In his guise as Benoit Blanc in both 2019's Knives Out and 2022's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Daniel Craig has pointed the finger at an array of well-known faces. With third film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery officially on the way, that list is set to grow. The first three folks joining it: Andrew Scott (Ripley), Josh O'Connor (Challengers) and Cailee Spaeny (Civil War). If you weren't already excited about Blanc's next case, which is set to arrive on Netflix in 2025, then you should be now. The news that Wake Up Dead Man is on its way still relatively fresh, with the sleuthing saga's writer and director Rian Johnson announcing it via social media on Saturday, May 25 — and casting details have started arriving mere days later. [caption id="attachment_868527" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.[/caption] As reported by Variety, there's no word yet as to who Scott, O'Connor and Spaeny are playing opposite No Time to Die's Craig. But joining Wake Up Dead Man's suspect pool comes in a big year for fans of all three Down Under, with Scott's All of Us Strangers, O'Connor's La Chimera and Spaeny's Priscilla all reaching screens this year — plus the aforementioned Ripley, Challengers and Civil War, too. With the third Knives Out flick locking in a date with the small screen next year, the series continues its three-yearly pattern. Who else the filmmaker that also brought audiences Brick, The Brothers Bloom, Looper, Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi and TV's Poker Face (which has been renewed for a second season) will get Blanc investigating hasn't been revealed, and neither has much else about the movie. "I love everything about whodunnits, but one of the things I love most is how malleable the genre is. There's a whole tonal spectrum from Carr to Christie, and getting to explore that range is one of the most exciting things about making Benoit Blanc movies," Johnson did note. [caption id="attachment_951454" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Challengers, Niko Tavernise © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc.[/caption] Exactly when in 2025 the flick will hit, and also whether it will reach cinemas before arriving on Netflix, also hasn't been announced. But, the streamer is teasing that this will be Blanc's "most dangerous case yet". So far, Johnson has plunged his detective into a familiar scenario twice, but always ensured that the end result was anything but routine. His trusty setup: bring a group of people together in a family home, mode of transport or lavish vacation setting, then watch on when one thing that always occurs in a whodunnit happens. That'd be a murder, in a formula that Agatha Christie also loved, as book-to-film adaptations Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile and A Haunting in Venice have shown. The author's play The Mousetrap and recent flick See How They Run, which riffs on it, make the same point. And, so does this clearly Christie-inspired franchise. [caption id="attachment_936946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Priscilla[/caption] The cast across Knives Out and Glass Onion has been impressive. Chris Evans (Pain Hustlers), Ana de Armas (Ghosted), Jamie Lee Curtis (Haunted Mansion), Michael Shannon (The Flash), Toni Collette (Mafia Mamma), Don Johnson (The Collective), Lakeith Stanfield (The Changeling), Christopher Plummer (Departure), Katherine Langford (Savage River) and Jaeden Martell (Mr Harrigan's Phone) all featured the first time around. In the second flick, Edward Norton (Asteroid City), Janelle Monáe (Antebellum), Kathryn Hahn (Tiny Beautiful Things), Leslie Odom Jr (The Exorcist: Believer), Jessica Henwick (The Royal Hotel), Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), Kate Hudson (Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon) and Dave Bautista (Dune: Part Two) all co-starred. If you saw either — or any murder-mystery involving a motley crew of characters brought together in one location when someone turns up dead — then you'll know how this movie series works from there. There's a standout setting, that big group of chalk-and-cheese folks, threats aplenty and just as much suspicion. Check out the title announcement video for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery below: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will release sometime in 2025 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Read our reviews of Knives Out and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Via Variety. Top image: All of Us Strangers, photo by Chris Harris, courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 Searchlight Pictures.
The shock of unkempt hair, the Irish brogue, the misanthropic attitude: there's no mistaking Dylan Moran for anyone else. It was true in beloved British sitcom Black Books, when his on-screen alter ego abhorred mornings, ate coasters and claimed that his oven could cook anything (even belts). And it's definitely true of the comedian's acerbically hilarious live shows. Moran is no stranger to Australia, and last headed our way in 2019. Whether you've guffawed at his bleak wit live or you've always wanted to, you'll be able to see him on Saturday, May 8, too — thanks to a streamed version of his Brisbane show from his last visit. Expect the kind of deadpan gags, wine-soaked insights and blisteringly sharp one-liners that've kept him in the spotlight since 1996, when he became the youngest-ever winner of the Edinburgh Fringe's Perrier Award. Dr Cosmos once again features Moran's grumpily lyrical musings on love, politics, misery and the everyday absurdities of life, which you can watch for $18 from your couch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMfRpM5PJRw
Science fiction has never been afraid of unfurling its futuristic visions on the third rock from the sun, but the resulting films have rarely been as earthy as The Creator. Set from 2065 onwards, after the fiery destruction of Los Angeles that could've come straight out of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, this tale of humanity battling artificial intelligence is visibly awash with technology that doesn't currently exist — and yet the latest movie from Monsters, Godzilla and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story director Gareth Edwards couldn't look or feel more authentic and grounded. That isn't a minor feat. And, it doesn't simply stem from making a sci-fi flick with heart, which isn't a new move. Don't underestimate the epic yet intimate impact of seeing bold imaginings of what may come that have been lovingly and stunningly integrated with the planet's inherent splendour, engrained in everyday lives, and meticulously ensure that the line between what the camera can capture and special effects can create can't be spotted; The Creator hasn't. So, as undercover military operative Joshua (John David Washington, Amsterdam) is tasked with saving the world — that go-to science-fiction setup — robots walk and talk, spaceships hover, and everything from cars to guns are patently dissimilar to the planet's present state. Flesh-and-blood people aren't the only characters with emotional journeys and stakes, either, with AI everywhere. Even if The Creator didn't tell its viewers so, there's zero doubting that its events aren't taking place in the here and now. Edwards and cinematographers Greig Fraser (The Batman) and Oren Soffer (Fixation) know how to make this flight of fancy both appear and seem tangible, though. Indeed, The Creator earns a term that doesn't often come sci-fi's way when it comes to aesthetics: naturalistic. Also don't underestimate how gloriously and immersively that the film's striking and sprawling southeast Asian shooting locations not only gleam, but anchor the story. Edwards and his team, including production designer James Clyne (another Star Wars alum), have given their film human skin, then, amid all the tech workings. That's one of the big leaps forward in Edwards' screenplay with his Rogue One scribe Chris Weitz, too, with The Creator delivering its main examples of AI in humanoid form. These droids can easily be mistaken for something less cybernetic if the whirling circles where ears would normally be are covered, plus their exposed metal necks and backs of their heads as well. As Joshua discovers, they're also easy to connect with. The feature itself earns that same description — as it splashes two-plus hours of spectacular sights across the screen, this is big-thinking and big-feeling science fiction not just about where technology might lead, what that means for humans and how the species could spark such a situation, but also about empathy. Humans and AI are long past co-existing in happy harmony when The Creator initially drops into Joshua's life, but he's a glowing expectant dad enjoying domestic bliss with his wife Maya (Gemma Chan, Don't Worry Darling) anyway. They're in New Asia, the artificial intelligence-sympathising part of the world after Los Angeles went nuclear, and she considers machines her family. The catch: his special forces gig, then a raid with a tragic outcome. Five years later, Joshua is back stateside, grief-stricken and on clean-up duties when he's brought back in by General Andrews (Ralph Ineson, The Northman) and Colonel Howell (Allison Janney, To Leslie). On this latest mission, eradicating AI's enigmatic mastermind Nimrata — and therefore wiping out AI at the same time — is still the aim, just made more urgent by news of a war-ending weapon that's capable of annihilating humanity's beam-wielding and village-bombing winged NOMAD vessel. But Joshua doesn't expect to meet android child Alphie (newcomer Madeleine Yuna Voyles) while going about the job. As his resume attests, Edwards is head over heels for his chosen genre. His pre-Monsters gigs also span visual effects, which makes The Creator's seamless appearance hardly surprising. In fact, on his feature debut — a flick that's one of the great first films — he was also the movie's director of photography and production designer, and took care of the VFX, doing the latter at home in his bedroom. Back away from franchise land after his Godzilla and Star Wars stints, he's at his best making original sci-fi again, this time with a picture that grapples deeply with the big existence-changing development of our time. The Creator eagerly stands out there as well, clutching onto a message of acceptance in its central conflict. Shining with ambition, it's also a rarity with such an utter (and welcome) lack of past chapters, books, flicks, TV shows and any form of pre-existing intellectual property behind it, although it does worship a swathe of inspirations. There's a difference between gleaning that a filmmaker watched and adored Blade Runner, District 9, Aliens and Dune, though — plus Apocalypse Now, Akira, The Matrix, Interstellar, Laputa, Castle in the Sky and, yes, Star Wars — and sitting through a movie that just brazenly ticks through element after element from other sources. The Creator never falls into the second category, instead playing like it's its own machine rather than a Frankenstein's droid built from other tech's parts. The narrative, the world-building, the visuals (even with Rogue One's Fraser earning an Academy Award for Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part One), the heartfelt mood, the down-to-earth and old-school vibe, the sound (with a score by fellow Dune: Part One Oscar-winner Hans Zimmer, and also the exceptional use of Radiohead's 'Everything in its Right Place'), the ideas: they all ensure that this isn't cobbled together from spare components. So do the excellent performances by Washington in Tenet mode and first-timer Voyles, who convey a poignant rapport while selling their individual and shared yearnings. Also beyond a doubt: that AI couldn't have made this movie (a timely thought given that it arrives to tackle the topic as Hollywood's strikes have been raging partly due to that very possibility). The Creator feels like it has fingerprints everywhere. As its magnificent visual effects glisten so convincingly that they don't resemble VFX at all even though they clearly are, the film looks carefully and affectionately crafted. When its dialogue is a touch obvious and Joshua's path a tad predicable, that still smacks of relatable and inescapable human nature. And, as it tensely and thrillingly — weightily, too — ponders war, hate, fear, military control, the fast jump to divide, what technology can destroy and give alike, and who sits on which side of the humans-versus-AI clash, The Creator happily gets thorny. Edwards seems sincerely fascinated with every thing, person, gadget, backdrop, sight, sound, notion, theme and musing he packs inside his film. Matching that response couldn't be a more instinctive reaction.
Long before cozzie livs entered Australia's vocabulary, the Sunnybank Food Trail was serving up bargains. The one-day culinary event previously included a $2 price in its moniker, because that's how much everything that you could eat cost per plate. That gold-coin amount isn't stuck to as firmly these days, but it's still a cheap feast, including when the self-guided foodie adventure returns in 2024. This year marks the tenth iteration of this beloved excuse to hit up its namesake Brisbane suburb's shopping hubs, then delight in dining in quite the affordable fashion. Pre-pandemic, around 22,000 people showed up annually to satisfy their tastebuds, so expect to have plenty of cost-of-living-conscious company from 2–8pm on Saturday, July 13. While 2023 saw the Sunnybank Food Trail was make its long-awaited return, hosting its first event since 2019 following a break for COVID-19 reasons, 2024's run will be all about celebrating turning ten with discounted bites. Some of this year's dishes will still cost $2, while others will set you back $3 or $5. Either way, that's a whole heap of your change being put to excellent (and tasty) use. As in previous years, both Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park will play host to the trail. How does it work? Attendees walk between a heap of local cafes and restaurants, all at their own pace. The range of eateries taking part is usually hefty — in 2018, more than 45 places served up dishes. Covering everything from deep-fried dumplings, noodles and curries to hot cakes, cream buns and bubble tea, every participating joint will feature a range of authentic Asian cuisines. You'll feast on Chinese, Japanese, Hong Kong-style, Vietnamese, Korean, Malaysian and Taiwanese food — and, with such an array of steaming soups and sizzling stir-fries on offer, we don't recommend eating lunch or dinner first. In fact, you'd best arrive feeling as hungry as possible. Snacking on signature dishes is the main course — or several — but there's also plenty of non-edible appetisers, too. Enjoy live music, watch traditional lion dancers, and and check out the roaming entertainment as you feast and wander, adding the perfect garnish to every meal by setting the mood. Images: Zennieshia.
When you're a bar that nods to all things spooky in your name, and you boast more than a couple of monster-themed pinball and arcade machines, then you're going to like the end of October. Netherworld does, of course. Indeed, the Valley pub celebrates Halloween in the expected style each and every year. So, what's on the agenda, other than a few pumpkins around the place? The venue's themed beer fest is back, and so is its annual A Netherworld Halloween party. The latter hits on Thursday, October 31, getting into the spirit of the occasion on the appropriate date. Expect a ghoulish night of scary fun, complete with those horror-centric pinball tables. Yes, you can call it a monster mash if you like. You know that the track will get a spin, and you know that you're going to dance to it, creepy cocktail in hand. [caption id="attachment_605021" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sarah Ward[/caption] The Hellmouth Diner is catering its menu to suit the theme, too. Plus, there'll be a karma keg for Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld Inc, so your drinks will help a good (and apt) cause. If you dress up for this evening of Halloween gaming goodness, you'll score five free tokens for your trouble. You might also win the costume contest. Entry is free, with the spooky fun going down between 6pm till late. [caption id="attachment_669756" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cole Bennetts[/caption] Top image: Sarah Ward.
If peering at an artist's work is the same as peering into their soul, then staring at a self-portrait is like peeking through a wide-open window. Perhaps Rembrandt believed this? The 17th-century artist certainly loved putting his likeness on paper, whether he was picking up a brush or pencil, or getting etching. Perhaps you can ponder this very notion at Rembrandt — True to Life, which is bringing the Dutch Golden Age master's works to Melbourne's NGV International to brighten up Australia's winter. From Friday, June 2–Sunday, September 10, the St Kilda Road gallery will be home to a wide-ranging exploration of Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn's work — so expansive, in fact, that it's the most-comprehensive Rembrandt exhibition to display Down Under in 25 years. On loan from the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, 1659's Self-Portrait is one of the star attractions, and one of around 80 images of himself he's thought to have made. Created when the artist was 53 (and three years after he'd declared bankruptcy), it sits alongside ten etched self-portraits. Combined, they let True to Life attendees chart how he saw himself, and conveyed his soul to the world, over three decades. Etchings comprise a significant portion of the NGV's ode to Rembrandt, with more than 100 from its own collection at the heart of the impressive retrospective. In addition to helping to detail his self-perception, they showcase his innovations as a printmaker and also illustrate how widely and deeply he splashed around his artistic talents. If you're heading to a Rembrandt exhibition, you want to see his paintings, of course, an instinct that the showcase capitalises upon. Thanks to pieces borrowed from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Louvre in Paris, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and the Teylers Museum in Haarlem as well, the artist's prints are placed in context with his paintings. You'll see how they're connected no matter the subject or theme as True to Life steps through not just his portraits, but also his landscapes, scenes of daily life, depictions of religious motifs and nudes. Among his scenery-focused works, his largest landscape etching The three trees, which dates back to 1643, is a drawcard. From his pieces that hone in on the human form — never idealising them — Diana at the bath, an etching from 1631, is another highlight. Taking its cues from passages from the Gospel of St Matthew, 1648's well-known piece The Hundred Guilder Print is also on display as part of the exhibition's survey of Rembrandt's fascination with faith. His two largest prints similarly fall into the same category: The three crosses from 1653 and Christ presented to the people from 1655. Because the artist transformed them both by making continuous adjustments, True to Life shows them in two different states — early and late side by side. "The NGV is home to the most important collection of works by Rembrandt in the southern hemisphere and this NGV-exclusive exhibition celebrates one of our major strengths: our outstanding print collection. Rembrandt was a master printmaker and his experimentation in the medium reveals his insatiable curiosity and sheer versatility as an artist," said Tony Ellwood AM, the NGV's Director. While taking in all of the above, art lovers will journey through Rembrandt's life from Leiden in the 1620s to his waning years in Amsterdam in the 1660s. On hand to assist: a recreation of his cabinet of curiosities, which featured everything from his own prints and drawings through to musical instruments, weapons, shells and natural objects. Rembrandt's version helped spark his creative impulses, and the NGV has taken its assortment of pieces from its collection, as well as the Melbourne Museum and the State Library of Victoria. Rembrandt — True to Life displays from Friday, June 2–Sunday, September 10 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Head to the gallery's website for further details and tickets. Images: Installation view of Rembrandt: True to Life on display from 2 June-10 September at NGV International, Melbourne. Photos: Tom Ross.
There is a hearty debate in the food world over the true origin of the beloved hamburger, with both Germany and the USA jostling to claim it as their own. Historical origins aside, we can do nothing but pay tribute to the reckless genius who decided to throw a beef patty between two slices of bread and call it a proper meal. Without this, we would never known the true joy of ordering a juicy burger after a wretched day (even when you're just at home). Wondering where to pick up Brisbane's elite burgers? Even better — wondering how you can get them brought to your door? We've put together a list of epic choices, with our favourite sides thrown in for good measure. We've also included some very worthy vegan and vegetarian options, if you are keen to shake up your usual order or want to up the number of plants in your diet. Just remember, no matter what you choose, fries are absolutely essential.
Do you love seeing a movie on the big screen, ending your day with a new film and getting a bargain? Dendy Portside is ticking all three boxes with its returning special. As it has done in the past, the Hamilton cinema is offering up discounted tickets — and yes, you will get change from $10. Every night of the week between Thursday, May 29–Wednesday, June 25, 2025, as long as you head to the flicks from 8pm onwards, you'll only pay $8 for your movie of choice — again, only at Dendy Portside. Whether you online or buy at the box office, either way you'll nab a bargain. The one big caveat: there is still a booking fee if you get your tickets via the Dendy website, but your 8pm moviegoing will remain at a discount — just with that fee on top. With everything from Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning and Final Destination Bloodlines to Lilo & Stitch and Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme screening when the $8 deal kicks off, there's a heap to watch if you're keen to spend as much time in a darkened room as possible. Plus, Karate Kid: Legends, Ballerina and Materialists are all on the way in early June. The offer isn't available for special events, previews, film festivals or Dendy Arts sessions, but remains valid for everything else. And if the flick you want to see is in 3D, that'll cost an extra $1.
Let the fun times be-gin at Cloudland's latest shindig celebrating all things gin: Gin Fling. The festivities are happening every Thursday and Friday during the month of June in the stylish Cloudland Garden. Every ticket holder will receive four mini gin cocktails plus a full-sized serving of their favourite cocktail. Three tipples are made with Malfy Gin Originale, distilled at Torino Distillati in Moncalieri, Italy. This classic dry-style gin's botanicals include handpicked juniper berries and Italian lemons. It is distilled with water from the Piedmont region for a true reflection of its origins. The cocktails include a fruity mango gin basil smash (Malfy Originale, mango, lemon, basil), a Jammy Bramble (Malfy Originale, black raspberry, lemon, sugar), classic southside (Malfy Originale, lime, mint, sugar) and new creation Clockwork Orange (Beefeater Gin, Aperol, peach, lemon, passion fruit, sugar). Elevate your evening with a sharing menu for an additional $35 per person, which features dishes like smoked aubergine with woodfired bread, cured meats with pickled chilli, local burrata and candied olives and wild mushrooms and taleggio arancini with truffle mayo. And the fun doesn't stop there — ticket holders will be entered into a draw to win a $500 Malfy Gin Picnic hamper. Gin Fling will take place from 5.30–7.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays from Friday June, 7 until Friday, June 28. To book your tickets, check out the website. All guests within the same group must be on the same package, with or without the grazing-style menu add-on. Minimum of two people on the dining menu. Total hamper prize value $500. The winner will be notified on the Monday after the event. Supported by Malfy Gin.
There are so many things we love about BYO dining. You get to drink your favourite beverages at a fraction of the price, everything feels that little bit more relaxed, and the night usually leads to friends swapping drinks, sharing food and getting a little extra chirpy around the dinner table. The only problem is that BYO is usually synonymous with wine, and if you're not a big wine drinker you often feel like you have to bring a bottle of red to look 'fancy' when really you'd love to crack open an ice-cold beer. We're helping you out of this predicament by tracking Brisbane restaurants that allow you to BYO beer. Now you can go to a lovely restaurant and crack into your favourite tinny without fear of judgement or having to pretend you're enjoying the rosé.
Don't hold back: one of the biggest acts in electronic music for the past three decades is returning to Brisbane. Superstar DJs The Chemical Brothers dropped their tenth studio album For That Beautiful Feeling in September 2023, and will hit the River City in February 2024 to unleash their latest round of block rockin' beats live. Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons will play the Riverstage on Tuesday, February 27, with Anna Lunoe and James Holroyd in support. It isn't just their astonishing 2023 Coachella set that proves The Chemical Brothers are a must-see live act. Every tour — including their last stint Down Under back in 2019 — always matches a spectacle of mindbending visuals to the duo's iconic tunes. Accordingly, expect recent singles 'No Reason', 'Live Again' (featuring Halo Maud) and 'Skipping Like a Stone' (reteaming The Chemical Brothers with Beck after 2016's 'Wide Open') — and also a wealth of songs from a back catalogue that spans back to 1989. No, it wouldn't be a Chemical Brothers gig without 'Hey Boy, Hey Girl', 'Block Rockin' Beats' and 'Galvanise' getting a whirl. The pair's current setlist also includes everything from 'Go', 'Swoon' and 'Star Guitar' to 'Setting Sun', 'Chemical Beats' and 'Escape Velocity'. Holroyd joining Rowlands and Simons on the tour is always a given, as The Chemical Brothers' long-standing opening DJ. Images: Ray Baseley.
One of the biggest questions in Brisbane now has an answer. That query: where will the sports that are usually played at the Gabba move to when the stadium is completely demolished and rebuilt for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics? The response, as announced by the Queensland Government on Friday, December 1, 2023: the RNA Showgrounds. The Bowen Hills location's main arena has been earmarked as the site for a temporary 20,000-person stadium for both AFL and cricket to use from the start of the 2025–26 cricket season, as tearing the Brisbane Cricket Ground down and building the Gabba 2.0 will begin in 2026. This will require a $137-million upgrade, including a temporary grandstand at Machinery Hill and a permanent seating bowl, the latter of which will also benefit the Ekka. [caption id="attachment_929048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The RNA Showgrounds, JRA_WestyQld2 via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] "The Palaszczuk Government has worked closely with cricket and the AFL to find the best alternative venue for teams, spectators and the community while the Gabba is out of action. Upgrading the RNA main arena means keeping the big games in Brisbane and supporting the visitor economy while delivering an Ekka legacy for uniting city and country," said Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe. "I want to thank the Lord Mayor for his public backing of an upgrade to the historic main arena at the RNA Showgrounds to retain the economic benefits of sport and jobs here in Brisbane." [caption id="attachment_782238" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Gabba, Your Next Kid via Wikipedia Commons[/caption] The RNA Showgrounds plan has been chosen after a review of options in southeast Queensland, given that the Gabba will be out of action until 2030. The Queensland Government's announcement also mentions that it was cost-effective choice; however, only $45.7 million of that funding is set to come from the government. It is asking for the rest of the $91 million to be provided by not only the Brisbane City Council and the RNA, but the primary tenants, who'll be forced to make the move, even though teams such as the Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls will only berelocating because there'll be no Gabba to play at due to the Olympics-focused rebuild. Work on the RNA Showgrounds will need to begin in 2024 to meet the timeline. After the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the venue's seating will sit at 12,000. As for the new Gabba, it'll be part of a new Woolloongabba precinct that the Queensland Government hopes that people will enjoy regardless of whether there's a game on, complete with more dining and retail options, plus open spaces to hang out in. [caption id="attachment_927842" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artists' impression of the redeveloped Gabba[/caption] For more information about the plans for RNA Showgrounds, head to the Queensland Government website. Top image: Queensland Government.
It's been impossible to get your hands on tickets to see Courtney Barnett these past few weeks. On her first headline national tour, this charming singer-songwriter has been selling out huge strings of shows in the best venues of our major cities. But don't worry if you missed out on tickets to The Zoo tonight. Barnett's hitting up Southside Tea Room tomorrow afternoon for a free solo surprise show. All the hype surrounding this folksy Melbournian is well and truly deserved. Barnett has received a tonne of press since last year's release of her double EP A Sea of Split Peas, on which 'Avant Gardener' was the lead single. She's been compared to Bob Dylan by Rolling Stone, debuted in the US on Jimmy Fallon, and had the privilege of performing at Glastonbury and Coachella this year. Just this week, she also picked up Best Independent Single/EP at the AIR Independent Music Awards. Basically, she's killing it. Her show at The Zoo tonight kicks off at 8pm supported by Victorian multi-instrumentalist D.D. Dumbo. But if you want to catch her up close and personal, Sunday's gig at Southside will be from 4.30pm. Bar owner and Grates singer Patience Hodgson is set to be the "best merch bitch ever", so that's something to see in itself.
In an effort to further reduce the spread of COVID-19 across Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has this morning, Wednesday, March 18, announced that non-essential indoor events of more than 100 people will be banned — effective immediately. This announcement follows last week's ban on mass gatherings of over 500 people, which is still in place for outdoor events. Airports, public transport, age care, correctional facilities, law courts, parliaments, food markets, supermarkets, office buildings, factories, mining sites, hotels, motels, schools, universities and transit spots — such as Bourke Street Mall, Martin Place — are not be impacted by the ban, but the Prime Minister has said that the "advice to all Australians is do not travel abroad". State and territory leaders have the power to add to this list of essential gatherings, too. The Prime Minister also said that social distancing should be observed by all, which includes regularly sanitising your hands, using 'tap and pay', avoiding crowds and commuting at quiet times when possible, and maintaining a distance of 1.5m apart wherever it is practical to do so. You can read the Department of Health's social distancing guidelines over here. [caption id="attachment_758772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The NGV has already temporarily closed.[/caption] While the PM hasn't stipulated what exactly a non-essential indoor event is, we can expect large art galleries — that haven't already temporarily closed — cinemas and big restaurants, bars and pubs to close in wake of this announcement. Many hospitality venues have already upped their takeaway offering in response to a downturn in customers during the COVID-19, but it's likely more will offer takeout-only options. During morning's announcement, the PM also said that the hoarding of supplies was "un-Australian" and it should be stopped, and that the above measures were likely to be in place for "six months" so they needed to be "sustainable" and "achievable" for all Australians. For now, the above bans on non-essential gatherings are in place indefinitely. The Australia-wide ban on non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people is effective immediately. The ban on non-essential outdoor events of more than 500 people is still in place.
Jim Ward might be one of the coolest guys in music. Apart from being one of the founding members of At The Drive-In and Sparta, his work ethic, like his music, is amazing and inspiring. He doesn’t have an annoying rockstar persona, despite heading two of punk’s best bands of the past decade. He manages his own career, while enabling the music careers of other artists in his hometown of El Paso via Tembloroso.com, amongst a bunch of other rad things. Okay, so I sound like a little bit of a creep, but the truth is I interviewed Jim a while back (no, I’m not actually stalking him online) and was in total awe of how incredibly down-to-earth and independent he is as a solo artist. He’s not out to impress anybody; he’s just here to do what he does – if you like it, cool. If not, then that’s okay too. Catch the man in action, bringing El Paso to Brisbane this Saturday to Alhambra Lounge. If you’re in a band and you’re a little too big for your boots (I’m looking at you, every band with members under the age of 22) it’d be a good idea for you to go and learn something new about music.
When The Tivoli and The Princess Theatre put on a show, Brisbanites expect just that: a series of gigs and performances at the two venues, which share the same owners. That's what Open Season has been all about since it launched in 2020, and also when it returned in both 2021 and 2023. But 2024's event from Monday, May 20–Saturday, July 27 is spreading the tunes beyond its two main sites. If you're keen to hit up Blak Day Out, the First Nations festival that's also returning within the broader Open Season program, you'll do so on King Street in Bowen Hills. Taking to the stage: Emma Donovan, 3% — which features Dallas Woods, Nooky and Angus Field — plus BADASSMUTHA and The Ancient Bloods. It'll also be accompanied by King Street's Open Season Food Fiesta, where diversity and showcasing Indigenous retailers will be the focus. Fancy a dance party in Winn Lane? Even better, keen to make shapes at two? QUIVR DJs is taking the season there as well. Want to hit up The Tiv's carpark? During 2024's Brisbane Street Art Festival, Damien Mitchell and David Lee Pereira will create new works outside the venue. While the fact that Open Season won't just be taking place at The Tivoli and The Princess Theatre is big news, so is the just-announced lineup overall. Explosions in the Sky will head from Texas to Brisbane for the event, Brooklyn's INIKO are playing their debut Australian gig, Sky Ferreira hops Down Under for the first time in a decade, while Regurgitator have two shows on offer — one for kids and one firmly for adults. Record label Elefant Traks is in the spotlight at a 25th-anniversary gig that doubles as a farewell, and with Hermitude, The Herd, Horrorshow, Urthboy and The Last Kinection all on the bill. This show will both celebrate history and make it, marking Elefant Traks' last-ever event. Also on the roster: Yves Tumor's Aussie debut, Blonde Redhead's first Australian trip in 13 years, plus everyone from Marlon Williams and Mildlife to The Paper Kites and SLUMBERJACK — alongside BAYNK, Two Another, DICE and the initial Brisbane outing for Queer PowerPoint. And that's just the beginning, because Open Season always keeps adding to its itinerary, including once it kicks off. "Open Season is about bringing Brisbane to life over the typically quieter winter months, promoting togetherness and celebrating artistic adventure. We are stoked with this year's lineup and proud that Open Season has become such a huge highlight in the city's cultural calendar," said Dave Sleswick, Creative Director at The Tivoli and The Princess Theatre, announcing the 2024 lineup. "This year's Open Season program has something for everyone, from iconic heritage acts to sets from some of Australia's most exciting up-and-coming artists. There is street art, delicious food, shows for the kids and even a performance art series. There's a lot to discover in this year's edition and we can't wait to welcome you back." Open Season 2024 Lineup: Explosions in the Sky INIKO Sky Ferreira Yves Tumor Marlon Williams Blonde Redhead BAYNK The Paper Kites Regurgitator SLUMBERJACK Mildlife Forest Claudette Two Another DICE Queer PowerPoint Bunny Racket – Rock 'n' Roll for Kids Blak Day Out featuring: Emma Donovan 3% The Ancient Bloods BADASSMUTHA and more Elefant Traks 25th Anniversary — The Finale: Hermitude The Herd Horrorshow Urthboy The Last Kinection and more QUIVR Laneway Parties Brisbane Street Art Festival: David Lee Pereira Damien Mitchell Open Season will run from Monday, May 20–Saturday, July 27, 2024, with pre-sale tickets available from 9am AEST on Tuesday, March 26 and general sales from 9am AEST on Wednesday, March 27. For further details, head to the event's website. Open Season images: Will Johnstone, Curdin and Lachlan Douglas.
December 10 isn't an Australian public holiday. The nation doesn't stop to remember or celebrate it, or to look back at our past. But, thanks to a speech that took place in 1992, that date will always remain significant in the country's history. Taking to the stage in Sydney's Redfern Park, then-Prime Minister Paul Keating gave a groundbreaking address about the country's treatment of Indigenous Australians. He spoke six months after the High Court's Mabo decision, and didn't pay mere lip service to the topic. Rather, he directly discussed the negative effects of white settlement upon First Nations peoples. Keating also did all of the above after quite the opening act — with Bangarra Dance Theatre, just three years into its now 32-year existence, performing before what's been known ever since as the Redfern Park Speech. Even if your knowledge of Bangarra is limited to the many dance productions that have unleashed their beauty and potency across Australia's stages — which include Blak, Patyegarang, Lore, OUR land people stories, Bennelong and Dark Emu just in the last decade — the company's presence at Keating's famed address shouldn't come as even the slightest surprise. The Sydney-based organisation repeatedly confronts Australia's colonial history head-on in its works. As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts outfit, it can't avoid it, the impact that the nation's past has had upon Indigenous culture, and the trauma that's rippled across generations as a result. Seeing footage from that fated day and speech has an impact, though. Such clips form just a small part of the excellent new documentary Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra, but co-directors Wayne Blair (The Sapphires, Top End Wedding) and Nel Minchin (Matilda & Me, Making Muriel) know their power. Indeed, the two filmmakers are well aware that they can't tell Bangarra's tale without placing the acclaimed dance theatre in its rightful social, political and cultural context. What audiences have seen on stage over the years is stunning, astonishing and important, of course, but all of those exceptional performances haven't ever existed in a vacuum. For those unacquainted with the details of Bangarra's origins, evolution, aims and achievements, Firestarter recounts them, starting with its leap out of the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association and the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre. Actually, it jumps back further, not only stepping through Bangarra's predecessors, but also charting how Stephen, David and Russell Page became its most famous names. Just as it's impossible to examine the dance company's accomplishments and influence without also interrogating and chronicling Australia's history, it's simply unthinkable to do so without focusing as heavily on the Page brothers as Blair and Minchin choose to. Stephen would become Bangarra's artistic director, a role he still holds. David was its music director, while Russell was one of its best dancers — and their path from growing up in Brisbane in the 60s, 70s and 80s to helping shape and guide an Aussie arts powerhouse is a pivotal component of Bangarra's overall journey thus far. If it sounds as if Firestarter has been set a hefty task — doing triple duty as a celebration of Bangarra, a record of Australia's past and a portrait of three siblings with dreams as big as their talents — that's because it has. But this dense and yet also deft documentary is up to the immense feat, and dances through its massive array of material, topics and themes as skilfully as any of Bangarra's performers ever have. It also never loses sight of what it's about, even though it covers a range of subjects. Again and again, whether chatting through the company's formation with co-founders Carole Johnson and Cheryl Stone, hearing the Pages discuss what they learned from connecting with their culture in Arnhem Land, and inevitably facing the fact that life hasn't only brought happiness and success to Stephen, David and Russell, Firestarter demonstrates the relevance to and through the organisation's works. Attendees at Bangarra's shows have been receiving history lessons for years — some overt, some subtle — and the film makes it apparent how that applies not just in a broad fashion but, for the Pages, in a personal sense as well. Even if Blair and Minchin hadn't plunged as deeply as they do into everything that's made Bangarra what it is to this point, they were likely to make an entertaining, engaging and informative documentary. The old clips and home videos; the frank interviews from both the past and present; the glimpses at the company's stage productions; the snippets of Stephen Page's equally stellar 2015 film Spear, which adapts one of the organisation's dance works — they're a treasure trove, and Firestarter always treats them as such. It allocates just the right amount of time to approving chats with other prominent arts industry figures such as Sydney Festival's Wesley Enoch and Sydney Dance Company's Graeme Murphy, too, ensuring that their perspectives are valued but never allowed to take over. The movie doesn't merely look backwards, however. Seeing how Bangarra's history continues to mould its future, its creative decisions and the dancers that star in its productions today is just as crucial to the film. Also part and parcel of Firestarter — which should almost go without saying — is the strong feeling it leaves with viewers. Wanting to soak in and experience everything that Bangarra has to offer is a natural consequence of seeing the company's stage performances, and of watching the aforementioned Spear as well, but Firestarter doesn't let that sensation wane for a second. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3REMs9I9Tg Top image: Bennelon, Sydney Coliseum Theatre, by Daniel Boud.
On Sunday, January 20, Sydney staged a huge march through the city streets, with thousands waving witty (and moving) signs to protest violence against women around the globe. Australia was just one of 30 countries taking part in the third annual #WomensWave march — protests were also held in in France, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and across the USA. According to Destroy the Joint, an Australian group that researches and records the number of women killed by violence, 69 women died due to violence in Australia in 2018. This year's march was, unfortunately, timely, following the murder of exchange student Aiia Maasarwe in Melbourne just last week, and Maasarwe was the focus of many of the event's speeches and signs. Speakers at the event included Yumi Stynes, host of SBS documentary Is Australia Sexist? and ABC Radio podcast Ladies, We Need to Talk; Bri Lee, author of Eggshell Skull; Bhenji Ra, indigenous queer artist and activist; Jane Brock of Immigrant Women's Speakout and 1 Billion Rising; and Aunty Norma, a Wiradjuri woman and activist. It's estimated 3000 Sydneysiders marched from Hyde Park to Belmore Park, calling on the Australian government to address gender-based violence and to continue working towards equality for women. Words by Jasmine Crittenden.
If you've watched anything in the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchise, or streamed David Attenborough's Prehistoric Planet, you'll know that dinosaurs spanned a range of shapes and sizes — but plenty were big. Huge, even. Massive, in fact. We all think of the Tyrannosaurus rex when we think of hefty dinos, but it was nowhere near the largest. Scientists believe that that title went to the Patagotitan — that it was the largest-known land animal, in fact, and reached 37 metres in length. Yes, that's giant, and visitors to Queensland Museum will be able get a glimpse for themselves thanks to the South Brisbane venue's upcoming Dinosaurs of Patagonia exhibition. Displaying fossils from South America from Friday, March 17–Monday, October 2, 2023, Dinosaurs of Patagonia will feature 13 dino species — including the behemoth that is Patagotitan, which also weighed 70 tonnes and was first discovered in 2008. Also sizeable: the six-tonne Tyrannotitan, which is considered one of the most ferocious predators of the Cretaceous period. [caption id="attachment_872664" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tyrannotitan[/caption] Dinosaurs of Patagonia isn't just looking at giant critters, however, even though they're an enormous feature in multiple senses. At the other end of the scale, the Manidens condorensis will also be on display, with the small herbivore dino measuring 75-centimetres tall and among the smallest known to-date. Overall, the focus is on creatures that roamed the earth during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods — so between 252–66 million years ago. Coming to Queensland after its about-to-finish current run in Western Australia, the exhibition also spans 16 skeleton casts, plus 3D animations and video of dinosaurs and digs — and lets attendees peer on like they're palaeontologists themselves, as well as seeing impressive fossils such as a real 2.4-metre Patagotitan femur. Tickets go on sale on Monday, January 23. [caption id="attachment_872665" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tyrannotitan[/caption] Top image: Patagotitan, MEF. Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio. D Pol.
Brisbane's only celebration of queer cinema has announced its first films for 2017, with a fresh selection of lesbian, gay, bi, trans, gender diverse and multigenerational movies heading to New Farm Cinemas from March 10 to 19. Eager to take an in-depth look at the art form that is voguing, and the world that surrounds it? Explore the ups and downs of an intimate relationship? Catch an Aussie coming-of-age flick? Watch new Brazilian television? Dive into a romantic drama starring Mistress America's Lola Kirke? You'll find all of that and more in the Brisbane Queer Film Festival program this year. After impressing audiences at last year's Sydney and Melbourne film festivals, Kiki kicks off the BQFF 2017 lineup, while Berlinale 2016 Teddy award winner Tomcat bookends the fest with an intimate tale about two men and their beloved pet feline. In between, multicultural queer effort Teenage Kicks, four episodes of Portuguese-language runaway drama The Nest and small-town drama AWOL also prove highlights, alongside 12 other features and two shorts sessions that reflect modern queer life and contemporary forms of storytelling. If that sounds like must-see viewing, then keep your eyes peeled for a second announcement, with seven of the festival's titles due to be revealed on January 30. And, as exciting as it is to discover that you'll be feasting your eyes on everything US black comedy Women Who Kill to the launch of Brisbane web series Two Weeks to documentary Out Run, which tells the story of Bemz Benedito's attempts to become the first transgender woman in the Philippine Congress, that isn't the only news on offer. With BQFF turning 18, it's also branching out on its own and becoming an independent event. After forming part of Brisbane Powerhouse's slate of festivals, the fest moves out of home for its 2017 run. While BQFF has screened at external cinemas for the last two years, this year it will become its own individual entity. For eager movie buffs, that means a whole separate party in addition to and at a later date from Powerhouse's MELT — or, two ace reasons to celebrate queer arts and culture at two different times, rather than one. Brisbane Queer Film Festival 2017 runs from March 10 to 19 at New Farm Cinemas. For more information, visit their website.
Brisbane does pretty well in the craft brew stakes, but come GABS time, it's difficult not to get a little envious of our pals down south. For those who haven't heard of Melbourne and Sydney's boozy annual celebration, we're talking about the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular. It isn't coming up north, but Bloodhound Bar is serving the next best thing. Trust the Brunswick Street bar to treat Brissie residents to a highlights package, aka the GABS 2018 Beer Showcase, from 5pm on Thursday, May 31. A selection of beverages will be on offer, and they're really not the kind of brews you'll get to sip every day. In fact, this year, more than 160 unique beers were made just for the fest. From that huge array, you'll be able to sample beverages that sound like they were whipped up in a dream. Given some of the ingredients and flavours on offer, perhaps that's where the ideas behind them came from. Mornington Peninsula Brewery's Squidroot infuses beetroot into a New England IPA, Moon Dog's Cherry Pie A La Mode is exactly what you think it is — a cherry and vanilla bean ice cream beer — and Wolf of the Willows' Tom Collins Sour is a tart concoction inspired by the eponymous cocktail, complete with gin botanicals. There'll be more brews dripping off the keg, too, with the full lineup yet to be announced.
It's been more than a century since the first combination of gin, vermouth rosso and Campari was apparently mixed up in Florence, as dreamed up by Pascal-Olivier de Negroni. Cocktail lovers everywhere have been thankful ever since, and there's even an entire week — Negroni Week, obviously — to celebrate. In South Brisbane and West End, the bars and eateries of Fish Lane Arts Precinct are marking the occasion again in 2024 — in the only appropriate way, of course. From Monday, September 16–Sunday, September 22, the precinct's establishments are devoting the entire week to creative negronis, as well as negroni-worshipping events. Gelato Messina is even getting in on the action, too, with a negroni-inspired dessert flavour. Stop by Fish Lane on whichever day you like and you'll find classic negronis on the menu at Bar Brutus, Chu The Phat, La Lune Wine Co and Midtown. Fancy a Negroni Week special instead? At the likes of Hello Please, Julius Pizzeria, El Planta, Maeve Wine Bar, Kiki Kiosk, Southside and Next Episode, options include a strawberry negroni, smoked negroni, and martini and negroni hybrid. Or, try the Lecho de Muerte, the chilli-, orange- and davidson plum-heavy tipple that riffs on the Deathbed negroni. There's also the Umegroni, giving the negroni a Japanese twist. In addition to the negronis — oh-so-many negronis, as per above — three events are on the agenda throughout the week. On Wednesday, September 18 at Midtown Bar's $95-per-person Negroni Week dinner, Calabrian toast, pumpkin and parmesan arancini, a crispy prosciutto cup and a negroni tart will be paired with, what else?, negronis. And on the $85-a-head Fish Lane art and negroni trail on Saturday, September 21, you'll peer at public art while, yes, drinking negronis (although other cocktails will be available). Plus, from Friday, September 2o–Saturday, September 21, Bar Brutus is setting up a pop-up bar in Fish Lane's town square from 5pm daily.
If your mid-week routine could use a little jazzing up, Jessie's Girl has the answer with its monthly Wednesday night jazz, soul and beer sessions. Just what's on offer is right there in the name, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with being upfront — if it's a great soundtrack and some top tipples that you're after, then you'll find them here. The folks from A Love Supreme down in the CBD are in charge of curating each evening's tunes — all on vinyl, of course — so you really are in for an ace selection. Plus, Wednesday night is parmi night on Petrie Terrace, so there's your dinner sorted. Wednesday Jazz, Soul and Beer happens on the last Wednesday of each month, from 5pm. Head on by on May 30, June 27 and July 25 for what's certain to be a cruisy shindig.
In 1992, the Brisbane music landscape was changed for the better when the small inner city venue, The Zoo, opened its doors for the first time. Since opening, The Zoo has played host to massive international acts and countless local shows to become a central, iconic landmark in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley entertainment precinct. Now, The Zoo is turning 20 and to celebrate, they are doing what they do best by putting on a great night of live music. With a night of music by great talents such as Danny Widdicombe, Founds (pictured), Isis and The Predators (plus much more!), this birthday celebration could go down in the history books as one of the best shows ever put on at The Zoo. Be a part of history and get a ticket now before they sell out!
What did a negroni taste like in the 70s? That's one of the questions that Stan's, the new lounge bar at Howard Smith Wharves, now answers. Here's another: does Cantonese restaurant Stanley need a Hong Kong-inspired watering hole that combines XO sand crab cigars, lobster and truffle dumplings, design-your-own martinis, DJ-spun tunes and a late-night dance floor, all on its second level? The answer to the latter is a hearty yes. A night out at at one of Brisbane's top eateries now doesn't have to start or end with dinner. An evening at Stanley can expand beyond your meal without leaving the premises, in fact. While there's no change to the restaurant's operations downstairs in its heritage-listed 1930s-era former water police building by the river, the upstairs space has relaunched — which is where Stan's comes in. As a result, one of the city's best places to eat is now one of Brissie's must-visit places for a drink as well. Stanley announced its new addition early in September 2024, then opened its doors in October. So, when you're not tucking into a feast of dishes on the ground level — including yum cha daily for lunch — you'll want to head up a floor for beverages over snacks in a newly transformed part of the site. At Stan's, the vibe and the decor take inspiration from Hong Kong — and the idea is to mix old-world touches with modern flourishes as well. Think: jewel-hued furnishings and decor, such as rich red seating and velvet curtains in emerald tones; dark and moody lighting; antique mirrored wall panels, including the back bar; timber aplenty as accents; hand-painted mural walls across the private lounge; and aged brass cocktail tables to sit at. This is also a place to make shapes or simply enjoy the DJ's music picks, thanks to a vintage JBL sound system. The promise for the tunes: extensive and eclectic. The bar has folks on the decks most evenings, and is also hosting album listening sessions in the middle of the week. Turning the space into a late-night dance floor is encouraged. Naturally, cocktails feature prominently on the beverage list — and the approach here is classic-meets-new, too. Martinis and daiquiris are highlights, with the signature martini menu letting patrons pic their gins or vodkas, bitters and extracts to taste. If you're just after spirits and you have some cash to splash, a collection of vintage tipples from around the world, some dating from as far back as the 60s, is also a drawcard. You'll find the range of rare drops on display in a custom-built cabinet, and those 70s-style concoctions as well. Stanley Executive Chef Louis Tikaram isn't just focusing on the main restaurant downstairs now that Stan's is up and running. He's whipped up a new range of Cantonese bites just for the upper floor, designed to match the beverages. Options span steamed lobster and truffle dumplings, rolled peking duck pancakes, rock lobster buns, painted tropical crayfish, fried prawn toast and more, ensuring the venue's luxe vibes come through in its food offering. Find Stan's on level two at Stanley, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane — open Monday–Thursday 3pm–1am and Friday–Sunday 12pm–1am. Head to the venue's website for more details.
If you didn't know that 10 Toes Brewery was based on the Sunshine Coast — and, not only that, that it first sprang to life in an industrial shed by the beach back in 2016 — then you could hazard a fair guess from its tinnies. Its Lucid Dreams IPA features crashing waves on its artwork, after all, and its Pipeline Pale Ale clearly references surfing in its moniker. Also unsurprising: the fact that this Alexandra Headlands outfit began as a hobby, is committed to making great brews for the local community, and favours a laidback approach to both making and drinking its beers. It's the epitome of a cruisy coastal brewery, and that attitude shows in every sip. 10 Toes' brewery and taproom is open Wednesday–Sunday, or you can order its brews via the company's online store.
When you're deciding how to spend your next brunch — and where to spend it, more importantly — perhaps it's a case of what you'd like to drink. Tired of mimosas? Fancy something stronger with your first Sunday meal? Or, maybe you just really love gin. West End gin joint Covent Garden has been in the bottomless brunch game for a while now, and shows no signs of stopping. Here, you can tuck into gin cocktails for two hours, or opt for a few Pimm's cups. Pimm's is based on gin, after all. For $49 per person, you'll also sip red or white wine sangria, and munch on a shareboard spread — featuring charcuterie, cheeses, pickled vegetables and crackers, plus that breakfast and brunch staple, aka bread, too. The food and drink feast goes down from 11am each week and, while bookings aren't essential, it's recommended that you secure your spot in advance anyway.
For us device-addicted youths, consuming content on non-back-lit material (otherwise known as paper) has become somewhat of a novelty. So, Australian publisher Pantera Press has decided to help change that by dedicating themselves to getting the digitised back into analogue. Its newest imprint, Lost the Plot, is aimed at publishing titles by millennials for millennials. Launching with a curated but diverse selection of books, Lost the Plot instils Pantera Press's longstanding mission to support the next generation of writers and readers. And with titles like The Quit Smoking Colouring Book and Space is Cool as Fuck, they've also found that the book series even appeals to those who were way into adulthood when the popularity of books on good ol' fashioned paper began to decline. Along with helping smokers quit mindfully and admiring the amazing 'AF' properties of the next frontier, the series brings writings on being #single: Dating in the 21st Century, as well as the complementary Just the Tip: Sex Tips for Chicks by Gay Dudes. They've got modern 21st-century living covered. To celebrate the series' launch, we're giving away five book sets with all four titles included, so you can get back into the papery-stuff (without forgetting your friends at Concrete Playground, of course) and live your best millennial life. For your chance to win (and give your phone a break), see entry details below. [competition]645082[/competition]
When you have a favourite bar, brewery or eatery, or a beloved joint that offers a great combination of the three, scoring a second place to enjoy its beverages or bites is always welcome news. Slipstream Brewing Company has delivered just that. A beer-pouring — and -making — go-to on Brisbane's southside for the past seven years, it has now opened another location. Meet Slipstream Brewing Social House. Brisbanites will need to head out of town for a sip here, so add checking out the brewery's latest venture to your next trip to the Sunshine Coast. Since Wednesday, October 16, 2024, you'll find Slipstream Brewing Social House in Birtinya, in the local Stockland Shopping Centre, sprawling across a 300-person greenery-filled space with 40 taps, plus both steak and seafood on the food menu — and featuring indoor and outdoor seating, combining al fresco dining with cosy booths. If the word that comes to mind is "hangout", that's by design on co-owners Deale and Elisa Stanley-Hunt's parts. Brisbane's Slipstream Brewing brewpub in Yeerongpilly, which has been open on Wilkie Street since 2017, has the same vibe. The two sibling venues both take cues from America's west coast across their food menus, as Slipstream's beers do as well. On the brews front, the brand has also created a new North Coast pilsner that you can knock back exclusively at Social House. For something other than beer, cocktails, independent spirits, boutique wines and non-boozy choices — coffee among them — are on offer. The culinary options under Head Chef Jarick Quesada include new dishes and highlights from Yeerongpilly across a range of plates to share, grilled eats, burgers, salads, sandwiches and desserts. Think: southern fried chicken tenders with pickled vegetables, popcorn cauliflower, salmon tostadas, crumbed mushroom burgers, rib fillet steak sandwiches, 450-gram pork tomahawks with wagyu fat potatoes, fish tacos made with beer-battered barramundi and chocolate stout brownies. Unsurprisingly, Mooloolaba prawn are also on the menu — served barbecued with 'njuda butter, white wine, napoli sauce, parsley, preserved lemon and toasted ciabatta. Entertainment-wise, Social House is also set to host live music, Oktoberfest shindigs, pinball competitions, weekly trivia nights and more. "Our vision for Social House is to create a space that embodies the spirit of the Sunshine Coast community, where locals can come together and enjoy quality beers in a welcoming atmosphere, just like we have done with our Brisbane venue," explains Deale. "We're bringing the best of Slipstream to Birtinya, with an exclusive beer brewed just for the coast and a menu that pairs perfectly with our craft brews." "Birtinya is a fast-growing area, and our venue will fill a gap in the market for a sizeable, authentic and exciting hospitality offering," added Elisa. Find Slipstream Brewing Social House at 31/8 The Avenue, Stockland Shopping Centre, Birinya — open 11am–9pm Monday–Thursday, 11am–10pm Friday—Saturday and 11am–8pm Sunday. Head to the venue's website for more details.
Tempting daytime diners with its cheeky name, Eat Mii brings hawker-style breakfast, brunch and lunch options to West End's Boundary Street — and spicy selections in several ways. First, there's the selection of banh mi to start the day, as filled with charcoal-grilled meat. Then there's turmeric lattes, which are bound to put an extra spring in your step. Or, for something sweet, a rocky road concoction. With eating inside, outside and taking away all available — plus vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free variations, as well as regular coffees and a selection of alcoholic beverages — the choices don't stop there. That's particularly relevant for those looking for something other than the standard Vietnamese fare. Homemade rice paper rolls are on offer, of course; however so are the kinds of dishes you won't find co-opted by food court outlets, including vermicelli noodle salads with pork patties, and pork meatballs made from a family recipe. If there's one meal worth making a special trip for, though, it's the one every cafe makes — but not like this. That'd be the big breakfast, but forget bacon and eggs. Here, it's all about saucy steak and eggs with bread, served on a sizzling plate. You know you want to try it.
Zipping around the city running errands can be difficult without a bicycle accessory to hold all your belongings — backpacks get heavy and bags hanging off handlebars get caught in wheels. So counter this, Yeong Keun Jeong and Aareum Jong have created Reel, an invention that attaches to your bike frame using woven elastic and adhesive silicone buttons. This simple yet effective design comes in two parts: one long piece of elastic and a sheet of clear plastic buttons. By attaching the buttons evenly along the bike frame, Reel stops the elastic from sliding to the bottom of the frame by looping the elastic in a diamond shape. Acting as a woven basket, the elastic holds your items in place along the triangle frame so you can ride off into the sunset or down the street with whatever tickles your fancy in tow.
Disney has its own. Apple has one too. And so does Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn. If you're fond of documentaries, you have not one but two local choices. The same applies if you're eager to get viewing for free, especially if you can handle retro flicks and titles that you've never heard of before. And if you're eager to support Australian content, there's one for that as well. We're talking about streaming platforms, of course. Throw in Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, SBS On Demand and ABC iView, and Aussies can't say there isn't anything to watch. That's not an exhaustive list either, because this space just keeps growing — with a new service dedicated to British television now joining the fold as well. Britbox was already operational in the USA, Canada and, of course, the United Kingdom, but it only launched in Australia on Monday, November 23 — after announcing it was coming to our shores earlier this year. It's a joint collaboration between two English TV networks: the BBC and ITV. They both have a hefty stable of programs up their sleeves, and you can expect retro and recent series. Think Doctor Who, Absolutely Fabulous, The Office, Blackadder, Pride and Prejudice, Prime Suspect, The Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean, for instance. There's also Luther, A Confession, and David Attenborough's Blue Planet and Planet Earth. And yes, the list goes on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2DCExerOsA Britbox focuses on box sets of UK shows, which means full seasons all there at once ready for audiences to stream. You can do to do so via mobile devices, tablets, connected TVs and Chromecast — and via the online site. And price-wise, it's offering a seven-day trial, with subscriptions costing $8.99 per month or $89.99 for a year. Britbox is now available to stream in Australia via the service's website.
Still looking for that perfect romantic gift to satisfy your lover’s expectations this Valentine’s Day? Don’t sweat it - Instructables.com has the perfect solution for those who are in a creative drought. DIY beef jerky briefs are sure to provide a deliciously amusing experience this 14th of February. Forget about gag-candy underwear. These hand-made meaty undergarments are packed with protein and are guaranteed to cause some heat in the bedroom. Fun- Check. Sexy – Check. Practical – Check. All you need is some ground beef, a few flavourings to taste, a dehydrator and a little time, effort and love and voila – Valentine’s Day sorted. For vegetarians, or those unwilling to jeopardise their sex life today it’s probably best to stick to the old roses and chocolates combo.
Think of the possibilities: that's a statement at the heart of science as a discipline, and it must be a guiding principle at World Science Festival Brisbane as well. Since it held its first event in 2016, this celebration of curiosity about the world we live in — and beyond — keeps finding new ways to surprise with its annual program. Head along in 2025 and you'll be able to unpack the physics of skateboarding, let seafaring cinema flicks float your movie-loving boat, explore the affects of awe, peer at the Antarctic landscape, dive into the quantum realm, hang out with Australian wildlife, peer inside labs and more. This is the tenth time that the Brisbane offshoot of the New York-born event has taken place, this time filling Brisbane and heading to Ipswich from Friday, March 21–Sunday, March 30. Your destinations: Queensland Museum, the Cultural Precinct, South Bank Piazza, Fish Lane and Queensland Museum Rail Workshop, for starters, for talks, panels, installations and events across a full lineup of 200-plus sessions. Skating joins the program via an arena show that blends gravity-defying extreme sports with science — and expect to never think about hopping on a board the same way again. A reliable favourite at the Gallery of Modern Art's Australian Cinematheque, the festival's film program is screening six flicks: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou for a bit of Wes Anderson comedy, 1954 page-to-screen adaptation 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Studio Ghibli's Ponyo and recent Disney sequel Moana 2, as well as a double dose of fearsome creatures via documentary Playing with Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story and classic blockbuster Jaws. [caption id="attachment_816357" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Digital scanning by Oscans in 2019 on authority of Carl Reinecke of WildBear Entertainment.[/caption] Why do humans seek the feeling of awe? Brisbane artists Counterpilot will help you understand, setting up a makeshift laboratory at Queensland Museum — and letting you either take part, complete with using biometric sensors, or watch on. Does the Antarctic landscape inspire awe? Answering that isn't part of Counterpilot's addition to the program, but you'll find out at The Cube at QUT, where icy climes will feature across 26 multi-touch screens spanning two storeys in height. A Co-Founder of World Science Festival, Professor Brian Greene is back on the bill for another year, chatting quantum physics. For more on the subject, Quantum Australia's Quantum Conference is also on the lineup. From there, when you're not checking out family-friendly activities at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary — or going behind the scenes at State Library of Queensland, Queensland Herbarium, QUT Centre for Robotics and other interesting organisations — you can hear about research that might suggest that ageing isn't inevitable, watch battling machines, learn about crustaceans and ponder all things Mars. Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb return for another Afternoon of Science chat, and the fest's yearly debate is again bringing humour to the topic. At QPAC, you can also listen to free string tunes — or at Fish Lane, culinary experts (think: flavour chemists, sensory scientists and food researchers, plus chefs and mixologists) want you to contemplate the science behind food and drinks, including by doing some tasting. For those eager to switch off, the detox sessions have that in mind, such as on a birdwatching walk in the Archerfield Wetlands. [caption id="attachment_993691" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atmosphere Photography[/caption]
If your Easter routine usually involves a seafood feast, then you might want to make a date with a certain Kangaroo Point fish 'n' chippery this year — and for the last time before it closes down. From Friday, April 18–Sunday, April 20, 2025, One Fish Two Fish is serving up plenty of the ocean's finest for the occasion, all as part of a $125 four-course meal that starts with seafood platters and remains just as indulgent from there. In the past, One Fish Two Fish has called this yearly feast Great Friday; however, in 2025 it's keeping the specials going for three days. Cue more chances to head along. Those platters are made to share, and come stacked with pacific oysters, Moreton Bay bugs, cooked Mooloolaba prawns, sand crab toast topped with caviar and green-lip mussels. Next, you'll enjoy apple and blackcurrant granita as a palette cleanser, then grilled goldband snapper with fries and garden salad. We've only listed three rounds so far, with the fourth course getting sweet. To wrap things up, you'll be tucking into hot cross bun bread and butter pudding with vanilla ice cream and baked white chocolate crumble. If you're keen to eat in, you'll need to book a spot for one of eight sittings: 11.30am, 2.30pm and 6.30pm on Friday; and 12pm, 2.30pm and 6.30pm on Saturday; and 12pm and 2.30pm on Sunday. A la carte dining is still available if you're keen on a date with One Fish Two Fish, but want to choose your own dishes. There's also a takeaway menu featuring fish 'n' chip fare, complete with a different Easter treat: lobster croissants.
You mightn't think this is a destination worthy of a food review but we are here to inform you that the Booroodabin Bowls Club (fondly nicknamed The Boo) has stepped up its game when it comes to feeding the hungry hoards of barefoot bowlers on Friday nights and weekends. Firstly, let's start with their chicken schnitty. Golden crumbs coat a succulent, juicy chicken breast that comes served with crunchy, perfectly seasoned chips and a side salad as well as your pick of sauce. Our recommendation? Mushroom, hands down. Next you have their generously proportioned burgers, which rival the likes of Grilled. Opt for something traditional like their handmade beef pattie with tomato chutney, cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and horseradish aioli, or go upmarket with seared pork belly, pickled cabbage, onion marmalade, harissa mayo and sesame seeds. Regardless of the burger you choose, expect it to come on a light, pillowy bun with flavoursome thick-cut chips. Just make sure you ask for an extra side serve of sauce for dipping. If you're looking for something more refined, the Boo's caramelised onion polenta salad with oven-dried cherry tomatoes and pickled cucumber is surprisingly tasty, as is the Smoked Trout and Baby Beetroot Salad. Alternatively, enjoy the za'atar spiced pork cutlet with cauliflower three ways, the fresh fish of the day or a succulent sirloin with carrot and caraway puree. Extra bonus points go to the Boo's well-priced and nicely varied drinks list, stocking a number of local brews. It's the perfect post-work destination to welcome the weekend or is great for a lazy lunch on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon playing bowls in between. Yes, it might be pub grub, but it's a little bit fancy.
Whoever said an encyclopaedic knowledge of a cartoon about a dysfunctional yellow family would never come in handy was a real narc. The Brightside is pulling the Comic Book Guy out of every Simpsons fanatic on April 14 with Simpsons Trivia. If you don't know squat about Homer, Marge, Lisa and Bart, then don't even bother checking it out – this is for die-hard fans only. You should at least know the name of Lionel Hutz's law practice? The name of Lisa and Bart's hockey teams coached by Apu and Chief Wiggum? The names of two other Sideshows besides Bob and Mel? And who was Lisa's first hook-up? These are elementary questions. You don't know those answers, quit while you're ahead. Prizes are on offer, of course — and, if the night gets as ruthless as expected, includes a couple of souls. If you've ever been to a Simpsons or Seinfield trivia night before you'll understand these get pretty intense, with some competitors near crazed with cartoon intelligence. So be prepared for the moment you stare at the leader board, hypnotised by self-doubt, and repeatedly, self-pityingly mutter to yourself, "I'm not so S-M-R-T."
UPDATE, May 20, 2022: Candyman is available to stream via Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Who can take tomorrow and dip it in a dream? 'The Candy Man' can, or so the suitably sugary earworm of a song has crooned since 1971. What scratches at the past, carves open its nightmares and sends them slicing into the present? That'd be the latest Candyman film, a powerful work of clear passion and palpable anger that's crafted with tense, needling thrills and exquisite vision. Echoing Sammy Davis Jr's version of the tune that virtually shares its name across its opening frames, this new dalliance with the titular hook-handed villain both revives the slasher franchise that gave 90s and 00s teen sleepovers an extra tremor — if you didn't stare into the mirror and utter the movie's moniker five times, were you really at a slumber party? — and wrestles vehemently and determinedly with the historic horrors that've long befallen Black Americans. It'll come as zero surprise that Jordan Peele produces and co-penned the screenplay with writer/director Nia DaCosta (Little Woods) and writer/producer Win Rosenfeld (The Twilight Zone). Candyman slides so silkily into Peele's thematic oeuvre alongside Get Out and Us, plus Peele-produced TV series Hunters and Lovecraft Country, that his fingerprints are inescapable. But it's rising star DaCosta who delivers a strikingly alluring, piercingly savage and instantly memorable picture. Alongside bloody altercations and lashings of body horror, razor blade-spiked candy makes multiple appearances, and her film is equally as sharp and enticing. In a preface that expands the Candyman mythology — and savvily shows how the movie has everyday realities firmly on its mind — that contaminated confectionery is thrust to the fore. In 1977, in the Cabrini-Green housing estate where the series has always loitered, Sherman Fields (Michael Hargrove, Chicago PD) is suspected of handing out the laced lollies to neighbourhood kids. Sent to do laundry in the basement, pre-teen Billy (Rodney L Jones III, Fargo) soon comes face-to-face with the man everyone fears; however, after the boy screams and the police arrive, he witnesses something even more frightening. Jumping to the present (albeit absent any signs of the pandemic given Candyman was initially slated to release in mid-2020), Cabrini-Green is now Chicago's current poster child for gentrification. It's where artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen) and curator Brianna Cartwright (Teyonah Parris, WandaVision) have just bought an expansive apartment, in fact. They're unaware of the area's background, until Brianna's brother Troy (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Generation) and his partner Grady (Kyle Kaminsky, DriverX) start filling them in on the legend that's long been whispered across the local streets — and, struggling to come up with ideas for a new show, Anthony quickly clasps onto all things Candyman for his next big project. The feeling that springs when you discover that something isn't what it seems, and that its murkiness run so deep that it's devastatingly inescapable? That's the sensation that Anthony experiences as he plunges down the rabbit hole of learning everything he can about Candyman. Laundromat owner William Burke (Colman Domingo, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) helps fill some gaps, and the events of the original 1992 film also guide the artist's research — with all that backstory conveyed via seductively gothic shadow puppetry — but fans with strong memories of the initial movie will already understand why Anthony is so thoroughly consumed. DaCosta also builds towards his jittery and obsessed mental state stylistically from the get-go. Urgency seethes through the feature's fidgety, nervy score, with composer Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe (aka Lichens, a musician with credits on It Comes at Night and Mother!) turning restlessness and anxiousness into jostling notes. In Candyman's stunningly vivid imagery, as lensed by Happiest Season and An American Pickle cinematographer John Guleserian, every visual choice further solidifies the feverishly unsettling mood. Shots involving mirrors stand out, aptly, but bold framing decisions, careening camerawork through hallways, and clever use of placement, angles, and zooming in and out all prove expertly calibrated. Again and again, DaCosta gives cinematic flesh to Anthony's emotional and mental states. She apes his inner turmoil in her external flourishes; so much of Candyman is about reflections, given that's where its eponymous boogeyman arises, after all. That notion also shimmers across the film's heftier layers and heaving social critique, as it muses on the cycle of violence against people of colour that keeps being mirrored in generation after generation — upping the ante from the flick that started it all. Back then, the franchise's fearsome force was 19th-century artist Daniel Robitaille (Tony Todd, The Flash), who was brutally attacked and murdered for loving a white woman. His hand was severed, and he was smeared with honey that attracted bees to dispense fatal stings. Now, he's not the only ghostly victim of such ghastly racial injustice. This fourth instalment in the saga, following terrible initial sequels in 1995 and 1995, isn't subtle about the picture it's painting; however, it is intense, ardent and shrewd at almost every moment. And, while it sometimes tasks characters with too overtly making blatant statements (a critic's dismissiveness of Anthony's latest creations is just too neatly scripted, for instance), Candyman usually finds the right balance, stressing but rarely overcooking its message. That its central figure's new artwork is called Say My Name provides one such example; it's obvious, in both its links to uttering Candyman's moniker and to the #SayHerName movement that raises awareness for black women subjected to violence, but it's also wounding. From Abdul-Mateen II leading the show, to stellar supporting work by Parris, Domingo and Todd, casting is another of DaCosta's painstakingly perfect touches. In The Get Down, Aquaman and The Trial of the Chicago 7 — and, of course, in Watchmen — Abdul-Mateen II has already shown that he knows how to make his presence felt, and Candyman wouldn't burn as searingly or buzz as stingingly without his performance. He's front and centre in a movie that excavates, contemplates and ravages the past, rather than tries to simply construct something new from its ashes. Helping the film cut its own path while remaining fully aware that it'll always swarm into its cult-favourite predecessor's hive, he never merely plays the always-sympathetic and dutifully heroic protagonist, either. Nor is Anthony just an emblem of reckoning with prejudice and fighting back, even in a feature that adores its symbolism. Indeed, his name is worth saying multiple times, as is DaCosta's — en route to her next gig directing Marvel Cinematic Universe project The Marvels — and this haunting and entrancing movie's moniker as well.
Step inside Luna Park Sydney's big top and you might now see a rollercoaster and a hot air balloon. Underwater creatures could await, or fantastical critters, futuristic lights like you're zooming through space, skulls, eyes, spiders and geometric architecture. In fact, expect all of the above to greet you, plus an array of colours and trippy visuals, as you experience Dream Circus. Announced in November 2023, opening just before Christmas, and now welcoming in locals and tourists alike, this immersive $15-million experience has revamped Luna Park Sydney's big top to make you feel like you've walked into a movie. Intergalactic landscapes, webs, space scenes, nefarious monsters and, yes, a circus setup: they're just some of the other sights that Dream Circus can and does display with its 360-degree projections, holograms, motion-activated LED screens and lighting. When it opened 88 years ago at Milsons Point, Luna Park Sydney wasn't the world's first Luna Park, or even Australia's. But around multiple closures, reopenings and revamps, it's remained one of the Harbour City's go-to tourist spots. Its latest reason to stop by also features surround sound and spatial audio mapping to engage your ears as well as your eyes, and is Sydney's first permanent immersive-experience attraction — and a world-first type of attraction as well. Attendees enter a narrative journey, where characters and a spectacle for the senses combine. So, you'll follow Pedro, the showman managing other performers. As the aforementioned list of visuals makes plain, just don't expecting the tale that unfurls to stick to reality. In the 3000-square-metre big top, Dream Circus' sights fill a surface area of over 3500 square metres — with Artists in Motion, TDC and Auditoria, who have ABBA Voyage, King Kong on Broadway, works at Vivid and Walking with Dinosaurs to their names, behind it. Luna Park Sydney expects people to flock to see the results, predicting that 50,000 people will check it out over summer. The new attraction helps the site embrace the future, while still loving its status as an art-deco amusement park that dates back almost a century. "The launch of the Dream Circus marks the beginning of the transformation of Luna Park Sydney," said Luna Park Sydney CEO John Hughes. "Sydney has some of the best creative talent in the world, and we have been so fortunate to work with more than 140 creative practitioners and technologists to create something unique and of great value to Sydney." Find Dream Circus at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point — visit the park's website for more information and tickets.
Not quite certain what to get your loved ones for Christmas this year? Then you clearly haven't spent enough time at a festive market. It's virtually impossible to browse your way through hundreds of stalls and come up empty-handed — in fact, that'd take more effort than picking gifts for your nearest and dearest. Your next place to put the above theory to the test: the Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets, which take place from 4–10pm on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Yes, there really will be quite the lineup of places to grab handmade presents, including clothes, jewellery, art, homewares, soap, candles and all things edible. You'll find both gourmet foods and festive treats on offer as well (including bites to eat while you're there). For your $3 entry fee, you can enjoy a stint of shopping under the site's fairy lights at Nundah Markets' usual spot on Station Street. And, you can stop in at the North Pole-themed bar, too. Decorations will be decking the walls with more than boughs of holly, and live music is also on the agenda.
Everyone has an opinion on what makes a true Aussie burger. Beetroot? Yes, please. Fried egg? Sure. Pineapple? Stay away. But what about throwing on some of that iconic spread that lives in every household cupboard, regardless of whether you're a lover or a hater? Well, chef Neil Perry is putting it to the test with the release of a limited edition Vegemite burger. From today, Wednesday, January 17, this questionable concoction will be available at Burger Project stores across Australia (including the one that opened last week in Melbourne), as well as the current Australian Open pop-up in Melbourne. "Vegemite is synonymous with our Australian way of life," said Perry. "I'm excited to be given the opportunity to collaborate with such an iconic Australian brand." The spread will be paired with Burger Project's staple soft milk bun, grass-fed Tasmanian beef patty, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and onion. That distinctive salty tang of Vegemite is sure to add a salty flavour hit to the burger. It certainly appeals more than the creamy Vegemite icy poles which got a hard pass from us. The Vegemite Burger is available between January 17–28, 2018 at all Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane stores. For more info, visit burgerproject.com.au.
Add Shane Delia to the list of high-profile culinary figures setting up shop in Queensland, with the Melbourne-based chef and restaurateur announcing his first move north — and debut restaurant in Brisbane — with a 2025 opening slated. His new eatery doesn't yet have a name, but it will follow in the footsteps Guy Grossi's Settimo, Adrian Richardson's BŌS, and Andrew McConnell's Supernormal and Bar Miette when it launches at the Thomas Dixon Centre, Queensland Ballet's West End base. When Delia's newcomer joins Delia Group's roster of venues alongside the Victorian capital's Maha, Maha North, Maha East and Jayda, diners can expect Delia's focus on Middle Eastern flavours and rich, bold, spice-fuelled dishes — plus an evolving menu. The venture is a partnership with Queensland Ballet, with Delia Group taming up with the former's hospitality partner VenuesLive. "I'm excited to be launching a restaurant in Brisbane. It's long been a desire of mine to open a venue in this city — what is continually proving to be a vibrant new culinary destination in Australia," said Delia, announcing the news. "I look forward to bringing my passion for bold flavours, rich spices and diverse culinary traditions to Brisbane, crafting an experience that complements Queensland Ballet's artistic excellence." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shane Delia (@shanedelia) In an Instagram story, Delia also noted that the restaurant has been in the works for a year, and this'll be his first signature restaurant outside of Melbourne, with more details to be unveiled in the coming months. There's no exact opening date yet, either; however, the plan is for the eatery to anchor the Thomas Dixon Centre's dining options, not only adding to the performing arts precinct but helping it become a new arts and hospitality hub. [caption id="attachment_893063" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maha North, Pete Dillon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_972449" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maha East[/caption] Find Shane Delia's currently unnamed Brisbane restaurant at the Thomas Dixon Centre, 406 Montague Road, West End, sometime in 2025 — we'll update you with more details when they're announced. Keep an eye on the Delia Group website for more details in the interim. Top image: Angharad Gladding.
UPDATE: February 4, 2021: Burning is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. A part-time deliveryman's worried face reflects the entire world's problems in Burning. Played by the quietly expressive Yoo Ah-in, Jongsu never seems as if he'll allow himself even a second's rest and relaxation. He looks stressed when he's walking the Seoul streets during his rounds. He appears anxious when he happens to run into his former neighbour, Haemi (Jun Jeong-seo), who he can't actually remember properly. Whether the pair is reconnecting intimately, Jongsu is feeding Haemi's cat while she travels to Africa, or he's visibly unimpressed when she returns with the cooly charming Ben (Steven Yeun) on her arm, he's never at peace. A silent stare and inner solace aren't the same thing, as Jongsu's complicated gaze makes so plain again and again. What some filmmakers can't convey with an enormous cast of actors, Lee Chang-dong achieves with the captivatingly melancholy Yoo. What some can't manage across several movies, the writer-director does in mere seconds here. Lee is no cinematic slouch — this is his sixth stint behind the camera, joining a spate of rightfully applauded tiles such as Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine and Poetry — but there's a particular alchemy to Burning from its opening moments. A love triangle that's also a slow-burning thriller as well as a potent statement on class and gender divisions in modern South Korean society, the film captures a world so visually detailed and emotionally loaded that every frame entices and intrigues. It captures the world, not just a world — from pretty young women selling dreams via lottery tickets, to the chasm between the haves and the have nots, to the feeling that everything, everywhere is always ablaze. When Jongsu and Haemi cross paths, she sells him a dream, too — of being a couple, of a life beyond the abandoned Paju family farm he's just moved back to, and of a future that's not just one routine struggle after another. When she arrives back from her trip with the canny, confident Ben, the jealous Jongsu sees that fantasy slip away. Worse, he sees how starkly different everything is for someone of wealth, comfort and means. "There is no difference between playing and working," Ben offers without a blink, a statement that couldn't be more piercing to someone whose existence is all work and woe and inertia, and rarely any play. But, adapting a short story from Haruki Murakami's The Elephant Vanishes, Lee finds an especially stunning way to build and dissect the pair's rivalry. A ruminative mystery, a fine-tuned character study and an intricately observed examination of human relationships all at once, one of the joys of Burning is its wholesale aversion to simplicity. Here, as in reality, nothing is straightforward. Indeed, Lee takes life's enigmas and puzzles, thrusts them into view and forces the audience to ponder along with him. His film doesn't just ask how well you can really know someone, but whether you can ever actually know someone — and if, with Haemi, Jongsu even does. As it watches its increasingly paranoid protagonist yearn for his new love and stew over his competitor, this haunting, penetrating movie doesn't just wonder what a person is capable of, or what we're willing to embrace and ignore, but how we learn to reconcile the contradictions and ambiguities of human nature that we experience every single day. Lee has always favoured an observational, unobtrusive directorial style, allowing the camera to roam and linger when it needs to, and letting his actors express what they need to to get his stories across. He's also a deft hand at crafting strong but slippery scripts — narratives that say much but leave plenty unsaid, and leave ample room for interpretation. Burning fits the mould, although there is no mould when it comes to the filmmaker. Rather, Lee deploys the same general approach, applies it to a new tale and ensures that the result always feels fresh. The space that he carves out in Burning, and the freedom he gives his exceptional cast, is revelatory. In affording viewers the scope to glean their own insights, sift through their own complexities and come to their own conclusions, this 148-minute movie proves revelatory for everyone. Back to the stellar trio that Lee pushes front and centre, though — not just experienced South Korean star Yoo, but first-timer Jun and The Walking Dead's Yeun as well. Burning would be a lesser film without any of them, with the distance in Jun's performance (the sensation that there's always something just out of reach, specifically) so perfectly attuned to the movie's mood. If Yoo is the picture's face of anxiety, uncertainty and fragile masculinity, however, then the ever-impressive Yuen is its sly, murky, tantalisingly elusive core. How fitting it is that Burning, like Haemi, spends its time caught between the two — and utterly refuses to be pinned down by choice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI9UYcEwUYA
Frances Ha is like a Woody Allen comedy, with Greta Gerwig as Woody Allen. She wrote this script together with director (and love friend) Noah Baumbach (Greenberg). Even if you really, really can't stand films/TV/books about self-involved, twenty-something-year-old white people trying to figure their lives out, this one is poised to charm. Larger than life, socially awkward and totally "undatable", Frances Halladay is one of the most loveable characters you'll meet this year. Her 28th year ends up being a difficult one, as her best friend Sophie (Mickey Sumner) drifts away and she misses out on a position at the dance company she's been training with, but she remains the optimist. Filmed in dreamy black-and-white and also starring Girls' Adam Driver, Frances Ha is full of a scruffy joy that will have you dancing to Bowie's 'Modern Love' for days and days. Frances Ha is in cinemas on August 15 and thanks to Transmission Films, we have ten double passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to our newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
When 2023 arrived, it marked two decades since composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman took a book inspired by The Wizard of Oz, put it to music and turned it into one of Broadway's biggest hits of the 21st century. Now, before 2024 is out, this year will give Brisbane musical theatre fans their latest chance to see that very show right here at home — because Wicked is flying into the Queensland capital from September. Even if you haven't seen the stage blockbuster before, including on its past Aussie run from 2008–11, then you've likely heard of it. Following the Land of Oz's witches — telling their untold true tale is the musical's whole angle, in fact — Wicked has notched up more awards than you can fit in a hefty cauldron over the years. That includes three Tonys from ten nominations, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and six Drama Desk Awards. Also huge: its worldwide footprint, playing in 16 countries around the globe since its 2003 debut. And, when it makes its way to QPAC's Lyric Theatre for its next stop on its current Aussie run, following its past Sydney season and present Melbourne season, it'll do so after enchanting itself into fourth place in the list of longest-running Broadway shows ever — even surpassing Cats. Story-wise, Wicked starts before The Wizard of Oz and continues its narrative after Dorothy Gale lands, adapting Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The text itself has sold 5.5-million copies, including five million since the musical first opened. Here, before Dorothy blows in, two other women meet in the Land of Oz: Elphaba and Galinda. One will later be known as the Wicked Witch of the West, while the other will become Glinda the Good Witch. Exactly why that happens, and how, and the pair's relationship from rivals to unlikely friends to grappling with their new labels, fuels the show's tale. Popping on your ruby slippers, clicking your heels three times and defying gravity at the Brisbane stage show means seeing Courtney Monsma in her debut lead role as Galinda/Glinda, Sheridan Adams as Elphaba, Robyn Nevin as Madame Morrible and Todd McKenney as the Wizard — plus Liam Head as Fiyero, Adam Murphy as Dr Dillamond, Shewit Belay as Nessarose and Kurtis Papadinis as Boq. Wicked has been brought back to Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia, Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B Platt and David Stone — and is taking to the stage again before the two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo (Pinocchio) as Elphaba and Ariana Grande (Don't Look Up) as Galinda, and directed by Jon M Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians), is due to start reaching cinemas from November 2024. Wicked will play Brisbane's QPAC Lyric Theatre from September 2024. For more information or to join the ticket waitlist ahead of sales — with general sales from Friday, March 22, and presales the week prior — head to the production's website. Images: Jeff Busby.
A patch of grass, a comfy rug, tasty snacks and refreshing beverages — when summer hits, is there anything better? That's the picnicking holy grail, as well as a recipe for whiling away a lazy day. Still, not all leisurely outdoor meals are created equal. First, you'll need the right spot. In Brisbane, only five parks allow BYO boozing, so it's a short — but still incredibly scenic — list. Next, you need something to sit on, although that's the easiest part to plan. When it comes to something to eat, don't just opt for supermarket fare; gourmet snacks are available to buy right near each of the city's alcohol-friendly parks, and it tastes better than cheap crackers and bread. Plus, we've teamed up with premium French vodka Grey Goose to help with the drinks, too. Consider this our fool-proof template for a cocktail-fuelled summer picnic to remember. [caption id="attachment_668860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr; Brisbane City Council[/caption] NEW FARM PARK Get snacks from: Sourced Grocer It's every Brisbanite's summer go-to spot, whether you're eager to stare dreamily at the river, kick a soccer ball around between drinks or wander through the rose garden. Yes, that'd be New Farm Park, which also boasts a prime location and plenty of grassy space among its many highlights. You're bound to have ample company here, but there's such a laidback feel to this corner of the city that you'll probably hardly notice. Making a pitcher of Grey Goose Spiked Ice Tea will naturally help — and it'll pair well with anything you decide to pick up from Sourced Grocer. You'll need to call in on your way to the park, but the Teneriffe favourite's loaded sandwiches are worth the trip. On weekends, keep an eye on the changing flatbread menu, too. [caption id="attachment_593131" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Emily Davies[/caption] ROMA STREET PARKLANDS CELEBRATION LAWN Get snacks from: Spring Hill Deli Marking a special occasion — other than Brisbane's warm-weather gloriousness, that is? The Roma Street Parklands Celebration Lawn has you covered, as its name suggests. Its moniker actually reflects the fact that it's where plenty of big events are held, but it's also a nice bit of turf for your own small-scale merriment. Of course, you'll want to check the lawn's events calendar before you make plans. And, before you listen to the cascading waterfalls and smell the frangipani scent wafting through the air, you'll also want to stop by Spring Hill Deli for supplies. From baked goods and cafe staples to salads and fresh fruit, you'll leave loaded up with snacks. Just don't forget to make some suitably laidback Grey Goose Summer Lemonade as well. [caption id="attachment_631246" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr; Bert Knot[/caption] ROMA STREET PARKLANDS LAKE PRECINCT Get snacks from: The Bagel Boys More than once, every Brisbanite has forgotten that there's a lake in the middle of Roma Street Parklands. It's a far prettier colour than the old brown snake that we all call the Brisbane River; it's surrounded by lush grass, and it's filled with fish and ducks. Where better to sit, knock back a Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz and watch the world go by? Or, to roll out your blanket, munch on a few bagels, then take a mosey along the boardwalk? You can find said bagels at the aptly named Bagel Boys, with the outfit's Adelaide Street spot open on weekends. Expect variety, too, including jalapeno, blueberry and choc-chip bagels (not all in one), honey, jam and chive schmears (again, separately), and a lengthy list of filled options. [caption id="attachment_754733" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr; Brisbane City Council[/caption] SOUTH BANK'S RIVERSIDE GREEN Get snacks from: Belle Epoque South Bank isn't short on scenic patches of land, but the Riverside Green ranks up there with the best of them. The grass, the river, the breeze — they all contribute to an incredibly inviting spot. And, even though it's usually well-patronised, and you can see the CBD across the water, it has an unmistakably cruisy vibe. Keep that feeling going by mixing up some Grey Goose French Sangria to bring with you. For snacks, stick to the theme by calling into Belle Epoque as well. Located at the bottom of the Emporium Hotel, the Parisian-style patisserie will make sure your tastebuds are satisfied. Croissants, pastries, sandwiches, chocolate, macarons, elderflower cheesecake — they're all on the menu. [caption id="attachment_750971" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emily Davies[/caption] SOUTH BANK'S PICNIC ISLAND Get snacks from: The Stores There are no prizes for guessing just what you're meant to do in this leafy corner of South Bank, even if it isn't really an island. It does come with a fish-filled pond, though, and the river isn't far away — and there's ample space to get picnicking, naturally. Or barbecuing, given that you'll find those on site too. To take advantage of those hot grills, stopping by The Stores West End on your way in is a must. Grab some meat and seafood from the butcher, pick up olives from the deli and cheese from the fromagerie, and gather salad ingredients from the fresh produce section. Then, for dessert, baked pastries will do the trick. All that's left is to enjoy a few Grey Goose Coconut Coolers and settle in for the long haul. Upgrade your summer picnic by choosing premium vodka Grey Goose. Each bottle is distilled in France, and the high quality vodka has a 100-percent traceable production process, from crop to cork.
It's extraordinary that with only one film to his name, Zach Braff's directorial style became instantly recognisable. Perhaps because it was so influential, his popular 2004 film Garden State quickly became the shorthand for a certain type of independent film with a checklist of insta-clichés: a manic pixie dreamgirl who rouses a sullen lead out of his ennui; droll metaphorical imagery (a shirt that looks just like the wallpaper!); profundity in the mundane (a big hole in the ground that represents in the infinite abyss!); a carefully considered collection of melodic indie songs on the soundtrack (The Shins! Coldplay! The Shins!). It's odd that with such a big success under his belt, Braff took ten years to make his follow-up. Difficult second album syndrome? Perhaps. But in doing so, Garden State has calcified in our shared cinematic memory as a sub-genre unto itself; for Braff's second film to have any chance at all, it would have to shake off all the tropes that are now synonymous with his name and do something drastically different. It does not. In fact, aside from the fact that Braff is now looking at the problems faced by rich white actors in their 30s (as opposed to rich white actors in their 20s), his new film Wish I Was Here plays like a biting parody of Zach Braff. All the hallmarks of Garden State are present, and what should, in a more just world, be considered an authorial style, now feels like a failed attempt to recapture a movement and a mood that expired years ago. Much has been made of the fact that Braff turned to crowdfunding to raise the budget that he could have so easily raised with a studio; famously, he feared interference from the suits and wanted to make his own vision. Perhaps some interference might have been a good thing. But this path is only galling in light of the journey of Wish I Was Here's characters: wealthy people who need slightly more money asking for charity. This is hardly an exaggeration. The film's story — which I'm now only getting to at the tail end of the review — follows a failed actor who is still trying to follow his dreams despite the fact that he has responsibilities to his family. His father, stricken with cancer, needs to pay for his own treatment, and so can no longer pay for his grandchildren's expensive religious education. This is the inciting incident that's meant to inspire sympathy, but the stakes are so low and so unrelatable to the average moviegoer, that the film is crippled from the outset. It's so poorly judged, few changes would be needed to turn it into an all-out pastiche; Not Another Zach Braff Movie, if you will. Both Braff's character and his on-screen brother (Josh Gad) are manchildren who essentially learn that the women in their lives will continue to support them so long as they persist in their manchildish ways. The "lessons" learned at the end feel superfluous and unaffecting, despite what the last shot tries to tell us. The brother's storyline is the most baffling, and possibly the worst idea in a film full of poor choices. I wanted to like this film. I really did. For all that it now represents, I still hold a soft spot for Garden State, and I like Braff as both an on-screen performer and a filmmaker. As a director, he has a keen eye; it just failed him horribly here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=XWZWJtHrG4U
If you've been following the Aussie strawberry scandal and want to do your part to help the farmers impacted by it, then there's a beer with your name on it. Following Ekka's strawberry sundae fundraiser, the folks behind Spring Hill's Archer Brewing are launching a Strawberry Ale and giving the proceeds back to the fruit growers. The launch will happen at Fortitude Valley's Bloodhound Bar on Friday, October 5, from 5pm, where Archer is providing a karma keg of its seasonal Patch Strawberry Ale — Patch is one of the brewery's sister brands that specialises in fruit beers and cider using only fresh, local ingredients. At the party, patrons will pay what they wish for a pint (while considering it's for charity, not a cheap booze handout) and all proceeds from the keg will go to the strawberry growers that made the beer possible. In this case, it's the Sunshine Coast's Piñata Farms. The team drove to the farm just this week to nab some seriously fresh picks for brewer Gavin Croft to throw into the batch. Also available on the night will be some of Patch's other seasonal releases, like the Pine Lime, Pomegranate and Mandarin Ales, along with a few from Archer's core range (a lager, pilsner, pale ale and IPA). Keep on eye on the Facebook event where the complete tap list will soon be revealed. When the event is over, you'll be able buy Patch's Strawberry Ale at local bars and at Archer's Bunker. This commitment to Aussie produce is not new from Archer Brewing and its sibling brands Patch and Croft, which make brews from all-Australian ingredients and with a focus on seasonal, small batch releases. All three breweries are also 100-percent independently owned and operated, too. The Strawberry Ale launch is taking place at Bloodhound Bar from 5pm–midnight on Friday, October 5.
