Bar, with the Ann Street venue adding a spring and summer season of sky-high wellness sessions to its lofty repertoire. And each class is free. From 6am every Tuesday between October 17 and December 12 — other than Melbourne Cup day on November 7 — early risers can stretch their limbs at a great height with yoga and Pilates sessions, or get the blood pumping with some boxing or circuit training. With all of that on offer, you'll probably want to take the lift up to the 11th-floor rooftop — best save your energy for working out while staring at the city below. The appropriately named Rooftop Wellness at Eleven is a collaboration between the Fortitude Valley spot and The Cove Workplace, with Facilities Fitness, Studio Pilates Newstead and Eka Shakti Yoga all pitching in as well. Registration is required, and if you'd like to hang around afterwards, an optional breakfast session will serve up juice and a chia bowls after each class for $17. Rooftop Wellness at Eleven takes place on Tuesday mornings from 6am to 7am between October 17 and December 12, apart from Melbourne Cup day on November 7. For the detailed schedule, head to the event website.
Laughing in a doubled-over, can't breathe, feels-like-you-have-a-stitch kind of way isn't a planned thing. It happens spontaneously. It happens without warning. It happens at times and from sources you mightn't expect. That's what Brisbane Comedy Festival's After Hours component is all about — making the humorous magic happen in a different fashion, away from the usual routines, well-oiled jokes and hilarious shows that unleash the same comic gems night after night. Taking over the Brisbane Powerhouse Turbine Studio on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the fest, this always-changing late-night show is a chance for everyone involved to get loose. As for who that might be each evening, well, that's part of the surprise. This is one of our top picks for this year's Brisbane Comedy Festival. Read the whole list. Image: Studio Impressions/Brisbane Powerhouse.
Getting into festive mood? Prefer to do your shopping while the big day is still a few weeks away? Hate leaving your Christmas preparations until the last minute? Then pencil one of the year's must-attend Yuletide markets into your calendar: the Milton Christmas Twilight Markets. Formerly known as Christmas on Cribb, this is the Milton Markets' seasonal shindig, and it's taking place on Saturday, November 26 from 4–10pm this year. And sure, you've been to markets before; however, his festive event boasts plenty to get excited about. Here, you'll get your food and gift plans sorted, and lap up music and entertainment while you're there. This Cribbmas, you can also enjoy everything from gourmet food to artisanal wares — and, based on past years, there are usually more than 150 stalls on offer. Grab bites you'll want to eat on the night, produce for your big feast, and presents for your loved ones (and yourself). Plus, there'll be a pop-up bar onsite in case you need a break from the browsing and buying — or an extra excuse to feel merry. Entry costs $2 at the gate, and you can pay $2 more for VIP parking.
Pulsing synths, addictive percussion and mellow crooning have seen this Perth trio launch from strength to strength, making waves both locally and abroad. From Unearthed beginnings through to shows at Groovin' the Moo and Laneway, Crooked Colours have generated a following hypnotised by their feelgood ambience. These electronica lads are currently on their first ever national tour, promoting the brand spanking new EP, In Your Bones. Hot off the back of sold out shows in Melbourne, Crooked Colours will be touching down at Alhambra Lounge, ready to churn out some tender tunes and audiovisual witchery. Cranking up the tempo, there will also be killer support from electronica duo Deja. This is going to be a seriously vibing, all-night dance party, so get down and sweat it out before these guys get all expensive. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UvVPInNtU_Y
Unless you're a real grinch, your end-of-year viewing probably features plenty of red, white, snow, presents, eggnog and Santa. Elf, Home Alone, The Muppet Christmas Carol — you get the idea. Sure, you've seen Will Ferrell take on the festive season before. And, you've seen Macaulay Culkin take on a pair of robbers too. But if you haven't seen them on a 44-metre-long outdoor screen, have you really seen them? Big Screen on the Green, Brisbane's mammoth movie-viewing option, is getting into the spirit of the season with a heap of festive flicks. From Monday, December 17 until Friday, December 22, it'll project something merry every night. All of the above titles are featured, plus The Santa Clause and The Polar Express too. The best part, other than the sack full of nostalgia? Entry is via gold coin donation, so it's a very cheap night at the movies. If you register in advance you'll also get a free frozen Fanta — or you can upgrade to a heap of packages from $10, which includes boozy beverage and a popcorn. The $55 option for two comes with prawns, a charcuterie platter, mini cakes and fruit, while the $85 ramps up the decadent feast, including a soft Christmas meringue. You can also rent picnic blankets for $12 and bean bags for $8. Image: Big Screen on the Green.
It's that time of year again, Brisbanites — and for the first time since 2019. August is here and the Ekka is back with it, after not one but two years of pandemic-related cancellations. Also returning: those famed strawberry sundaes, as well as Stone and Wood's brew inspired by it. For the third year running, the brewery has brought back its Ekka-inspired Strawberry Sundae Kisses beer. Yes, it's a boozy version of iconic dessert, and it tastes like strawberries and cream. Stone and Wood whip it up in the traditional Berliner Weisse style, using 60 kilograms of strawberries, with the brew also featuring lactose and vanilla, This year, the beer will be available in two places around town — at the Ekka itself for the first time, and also at Stone and Wood's Brisbane brewery in Fortitude Valley. Head to the latter, and you can get sipping early, starting from Thursday, August 4. Originally, the brew came about as a way to help support charity The Common Good, which uses the sundaes as a fundraising effort for The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation. And, that's exactly where Stone and Wood is directing proceeds from the beer, too — so having a few pints will mean helping a great cause. One note: 2022's batch of Strawberry Sundae Kisses is around for a good time, not a long time, and will only be available at the brewery until sold out. In past years, it has lasted just three weeks, so getting in quickly is recommended.
During 2020's lockdown, Gelato Messina served up plenty of tasty specials to keep our tastebuds occupied at home — including cookie pies in choc chip, red velvet, choc-hazelnut, and peanut butter and jelly varieties, as well as 40 of its best gelato flavours — and one of them proved particularly popular: Iced Vovo tubs. Now, the gelato fiends are bringing back the gelato version of everyone's favourite childhood biscuit for another limited round. Wondering what exactly Iced VoVo gelato entails? It combines toasted coconut gelato with pieces of shortbread biscuit, then tops it with marshmallow, raspberry puree and desiccated coconut. And yes, the end result looks like the bikkies you know and love — but in a scoopable form. Available as part of Messina's 'Hot Tub' series, the Iced VoVo gelato can only be ordered online on Monday, January 18, with a one-litre tub setting you back $30. You can then go into your chosen Messina store to pick up your tub between Friday, January 22–Sunday, January 24. The tubs are available to order from all Aussie stores except The Star and Coolangatta. Gelato Messina's Iced VoVo gelato tubs will be available to order from 10am on Monday, January 18, for pick up between Friday, January 22–Sunday, January 24 — keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
For a lot of people, DIY is a way of life. We aren’t talking about home renovations and Better Homes and Gardens-type craft, think more along the lines of independent artists and creative minds starting movements and trends from small beginnings. Huge in street culture, the DIY ethos is something that is relatable and effortlessly cool and, while grassroots in origin, anything DIY is something worth sharing and celebrating. The Brisbane Collective is hosting a pop-up exhibition to celebrate the launch of issue two of To Be Continued magazine, a street press publication dedicated to promoting culturally relevant happenings in Brisbane. Taking place at Turf Studios, DIY Till You Die will people a pop-up bar, tacos from Juan More Taco Truck, live painting and numerous artists and musicians on hand to provide the atmosphere. Presale tickets are $5 from Oztix or $10 on the door. To keep track of who will be attending and showing off their artwork, check out the event page here!
In the film that bears her name, Wadjda (Waad Mohammed) resides within a system of oppression, yet refuses to accept her restrictions. On the cusp of adolescence, the ten-year-old rallies against her surroundings in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, be it the strictness of her schooling or the expectations of her gender — appropriate interests, friends and public behaviour included. In class, Wadjda is admonished for laughing, leaving her head uncovered and trading forbidden items. At home, she watches her mother (Reem Abdullah) worry about her husband taking a second wife, and struggle with the rude driver who escorts her to work. In response, Wadjda's manifestation of rebellion comes in the humblest — and most age-appropriate — manner. She desires a green bicycle, but is told no. She wants to cycle in the street, but is strongly discouraged. She yearns to enjoy the same freedoms as her male counterparts, such as her neighbour, Abdullah (Abdullrahman Al Gohani). The feature's missive of female empowerment is evident in its protagonist, though its message is never bluntly handled. Wadjda, the film, carefully and thoughtfully presents the reality of the role of women in Saudi society, without hiding or heightening the difficulties. Wadjda, the character, remains a shining emblem of possibility and potential, her choices complex and considered, not easy or simple. Of course, Wadjda's on-screen statement and subversion bears the weight of its revolutionary off-screen status, as the first feature shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, and the first full-length film made by a female Saudi director. Again, writer/director Haifaa Al-Mansour (Who studied at the University of Sydney) remains subtle in her debut fictional effort, with documentary Women Without Shadows her sole other helming credit. Her story says it all, the parallels obvious but the narrative independently affecting. Lightness, rather than solemnity, provides the pervasive tone. Her images are plain and stark against a dusty background, yet her atmosphere is one of optimism — for the little things. The broader truth is not forgotten; indeed, as Wadjda moves towards triumph, the tale remains one of tragedy. Being able to ride a bike in the street is no small feat, though life in Saudi Arabia is repeatedly filled with similar — and often insurmountable — challenges. The non-professional cast incisively articulates the dichotomy between the feature's dream and the production's actuality, none more so than Waad Mohammed in her only film role to date. Her wide eyes and expressive face convey Wadjda's determination, but also her growing acceptance. Her performance is feisty and finessed in turn, straddling the line between youthful exuberance and dawning realisations. Mohammed's portrayal truly gets to the centre of the hopeful and heartbreaking feature: cognisant of limitations, but forever striving for change. https://youtube.com/watch?v=v-4kosdSXR8
Brisbanites, if you haven't yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, getting the jab has just gotten easier. From today, Wednesday, September 22, four vaccination hubs across the city are welcoming in walk-ins — so you can just roll up when you have time. Jurassic Park told us that life finds a way, and that line has been quoted many times ever since. But sometimes life gets in the way, which is what these walk-in jabs aim to work around. So if you've been busy, or booking in has slipped your mind, or it's just kept falling further down your to-do list, you no longer need an appointment. Here's where you'll need to head: the Brisbane Entertainment Centre at Boondall, which operates from 8.30am–6pm daily; Doomben Racecourse, from 8.30am–3.50pm daily; the Kippa-Ring vaccination location at the former Village Wholesale Centre on Elizabeth Avenue, which is also open from from 8.30am–3.50pm daily; and Caboolture Square, which runs from 8am–5pm on weekdays and 8am–4pm on Saturday. All four spots are welcoming in walk-ins over the age of 12 — with Boondall only doing Pfizer jabs, and the other three venues administering AstraZeneca shots as well. BREAKING: Walk-in vaccinations will be available from today at the vaccine clinics: • Caboolture Square Community Vaccination Clinic • Doomben Racecourse • Kippa Ring • Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondallhttps://t.co/5kEBaHeKjd#GetVaccinated pic.twitter.com/TD9GrrIpzo — Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) September 22, 2021 The move comes after Queensland hosted a walk-in vax weekend on Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19, which proved a success. "This walk-in model is set to make getting vaccinated against COVID-19 even more convenient for our community... These clinics have capacity to vaccinate a huge number of patrons at any one time, with the Brisbane Entertainment Centre community vaccination clinic able to see 82 patrons at once," said Queensland Minister for Health Yvette D'Ath in a statement. If you already have an appointment at any of these four Queensland Health vax hubs, you can still keep it — that won't be affected by the walk-ins. Either way, getting vaxxed will help the country increase its vaccination rate, with more restrictions likely to ease for fully vaxxed Aussies once the nation hits both the 70-percent and 80-percent vaccination thresholds. Obviously, if you have any questions or concerns about the COVID-19 jab, you should seek advice from your GP or a healthcare professional. For further information about Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout, head to the Australian Government Department of Health website. For more details specific to Queensland, visit the Queensland Health website.
Halloween is an ideal time for watching spooky movies; however whatever viewing you've already got planned, cancel it. There's one movie that's even more perfect for the occasion that usual this year, and it's showing at Dendy Portside for one night only. With the beloved Gene Wilder passing away recently, revisiting his work in the comedy-horror classic Young Frankenstein is a must. You'll laugh, you'll enjoy an all-time great, and you'll get to watch a masterful performer at his absolute best. Plus, dressing up as Wilder from this or any of his other movies is encouraged.
Between Thursday, March 12–Sunday, March 22, you won't need an excuse to sink a few brews in Brisbane. You don't need one any day anyway, of course, but these 11 days are all about beer, more beer and then even more beer — because that's what Brewsvegas is all about. Returning for its huge seventh year, the city-wide festival is celebrating ales, lagers, stouts, porters and pilsners all around town — and with quite the range of events. A whopping 59 venues are taking part, basically turning Brissie into one big bar crawl. Start with the big launch party at Stone & Wood's recently opened Fortitude Valley digs, then pack out your diary with more beer-focused activities and festivities than you can currently imagine. Among the highlights: beer karaoke, beer painting sessions, beer cocktails, beer and board games, a four-course 'beergustation', and beer with both bowling and boules. Young Henrys is bringing its Rock & Roll Circus to town for the first time, everything from beer and jazz to a New Kids on the Block vinyl night will get your toes tapping, and you can choose between multiple block parties and multiple crawls of Brisbane's brewery-filled suburbs. Because pairing beer with different foods is always on this fest's agenda, expect beer with oysters, doughnuts, flapjacks, bacon, cheese, shanks, brunch and ice cream — with the latter turning your humble brew into a beer float. A soiree dedicated to one of the most under-appreciated drinks there is, the shandy, is also on the bill. A new burger challenge is part of the fun too, featuring 20 different Brissie bars and 20 new burgs — all paired with a craft brew, naturally. And for the fourth year running, Brewsvegas will be hosting its Pint of Origin battle, with nine venues each focusing on different Aussie states and overseas countries — so you can take your beer-loving tastebuds on a whirlwind tour without leaving the city.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. TOP GUN: MAVERICK As dripping with jingoism, machismo, militarism and sweat as cinema gets — and there really was oh-so-much sweat — 1986's Top Gun was a dream of a recruitment ad. The US Navy's aviation program couldn't have whipped up a stronger enlistment campaign in its wildest fantasies. Even if it had, getting Hollywood's gloss, a star who'd still be box-office catnip four decades later and Kenny Loggins' second-best movie tune (slipping in behind Footloose, of course) probably would've felt like a one-in-a-billion longshot. But all of the above, plus a lurid sheen and homoerotic gaze, didn't make Top Gun a good film. Loggins' 'Danger Zone' remains an earworm of a delight, but the feature it's synonymous with took a highway to the cheesy, cringey, puffed up, perpetually moist and aggressively toxic zone. The one exception: whenever Tony Scott's camera was focused on all that flying, rather than a smirking, reckless and arrogant Tom Cruise as a portrait of 80s bluster and vanity. Gliding into cinemas 36 years after its predecessor, Top Gun: Maverick is still at its best when its jets are soaring. The initial flick had the perfect song to describe exactly what these phenomenally well-executed and -choreographed action scenes feel like to view; yes, they'll take your breath away. Peppered throughout the movie, actually shot in real US Navy aircraft without a trace of digital effects, and as tense and spectacular as filmmaking can be in the feature's climactic sequences, they truly do make it seem as if you're watchin' in slow motion. Thankfully, this time that adrenaline kick is accompanied by a smarter and far more self-aware film, as directed by TRON: Legacy and Oblivion's Joseph Kosinski. Top Gun in the 80s was exactly what Top Gun in the 80s was always going to be — but Top Gun in the 2020s doesn't dare believe that nothing has changed, that Cruise's still-smug Maverick can't evolve, and that the world the movie releases into hasn't either. Early in the film — after Harold Faltermeyer's famous Top Gun anthem plays, text on-screen explains what the titular elite pilot training program is all about, a montage of fighter planes kicks in and then 'Danger Zone' sets an upbeat tone; that is, after the flick begins exactly as the first did — Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell (Cruise, Mission: Impossible — Fallout) is given a dressing-down. Still as rebellious as his call sign makes plain, he's just wantonly disobeyed orders, flown a ridiculously expensive hypersonic test plane when he's not supposed to and caused quite the fallout. "The future is coming and you're not in it," he's told, and Top Gun: Maverick doesn't shy away from that notion. As its opening moments show, along with a touch too many other nostalgia-steeped touches elsewhere this sequel hasn't wholly flown on from the past; however, it actively reckons with it as well. Still hardly the navy's favourite despite his swagger, megawatt smile, gleaming aviators and unfailing self-confidence — well, really despite his need for speed and exceptional dogfighting skills in the air — Maverick is given one last assignment. His destination: Fightertown USA, the California-based Top Gun program he strutted his way through all those years ago. There's an enemy nation with a secret weapons base that needs destroying, and his talents are crucial. But, to his dismay, Maverick is only asked to teach. Given a squad lorded over by the brash Hangman (Glen Powell, Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood), and also including Coyote (Greg Tarzan Davis, Grey's Anatomy), Payback (Jay Ellis, Insecure), Fanboy (Danny Ramirez, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), Phoenix (Monica Barbaro, Stumptown), Bob (Lewis Pullman, Outer Range) and the frosty Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw (Miles Teller, The Offer), he's tasked with training them to fly like he does, navigate a Star Wars-style impossible path that zips speedily at perilously low altitudes and, ideally, still survive the supremely dangerous mission. Read our full review. THE BOB'S BURGERS MOVIE Across its 12-season order to-date, the best episodes of Bob's Burgers have always resembled exactly what they should: a delicious serving of the meat-and-bread combination that shares the hit sitcom's name. There's a knack to a great burg — to a tastebud-thrilling, so-appetising-I-need-more-now example of this extremely accessible culinary art — and it's all about perfecting the absolute basics. No matter what else gets slotted in (and plenty of other ingredients can), every burger's staples should be the stars of the show. Indeed, a top-notch burg needn't be flashy. It definitely mustn't be overcomplicated, either. And, crucially, it should taste as comforting as wrapping your hands around its buns feels. On the small screen since 2011, Bob's Burgers has kept its version of that very recipe close to its animated, irreverent, gleefully offbeat heart. Unsurprisingly, the show's creators whip up the same kind of dish for The Bob's Burgers Movie, too. It's a winning formula, and creator Loren Bouchard knows not to mess with it while taking his beloved characters to the big screen. Co-helming with the series' frequent supervising director Bernard Derriman, and co-writing with long-running producer Nora Smith, he experiments here and there — in filmic form, Bob's Burgers is a tad darker, for instance — but he also knows what keeps his customers a-coming. That'd be the goofy but extremely relatable Belcher clan, their everyday joys and struggles, and the cosy little world that sprawls around their yellow-hued Ocean Avenue burger joint up the road from seaside fairground Wonder Wharf. Bouchard also knows that if you make something well enough time after time — be it a burger or a TV show that's spawned a movie; both fit — it'll be warmly, reliably and welcomingly familiar rather than just another helping of the same old nosh. As always, the action centres on the film's namesake — the diner where patriarch Bob (H Jon Benjamin, Archer) sizzles up punningly named burgs to both make a living and live out his dream. And, as the show has covered frequently, financial woes mean that Bob and his wife Linda (John Roberts, Gravity Falls) have more to worry about than cooking, serving customers, and their kids Tina (Dan Mintz, Veep), Gene (Eugene Mirman, Flight of the Conchords) and Louise (Kristen Schaal, What We Do in the Shadows). Their solution: a burger, of course. But their bank manager isn't munching when they try to use food to grease their pleas for an extension on their loan. That mortgage also involves their restaurant equipment, leaving them out of business if they can't pay up. As their seven-day time limit to stump up the cash ticks by, Bob sweats over the grill and Linda oozes her usual optimism — only for a sinkhole to form literally at their door. As trusty as Bob's Burgers gets, and still refreshingly committed to depicting the daily reality of its working-class characters, that above setup is the movie's buns. Layered inside are tomato, lettuce, cheese, pickle and beetroot, aka the narrative's well-balanced fillings. First comes a murder-mystery ensnaring the Belchers' eccentric landlord Calvin Fischoeder (Kevin Kline, Beauty and the Beast) and his brother Felix (Zach Galifianakis, Ron's Gone Wrong). Springing from there is Louise's determination to solve the crime to save the diner and prove she isn't a baby just because she wears a pink rabbit-eared hat. Then there's Tina's quest to make her crush Jimmy Jr (also voiced by Benjamin) her summer boyfriend; Gene's need to get The Itty Bitty Ditty Committee, the family band, a gig at Wonder Wharf's Octa-Wharfiversary celebrations; and Bob and Linda's attempt to sell burgs at the amusement park using a barbecue on wheels MacGyvered up by number-one customer Teddy (Larry Murphy, The Venture Bros). Read our full review. ABLAZE A documentary that's deeply personal for one of its directors, intensely powerful in surveying Australia's treatment of its First Peoples and crucial in celebrating perhaps the country's first-ever Aboriginal filmmaker, Ablaze makes for astonishing viewing. But while watching, two ideas jostle for attention. Both remain unspoken, yet each is unshakeable. Firstly, if the history of Australia had been different, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta man William 'Bill' Onus would be a household name. If that was the case, not only his work behind the camera, but his activism for Indigenous Aussies at a time when voting and even being included in the census wasn't permitted — plus his devotion to ensuring that white Australians were aware of the nation's colonial violence — would be as well-known as Captain Cook. That said, if history had been better still, Bill wouldn't have needed to fight so vehemently, or at all. Alas, neither of those possibilities came to a fruition. Ablaze can't change the past, but it can and does document it with a hope to influencing how the world sees and appreciates Bill's part in it. Indeed, shining the spotlight on its subject, everything his life stood for, and all that he battled for and against is firmly and proudly the feature's aim. First-time filmmaker Tiriki Onus looks back on his own grandfather, narrating his story as well — and, as aided by co-helmer Alec Morgan (Hunt Angels, Lousy Little Sixpence), the result is a movie brimming with feeling, meaning and importance. While Aussie cinema keeps reckoning with the nation's history regarding race relations, as it should and absolutely must, Ablaze is as potent and essential as everything from Sweet Country, The Nightingale and The Australian Dream to The Furnace, High Ground and The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson. As the last filmic ode to a key Indigenous figure within cinema also did, aka My Name Is Gulpilil, Ablaze has a clear source of inspiration beyond the person at its centre. Appearing on-screen, Tiriki begins with two discoveries that put him on the path to making the movie: finding a suitcase filled with Bill's belongings, which included photographs of Indigenous boys in traditional paint peering at a film camera; and learning that the National Film & Sound Archive was in possession of footage of unknown origin that it believed to be linked to Bill. Accordingly, Ablaze is as much a detective story as it is a tribute, with Tiriki puzzling together the pieces of his grandfather's tale. Structuring the film in such a way is a savvy decision; even viewers coming to Bill with zero prior knowledge will want to sleuth along to solve the feature's multiple mysteries. Connecting the dots starts easily, after Tiriki spies the boys in Bill's photos in the NFSA's nine-minute reel — footage from which it's an enormous treat to see in Ablaze. From there, though, the what and why behind the material takes longer to tease out. So too does exactly why Reg Saunders and Doug Nicholls — the first Aboriginal officer in the Australian Army and the famed Aussie rules footballer-turned-pastor, respectively — appear in Bill's silent footage. Also an opera singer, Tiriki guides Ablaze's viewers through the answers, while delivering a biographical documentary-style exploration of Bill's existence along the way — from being born in 1906 at the Cummeragunja Aboriginal Reserve, on the Murray River in New South Wales, through to his passing in 1968 following the successful 1967 referendum on counting Indigenous Australians as part of the population, for which he spearheaded the campaign. Read our full review. HATCHING If you had only ever watched five horror movies in your life, odds are that one would've covered being careful what you wish for, and another would've focused on not messing with nature. It's equally likely that growing up being hell, motherhood being even more nightmarish and grappling with the terrors of the human body would've popped up as well. These all rank among the genre's favourite concepts, alongside haunted houses, murderous forces, demonic influences and the undead — and, making her feature filmmaking debut with the savvily sinister-meets-satirical blend that is Hatching, Finnish writer/director Hanna Bergholm knows this. She's also innately aware that something unique, distinctive and unnerving can still spring from stitching together well-used notions and now-familiar parts, which, on- and off-screen, is her bold and memorable body-horror, twisted fairy tale and dark coming-of-age thriller in an eggshell. Hatching begins by unpacking a fallacy as fractured as Humpty Dumpty after the nursery-rhyme character's fall — and that still keeps being lapped up anyway. In suburban Finland, among homes so identical that the song 'Little Boxes' instantly pops into your head, 12-year-old gymnast Tinja (debutant Siiri Solalinna), her younger brother Matias (fellow first-timer Oiva Ollila), and their mother (Sophia Heikkilä, Dual) and father Jani Volanen, Dogs Don't Wear Pants) are living their best lives. More than that, as the soft lensing and music that helps open the movie establishes, they're also beaming that picture of pink, white and pastel-hued domestic perfection to the world. Tinja's unnamed mum is a vlogger, and these scenes are being captured for her cloyingly named blog Lovely Everyday Life. Naturally, showing that this family of four's daily existence is anything but enchanting is one of Bergholm's first aims. The initial crack comes from outside, crashing through the window to ruin a posed shot alight with fake smiles and, of course, being filmed with a selfie stick. Soon, broken glass, vases and lamps are strewn throughout a lounge room so immaculately arranged that it looks straight out of a supermarket-shelf home-and-garden magazine — and the crowning glory, the chandelier, has descended from a luminous pièce de résistance to a shattered mess. A garden-variety crow is the culprit, which Tinja carefully captures. She hands it to her mother, thinking that they'll then release it outside. But her mum, placid but seething that anything could disrupt her manufactured picture of bliss, ignores that idea with a cruel snap and instructions to dispose of the animal in the organic waste. Watching the source of her own life snuff out a bird's because it temporarily disturbed the faux, performative idyll is understandably a formative moment for Tinja, and one of several early splinters. The girl is clearly nowhere near as enthused about gymnastics as her mum is about having a star gymnast for a daughter, even before Tinja is forced to train until her palms are torn and bloody. She's also unsettled when she sees her mother kissing handyman Tero (Reino Nordin, Deadwind), then justifies having a "special friend" because he satisfies her in ways Tinja's dutiful dad doesn't. So when Tinja finds the crow's egg in a nest outside, she's quick to take it into her care — both because of and despite her mum. She nurtures it tenderly, placing it inside a teddy bear for safe keeping. She gains her own little universe to dote over. Then the egg keeps growing, and a human-sized chick emerges. Read our full review. INTERCEPTOR Four decades back, Interceptor would've happily sat on a crowded video-store shelf alongside a wealth of other mindless, machismo-fuelled action thrillers. It would've been the epitome of one of the genre's straight-to-VHS flicks, in fact. Don't just call it a throwback, though; instead of testosterone oozing from every actor within sight, except perhaps a token wife worrying at home, this nuclear attack movie from Australian author Matthew Reilly focuses on a woman making waves in a male-dominated world. That's firmly a 2022 move, reflecting today's gender politics. So too is the fact that said protagonist, US Army Captain JJ Collins (Elsa Pataky, Tidelands), has just been reassigned after putting in a sexual harassment complaint against one of her past superiors. Don't go thinking that Interceptor doesn't tick every other box its 80s counterparts did, however. It couldn't lean harder on all of the cliches that've ever been involved with world-in-peril, military-driven movies, and with action fare at its most inane in general. A global success for his airport novels, writer Reilly doesn't just turn screenwriter here — with assistance from Collateral, Tomorrow, When the War Began and Obi-Wan Kenobi's Stuart Beattie — but also jumps behind the lens for the first time. Alas, his directorial instincts prove as flat and by-the-numbers as Interceptor's wanly boilerplate plot, as well as its clunky-as-clunky dialogue. And, that storyline really couldn't be more formulaic. In her new post on a remote platform in the Pacific Ocean, Collins soon finds herself under attack by terrorists led by the grating Alexander Kessel (Luke Bracey, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan). Her sea-surrounded station is one of two sites, alongside Alaska's Fort Greely, that can intercept a nuclear warhead launch on the US. Naturally, Kessel and his men have already taken out the other one, and have also pilfered nukes from the Russians in their possession. Cue a run-of-the-mill single-setting good-versus-evil face-off — at best — that sees the cartoonishly sinister Kessel try to shoot, blast and fight his way into the platform's control room, while the devoted and dutiful Collins does everything she can to keep him out. Cue monotonous standoffs, frays and arguments that aren't enlivened for a second by the routine cinematography, and certainly not by Interceptor's oh-so-serious tone. It's only when Chris Hemsworth (Men in Black: International) shows up in an extended cameo that's given far too much attention that the film shows even the faintest traces of a sense of humour. That said, winking at and nudging the audience about Pataky's real-life husband is as far as any comedy or self-awareness goes; no, Interceptor isn't so bad and cheesy that it's entertaining, either. At the beginning of her English-language career, before her appearances in four Fast and Furious franchise flicks from Fast & Furious 5 onwards, Pataky featured in Snakes on a Plane. Terrorists on an Army Sea Platform isn't as catchy a title, and aping his star's earlier comedy definitely isn't the vibe that Reilly is going for — but when you're making something this derivative, that level of silliness would've been a better option. No one adds a highlight to their resumes with this bland affair, although Pataky shows that she deserves a better star vehicle. Around her, the Australian-shot film fills out its supporting cast with mostly local faces, including Aaron Glenane (Home and Away), Zoe Carides (Pieces of Her), Colin Friels (Total Control) and Rhys Muldoon (New Gold Mountain), none of whom manage to stand out for the right reasons. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on February 3, February 10, February 17 and February 24; and March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24 and March 31; April 7, April 14, April 21 and April 28; and May 5, May 12 and May 19. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Belfast, Here Out West, Jackass Forever, Benedetta, Drive My Car, Death on the Nile, C'mon C'mon, Flee, Uncharted, Quo Vadis, Aida?, Cyrano, Hive, Studio 666, The Batman, Blind Ambition, Bergman Island, Wash My Soul in the River's Flow, The Souvenir: Part II, Dog, Anonymous Club, X, River, Nowhere Special, RRR, Morbius, The Duke, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Fantastic Beasts and the Secrets of Dumbledore, Ambulance, Memoria, The Lost City, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Happening, The Good Boss, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, The Northman, Ithaka, After Yang, Downton Abbey: A New Era, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, Petite Maman, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Firestarter, Operation Mincemeat, To Chiara, This Much I Know to Be True and The Innocents.
Prolific psych-rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have pulled out of Byron Bay Bluesfest, the annual festival that's scheduled for the Easter long weekend. The band's decision to withdraw from the festival has been kept reasonably vague but, in a statement, the Melbourne sextet have cited the festival's decision to book content that conflicts with their values as the reason they won't be appearing. "As a band and as human beings, we stand against misogyny, racism, transphobia and violence," the statement reads. "Surprised and saddened to see Bluesfest commit to presenting content that is in complete opposition to these values." "Given this decision by the festival, we have decided to cancel our appearance at Bluesfest," continues the statement. "We are deeply disappointed to be in this position but sometimes you need to be willing to make sacrifices to stand up for your values. This is, unfortunately, one of those moments." The band's decision comes five days after Bluesfest unveiled its sixth artist announcement which featured controversial band Sticky Fingers. The booking of Sticky Fingers received online backlash from others in the music industry including Jaguar Jonze and Camp Cope's Sarah Thompson. Dylan Frost, Sticky Fingers frontman, has been the subject of serious allegations which include physically threatening First Nations singer Thelma Plum and harassing a transgender women at a Sydney pub. Frost and bassist Paddy Cornwall were also caught in an alleged brawl with each other in 2019 which saw Cornwall charged with affray. The festival has responded to the backlash on Facebook and in now-deleted Instagram comments. Bluesfest previously faced controversy after festival director Peter Noble compared a Jewish woman to a Nazi for commenting on the gender imbalance present on the first announcement of the festival's 2018 lineup. The festival will continue without King Giz from Thursday, April 6 until Monday, April 10 with headliners including Gang of Youths, Paolo Nutini, Tash Sultana, Bonnie Raitt, The Doobie Brothers and Sampa the Great. View this post on Instagram A post shared by kinggizzard (@kinggizzard) You can read King Gizzard and the Lizzard Wizard's full statement here. Top image: Jason Galea
Sport. Seafood. Think about Petrie Terrace's Caxton Street and one of the two, if not both, always comes to mind. The inner-city Brisbane roadway is the home of Lang Park. It's also long been synonymous with festivals celebrating the ocean's finest. On Saturday, October 19, 2024, it's adding another type of fest to its roster of events, with Good Chat Comedy Club launching the inaugural Caxton Street Comedy Festival for a jam-packed day overflowing with laughs. Already a place go get giggling inside Caxton Street Brewing Company — which was previously Fritzenberger, and also Casablanca before that — Good Chat is sharing its sense of humour with its base venue, plus Lefty's Music Hall, Alfie's at The Lord Alfred and The Haunt upstairs at The Caxton Hotel. Each spot is hosting a feast of shows, with more than 20 on the lineup across the full day. Boasting a program featuring talents both local and from further afield, the fest will get patrons splitting their sides thanks to Lloyd Langford, Michael Hing, Geraldine Hickey, Chris Ryan, Luke Heggie, Nick Cody, Damien Power, Amy Hetherington, Emma Zammit and more. The Death by Birding podcast is recording live, as is Who Knew It with Matt Stewart — so whether you like watching avian life or comedians answering quizzes, it's on the bill. For those keen to see multiple comedians at once, The Caxton Street Comedy Festival All-Star Gala will get you guffawing at a hefty roster taking to the Lefty's stage, while The Gong Show at The Haunt is enlisting more than ten comedians to bust out their best in three-minute slots — and attempt to avoid being gonged off. Another certain highlight: Game On Mole Live!, which hails from Not on Your Rider and Isolation Trivia's Aimon Clark. Yes, it's another game show, but this time there's a sabotaging twist. Alongside Ian 'Dicko' Dickson, two groups of comedians face off; however, one player's entire job is to undermine their team. You'll watch. You'll laugh. You'll attempt to pick who is bad at answering questions and who is doing it on purpose. Caxton Street Comedy Festival will take its hilarity outdoors as well via streetside entertainment, and sling tins of its own Tight Five beer, which Caxton Street Brewing Company is making just for the occasion.
