Bookworms, word nerds and literature lovers, rejoice — after a tumultuous couple of years due to the pandemic, Brisbane Writers Festival will be spreading its love for stories, novels, text in general and the act of putting pen to paper (and fingers to keyboards) all around the city again in 2022. And, it's doing so in a big way. For six days in May, the beloved fest will host more than 200 events across town, all to celebrate its 60th birthday. Mark Tuesday, May 3–Sunday, May 8 in your diary, and prepare to have a huge new reading list afterwards — because that's always a hefty part of attending writers festivals. This year's fest comes after a virtual-only 2020 event, and then a hybrid in-person and online fest in 2021. And, in the spirit of getting everyone out and about, it's hosting sessions everywhere from pubs, music venues and suburban restaurants. BWF is also setting up shop at its usual base at the State Library of Queensland, of course, and venturing to a heap of local libraries as well. But the aim is to spread the love as far and wide as possible. "The spaces of our city plus the stories we tell create the place we live, and we hope this year's Festival does Brisbane proud as it reflects our city's culture, diversity and literary depth," said BWF CEO Sarah Runcie. Plenty of BWF's 2022 locations come courtesy of the Nick Earls-curated Brisbane as a Storied City program, which is new for this year. It not only focuses on local writers and poets, but takes them — and the festival audience — to spots they've drawn inspiration from. So, that means hearing Pig City author Andrew Stafford chat to Yumi Stynes about his book about Brisbane's music scene at The Zoo, and heading to Sunnybank's Landmark Restaurant with Benjamin Law, who'll talk about his memoir The Family Law. It also includes hitting up the RE with writer Rebecca Sparrow for a session about Brissie in the 80s and 90s. Other highlights from the full lineup span the Our Country of Focus initiative, which is all about Aotearoa New Zealand and Pasifika talents; the In Your Suburb program, which takes the fest to libraries around the city; Indigenous writer Tony Birch doing First Word and Last Word festival bookend events; and actor Bryan Brown (Sweet Country) discussing his crime-fiction short story collection Sweet Jimmy. Brisbane will finally welcome Literary Death Match, aka a writers' battle royale, which is heading to The Princess Theatre — and there's also a Mother's Day high tea session at Customs House, a Bluey on the Green picnic for families at South Bank Parklands, and exhibitions that explore the intersection between books and visual arts at the State Library. There is still a small digital component in 2022, if you're keen to play along from home. Plus, the fest has launched a new smartphone app, which is filled with local anecdotes, yarns and story snippets about Brisbane that pop up as you visit different locations around town. The 2022 Brisbane Writers Festival runs from Tuesday, May 3–Sunday, May 8. To check out the full program and purchase tickets, check out the festival's website. Images: J Ruckli.
Think you've got two left feet? Or maybe you feel the rhythm in your bones, but don't know how to use it? Well, Brisbane's longest running swing dance school, Empire Swing, can show you a move or two. Empire Swing offers a positive, inclusive and welcoming space for dancers of all levels, specialising in vintage dances from the swing and big band eras of the 20s–40s: lindy hop, balboa, blues swing and the charleston — one of the most scandalous, and banned, dances of its day. You can start with the eight-week Lindy Hop Foundation Course, or join in the regular swing dance party, Swing Shack, where beginners start the night with a dance lesson and then continue to dance the night away with social dancing. No partner is needed to join in the fun, here you'll make new friends while you're tappin' your toes. And when you're feeling up for it, you could even try one of the advanced dance challenges. It also offers private lessons — perfect for folks who want to smash that choreographed wedding dance out of the park. You don't have to have a custom costume to start swingin', just a desire to get up and dance.
All work and no Simpsons-themed Halloween trivia makes Brisbane go something something, clearly. Whoever said an encyclopaedic knowledge of a cartoon about a dysfunctional yellow family would never come in handy was a real narc — and they've clearly never pulled the Comic Book Guy out of every Simpsons fanatic at Simpsons trivia. Taking place from 6.45pm on Wednesday, October 31, Fritzenberger's latest session isn't any old Simpsons trivia — it's a Treehouse of Horror special edition, focusing on seasons 2–12. If you don't know squat about Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, Maggie and their spooky adventures over the years, then don't even bother checking it out, because this is definitely for die-hard fans. You should at least know all about The Shinning, and we'd suggest getting familiar with Kang and Kodos too. Indeed, if you're not up on general Simpsons trivia and everything there is to know about these horror-centric yearly episodes, you should probably just spend your night writing lines on a blackboard. Tickets cost $10 advance, and $15–20 on the door depending on your team size, with plenty of prizes up for grabs. Dressing up as a Simpsons character in halloween garb will nab you some extra points and, given the location, you'll be able to buy beer and burgers to help the night go extra smoothly.
UPDATE, Friday, October 27, 2023: Pain Hustlers screens in select cinemas from Thursday, October 19, and streams via Netflix from Friday, October 27. There's never been any need to be subtle about Emily Blunt's talents as an actor. A resume filled with My Summer of Love, The Devil Wears Prada, Sunshine Cleaning, Looper, Edge of Tomorrow, Sicario, Mary Poppins Returns, A Quiet Place and its sequel, plus The English on the small screen, keeps proving a helluva showcase. With those versatile roles and others — Oppenheimer and Jungle Cruise are her most-recent big screen credits — Blunt gives audiences a very particular and highly welcome present. Every part for every actor sees them play characters that are constantly adjusting to their situation, given that's just what life is all about, but watching Blunt convey that experience is quite the gift. As her filmography repeatedly demonstrates, she knows better than most how to weaponise a stare and a pause, convey uncertainty with a shift and a gesture, and use both tone and pace to dig in — and, in a long line of excellent Blunt performances, that knack is on full display in Pain Hustlers. This pharma drama's best star — Chris Evans (Ghosted), Catherine O'Hara (Elemental), Andy Garcia (Expend4bles), Brian d'Arcy James (Love & Death) and Chloe Coleman (Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves) all leave an imprint as well, but Blunt is the movie's knockout — steps into the shoes of Liza Drake. Relentlessly adapting is the Floridian's normality; she's a single mother to teenager Phoebe (Coleman), who has epilepsy that requires surgical treatment that Liza can't afford, and also lives in her sister's garage while stringing together cash from whichever jobs she can find. It's at one such gig as an exotic dancer, where her talent for sizing up a scenario and making the most of it is rather handy, that Pete Brenner (Evans) crosses her path. He wants more than her barside banter, proposing that she comes to work for him. If he didn't want her to genuinely take it up, he shouldn't have made the offer. Also apparent in Pain Hustlers: the latest on-screen takedown of the pharmaceutical industry and corresponding interrogation of the opioid crisis, aka one of pop culture's current topics du jour. Indeed, in only his second non-Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film since 2007 (the other: The Legend of Tarzan), director David Yates happily relies upon the fact that this realm is common ire-inducing knowledge no matter whether you've read journalist Evan Hughes' coverage of Insys Therapeutics — including 'The Pain Hustlers', a New York Times Magazine article, then The Hard Sell: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup, the non-fiction book that followed. First-time screenwriter Wells Tower draws upon both, but similarly knows that his fictionalisation rattles around a heavily populated domain. Stunning documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed earned an Oscar nomination, miniseries Dopesick picked up an Emmy, and both Painkiller and The Fall of the House of Usher have hit Netflix in 2023 — as will Pain Hustlers — while diving into the same subject. In reality, Insys marketed a fentanyl spray called subsys for pain management, then came under legal scrutiny for adopting a whatever-it-takes approach to encourage doctors to champion the fast-acting, strong and addictive opioid. That's the Pain Hustlers story as well, as intercut early with faux documentary-style chats with the film's characters to make it plain from the outset that there's comeuppance in store for their unscrupulous and infuriating actions. Pete is a hotshot at Zanna, a pharmaceutical startup under the guidance of widower doctor Jack Neel (Garcia) that's spruiking its own mist. In his strip-club employment pitch, Pete doesn't tell Liza that the company's days are numbered if medical professionals keep steering clear of their drug lonafen. During that chat, he also doesn't glean how determined that the ever-enterprising Liza is when she sets her mind on something. From a starting point of zero, Liza boosts lonafen's market penetration to 86 percent quickly in the rise portion of Pain Hustlers' tale. Again, viewers are well-primed that the fall will come, but this is a hustling-fuelled, capitalism-indicting, "what would you do?" type of telling. An amalgamation of a few IRL folks, Liza is the only person who finds an angle into medicine cabinets, getting lonely pain-clinic doc Lydell (James) over the line in no small part thanks to paying him attention. She's also the only character with questions about the corporate-sanctioned move into bribes, false claims, and flouting regulations in the pursuit of more and more success ("grow or die," implores Neel). Hollywood neatness lingers in her arc, as someone with an urgent need for money to help her family and sincerity in her belief that she's slinging a worthy product, while also enamoured with the upgrade from motel living to a palatial apartment, even hiring her mother (O'Hara), and proving exceptional and influential at her task. That's where Blunt, who is also one of Pain Hustlers' producers, couldn't be more crucial — selling every slippery, driven, desperate, calculating, American dream-chasing and well-meaning choice alike. In a version of this film that didn't feature Blunt, everything would suffer, including her co-stars. From Evans in Knives Out- and The Gray Man-esque skeezy terrain (so, worlds away from Captain America) to Garcia getting hopped up on greed, everyone in Pain Hustlers is at their best when they're reacting to her — and, of course, she's equally formidable whether she's in the centre of the glossily shot frame alone or flanked. Making workmanlike contributions, Yates and Tower prescribe only the expected otherwise. Apart from stressing that their movie isn't advocating pushing pills (well, sprays in this instance), their doco-leaning segments are gimmicky, even when they survey patients with horror stories. Pain Hustlers is still engaging enough, though, but it's the picture's terrifically cast lead that's compulsive to watch. When Liza, Pete and company — Jay Duplass (Industry) and Amit Shah (Happy Valley) are among Zanna's other employees — are making bank, the lonafen playbook isn't far removed from their competitors. In a film that recalls The Big Short and Martin Scorsese's work, there's a raging case of like plot, like movie as blatant as a bright-orange pill cylinder. Pain Hustlers doesn't just tread in Dopesick et al's footsteps, but in Goodfellas and The Wolf of Wall Street's as well. Liza could be a sibling to Erin Brockovich's namesake, too, with the performance to match. And, as it trades in horrific details yet never goes full horror like The Fall of the House of Usher, Succession also lingers. In one of Evans' great scenes, in fact, he takes to the stage in costume and raps the drug's praises. He's decked out like a lonafen spray, but he's firmly and gleefully in Kendall Roy territory. It's an entertaining moment, but also underscores the difference between watchable and spectacular.
In 2000, Tsubi was the child born from a bunch of surfers from Sydney’s northern beaches. One name change and one rat-infested catwalk later and Tsubi – sorry, Ksubi - was an unstoppable force, providing denim to the masses at home shores and overseas. Fast forward to 2005, one third of the design team Gareth Moody left to set up the brand’s office in LA and ended up staying for twelve months. I guess a year in LA will change most people and it certainly changed Moody. Upon returning to Australia, Moody no longer felt connected to the Ksubi brand or its business, and thus left the company. He then set out to forge his own path with Chronicles of Never, an androgynous unisex jewellery brand. In 2011 Chronicles of Never is now a mainstay in homegrown fashion, with men’s and (newly launched) women’s ranges, bespoke shoes, and a collaboration with Graz eyewear rounding off the Chronicles of Never brand. Not bad for a one-man show. This Saturday you can catch the Chronicles in the Valley, where they’ll be setting up shop for sample sale madness. Clothes, shoes, jewellery and optics from SS11 and AW11 will be on sale from 50-70% off (come naked, leave with a new outfit?) and there will also be samples and limited edition items on the tables too. The sale is for one day only too so first in, best dressed.
Another day, another new Netflix show. This time, the streaming platform seems to be taking its cues from one of 2018's big-screen surprises. Two women met, became friends despite having very little in common, helped each other with their daily lives and then found themselves immersed in something murky in A Simple Favour — and now they're doing the same in TV series Dead to Me. Arriving in early May, the new ten-episode show stars Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, with the former playing a just-widowed woman trying to cope with losing her husband in a hit-and-run incident, and the latter popping up as a positive-thinking free spirit. They cross paths at a grief counselling session, and it's a definite odd-couple situation — which isn't helped by more than a few surprises. A dark comedy with plenty of twists, as based on the just-dropped first trailer, Dead to Me also features James Marsden among its cast, with the show created by 2 Broke Girls writer Liz Feldman. The series marks Applegate's first lead TV role since 2011-12 sitcom Up All Night, while it's a return to Netflix for Cardellini, who starred on the streaming platform's drama Bloodline — and also featured in A Simple Favour. Check out the first trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwYBw1raC2o Dead to Me hits Netflix on May 3. Images: Saeed Adyani / Netflix.
The latest theatre production to hit Brisbane Powerhouse's stage, The Sublime is an exploration of sport, sex, violence and the media from award-winning screenwriter and actor Brendan Cowell. The performance will consist of three interwoven monologues of an NRL player, a brother who has defected to AFL and a teenage female athlete. Each character will tell their sides of the story, and in doing so. all have the opportunity to be seen as human beings, and even victims, underneath their athletic personas. When questionable events arise from a footy trip to Thailand between the NRL star Liam and young athlete Amber, older brother Dean desperately tries to clean up the mess. They are the only three who knows what actually happened, and the story is not as straightforward as what most sports news headlines often suggest. Cowell's play will also explore the clashes between NRL and AFL, and the ongoing rivalry between states.
It has been more than two years since Australian fans of factual flicks were first able to head to streaming platform iWonder to get their documentary fix in a big way. It wasn't the first doco-focused service to hit Australia, and plenty of other other streamers also weave non-fiction throughout their catalogues — but it nonetheless launched with more than 500 hours of on-demand content available to Aussie viewers. Now, with more than 1000 titles in its lineup, the service is adding a new reason for Australians to drop by — for Sydneysiders at present, and for anyone who is placed under isolation orders in the near future. The platform has announced that it's offering 50 percent off its subscriptions for folks in lockdown. So, if you're a Sydney resident in need of something new to watch right now, after a couple of weeks at home and counting, this might be timely news. If you live elsewhere, you might want to bookmark this for later. Documentaries currently available on the platform cover a huge range of topics — from fast food social experiment Super Size Me through to gaming classic The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. Other highlights include the exceptional Sherpa, which explores a series of tense incidents on Everest; Oscar-nominee For Sama, which was shot on the ground in Aleppo over five years; and both Whiteley and Basquiat: Rags to Riches, about the two artists. Under the lockdown deal, the $6.99 per month and $69.90 annual subscription fees will be halved to $3.50 and $35.50, respectively. New users will also receive the 14 days free as part of a trial. The service is available on iOS and Android, as well as online via its website, and on Telstra TV, Apple TV and Android TV — and can be cast to the small screen via Apple TV and Chromecast. The discounted price will remain in place for some time, too, because it's tied to Australia's vaccination rates. iWonder will offer the cheap rate until 75 percent of folks have access to the jab — but you'll have to be in an area under stay-at-home restrictions to only pay half-price. For more information about iWonder, or to sign up, head to the streaming platform's website. Top image: Sherpa.
"Is fashion art?" asks The First Monday in May as it peers inside the couture-obsessed confines of the Met's Costume Institute. The answer may seem obvious, yet it's a much more complicated concept than it might at first appear. For starters, there's the sexist fact that all things clothing-oriented have traditionally seen seen as more feminine, and therefore deemed less worthy of serious consideration. Then there's the complicating factor that is today's focus on celebrities, drawing attention not just to fancy threads but to the famous folks donning the outfits. Taking its name from the date of the party that opens the Costume Institute's annual exhibition, it's the second point that proves particularly pertinent to Andrew Rossi's documentary. On the one hand, the Met Gala raises money for a gallery space dedicated to championing the very best in fashion, and shines a spotlight on their yearly showcase, such as last year's China: Through the Looking Glass. On the other, it requires as much energy to fill the venue's walls with celebrity attendees for one single night as does to put on the actual exhibit itself. It's an awkward balance, and one the film remains happy enough to depict without ever really dissecting. The film splits its time between chief curator Andrew Bolton and his passion for the artistry of garment making, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in party-planning mode. The allure of celebrity is inescapable, as the film cuts from discussions regarding the influence of Chinese fashion on the West to whether Orlando Bloom is still famous enough to be invited, then wrapping it all up by following Kate Hudson through the exhibition and watching Justin Bieber watch Rihanna perform. That it leans so heavily on Wintour and her famous guests says more about the documentary than it really should. An entire film could've been made around Bolton, who glows with inspiration when he's talking about why his work is important. Yet The First Monday in May seems desperate to spend as much time as possible with Wintour. She might be responsible for turning the event into the fashion equivalent of the Super Bowl, but she's the least interesting part about the whole affair. As such, when filmmakers Wong Kar-wai (In the Mood for Love) and Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby) pop up – one acting as artistic director of the exhibition and the other as a creative consultant on the gala – their added perspectives prove extremely valuable. As pinch-worthy as the backstage access undoubtedly proves to anyone who has ever wanted to attend the star-studded shindig, it's disappointing that it remains the film's main focus. With Page One: Inside the New York Times also on his resume, Rossi has peeked behind the scenes of a New York institution before, but that was a much more thorough excursion. Unlikely to recruit any new fans, and unwilling to delve too deeply into its stated topic, The First Monday in May becomes a slickly made, stylishly shot but ultimately superficial overview of a celebrated occasion, instead of a thoughtful exploration of the question it initially poses. Its savviest touch is actually its timing, releasing while news of this year's titular occasion is still fresh in the collective memory.
According to this year's star-studded chick flicks, real women want easy-to-use beauty products. They also want films where women state this obvious fact, apparently. First I Feel Pretty made that claim, and now Second Act does the same, because these things typically come in pairs. The similarities don't end there, with both movies championing the idea that it's what's inside that counts. Sadly, neither picture knows how to properly live up to that notion — and while Second Act has more heart than its near-insufferable predecessor, it also sports a vast gap between its good intentions and its muddled reality. Jennifer Lopez plays everywoman Maya, a Queens native with 15 years experience at a Costco-like discount department store, but lacking in professional confidence. She lacks a college degree as well, which precludes her from the big promotion she's been working towards. Maya's support network helps commiserate — and celebrate her birthday — but it's the teenage son (Dalton Harrod) of her best friend and co-worker Joan (Leah Remini) that makes a difference. Thanks to his computer wizardry, Maya suddenly has a fake online life complete with the credentials, backstory and social media profile to get a high-flying Manhattan job. And when she's swiftly headhunted by a prestigious cosmetics company, she goes along with it. Armed with street smarts and real-world experience, this fish-out-of-water is soon tasked with making an organic skincare line for her new employer — while pitted against cut-throat colleague Zoe (Vanessa Hudgens), who also happens to be the boss' (Treat Williams) daughter. Cue a quest to prove that Maya has what it takes, although she only has the chance to do so because she lied to conform. No amount of comic competition, well-meaning sentiment or lightly insightful commentary about class can lessen that divide, as the movie tells viewers to be themselves, but only after they've pretended to be someone else to get their foot in the door. Given that the organic skincare subplot involves calling out substandard products that falsely claim to fit the label, surely director Peter Segal (Grudge Match) and writers Justin Zackham (One Chance) and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas (also one of Second Act's producers) should've noticed that their film suffers from the very same flaw. Perhaps the filmmakers were just distracted by (or trying to distract viewers with) Second Act's various moving parts. Splitting its time between Maya's professional and personal struggles, the movie explores why she gets frosty whenever her boyfriend (Milo Ventimiglia) mentions having children — and while to say more is to spoil Second Act's, well, second act, motherhood remains a prominent theme, as does Maya's attempts to balance her new and old lives. Set at the end of the year for no apparent reason, this is also a Christmas film. Thanks to the hijinks of Maya's devoted employees (Charlyne Yi and Alan Aisenberg), it's a broad workplace comedy as well. But, more than anything else, it's a case of throwing together every formulaic element possible and simply hoping that the combination works. What does work is Lopez, firmly in Maid in Manhattan mode and showing why she's often a warm presence even in lukewarm (at best) films. Most of Second Act feels contrived, misguided, forced and superficial, but that doesn't apply to the movie's star, or to Hudgens when she's given a bit more to do. Still, neither actor can completely overcome the material. Second Act's jumbled core never fades, which only reinforces its central message in an unintended fashion. What's inside this flick is bland, routine, and happy offering up feel-good statements in a slight and easy way. And as the movie keeps telling viewers, it's what's inside that truly matters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJKoJXIcdv0
They've been filling Sydneysiders' stomachs with amazing Italian meals for years, but it seems Otto Ristorante seek more northern palates. After conquering the New South Wales fine dining scene, the Woolloomooloo mainstay has expanded to Brisbane. Opening yesterday, Tuesday, June 15, at 480 Queen Street, Otto's appearance means you can try the eatery's modern take on Italian classics — and no, we're not just talking about the usual pizza and pasta set-up. Instead, you'll find Byron Bay Berkshire pork cutlets, eggplant parmigiana and butterflied spatchcock on the menu, plus a seven-dish tasting menu with optional matching beverages. Okay, so that all sounds good and delicious, but whether you eat meat or avoid it, your salivating is only beginning. Otto's signature whole roasted suckling pig for eight will keep the former satisfied, while their new vegan lineup caters for the latter. And there's a mighty nice wine list to go along with both, naturally. That's the food and drink side of the equation covered; however Otto isn't just about consuming scrumptious things. Setting up shop on the fourth level of one the Brissie CBD's most-awaited developments, it also features an exterior bar with killer river views, and access to the building's high-rise park. Otto Ristorante Brisbane is now open at 480 Queen Street. For more information, visit their website.
Rarely has a film more perfectly encapsulated the notion of so close, yet so far. Directed by Neil Marshall, whose previous credits include the impressive horror flick The Descent and some major episodes of Game Of Thrones, Hellboy is an absolute mess of a thing, despite boasting a terrific cast, memorable set pieces, impressive CGI and one of the more intriguing and inventive protagonists in recent comic book history. Hellboy, of course, already has two films in his honour, both of them written and directed by Mr Monster himself: Guillermo del Toro. The question that loomed large over this 2019 version, then, was whether it sought to be a rebooted origin story or a semi-continuation of the pre-existing franchise. The schizophrenic patchwork of a story we end up with suggests the studio simply couldn't decide. Timelines leap from the Arthurian legend to modern day to WWII to the 80s, usually for the purpose of dumping massive loads of exposition. The entire film feels rushed and discordant; a fever dream of fight scenes and plotlines that neither link to what came prior nor have much relevance to what follows. In the lead, Stranger Things star David Harbour does his darndest to breathe life into what little script there is, imbuing his Hellboy with an admirable level of angst, sarcasm and unwieldy brawn. Credit, too, to the movie's makeup team, who've managed to wholly transform Harbour into a hulking creature from the underworld despite little to no CGI at play. Opposite him, Milla Jovovich puts in the film's most understated yet compelling performance as Nimue the Blood Queen, whose equal rights for monsters mantra offers a tantalisingly defensible motivation for her murderous ways. Sadly, Hellboy gives little time to ideas, opting instead for as many gory deaths, clanger one-liners and f-bombs that it can squeeze in. And on the gore front, Hellboy certainly makes full use of its R-rating, particularly in the film's final stages when Hell's assortment of nightmarish demons begin crushing, skewering and skinning the hapless inhabitants of London. The demons themselves are spectacularly imagined, as is the infamous Baba Yaga, the Slavic witch with an appetite for small children. Her scene with Hellboy is beautifully designed, genuinely well-written, and appropriately grotesque. But even then, there's one major ingredient missing: terror. It's a phenomenon repeated multiple times throughout the film, and one that's not easily diagnosed. Scenes that should be scary simply aren't, just as jokes that should be funny don't even come close. If you imagine the film as a piece of music, the levels are all out — as if the sound mixer dialled everything up that should be down, and vice versa. Which brings us back to so close, yet so far. Whatever forces were at play to screw this up, the fact remains the pieces were there to produce something great. Hellboy could have been any number of films: a comic book horror movie with genuine scares, a comedy action flick or even a compelling Maleficent-esque drama about misunderstood heroes and villains vying for their right to a place on this earth. Instead, it's an embarrassment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt5g5_1cKVk
Of all the stars that can be traced back to Australia, few fill people with joy like the late, great Olivia Newtown-John. An iconic voice of Australian music, her ballads and sweeping melodies will live on forever thanks to fans and tribute concerts like Queensland Symphony Orchestra's 'Hopelessly Devoted: A Celebration of Olivia Newton-John' — hosted by Brisbane-native drag superstar Courtney Act on Saturday, April 6. Conducted by Nicholas Buc, the orchestra will provide the backings while Courtney Act and her fellow stars of screen and stage (David Campbell, Jess Hitchcock, Georgina Hopson and Christie Whelan Browne) provide vocals for the discography of Newton-John in a tribute fitting of a legend. Expect all the hits, from the sing-alongs of Grease to the bops of Xanadu and other classics like 'Magic', 'I Honestly Love You', 'Make a Move on Me', and of course, 'Hopelessly Devoted to You'. It's all happening amid the fabulous acoustics of the QPAC Concert Hall and it will inevitably sell out so get in quick. Fitting of Newton-John's legacy and the hosts for the night, you're encouraged to dress up in drag or otherwise colourful, sparkling and vibrant outfits to enjoy the energy of the night. Hopelessly Devoted: A Celebration of Olivia Newtown John is taking place at 1.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, April 6 at the QPAC Concert Hall, for more information or to get tickets, visit the website.
UPDATE, April 9, 2021: Ready or Not is available to stream via Disney+, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. "In-laws". It's such an ordinary, everyday term, and yet it's usually uttered with such exasperation. Embodying the flipside of deciding to spend your life with someone, it's a reminder that even the happiest of romances always come with considerable baggage. It also sums up Ready or Not perfectly. At its most basic, this twisty and gory horror flick rests on one simple idea: having in-laws is hell. Of course, there's the minor annoyance that arises when your parents-in-law have too many opinions, or your siblings-in-law are obnoxious, or your uncle-in-law gets embarrassingly drunk at Christmas — and then there's discovering that your new family is plotting to kill you on your wedding night. First seen dressed for her big day, smoking a cigarette and pondering taking the plunge, Grace (Samara Weaving) is initially worried that her soon-to-be husband's family won't accept her. Alex Le Domas (Mark O'Brien) been estranged from his parents for years, but the couple is getting married on their sprawling estate anyway — it's tradition — and unease lingers in the air. While matriarch Becky (Andie MacDowell) is welcoming, she's more concerned about bringing Alex back into the fold. Grace's new brother-in-law Daniel (Adam Brody) seems like he's joking when he says she doesn't belong; however his tone has a clear edge. Other relatives, such as Alex's dad Tony (Henry Czerny), are barely polite. As for eccentric Aunt Helene (Nicky Guadagni), her permanent scowl says everything. So far, so standard. That's how tales of regular folks marrying into obscenely rich dynasties often go. But, as an ex-foster kid who's never had much of a family, Grace is determined to win over the Le Domas brood. Accordingly, when she's told they all have to play a game at midnight, she goes along with it. The family made their money in board games, so it's another tradition. It's not what most couples do after they've just gotten hitched, but there are worse ways to spend an evening than playing hide and seek in a lavish mansion — unless weapons, murder and devilish secrets are involved. Arrows start flying, guns keep firing and avoiding the dumbwaiter is plain common sense, with Grace forced to battle for her life while still wearing her wedding dress. Working with a witty script by Guy Busick (Stan Against Evil) and Ryan Murphy, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Devil's Due) ramp up the chaos and layer in plenty of commentary — and, yes, Ready or Not has much to say. As steeped as the movie is in oh-so-relatable family stresses, it also finds a wealth of subversive and perceptive material in gender roles and class warfare. When Grace's willingness to please and desire to belong sees her treated like prey, the film revels in her transformation from eager and accommodating to plucky and fearsome. And while there's no missing the many digs at the well-off, privileged and entitled, they're no less astute or accurate just because they're obvious. The result: a horror-comedy with bumps, jumps, laughs and vicious satire all in one gleefully manic slash 'n' stalk package. The concept of hunting humans is hardly new (see: The Most Dangerous Game, Turkey Shoot, Series 7 and Bacurau), and neither are family dysfunction nor just-married jitters (see: too many pictures to mention), but it makes a smart and amusing combination. Ready or Not's setting helps immensely, with the film trading on the mystery and intrigue that bubbles in all whodunnits and horror flicks in a stately home — and making ample use of secret corridors and endless rooms as well. Also assisting nicely is the playful You're Next-style vibe and Heathers-esque attitude; if can't have some ferocious fun with this premise, when can you? While Ready or Not holds nearly a full deck of winning cards, two other elements stand out. As the cast flings axes and slings snappy dialogue, Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett always ensure that Grace's actions and choices feel realistic, rather than convenient, exaggerated or implausible; she's trying to fight, flee and survive, after all, and the situation is over-the-top enough as it is. Led by Australian talent Weaving, the film's cast is also excellent in general. MacDowell rarely dallies with her dark side, and she's a delight to watch in villainous mode. Brody, when he toys with his usual nice-guy image, is in sparkling form too. Naturally, though, Ready or Not belongs to its fierce bride and the actor behind her. After working her way from Home and Away to Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri to this, Weaving is a formidable and engaging presence — and, as this savagely entertaining flick demands, she's also one hell of a horror movie hero. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtYTwUxhAoI
UPDATE, August 23, 2020: Eighth Grade is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. For anyone who's ever been or known a 13-year-old girl, Eighth Grade can be a cringe-inducing experience at times. That's not a criticism, since the film's protagonist does plenty of cringing herself. In the movie's opening moments, Kayla Day (Elsie Fisher) records her latest YouTube video. Although the teen cheerfully dispenses advice about being yourself, she's still a portrait of awkwardness. In between uttering nervous filler words such as "um", "ah", "like" and "you know", Kayla tells her viewers that "being yourself can be hard. And, like, the hard part about being yourself is that it's not always easy". Her nuggets of wisdom couldn't be clumsier, just as her choice of self-help topic couldn't be more standard. But, as she trains her kohl-rimmed eyes on her webcam and desperately tries to convey an air of self-assurance, Kayla is never anything less than earnest and relatable. Attempting to beam the best version of yourself into the online void while secretly crumbling inside (and barely keeping it together on the outside, to be honest): for most, that's the modern human condition. Starting Eighth Grade with Kayla's gawky, well-meaning, confidence-boosting communique is a smart move on the part of writer-director Bo Burnham, who kicks off his debut movie by showing his audience a version of themselves. He's also playing with something that he knows — not being an adolescent girl, clearly, but rather a youthful YouTuber. Before the filmmaker was earning deserved acclaim for this perceptive and poignant coming-of-age tale (and performing stand-up, starring in a short-lived 2013 MTV sitcom and even popping up on Parks and Recreation before that), he was a 16-year-old uploading his own comic clips to the world. With Eighth Grade charting Kayla's final week before graduating from middle school to high school, Burnham keeps dabbling with scenarios and themes that are familiar to everyone — current and former teens included. Wanting to disappear into your chair out of sheer embarrassment? Tick. Being out of your element in a social situation, but putting yourself out there anyway? Tick again. Making a connection and feeling like you've finally been seen? The ticks just keep on coming. Going on a strained date, babbling at your crush, rolling your eyes at everything your parents say, and coining your own catchphrases are all covered too. And, because this is a thoroughly 21st-century flick, so is the omnipresence of screens and devices. Kayla hovers over her classmates' Instagram feeds, and tries to connect with her peers as they're glued to their phones. She also ignores her kindly dad (played by a pitch-perfect Josh Hamilton) in favour of her own handset, and covets the rush of dopamine that springs from likes, messages and digital attention. Teen movies might be as common as Kayla's cracked iPhone, but the best have always ranged beyond the obvious. In the likes of Heathers, Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You and Love, Simon, to name just a few, the genre doesn't just explore the daily reality of an age group caught between childhood and maturity. It also speaks volumes about emotions and behaviour that can linger with us into adulthood, even if we don't want to admit it. While every frame of Burnham's film plunges deep into Kayla's existence, and that of adolescents circa 2018–19, the picture's insights about coping with life feel far more universal. Burnham realises that everyone has felt as anxious, uncertain and out of place as Kayla at some point. He also knows that, more often that we all might like, we still do. Matching the movie's style to its substance, every aspect of Eighth Grade plants viewers firmly in Kayla's shoes. Visually, the film zooms out from her post-it covered bedroom walls, treating her personal space like a hidden world. It tracks her hesitant footsteps through the school hallways as throngs of other awkward kids gaze her way, and approaches her jittery arrival at a popular girl's pool party like a horror flick. Sound-wise, music drowns out everything else whenever Kayla becomes lost in her own thoughts and feelings — when she's swooning over the hot guy in her grade, for example. Elsewhere, snippets of narration from her YouTube clips act like the inner monologue she wishes she had. As effective as every narrative beat, probing shot and well-deployed blast of Enya (yes, Enya) proves, Burnham's savviest move is also his most straightforward. Actually casting a teenager in a movie about a teenager is much more rare than it should be, and Eighth Grade wouldn't be the success it is without Golden Globe nominee Fisher as its star. Fourteen years old at the time of shooting back in 2017, she lives and breathes Kayla's reality, partly because she just lived through it off-screen. While the film isn't a documentary, her naturalistic performance makes it an astute and authentic slice of teenage life from start to finish. Fittingly, although Fisher has been acting since 2009 and has everything from TV series Medium to the Despicable Me movies to her name, Burnham found her via an online video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoxKy3d7Wno
When September rolls around in Brisbane, it always means one thing: for the majority of the month, the city erupts with a wave of shows, gigs, art installations, and other entertaining performances and activities, all as part of Brisbane Festival. In welcome news for everyone who looks forward to this annual city-wide celebration — especially given the way 2020 has panned out so far — that'll remain the case this year, too. While many an event has been forced to cancel or postpone its plans due to COVID-19, Brisbane Festival is still forging ahead, taking over Brissie from Friday, September 4—Saturday, September 26. The fest won't announce the bulk of its program until Tuesday, July 28, so just what Brisbanites will be watching, dancing to, peering at and checking out hasn't been revealed as yet. Still, the fact that Bris Fest will happen at all proves exciting as it is. With Australia's international borders still currently closed and likely to remain that way until 2021, and with the music industry not expected to restart international tours until next year as well, it's safe to expect the 2020 festival will have a strong local focus. Bris Fest has unveiled one inclusion on its 2020 lineup already — and it's definitely setting its sights firmly on Brissie. Called A Concert At Yours?, the event will stage a concert featuring local music stars in a Brisbane cul-de-sac. If you live in one and you'd love to attend a gig literally at your doorstep, you can nominate your court, place or close, too. Brisbane Festival will run from Friday, September 4—Saturday, September 26, with the full program announced on Tuesday, July 28. For further details, keep an eye on the festival's website.
It's a problem that everyone can relate to: your thirst needs quenching, but your tastebuds are craving two completely different things. You could make the hard choice and pick between them — or, if you happen to be hankering for a dish made with nori and beer (and getting your fill of dumplings, too), you could make a beeline to Harajuku Gyoza. From Wednesday, July 14, the Australian gyoza chain is serving up a new tap beer that's made with seaweed. Yes, we mean that literally. The Scottish-style ale has a malty taste and an amber hue to match, and, during the brewing process, sheets of nori are added to the boil — which is where it gets its umami flavour. Given that Harajuku Gyoza has already served up raindrop cakes, Nutella gyoza and salted caramel gyoza, mac 'n' cheese, pepperoni pizza and marshmallow dumplings, and charcoal karaage chicken fondue, its latest menu item is hardly surprising. It has a history of pouring inventive brews, too, with black sesame and matcha ice cream-flavoured beers on offer in 2020. Both then and now, the brews come courtesy of Yoyogi Brewing Co, and use Japanese brewing techniques as well as Japanese-inspired ingredients. If you fancy pairing the new beer with two of Harajuku Gyoza's old favourites — cheeseburger gyoza, which is stuffed with burger pieces, aged cheddar, onion, pickles, mustard and tomato sauce; and mozzarella gyoza, which is filled with the obvious, then deep-fried and sprinkled with Twisties salt — that's up to you. Usually the chain's special additions to its menu are only available for a limited time, so you might want to get in quickly. Harajuku Gyoza's Japanese dessert-inspired beers will be available at all Australian stores — at Darling Harbour in Sydney; at South Bank and the CBD in Brisbane; and in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast — from Wednesday, July 14.
Ever found yourself eating your way through a high tea — spreading cream on scones, biting into a mini quiche and sipping a cocktail, probably — and realised that you could really use more cheese? Even if you haven't experienced that train of thought, you'll be pleased to know that La Valle Wine Bar and Bottle Shop has the answer. At its High Cheese events, the name is obviously self-explanatory. On the menu: dairy, and plenty of it. You'll be tucking into a tiered cheese tower, in fact — and, while the menu changes each time, deep-fried and crumbed camembert wrapped in prosciutto, four-cheese croquettes and truffle-filled brie slices are just some of the dishes that could be on offer. In total, you'll munch on eight cheesy bites. You'll also know what to say if someone asks you to smile while they're snapping a photo. For your $39 ticket, you'll also get two hours of bottomless wine — something to say cheers, not cheese, to. High Cheese sessions are happening monthly, but the May, June and July events have already sold out (Brisbanites are a cheese-loving bunch, understandably). So, at the time of writing, you can make a cheese date for 11am, 12pm or 1pm on Sunday, August 8.
Patience is somewhat of a virtue with The Forgiven. It would be in it, too, if any of its wealthy white characters hedonistically holidaying in Morocco were willing to display the trait for even a second. Another addition to the getaways-gone-wrong genre, this thorny satirical drama gleefully savages the well-to-do, proving as eager to eat the rich as can be, and also lays bare the despicable coveting of exoticism that the moneyed think is an acceptable way to splash plentiful wads of cash. There's patently plenty going on in this latest release from writer/director John Michael McDonagh, as there typically is in features by the filmmaker behind The Guard, Calvary and War on Everyone. Here, he adapts Lawrence Osborne's 2012 novel, but the movie that results takes time to build and cohere, and even then seems only partially interested in both. Still, that patience is rewarded by The Forgiven's stellar lead performance by Ralph Fiennes, playing one of his most entitled and repugnant characters yet. Sympathies aren't meant to flow David Henninger's (Fiennes, The King's Man) way, or towards his wife Jo (Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye). Together, the spiky Londoners abroad bicker like it's a sport — and the only thing fuelling their marriage. Cruelty taints their words: "why am I thinking harpy?", "why am I thinking shrill?" are among his, while she counters "why am I thinking high-functioning alcoholic?". He's a drunken surgeon, she's a bored children's author, and they're venturing past the Atlas Mountains to frolic in debauchery at the village their decadent pal Richard (Matt Smith, Morbius) and his own barbed American spouse Dally (Caleb Landry Jones, Nitram) have turned into a holiday home. Sympathy isn't designed to head that pair's way, either; "we couldn't have done it without our little Moroccan friends," Richard announces to kick off their weekend-long housewarming party. But when the Hennigers arrive late after tragically hitting a local boy, Driss (Omar Ghazaoui, American Odyssey), en route, the mood shifts — but also doesn't. The wicked turns of phrase that David slings at Jo have nothing on his disdain for the place and people around him, and he doesn't care who hears it. His assessment of the desert vista: "it's very picturesque, I suppose, in a banal sort of way". He drips with the prejudice of privilege, whether offensively spouting Islamophobic remarks or making homophobic comments about his hosts — and he doesn't, nay won't, rein himself in when Richard calls the police, reports the boy's death, pays the appropriate bribes and proclaims that their bacchanal won't otherwise be disturbed. The arrival of Driss' father Abdellah (Ismael Kanater, Queen of the Desert), and his request that David accompanies him home to bury his son, complicates matters, however. While David begrudgingly agrees, insultingly contending that it's a shakedown, Jo helps keep the party going, enjoying time alone to flirt with hedge fund manager Tom (Christopher Abbott, Possessor). John Michael McDonagh hasn't ever co-helmed a feature with his filmmaker brother Martin, but actors have jumped between the duo's respective works, with Fiennes — who starred in Martin's memorable In Bruges — among the latest. The siblings share something else, too, and not just a knack for assembling impressive casts; they're equally ace at fleshing out the characters inhabited by their dazzling on-screen cohorts via witty and telling dialogue. The Forgiven plays like it's in autopilot, though, but having Fiennes, Chastain, Smith and Jones (who appeared in Martin's Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) utter its lines is a gift. Indeed, here it's the attitudes captured while they're speaking, and the behaviours and mannerisms made plain in how they're speaking, that add layer upon layer to this murky affair. That'd ring true even if Driss, Abdellah and the tense journey with the latter to inter the former weren't even in the narrative. That's one of the issues with The Forgiven: although David and Jo's lives inescapably change due to the accident, it and everything that it sparks almost plays as an aside. The aftermath is given ample attention, more so than the party, but the film frequently feels as David unshakeably does, like it too would rather be immersed in the revelry. Of course, that's much of the point, especially in Jo's parts of the story from there — and Richard, Dally and Tom's, plus everyone else still living it up (including Jack Ryan's Marie-Josée Croze as a French photographer, Operation Mincemeat's Alex Jennings as a British Lord and Old's Abbey Lee as an Australian party girl, complete with a Coles shopping bag holding her belongings). The Forgiven keeps skewering this fact, with McDonagh attempting to do just that every which way he can, but some of his efforts to mirror what's occurring on-screen through the feature's tone just don't land. When The Forgiven does hit its marks, it's weighty and knotty, and given depth and heft by Fiennes — and, during David's trip with Abdellah, by the powerful Kanater, plus the charismatic Saïd Taghmaoui (John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum) as the grieving patriarch's offsider and intermediary. It's savvy as a satire, too, albeit obvious, but when the balance tips the better, more compelling, more meaningful way, it's a far more potent picture. Empathising with David still isn't the tale's point, thankfully, and neither is a simplistic life lesson-filled pilgrimage that sees an affluent man learn the error of his oppressive tendencies against the less fortunate. Unsurprisingly, The Forgiven is at its best when it's as complex as its desert-swept cinematography (by The Guard and Calvary's Larry Smith) is gleaming. It's not quite right to say that McDonagh brings all of the movie's pieces together in the end — again, it's not exactly accurate to say that he always seems to want to — but Fiennes brings the film home. This is one of his finest performances, which is no small feat given the array of excellent portrayals that dot his resume, including his Oscar-nominated work in Schindler's List and The English Patient, as well as his awards-worthy turn in The Grand Budapest Hotel. It's no minor achievement given the loathsome, boozy, reckless and curmudgeonly figure he's playing, either. The rest of the feature's big names leave an imprint, from the well-cast Chastain playing it sharp but loose, to the appropriately shadowy Smith and catty scene-stealer Jones, but never with the same film-defining impact.
Intently held stares between conductor and musician. Quiet suspense. One long wavering first note on strings. Brass and wind instruments at the ready. Then, an eruption of warm sound filling the room. What's certain? Queensland Symphony Orchestra delights the senses. Often, you'll catch them supporting your favourite band (or cinematic production). But, experiencing the troupe centre stage is truly something special. This August, Superfamous gives you the chance to do exactly that. On Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21, the masterful musos are taking pride of place at QPAC's Concert Hall — and exclusively playing the bangers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAMZf4fH--U Classical music devotee? Expect the elegance of Debussy's 'Clair de Lune' and the dramatic finale from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. New to the scene? Expect your ears to prick at familiar melodies, a boosted mood and the addition of 'orchestral music' to your list of likes. Queensland Symphony Orchestra's Superfamous takes over QPAC Concert Hall on Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21. Head to the website to grab yourself a ticket.
As far as boozy beverages go, nothing beats the espresso martini. It gives you a buzz, it's a crowd-pleaser and most venues have one on their menu. In fact, they're so beloved, Brisbane is getting a whole new festival dedicated to them. A separate event from Melbourne and Sydney's own fests, the Espresso Martini Festival will take over Fish Lane between 6pm and 10pm on Tuesday, August 15. In a stroke of savvy planning, that's the night before the Ekka public holiday, meaning that you can get your caffeinated cocktail fix without worrying about the alarm going off the next morning. Of course, there's no prizes for guessing what's on offer — but don't just expect the usual 'tinis combos of coffee and alcohol. With the team from Brooklyn Standard on drinks duty, they'll be whipping up at least five different varieties. Tequila, whisky and vodka will feature, plus some other spirited surprises. If that sounds like enough to make you bounce off of South Brisbane's walls, then that's the point; however crispy chicken ribs, pork belly bao, grilled pork meatballs and chicken coconut salad slaw from Fish Lane Vietnamese eatery Hello Please will help bring you back to street level. Tickets cost $35, and include a free espresso martini and a selection of food on entry — and a lack of sleep that night, obviously. Image: Steven Woodburn.
If you've been daydreaming about tropical islands since seeing Leonardo Di Caprio in the 2000 film The Beach, it's high time to let the Mission Beach Water Taxi bring your dreams to life. Not only will you get to visit some of the islands in the Family Islands National Park, but also get to do it while visiting the Great Barrier Reef. To experience these incredible islands in Tropical North Queensland, jump aboard the Mission Beach Water Taxi's Three Island Tour. You'll spend the afternoon island hopping and learning about the history of the area before stopping for an afternoon swim at a secret beach. And, if one afternoon at the islands isn't enough, consider a luxe stay at Bedarra Island or get even closer to nature with an overnight camp at Dunk Island. And if you're wondering how you'll make your way back to the mainland the next day, the Water Taxi has your back.
Hosting pre-drinks can be a lot of pressure. The playlist has got to be on point and create the right vibe. The snacks need to be that perfect mix between 'line your stomach' and 'small enough to eat with one hand while straightening hair'. And the drinks have to be knockouts because they're kind of like the marker for the night ahead; pick a great drink, you're in for an even greater night. And you can't go past prosecco; The dramatic 'pop' will immediately liven up the crowd, and the versatile Italian bubbly can be enjoyed on its own or heroed in a bunch of tasty cocktails. (And no, not just in a spritz.) To make sure you serve up some real humdingers, we've partnered with the prosecco masters at Dal Zotto Wines and crafted five prosecco cocktail recipes to try before your next night out. Bottoms up, bubble lovers. PASSION PIT Let this be our little secret... This cocktail is like a fancy, adults-only version of Passiona. It tastes just like an Aussie summer (read: pavlova and bubbly). — 70g castor sugar — 70ml lemon juice — 70ml triple sec — pulp from 4 passionfruits — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled (serves four to six) Mix together the lemon juice and sugar, dissolving it as best you can. Next add the triple sec and passionfruit pulp. Pour the mixture over a couple of ice-filled glasses, then top up with chilled prosecco. Garnish with passionfruit, mint and pineapple. You'll be feeling higher and higher in no time. EL LOCO Forget frozen margaritas — it's all about sparkling margaritas, amigos. This fizzy twist on the classic will send your mates loco in all the right ways. Cocktail: — 90ml blanco tequila — 90ml triple sec — 120ml chilled simple syrup (recipe below) — 240ml lime juice — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled — coarse salt — lime wedges Simple syrup: — 250 ml water — 250 ml castor sugar (serves six to eight) First, you need to make the simple syrup which is, well, super simple to make. Grab a medium saucepan and over medium-high heat stir together the sugar and water until all the granules have dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature and then chill in the fridge. Next, add the tequila, chilled simple syrup, triple sec and lime juice into a cocktail shaker along with a good handful of ice, then give it a good shake. Grab your tumblers — or margarita glasses, if you've got 'em — and run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass before dipping them into a small plate of course salt. Add a handful of ice to each glass and divide the tequila mixture among the glasses. Finally, top with a wedge of lime and a splash of prosecco for that all-important fizz. PRINCESS PEACH Just like everybody's favourite crown-wearing Mario Kart character, this tipple is sweet yet punchy and will always score first place. — 2 ripe peaches, seeded and diced — 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice — 1 teaspoon sugar — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled (serves six) Chuck the peaches, lemon juice and sugar into your trusty food processor, and blend until smooth. Pass the mixture through a sieve and get rid of all the chunky peach bits. Place 2 tablespoons of the puree into each champagne glass and top with well-chilled prosecco. Yeah, Peach has got it! LEMON DROP This cocktail is a riff on those zingy, sherbert-filled lollies you probably ate as a kid. And it's got two Italian heavy-hitters, limoncello and prosecco, so you know it's going to be good. — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled — 250ml limoncello, chilled — blueberries — thyme — lemon slices (serves four) Pour the prosecco and limoncello into a jug and stir together. Next, press your lemon slices into the bottom of a large highball glass (a hurricane or sling will work equally well), top with ice and fill with the prosecco mixture. For added pizzazz, garnish with thyme and blueberries. PURPLE RAIN Just like Prince, this tipple is kinda strange but, also, utter genius. If it were to change its name to a symbol it would be an exclamation mark, because it's that delicious. Cocktail: — 1/4 cup blackberries — 90ml blackberry syrup (recipe below) — juice from one lime — mint — 120ml light rum — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled Blackberry syrup: — 2 tablespoons water — 1 cup blackberries — 1/3 cup granulated sugar (serves two) First, you'll need to whip up the blackberry syrup. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, mash together the sugar, blackberries and water. Once the mixture is thick and the sugar dissolved, pass it through a fine mesh strainer and let it chill. Add the blackberry syrup, blackberries, lime and a handful of mint to a cocktail shaker and muddle well. Next, chuck in the rum and a few ice cubes and shake it like you mean it. Strain the mixture into martini glasses and top with chilled prosecco and fresh blueberries or blackberries. Then, get ready to party like it's 1999. Keen for more fizz? Plan a mini city break up north and visit Noosa Boathouse, Noosa Surf Club or Black Bird for a glass of bubbly perfection — or head to Sofitel in Noosa between April 16–28, where Dal Zotto has an Easter activation planned. Exact details are still TBC, so keep an eye on the Dal Zotto Instagram account for announcements.
Alright, guys and dolls, ready yourselves for a night of risqué cabaret that's sure to get your heart racing. This Brisbane Festival, the Courier-Mail Spiegeltent will channel all the glitz and glamour of 1920s Paris during a fully immersive burlesque extravaganza. With toe-tapping jazz, beguiling burlesque, circus tricks, side-splitting comedy and amazing music, Blanc de Blanc Encore is the kind of party that would make Jay Gatsby jealous. If you attended the first iteration of Blanc back in 2016, you'll remember the infectious fun and frivolity which ensued. If not, you best get a ticket this time around. Taking place from Thursday, September 5 to Saturday, September 28, the show will feature some big international names, including singer Vanessa Renee Jordan (Postmodern Jukebox), aerial artist Reed Kelly (Cirque du Soleil) and Spencer Novich, an award-winning clown who's performed all over the globe. Wondering who to bring along? Take date night to cheeky new heights and treat your partner to a night of edge-of-your-seat theatre; or grab your ride-or-die girlfriends — of course, don your best flapper dress, feather boa and string of pearls — and get set for an evening of captivating cabaret. But if you're a little sensitive, you might end up clutching said pearls — nudity is involved so consider this your warning. Image: Blanc De Blanc, Jacquie Manning.
Stanthorpe is known to celebrate its apples and grapes, hosting an entire festival that's all about the two kinds of fruit. But they aren't the only types of only fresh produce that the town, and the Granite Belt region, is famous for. So, that's where the Stanthorpe Berry Festival comes in. Returning for 2024 on Saturday, November 16 at Weeroona Park, this sure-to-be-colourful events adores berries in all their forms — but especially strawberries, raspberries and blueberries grown locally. Yes, you know what you'll be eating (and plenty of it), including strawberry ice cream. The festival also features berry food stalls, boutique markets, chefs hitting the stage, a competition to find the best strawberry or mixed berry jam, and a scones and jam eating food-eating contest. Or, you can get sipping thanks to the region's wineries and brewers, meet berry farmers, listen to live tunes and take part in a berry-themed dress up.
UPDATE, March 4, 2021: God's Own Country is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. When God's Own Country begins, it's with a quiet Yorkshire farmhouse swiftly disturbed by the sound of retching. Johnny Saxby (Josh O'Connor) has had yet another boozy night out, and he's suffering the consequences. Unfortunately for him, the land and the livestock won't wait for his hangover. It's an appropriate opening to a film that looks like a gritty, austere, social realist drama, but contains much that cannot be constrained. The after-effects of drinking have nothing on lusty, bubbling emotions. The first feature film from writer-director Francis Lee, God's Own Country pairs its struggling farm setting with surging desire, and asks its characters to weather hardships with both. Shot in the part of England the filmmaker grew up in, on a property much like his own father's, the movie follows Johnny's reaction when handsome Romanian Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu) arrives to assist during lambing season. Initially, Johnny's reluctant and even rude, though he can't help being impressed by the newcomer's skills with the job at hand. But cold nights spent in the countryside eventually warm up more than his appreciation for hard work. As something physical blossoms into even more, Gheorghe proves a positive influence on Johnny's self-destructive tendencies. If that description reminds you of another movie, you're certainly not alone. The phrase "British Brokeback Mountain" has been used to describe Lee's film since it premiered at Sundance in January. More than just a convenient way to describe a rural queer romance, it's a comparison that's well and truly earned. Men working the land and making a connection; concerns about the response of Johnny's unwell father (Ian Hart) and stoic grandmother (Gemma Jones); scenic sights and swelling feelings: the commonalities are all there, although God's Own Country ultimately follows its own path. More importantly, both films present a raw and affecting love story teeming with honesty and emotion. One thing's for certain: this isn't a restrained affair. Instead, it wears its heart proudly on Johnny and Gheorghe's muck-covered sleeves. It's a film that's unafraid to depict the harsh realities of farm life, or delve into the frustrations and troubles that come with it. Nor does it shy away from the heated passion of its erotic scenes. Blood, spit, mud, rough tumbles and tender moments all wash across the screen, drawing viewers into a realistic, resonant account of the two men's growing intimacy. In the process, God's Own Country does what every romance endeavours, but can't always manage: it ensures that every stolen glance, hard-earned smile, quiet gesture and clenched hand is felt by more than just the people on the screen. Pitch-perfect performances by O'Connor and Secareanu help, of course, with the actors giving their characters both texture and sincerity. So too does the fond but still clear-eyed way that cinematographer Joshua James Richards lenses everything from the sparse, sprawling hills to Gheorghe and Johnny's breathless encounters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-N_tdBhCjI
Is there any social situation more painfully awkward than being in the presence of a couple having an argument? The hair-curling passive-aggression. The teeth-grinding fake smiles. The years and years of squabbles and resentment finally coming to a head. And you, sitting there, wanting nothing more than to evaporate into thin air. Imagine that experience stretched out for two whole hours, and you'll have a rough idea of what it's like to watch Force Majeure. The single worst date movie to come out of the European arthouse circuit since Charlotte Gainsbourg become intimately familiar with a pair of rusty scissors in Antichrist, Ruben Östlund's probe of a marriage in crisis is at once brilliant and impossible to bear. Part piercing relationship drama, part deliciously mean-spirited black comedy, the film follows a wealthy Swedish family on a skiing holiday in France. In the opening scene, we see them lining up on the slopes for an impromptu family photograph. Perfect husband. Perfect wife. Two impossibly perfect kids. But disaster can strike even the most photogenic of families — and in Force Majeure it quite literally does. The four are sitting down to lunch when snow begins to cascade down the mountain. A controlled avalanche suddenly no longer under control, the white wall barrels towards the balcony restaurant. Ebba (Lisa Loven Kongsli) seizes the children in her arms and looks desperately towards her husband, Tomas (Johannes Kuhnke)... just in time to see him running in the other direction. That is, until everyone realises it was all just a false alarm, at which point he slinks quietly back to the table so the four of them can finish their meal. It's an ingenious setup to one of the most uncomfortable films you're ever likely to see. At first, no-one wants to talk about what happened. So it hangs in the air, like a fart you're too embarrassed to admit to. Inevitably, though, it has to be addressed. Forced jokes lead to tight-lipped denials which in turn lead to public accusations. Östlund clearly delights in the opportunity to make his characters — along with his audience — squirm in their seats. Scenes invariably run longer than feels natural, until you're practically begging for the director to cut away. It's especially tough to watch because deep down, you can't help but wonder about what you'd have done in the same situation. Yet the film isn't so much scathing of Tomas's split-second reaction as it is of his refusal to own up to it. As a merciless, darkly comedic takedown of masculine delusion, Force Majeure would make for an ideal double feature with the recently released Gone Girl. Frankly, these Swedes make their American counterparts look positively meant-to-be. https://youtube.com/watch?v=3nTJIc_e6Ns
Throw those GoPros, bubble bottles and novelty gumboots in your rucksack, Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands for another year of festival merriment. As usual, rumours have run wild in anticipation of the lineup announce, but the details for Splendour 2017 are finally here. And we're happy to report that some of the rumours were true. As announced by triple j, there's no Lorde or Frank Ocean, but LCD bloody Soundsystem will be Splendouring — it will be the reunited band's first return to Australia since they played Big Day Out back in 2011. The lineup also doesn't state that Splendour is their only show, so stay tuned for news of a national tour (hopefully). It also seems that, happily, the predictions for The xx and Queens of the Stone Age were correct too. Joining them is one heck of a lineup that includes HAIM, RL Grime, Banks and Two Door Cinema Club, along with Future Islands and LA hip hip artist Schoolboy Q, who will be doing one-off Australian shows at the festival. Australian artists on the bill include Tash Sultana, King Gizzard, D.D Dumbo, Dune Rats, A.B Original, Big Scary and more. Anyway, we know what you're here for. We'll cut to the chase. SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2017 LINEUP The xx Queens of the Stone Age LCD Soundsystem Royal Blood HAIM Sigur Rós ScHoolboy Q (only Aus show) Vance Joy Two Door Cinema Club Peking Duk RL Grime Bonobo Father John Misty Catfish and the Bottlemen Tash Sultana Paul Kelly Stormzy King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard George Ezra Future Islands (only Aus show) Banks Bernard Fanning Dune Rats Cut Copy Ásgeir Allday Meg Mac Rag 'N' Bone Man Thundamentals Lil' Yachty San Cisco Client Liaison Real Estate Dan Sultan Vallis Alps D.D Dumbo Maggie Rogers Tove Lo POND Big Scary The Smith Street Band Oh Wonder A.B. Original Dope Lemon The Kite String Tangle Young Franco Julia Jacklin Kingswood Amy Shark Luca Brasi The Lemon Twigs Vera Blue Slumberjack Bad//Dreems Bag Raiders Topaz Jones Middle Kids Ocean Grove Confidence Man Bishop Briggs Late Nite Tuff Guy Julien Baker Kilter Lany Hockey Dad Kirin J Callinan Airling Cosmo's Midnight Gretta Ray Moonbase The Peep Tempel Tornado Wallace The Murlocs Mallrat Luke Million The Wilson Pickers Romare Jarrow Good Boy Kuren Oneman Winston Surfshirt Set Mo HWLS Harvey Sutherland and Bermuda CC:Disco! Enschway DJHMC Nite Fleit Alice Ivy Willow Beats Willaris. K Mookhi Plus... Swindail Dena Amy Andy Garvey Planète Sam Weston Super Cruel Christopher Port Lewis Cancut Kinder plus triple j Unearthed winners Splendour will return to North Byron Parklands on Friday 21, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July. Onsite camping will once again be available from Wednesday, July 19. Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 6 at 9am sharp AEST. More info will soon be available at the official Splendour In The Grass site. Image: Bianca Holderness.
When a movie character complains about the flimsiness and predictability of the world, it helps if the film they're in doesn't share the same traits. The character in question is Margo Roth Spiegelman (Cara Delevingne), while the feature is Paper Towns. She's the resident high school cool girl that the boy across the road, Quentin — or Q (Nat Wolff) — has spent years pining over. She's also the central mystery in the latest page-to-screen adaptation based on the work of novelist John Green. Those with a memory for melancholy teen fare might remember the last Green-penned effort to reach cinemas: cancer romance The Fault in Our Stars. Swap illness for aloofness, and a visit to Europe with a drive to upstate New York, and you know the kind of earnest drama you're in for. The same writers bring both films to fruition, and Wolff also features in each — then as the sidekick, now as the star. Here, his Q fondly remembers his younger days palling around with Margot before they grew up and into different cliques, only to feverishly relive them after she climbs through his bedroom window seeking his help for a revenge-fuelled adventure. The morning after, still buzzed from pranking Margot's cheating ex-boyfriend and the friends who knew about his philandering ways, Q thinks his life will change — only to find that the object of his affections has gone missing instead. Cue an attempt to track Margot down sparked by a series of clues she has left behind, with the smitten Q certain that they're signs she wants him to do just that. And cue a film that wears not just its heart on its sleeve, but its fantasies about halcyon high school days where important life lessons are learned. You've seen and heard them all before: try new things, follow your dreams, be yourself, cool kids have problems too, don't pin all your hopes of your teenage crush. The list goes on. Paper Towns barely gives anyone older than 18 a passing glance. Yet as it cycles through the usual house party, road trip and prom moments, it feels more like the calculated, nostalgic product of adults looking backwards than an authentic reflection of youth. That's the territory Green plays in — and while director Jake Schreier cultivated genuine emotion in his previous effort, Robot and Frank, just as writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber did in The Spectacular Now, the author's formula here is clearly at work. Hence the insubstantial and obvious narrative, the hardly memorable characters, and the other cookie-cutter elements — warm tones, a wistful soundtrack and standard performances included. An amalgam of everything those remembering their adolescence wish to recall, as well as everything those going currently through it wish to experience, Paper Towns just wants to be pleasant and neat. And that's what it achieves — however at-odds with its underlying "don't get boxed in" mantra that may be.
Prepare to forget everything that's traditionally creepy and awkward about beauty pageants, and embrace the sequin-studded, sashaying side of things instead. That's the aim at the MELT Festival Beauty Pageant — which is about as close as Brisbane is ever going to get to having its own version of RuPaul's Drag Race. In this May 18 show of diversity and a celebration of drag queens, kings and transgender beauties, competitors will battle it out to be crowned the city's most fashionable figure. Expect wigs, glitter and many a jaw-dropping outfit, courtesy of categories such as Graceful Glamourzons, Tremendous Talent and Costume with a Message. Plus, afterwards there's a free after-dark dance party. Image: Dylan Evans.
It's easy to get swept up in generic Christmas hubbub. Department stores are playing 'Jingle Bells', stockings need to be stuffed, and sooner or later you find yourself buying a relative socks. No one needs anymore socks. Just stop. Now's your chance to break that pattern and become one of those oh-so-cool gift givers. The ones who remember the hints dropped over the past few months and give a gift so great it elicits forceful high-fives all through the festive season. Give a friend a box set of Breaking Bad. After five seasons, an impressive array of industry accolades, and an unquantifiable number of gasps from its captive global audience, it's safe to say that everyone loves Breaking Bad. The hysteria eventually got so bad that people were forced to develop anti-spoiler apps during its final season; it's now acceptable to work from a blue-meth themed cookbook for your next dinner party. Now, thanks to our friends at Universal and Sony, you can re-gift a friend all that magic for the super appealing price of free. We have 10 collector's edition DVD or Blu-Ray box sets of the entire Breaking Bad collection to give away. Who needs to wait for the Australian release of Netflix? Start your session of post-finale binge-watching right now. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Come summertime, the celebratory spirit is taking over the entire state, thanks to massive events like ALWAYS LIVE. For the third year running, this festival celebrates the diversity of music in Victoria, with a mix of international headliners and local musicians taking to stages statewide from Friday, November 22, to Sunday, December 8. Some of the unmissable (and exclusive) events in ALWAYS LIVE are taking place on the final weekend. One of those is Yerambooee, a unique celebration of First Nations culture and community. This free event on Saturday, December 7 at 7pm, is hosted by elders and performers from Wurundjeri, Woi-Wurrung and Yolgnu peoples. The stage will be a nine-metre sand circle laid down in Fed Square — representative of a meeting ground filled with river sand — for a gathering unlike anything else on the festival program. Beginning with a welcome from Aunty Joy Murphy, performers will take to the stage with song, dance and music for a celebration that encourages the audience to join in — with music inspired by Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) — the final work of the late Yolgnu musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. Yeramboee will take place in Federation Square on Saturday, December 7. For more information, visit the Always Live website.
If you like celebrating October German-style, a trip to Europe at the right time of year is likely on your must-do list. For those who can't take a boozy overseas holiday this year, Oktoberfest in the Gardens has you covered. There'll be steins. There'll be schnitties. There'll be lederhosen-wearing revellers — and if you're keen to dress the part as well, that's up to you. The Australian Oktoberfest event has been in the Bavarian-themed game for 14 years now, with its 2024 run in seven cities solely taking place in October. Clear a Saturday, whether you live in Perth or Adelaide, where the fest will kick off on Saturday, October 5; on the Gold Coast or in Melbourne, where it's time to say "prost!" on Saturday, October 12; Brisbane or Newcastle, which'll be downing brews on Saturday, October 19; or Sydney, where the tour wraps up on Saturday, October 26. This series of German shindigs isn't small, with 65,000 people expected to attend across the full slate of events this year. At each, the kind of beer- and bratwurst-fuelled shenanigans that Germany has become so famous for at this time of year are on offer. So, if you have a hankering for doppelbock and dancing to polka, it really is the next best thing to heading to Europe. Oktoberfest in the Gardens boasts a crucial attraction, too: as well as serving a variety of pilsners, ciders, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, it constructs huge beer halls to house the boozy merriment. When you're not raising a stein — or several — at the day-long event, you can tuck into pretzels and other traditional snacks at food stalls, or check out the hefty array of entertainment. Live music, roving performers, a silent disco, rides and a sideshow alley are all on the agenda. "We say it every year, but this year's Oktoberfest celebrations will be bigger than ever before. It's amazing how this event has continued to grow across the country," said Ross Drennan, co-founder of Nokturnl Events, which runs Oktoberfest in the Gardens. "Last year, we added additional cities to the tour and introduced even more fun activations. The response was overwhelming, with record-breaking sales." Oktoberfest in the Gardens 2024 Dates and Venues: Saturday, October 5 — Langley Park, Perth Saturday, October 5 — Pinky Flat, Adelaide Saturday, October 12 — Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Saturday, October 12 — Catani Gardens, St Kilda, Melbourne Saturday, October 19 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Saturday, October 19 — The Station, Newcastle Saturday, October 26 — The Domain, Sydney Oktoberfest in the Gardens tours Australia in October 2024 — head to the event's website for further details, plus tickets from Wednesday, July 31.
What boasts a hefty lineup of First Nations talent, is all about celebrating Blak excellence in music and culture, and will take over Hanging Rock for one spring Sunday? Australia's newest music festival. What features a jam-packed lineup hand-picked by Briggs (with a thank you to Paul Kelly), and includes Baker Boy, Jessica Mauboy, Thelma Plum, Christine Anu and more on the bill? That same must-attend event, aka First & Forever. The day-long, picnic-style fest will make its debut on Sunday, November 27 in the Macedon Ranges spot, and sport a clear focus: showcasing and highlighting First Nations artists and performers. Indeed, the 20-plus acts announced so far spans an impressive range of names, featuring everyone from Budjerah, King Stingray and Sycco through to Alice Skye, Busby Marou, Electric Fields, Ziggy Ramo and Barkaa. [caption id="attachment_872292" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Georgia Wallace[/caption] The specific Hanging Rock venue has been named The Gathering Place for the event, acknowledging the people of the Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung who have long met there, and also the power of Country. First & Forever is also paying tribute to the late Archie Roach by dubbing its stage the 'Uncle Archie Stage'. If this seems like the kind of festival that Australia should've always had, that's because it is — and it came about via a chance meeting between Briggs and late Mushroom founder Michael Gudinski AM. "For years I'd had an idea for a First Nations-led contemporary music festival, something cool and boutique that was really about the music and culture," said Briggs. "When Gudinski called me about a similar idea he'd had, we found this really collaborative working relationship. We both had a passionate approach to Melbourne, Victorian music, and amplifying Blakfellas' stories. MG got the ball rolling. After he passed, the ball was in my court. I had to take it home." Adds Kelly: "My last conversation with Michael just over a week before he died was backstage at Archie [Roach's] concert. [MG] was bubbling with ideas for a new project, a big concert with headlining First Nations artists... he urged me to get involved. I said no to Michael many times over the years and I said yes lots. I'm glad I said yes this last time." [caption id="attachment_862591" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morgan Sette[/caption] FIRST & FOREVER 2022 LINEUP: Baker Boy Budjerah Jessica Mauboy King Stingray Sycco Thelma Plum Alice Skye Busby Marou Christine Anu Dan Sultan Electric Fields Emma Donovan Tasman Keith Ziggy Ramo Barkaa Birdz Dameeeela Jess Hitchcock Jk-47 Kardajala Kirridarra Kobie Dee and more First & Forever takes place on Sunday, November 27 at The Gathering Place, Hanging Rock, in Victoria's Macedon Ranges. Ticket pre-sales start at 11am AEDT on Tuesday, October 11, with general sales from 11am AEDT on Friday, October 14. For more information, head to the festival website.
Theatre fans, the latest production to return to Brisbane has more than a little bite. The creative folks at shake & stir theatre co are sinking their teeth into a certain gothic literature classic, complete with fangs, blood, lust and the v word. Yes, we mean vampires. For those who don't know the Dracula story, there's more to the tale than drinking from people's necks. Young lawyer Jonathan Harker journeys to the Carpathian Mountains for a job, and proves quite surprised by his mysterious client. Then there's Jonathan's fiancée, Mina, whom the Count becomes quite taken with through a photo. Leaving Jonathan alone in his creepy castle, Dracula heads to London seeking love and seduction. Resurrected like the undead that walks it stage, this bloody good production takes Bram Stoker's twisted tale and turns it into a gripping and gory modern-day piece. Yes, Dracula promises to be better than the last serious film version back in 1992. No, it doesn't feature Keanu.
Earlier in 2020, when events worldwide started cancelling, postponing and rescheduling due to COVID-19, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)'s Dark Mofo was sadly one of many that had to pull the plug. It's also just one of the annual festivals that the venue holds but, thankfully, MONA's summer event will be forging ahead — and, if the first sneak peek at its program is anything to go by, Mona Foma's 2021 festival is returning in a big way. Come January, arts and music fans will be able to soak in the fest's eclectic sights and sounds across two weekends — and in two locations. Although Mona Foma was originally held in Hobart, where MONA is located, the event made the move to Launceston in 2019. In 2021, however, it'll split its program between both Tasmanian cities. Launceston will be up first, from January 15–17, with Hobart getting the nod the next week from January 22–24. After revealing back in September that Mona Foma would definitely return next year, MONA has now announced two parts of its 2021 lineup — one per city — which is great news for everyone who loves arts, culture, festivals, lights, lasers, gorges and warehouses. [caption id="attachment_790928" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Aqua Luma, Robin Fox. Photo Credit: Nick Roux. Image courtesy of the artist and and Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] First up, in Launceston, the city's Cataract Gorge will host the latest work by audio-visual artist Robin Fox. Yes, that means the site's landscape will be taken over by an immersive installation, called Aqua Luma — which'll be making its world premiere, will run on a 20-minute cycle from 9.30am–11.30pm, and will be free to attend. Aqua Luma will feature multiple components, too, all adding to one impressive experience. First, it'll include 12 metre-high water jets that'll erupt in time with subharmonic frequencies. Also, there'll be lasers tracing geometrical patterns in the watery mist. Basically, you'll feel like you're standing beneath a canopy of light and sound — and there'll be an electronic composition sent straight to your smartphone as well. [caption id="attachment_790934" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] K&D Warehouse, Hobart, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Mona/Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artist and Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Over in Hobart, Mona Foma is turning the site of former hardware store K&D Warehouse into a gallery — with exhibition No Place Like Home filling the entire place with video installations, art and sculptures all selected by Mona curator Emma Pike. You'll be able to wander through one of the city's best-known buildings, which dates back 118 years, and see works by artists such as Tony Albert, Zanny Begg, Andy Hutson, Rachel Maclean, Nell, Ryan Presley and Phebe Schmidt. Entry will cost $10 per person. Revealing Aqua Luma and No Place Like Home, Mona Foma curator Brian Ritchie said that the festival was excited about hosting "installations in two of the state's most dramatically different but equally beloved locations". He continued: "Robin Fox has been involved in every festival program since Mona Foma's inception, so it's appropriate that he has created a new work to address a year like no other. While at K&D Warehouse, the art will take you over the rainbow after the storm that was the year 2020." If you're wondering what else the event has in store, Mona Foma's full program will be released on Monday, December 7, with tickets going on sale at 8am the next day. Of course, before you go making big plans for a weekend getaway down south, you'll want to keep an eye on Tasmania's current border restrictions — which, at the time of writing, requires 14 days in quarantine for non-Tasmanian residents entering from a location considered medium-risk, such as Victoria and South Australia. Restrictions on Victorians are due to ease on Friday, November 27, however. Mona Foma will take place from January 15–17, 2021 in Launceston, and from January 22–24, 2021 in Hobart. We'll update you when the full program is announced on Monday, December 7 — but head to the festival website in the interim for further details. Top image: Cataract Gorge, Launceston, Tasmania. Photo Credit: Rob Burnett. Image courtesy of the artist and Visit Northern Tasmania.
UPDATE, January 19, 2023: Blak Day Out is no longer taking place on Saturday, January 21 — it has been postponed until Sunday, July 16 instead. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Come Sunday, July 16, First Nations artists will be firmly in the spotlight at The Tivoli's returning must-attend gig. After debuting in 2022, Blak Day Out is back for 2023 for a day — and an evening — that's all about celebrating Indigenous sovereignty, music and community, complete with a stellar lineup. Taking to the stage: The Last Kinection, CLOE TERARE, DRMNGNOW, Kee'ahn, Djanaba, Tjaka, SOLCHLD, Ethan Enoch, Keely and Alf The Great. That means mixing current Blak icons and up-and-coming Blak talent, and starting off the new year with an epic party. Across two stages — the Tiv's main stage and over at What's Golden, too — Blak Day Out will showcase Indigenous artists, building on an impressive debut year that featured Shakaya, Barkaa, Alice Skye and more. Doors open at 2pm, the music starts at 2.30pm and paying tribute to Blak excellence is firmly the name of the game. And you have Alethea Beetson and Loki Liddle from Blak Social to thank for this showcase of stellar First Nations talent and tunes.
From the CBD to the west, Sydney Festival will take over the city yet again this January, with over 130 art, music, theatre, comedy and cultural events happening across three weeks, between Wednesday, January 6 and Tuesday, January 26. Get your calendar ready, it's going to be a busy 21 days. Things will look a little different from previous years, with all 2021 events adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines, including capacity limits and social-distancing regulations. The festival, however, is a big step for the city's culture and nightlife, marking a slow return to normality. 2021 will be the festival's last year under the helm of Artistic Director Wesley Enoch, with Olivia Ansell taking over in 2022. Due to border closures, Enoch has had to craft an Australian-only program, calling on the best established and up-and-coming talent the country has to offer. [caption id="attachment_789697" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'The Rise and Fall of Saint George' by Peter Rubie[/caption] Highlights of the newly announced program include a pop-up stage at Barangaroo; the telling of Evonne Goolagong's life story, which will see Sydney Town Hall transformed into a tennis court; an installation of large floating bees around Vaucluse House called Hive Mind; an homage to musical legend George Michael starring Paul Mac; and the return of the festival's Blak Out program, promoting and uplifting First Nations voices and storytelling throughout the festival. The Barangaroo pop-up titled The Headland, will see a 32-metre-wide stage, larger than both the Capitol and Sydney Lyric, constructed in front of Sydney Harbour. The stage will operate over 16 nights, playing host to performers and musicians such as the Bangarra Dance Company, Sydney Symphony and Paul Mac, all for just $25 a ticket. Taking to smaller stages across the city, including The Lansdowne, Factory Theatre and Tokyo Sing Song, will be a whole bunch of Australian favourites including Christine Anu, Urthboy, E^ST, Alice Ivy and Emily Wurramara. [caption id="attachment_789696" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Hive Mind'[/caption] Alongside the giant bees taking residence in Vaucluse, visual art will consume the city, with exhibitions at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Museum of Contemporary Art and outside Customs House, Circular Quay, where a new large-scale immersive experience from audio-visual artist Matthias Schack-Arnott will be set up for the public to interact with. The festival will also see the return of long-running favourites, such as Parramatta Park's Sydney Symphony Under the Stars and Barangaroo's The Vigil on Australia Day eve. Sydney Festival 2021 runs from January 6–26 at venues across the city. For further details and to buy tickets, visit the Sydney Festival website. Tickets are on sale now. Top image: The Headland stage and 'Sydney Symphony Under the Stars' by Victor Frankowski
Huge news: South by South West (SXSW) is coming to Sydney in October of 2023 for its first festival outside of its longtime home in Austin, Texas. The world-renowned festival has been bringing together big names and rising stars in tech, film, music, gaming, culture and education industries since it first began in 1987. Now, it's heading Down Under for the first time, with its week-long edition in Sydney set to become the official location of SXSW's annual Asia-Pacific installment. Running from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22, 2023, the new iteration of SXSW will fill the city with more than 1000 sessions, screenings, performances, parties, networking events and activations over eight days. The Sydney iteration of the festival will bring a wide variety of events hailing from the US edition, but with a greater emphasis on creatives and thinkers from the Asia-Pacific. "Focusing on the creator industries in the Asia-Pacific region, SXSW Sydney will celebrate what's next in culture, tech and the regions thriving creative economy," SXSW Sydney Managing Director Colin Daniels said. "Put simply, SXSW is the Olympics of events for the creator industries, and we are thrilled to bring this legendary festival of gaming, music, screen, tech and innovation to Sydney in 2023," CEO of SXSW Sydney's event producer TEG said. Alongside the Sydney edition of the festival, SXSW will continue its usual programing in Austin with a 2023 festival locked in for March. The festival returned in-person earlier this year after an online iteration in 2021 due to the pandemic. It was headlined by talks from Mark Zuckerberg, Lizzo and Neal Stephenson; performances from Dolly Parton and Beck; premieres of films such as Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Lost City and upcoming A24 horror movie Bodies, Bodies, Bodies; and a Q&A with the cast and crew of Donald Glover's critically acclaimed TV show Atlanta. [caption id="attachment_854807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atlanta Season 3 premiered at SXSW 2022 with a cast and crew Q&A.[/caption] Over the years, SXSW has featured appearances from the likes of Barack Obama, Dave Grohl, Jordan Peele, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga and Arnold Schwarzenegger to name just a few — as well as large-scale activations. It also acted as an important space for young musicians, filmmakers and creatives to cut their teeth. The festival has had a close relationship with Australia over the past few years, with Sounds Australia running the Australia House showcase at the festival since 2018 featuring up-and-coming Australian musicians. Major Australian musical exports including Flume, Alison Wonderland, Nick Murphy, Tkay Maidza, Gang of Youths, RUFUS DU SOL and Courtney Barnett have all made appearances at SXSW over the years You can head to the SXSW Sydney website to register your interest for the 2023 event and stay up-to-date as new information emerges over at the festival's Instagram. South by South West will host its inaugural Sydney festival Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22, 2023.
Daft Punk have never been averse to some commercial collaboration, and now they've teamed up with perhaps the biggest and most recognised soft drink company in the world. It's just been announced that Coke will release two limited edition bottles in silver and gold, entitled 'Club Coke,' as a tribute to the French electro duo's robot helmets. The bottles will begin production in March 2011, and will be coupled with the launch of the Daft Coke website. Naturally, the bottles will almost solely be available in clubs, where shiney things are always the best things, and will no doubt be the source of many a French hipster's pick-up line. They'll also be sold at the very chic, high-end store Colette in Paris as a collector's box set (although how long can you keep Coke for? Or is Coke like baked beans, and strong enough to survive nuclear holocaust?). Daft Punk have previously collaborated with Adidas and The Gap to sell stuff, so the Coke venture doesn't come as much of a surprise. But surely the real question, and one that everyone seems to be ignoring, is: does it taste like Daft Punk? https://youtube.com/watch?v=86vQMkR9raI
Brisbane's craft brewery boom has many benefits, but themed tipples rank among the best of them. No matter the occasion, you can stumble into a beer-loving space and drink a freshly brewed just for it — like pumpkin-flavoured brews for Halloween, naturally. At Semi-Pro on Manilla Street in East Brisbane, pumpkin-spiced brown ale is on the menu on Thursday, October 31 (because there's nothing scarier than sipping a beer made from an orange vegetable, obviously). Drop by from 4pm to enjoy the kind of beverage you definitely can't drink every day — plus other appropriate shenanigans at the Semi-Pro Halloween Party. Yes, there's a costume contest. Drinking a pumpkin-flavoured beer on Halloween in your ordinary, everyday clothes would just be strange, after all. There'll be prizes for best dressed, funniest costume and scariest costume, so it's worth putting some thought into your attire. And if all that spooky fun has your stomach rumbling, Notorious E.A.T. will be on hand to line your stomach with hip hop-themed burgers.
UPDATE: MARCH 19, 2020 — The Cat Cuddle Cafe has announced that the Cat Cuddle Cafe Twilight Market, including the speed cat patting sessions, on Friday, March 27 has been postponed — with no new date as scheduled as yet. Ticket holders will receive a full refund. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. How many cats can you pat in 20 minutes? Don't know? Would you like to find out? Of course you would. From 5.30pm on Friday, March 27, Lutwyche's Cat Cuddle Cafe is hosting speed-patting sessions. You bring your feline-stroking hands, they'll provide the kitties — and it'll cost you just $5. Getting up close and cosy to the cutest of cats is just one part of the evening's festivities. The other is a twilight market in the cafe's car park. With the venue run by a rescue organisation, all your money will go to a good cause, too. Plus, there'll be stalls from other rescue groups so you can share the support around. If you fancy something to eat or a hot beverage, the cafe will also be serving up food and drinks — because all that browsing is hungry and thirsty work. And if it all sounds familiar, that's because the Cat Cuddle Cafe has held the same shindig a few times now. Unsurprisingly, the market keeps proving a hit, so the Lutwyche Road spot keeps bringing it back for more.
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, quit your desk job and put on that festival you've always wanted to give a red hot go? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of ten bold characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. For Brett Louis, co-founder and curator of Melbourne's ambitious festival Sugar Mountain, a 'Sine Metu' way of life is the only way. Thanks to Brett's meticulous curation over the years, Sugar Mountain has broken new ground with its blend of music, art and food — redefining what a festival can be (without fearing it won't work). We had a chat to Brett about his own business of taking chances. You can read the interview over here. Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Brett's being a total legend and helping us give away a VIP Sugar Mountain Experience for two, so you can see for yourself what happens when bold humans take big creative chances with big payoffs. Enter here to win.
If you live in Brisbane and you were born from 1997 onwards, you've never known life in the River City without the Valley Fiesta. Twenty-six years back, Fortitude Valley put on a big celebration of live tunes in the inner city, starting an event that's still going strong in 2023. Sure, last year's fest marked a milestone, hitting a quarter century — but every Valley Fiesta is always a huge party. This time around, Valley Fiesta will run for two days across Friday, November 3–Saturday, November 4, once again getting Fortitude Valley echoing with music. As always, the QMusic-produced lineup spans a whole heap of musicians to see, plenty of stages around both the Valley and Bowen Hills, a food fiesta and a bar trail. Leading the music bill: Mallrat, Mildlife and Hatchie, all as part of an entirely free program, and also on a lineup that's been curated by the team at The Tivoli. Skeleten, Miss Kaninna, First Beige and Party Dozen will join them, as will Selve, Middle Name Dance Band and JayBird Byrne — and also Ixaras, Kuzco, Taitu'uga and Lucy Korts. If you're keen on DJ-spun tracks, the roster of talent also features names programmed by Quivr. So, that's where David Versace, Eljae, Greer and Hol Hibbo come in, plus Jake Amy, Jimmy Ellis, Kodos and Moths to a Flame. Rounding out the list so far: Nejmere, Quiet Storm DJs, Ryzen Shine and Squidgenini. As it did in 2022, King Street will host the King Street Food Fiesta on the Friday night to get this year's Valley Fiesta started. Expect a culinary fest featuring the precinct's eatery and soundtracked by two stages of live tunes. Bringing the fun to the Winn and Bakery laneways is the Hidden Lanes Bar Trail, highlighting venues in each stretch and featuring DJs. Then there's the part of the program called The After Parties, which is exactly what it sounds like in spots around the Valley until late. "For more than 25 years, Valley Fiesta has been captivating audiences and contributing to our incredible local music scene," said Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, announcing the 2023 lineup. "Last year, the festival included 115 events across 24 venues — showcasing 63 performers and seeing more than 400,000 music fans in attendance." "The festival's two jam-packed days will provide an incredible platform for local artists to strut their stuff, while bring more free and affordable activities to our entertainment precincts. "We're so excited to be bringing the best version of Valley Fiesta back, with awesome live music and cultural experiences free on the streets. There's nothing like a street party to celebrate our vibrant music scene, and Valley Fiesta is the best free street party in Brisbane," added QMusic CEO Kris Stewart. "Valley Fiesta is more than just a festival; it is a testament to the enduring power of music, culture, and community. It showcases the vibrant heartbeat of Fortitude Valley, inviting everyone to join in the celebration and create lasting memories." VALLEY FIESTA 2023 LINEUP: Mallrat Mildlife Hatchie Skeleten Miss Kaninna First Beige Party Dozen Selve Middle Name Dance Band JayBird Byrne Ixaras Kuzco Taitu'uga Lucy Korts DJ lineup: David Versace Eljae Greer Hol Hibbo Jake Amy Jimmy Ellis Kodos Moths to a Flame Nejmere Quiet Storm DJs Ryzen Shine Squidgenini + with more acts to be announced Valley Fiesta 2023 takes place from Friday, November 3–Saturday, November 4. For further information and to buy tickets, head to the Brisbane City Council website. Images: Dave Kan.
Making a cup of tea can be simple. Grab a teabag, pour in some boiling water, let it steep and voila, you've got yourself one of the world's favourite hot beverages. Enjoying a cuppa can be much more creative, too — whether you're keen on pure green tea leaves, some chai or matcha, high tea, a sip of kombucha, frosty iced tea, bubble teas or a tea latte. Expect tea in a variety of different forms at Brisbane's 2023 Laneway ParTEA, which takes over Burnett Lane from 11am–5pm on Saturday, February 4 as part of 2023's BrisAsia Festival. Someone will be putting the kettle on for a day of tea tastings, tea classes and just tea in general. Whatever kind of tea you fancy, you'll likely find it here — or discover yourself a new favourite. 2022's event also included a tea market, as well as live tunes, so fingers crossed they return for a second year. While general entry is free, bring your wallet for all those cuppas you'll be sipping.
Games of Thrones is the world’s most pirated TV show, The Avengers made more than $1.5 billion at the box office and even the President of the United States once collected Spider Man comics. In other words, it’s pretty cool to be a nerd these days. Just ask avid Dungeons and Dragons player Vin Diesel. The ultimate celebration of everything geeky, the Supanova Pop Culture Expo hits the Brisbane Convention Centre from November 28-30. From cosplay comps to comic book signings and photo opportunities with sci-fi and fantasy icons, it’s a three-day mecca of uninhibited, unironic nerdiness that attracts thousands of eager pilgrims every year. Of course such an event can seem overwhelming, especially to the uninitiated. So, whether you’ll be attending in your fully functioning Iron Man costume, or experiencing the convention for the very first time, here are our recommendations for getting the best out of Supanova 2014. Shop around for the zombie apocalypse A huge part of any convention experience is simply walking the floor and perusing the vendor booths. Browse through rare and classic comic books, hunt down elusive collectables, or arm yourself for the impending zombie apocalypse with custom designed swords and machetes. Just be sure to give the expo's weapons policy a read first. That’s right, there’s a weapons policy. Show your competitive side While it’s easy to stereotype con-goers as a mostly sedentary group of people, it turns out Supanova offers plenty of opportunity for rigorous physical exercise. Join an epic game of laser tag in a special inflatable arena, or get a crash-course in Harry Potter’s favourite pastime courtesy of the athletes at the Australian Quidditch Association. A pinball tournament probably doesn’t offer quite the same workout, admittedly, but an iPad to the winner is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Unleash some feels on King Joffrey Meet the men and women behind some of the biggest characters in geekdom. Faces on this year’s guest list include Game of Thrones' Jack Gleeson, Doctor Who companion Freema Agyeman, Whedonverse alum Ron Glass and Tom Lenk, plus authors, voice actors and comic book artists aplenty. Just be aware, when it comes to a lot of the bigger names, autographs and photos don’t always come free. For a full list of guests and their signing fees, go here. Learn the creative side of things Although we all know names like Gandalf and Dumbledore, the true wizards of science fiction and fantasy are the unsung visual effects artists. The Imagineer’s Playground will be present to give fans a close up look at the craft of costuming, special effects makeup, video game design and more. You can even get some 'how-to' tips and compete in the Supanova Fan Art Competition. Come in character (if you've got the guts) At the end of the day, it’s easy to separate the hardcore fans from the nerd-curious newbies by a quick glance at what they’re wearing. Anyone sporting Jedi robes, a Super Saiyan hair cut or any kind of jetpack has probably done this before. Whether you’re game enough to dress up yourself, there are sure to be plenty of elaborate costumes on display, with the very best on the catwalk for the Madman National Cosplay Championships. For more information on the Brisbane Supanova Pop Culture Expo, visit www.supanova.com.au. Image credits: David Chau, Ruben Schade and Jessica Truscott via Creative Commons.
You might have thought King George Square looked pretty fine during the day and maybe a tad finer at night, but it's at twilight City Hall really shows off its colours. And what better backdrop when you're shopping the evening away — especially when the King George is filled with some of Brisbane's best designers and makers. The regular Brisbane Twilight Market shows off a sizeable array of stalls — usually more than 60, in fact — all staffed by some pretty nifty and talented local artists. Returning for 2023, the event will host an eclectic selection of items, so prepare to browse and buy. You'll be perusing everything from handmade clothing, accessories and leather goods to paper goods, homewares, art and ceramics (and more). [caption id="attachment_666947" align="alignnone" width="1920"] BrisStyle[/caption] This market is all about sound, smell and sales — so live music will provide a soundtrack to the evening, and expect to be hit with that spring flowerbed smell that always lingers when there's a soap stall around. Food stalls are also on the agenda, with 2023's slate of Friday-night markets held on September 22, October 27, November 10 and December 15. Each event runs from 4–9pm, so take along some cash and stock up on all things crafty. Top image: Brisbane City Council.
It's the excuse you need to stop for a drink on the way home from work — or even hit quittin' time a little early. Once Thursday and Friday roll around, Bar e'cco serves up $1.50 oysters from 4–6pm. The happy hour special is also available on Saturdays, too, if you're keen on slurping down some saltwater bivalve molluscs on the weekend as well. Happening across each of the three days every week until the end of 2019, this celebration of freshly shucked Tasmanian Pacific oysters also comes with a heftier option. Fancy tucking into half a dozen and pairing them with a glass of French rose? That's on the menu for $18. You'll also find Bar e'cco's usual array of eats and drinks on offer, including cocktails and charcuterie, should you feel like turning your visit into a long, lazy afternoon. Bar e'cco's $1.50 Oyster Happy Hour is available on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4–6pm.
