It's not every day that a Fortitude Valley street shuts down for queer music and fun. No, just Big Gay Day. A mainstay at, in and around The Wickham, the annual event turns 23 in 2023, and will return to take over the beloved pub's surrounding roadway again — but at the end of the year. 2023's afternoon and evening of tunes and LGBTQIA+ celebrations has moved its date from the end of April to the beginning of October. To answer the big question that might've popped into your head, yes, it's still happening on a Sunday as part of a long weekend. It'll just take place on Sunday, October 1 instead of Sunday, April 30. "We have been working hard over the past few months to deliver an amazing event on the original date of Sunday 30th April; however, due to scheduling conflicts with neighbouring stakeholders, we will be unable to deliver the event on this original date," The Wickham advised via a mailout to its subscribers. "We are excited to announce that in lieu of Big Gay Day, we will be holding our annual Little Gay Day inside the newly renovated Wickham Hotel on Sunday 30th April. We will be fundraising for local LGBTQIA+ youth charities and presenting an incredible line up of interstate and local talent across our three spaces." So, you still have two dates for your diary — starting off with a small shindig first, then jumping into the whole shebang later in the year. Lineups for both events are still be to announced, but 2022's Big Gay Day lived up to its name, with 'Absolutely Everybody' singer Vanessa Amorosi headlining. Back in 2020, Mel C from the Spice Girls did the honours. Whoever Big Gay Day 2023's highest-profile act happens to be, they'll be joined by a hefty lineup of performers, musicians, DJs and drag stars — plus carnival acts, multiple performance spaces, food trucks, themed pop-up bars and plenty of partying people on the agenda. And, both Big Gay Day and Little Gay Day will enjoy The Wickham's $3.1-million revamp, which Brisbanites will get to see from Monday, March 27. Part of the makeover: a weather-proofed beer garden, late-night snacks, monthly drag brunches and a dedicated food menu for dogs. Big Gay Day will take place on Sunday, October 1, 2023, with Little Gay Day popping up on Sunday, April 30. Keen an eye on Big Gay Day website and The Wickham's website for further details.
Imagine simply waving a pen around in the air and creating real-life 3D objects while you do it. Well imagine no longer, because thanks to the development of the 3Doodler, the world's first and only 3D printing pen, this incredible feat has become a reality. The nifty gadget draws in the air or on surfaces, using heated PLA plastic which solidifies into a stable structure almost immediately after being released from the pen. The 3Doodler can be used to create anything from simple shapes and forms to more sophisticated jewellery items, decorative arts, or complex structures as intricate as a mini Eiffel Tower. It's an exciting tool for artists, jewellery makers, designers, or anyone who wants to let their imagination run wild. Requiring no batteries, extra software, or parts, the pen can be plugged into a power socket and open a whole world of creation (quite literally) at your fingertips. At this stage the 3Doodler is also significantly cheaper than any other 3D printer out there, so you can have endless hours of creative fun without breaking the bank. The founders, Max Bogue and Peter Dilworth, who both have a rich background in manufacturing and inventing, hoped to release the product on the market by December 2012. However, in order to ensure the model was functioning perfectly, which they guarantee it now is, they waited to happily announce its launch now. To back the project, visit their Kickstarter. With already over 20,000 backers, and US$1.8 million pledged, they must be doing something right. Via Hyperallergic.
Over the past few years, Gelatissimo has whipped up a number of creative flavours, including frosé sorbet, gelato for dogs, and ginger beer, Weet-Bix, fairy bread, hot cross bun, cinnamon scroll, chocolate fudge and bubble tea gelato. Most recently, it made Biscoff, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey's Kisses varieties, too. For its latest offering, the Australian dessert chain is taking inspiration from another beloved foodstuff — in case you can't choose between tracking down and devouring some Caramilk chocolate or licking your way through a few scoops of ice cream. Yes, that very combination is now on the menu, with Caramilk Hokey Pokey-inspired gelato earning the honours as Gelatissimo's January flavour of the month. Now on sale, it starts with caramelised white chocolate gelato — which is then topped with hazelnut and peanut toffee pieces. If you're only just learning about Caramilk Hokey Pokey bars, that's because they haven't been easy to come by in Australia — but now you can try the next best thing in ice cream form. At Gelatissimo, the new gelato flavour will only be available for the month of January at all stores Australia-wide, and only while stocks last. That includes via delivered take-home packs via services such as UberEats, Deliveroo and DoorDash. Gelatissimo's Caramilk Hokey Pokey gelato is available from all stores nationwide for the month of January.
Over the past few years, Gelatissimo has whipped up a number of creative flavours, including frosé sorbet, gelato for dogs, and ginger beer, Weet-Bix. fairy bread, hot cross bun, cinnamon scroll and chocolate fudge gelato. Most recently, it made a bubble tea variety, too. For its latest offering, the Australian dessert chain is taking inspiration from another beloved foodstuff — in case you can't choose between slathering Belgium's Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread over bread or licking your way through a few scoops of ice cream. Yes, that very combination is now on the menu, with Biscoff gelato earning the honours as Gelatissimo's August flavour of the month. Now on sale, it starts with buttery cinnamon biscuit gelato — which is then layered with slabs of cookie butter, then topped with crunchy biscuit pieces. If you're only just learning about Lotus Biscoff cookie butter spread, it's made from the crumbs of Lotus Biscoff caramelised biscuits, and is basically a cookie-flavoured version of peanut butter or chocolate spreads like Nutella. Understandably, it has picked up quite a following — and, in its spreadable form, comes in creamy and crunchy varieties. At Gelatissimo, the Biscoff gelato will only be available for the month of August at all stores Australia-wide — and only while stocks last. That includes via delivered take-home packs via services such as UberEats, Deliveroo and DoorDash. Gelatissimo's Biscoff gelato is available from all stores nationwide for the month of August.
When is a Friday night market more than just a market? When it includes all the food, drinks and stalls you'd expect, and live music as well, but also pairs them with fire twirlers, stilt walkers and fortune tellers — and a neon forest and a jumping castle. That's all on the bill at Brisbane's latest way to farewell the working week, Westoria. As the name makes plain, not to mention the list of highlights, it's about to become West End's new after-work go-to. The vibe: weird, wild and wonderful, plus night market-meets-playground as well. Well, that's the mood and attitude that organisers are pushing before the first weekly event on Friday, October 7, which will run from 4–10pm on Jane Street next to the regular West End Markets site. For Westoria, the idea is for different sights, sounds and smells to await at every turn, whether you're keen for a bite to eat, something to sip or to take in the roving performances — or, ideally, all of the above. If it's the culinary side of the markets that has you excited, the food lineup will include Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, Wagyu Blacks, Roll It Ice Cream Co and others. Drinks-wise, beer and wine will be on offer, alongside a signature cocktail called Stardust. Entry costs $4, and the event hails from Goodwill Projects, which has a hefty list of other markets around town to its name, including West End's aforementioned usual markets. If you've ever hit up the weekly Reddacliffe Place Markets in the CBD, too, or the Milton Markets, Nundah Farmers Markets and Carseldine Farmers and Artisan Markets, then you've been to its events. Also on its list: markets in Redcliffe, Caboolture, Beenleigh, Kuraby, Surfers Paradise and HOTA, Home of the Arts. Westoria runs weekly at 120 Jane Street, West End, taking place on Friday nights from 4–10pm from Friday, October 7. For more information, head to the markets' website. Top image: Milton Markets.
We all know that Sydney and Melbourne have shared the 'Cultural Capital of Australia' title for a long while now, but enough is enough. Brisbane is quietly becoming a cultural mecca, with the art and music scene thriving. In fact, music is one thing Brisbane has always done well, and to save you the trouble of jumping on the bandwagon when these bands blow up, we are giving you a slight heads up so you can say you liked them before everyone else did. Be quick though; more people are taking notice daily. The Creases A band that gets the collective nod from The Guardian, NME and Franz Ferdinand is one you should take note of. The fact that they come from our fair city is even more exciting. The Creases have been touring with big acts and fellow locals all over town, with their infectiously upbeat ‘70s style indie pop. Daggy caps and oversized denim have never looked so cool. And that’s just the debut single; check out 'I Won’t Wait'. The Kite String Tangle Danny Harley, known to his devoted fans as The Kite String Tangle, is selling out shows left, right and centre. Millions of online hits, remixes to boot, and even some fandom tattoos to his name, this solo experimental aficionado has seemingly exploded on the scene in the past 12 months. His unique and endearing strand of “ethereal pop” manages to fill the room with soundscapes. He’ll be going back into the studio for more releases; however, it seems almost impossible to tie him down. Jeremy Neale Jeremy Neale, the king of Bris-pop, the champion of hearts and the seducer of ear drums. He has been making serious splashes in the deep end of Brisbane’s talent pool. From his time with the riotous racket funsters, Velociraptor, to playing a '60s swinging, crooning, turtleneck-wearing pop outfit, the J. Neale stamp knows no wrong. He has recently released a new EP, spread the love to nationwide stages, all while managing the ongoing emotional output of social media streams. Major Leagues Major Leagues are of major excitement. From playing BIGSOUND in September, to hitchhiking interstate with pal Jeremy Neale, these guys are making home runs. They’ve recently released their debut EP, Weird Season, and gaining some serious media attention surrounding their live shows. The John Steel Singers Sometimes, when a band appears to be taking the world by storm, it’s a wonderful to remember that they share your hometown. The John Steel Singers, apart from releasing some mighty cool tunes in recent times, have been touring non-stop to share the Steely love. Their new album Everthing’s a Thread has been a long time coming from the five-piece, and is truly an album worth shouting about. Yes! Brisbane! Well done! The Trouble With Templeton BIGSOUND 2013 (plus 2012) was just the beginning for the nicest folks in the biz. The Trouble With Templeton played their part in the annual showcase, before jetsetting across the US and over to select parts of Europe to treat those in search of a great riff, a nice lyric, and a heathy dose of musical intrigue. They are the masters of the delicate ode to love and loss, and will hopefully continue their reign for some time to come. Morning Harvey There are many a great psych-rock outfit in our fair city, and Morning Harvey is no exception. Their dreamscapes of guitar fuzz and unstructured onstage jams are mesmerising to watch and are delivered with a charm that cannot be faulted. After a string of delicious shows, these guys will be heading into the studio next month. We eagerly await their next release. Rolls Bayce This band has a whole lotta groove. Rolls Bayce is the wunderkind from Brisbane gold stars Dean McGrath and James Wright. They’ve leapt straight into the spotlight, having played a string of shows and are wasting no time getting some tunes on deck in the studio – newest single 'Arrows' is a good time. Fans of their other bands will not be disappointed; in fact, we’ve got high hopes that these kids will fit in just nicely.
Minimalist Aussie clothing designer Assembly Label is currently hosting a massive online charity sale so you can upgrade your wardrobe with linen pants and a comfy woollen knit tee— and help Aussies doing it tough. With both men's and women's wear on offer, you'll find both cosy outfits for those chilly La Niña days such as denim, jumpers and jackets, plus swimwear, dresses and shorts ready for when the next summer heat wave hits. Best of all, you can nab it all at up to 50 percent off. There's a whole range of summer essentials available for cheap on the site. You could be sporting this cord drawn black dress, for example, at your next beachside brunch or sunny summer picnic for $60 down from $100. As part of the sale, Assembly Label has a choose-what-you-pay initiative raising money for the Curing Homesickness, an organisation that helps kids get home from hospital sooner. When you buy a sale item, you can choose to pay an extra $5, $10 or $15, with that amount then matched by Assembly Label and donated to Curing Homesickness. So, you can grab some new threads and feel good about it too.
Their contributions to music — to stage and screen, too — are filled with tunes that virtually demand a call for an encore. For its production based on George and Ira Gershwin's songs, Queensland Ballet is now doing exactly that. After proving a soldout hit in 2016, Strictly Gershwin is bringing its tribute to Hollywood musicals and the Gershwin brothers' show-stopping tracks back to QPAC, taking over the Lyric Theatre from Thursday, September 28–Saturday, October 7. Expect not just ballet, but also tap, jazz and ballroom — and expect to feel like you're being whisked off to both Broadway and Tinseltown a century ago as well. Created by British dancer, choreographer and director Derek Deane for the English National Ballet in 2008, Strictly Gershwin pairs multiple styles of dance with iconic tunes. Strike up the band indeed. Whether or not you saw An American in Paris when the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical was in Brisbane in 2022, the fact that Strictly Gershwin ends its shows with a nod in that direction is a massive highlight. So, expect 'I Got Rhythm' and ''S Wonderful' among the glitzy production's big numbers, obviously — and everything from 'Rhapsody in Blue' and 'Shall We Dance?' to 'Summertime' and 'Someone to Watch Over Me'.
Brisbanites, prepare to get hopelessly devoted — again — to Rydell High, summer lovers reuniting at school, leather jackets and Pink Ladies. Because giving Grease a prequel streaming series in 2023 wasn't enough, the 50s-set musical is returning to its original home, with Australia's brand-new multimillion-dollar theatre production of the five-decade-old show set to be the one that Brissie audiences want from December 2024. Grease is shaping up to be the River City's big electrifying summer hit, zipping into the Queensland capital's QPAC like lightening. This will be the fourth stop on the show's current Aussie tour, with the production playing Melbourne until mid-March, then heading to Sydney and Perth before arriving in Brisbane. Everyone knows Grease's plot by now, given how popular the 1978 movie adaptation of the musical rom-com still is, especially Down Under. It is about an Australian transfer student, after all, who falls in love with an American high schooler in California. After it sped from the stage to become a silver-screen classic, it spawned a 1982 Michelle Pfeiffer (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania)-starring sequel, too, then last year's Paramount+ show Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. Cast-wise, exactly who'll be slipping into John Travolta (Paradise City) and the late, great Olivia Newton-John's (The Very Excellent Mr Crocodile Dundee) leathers as Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson in Brisbane hasn't been announced, and neither has the rest of the talent taking to the stage. Down south, Joseph Spanti (Friends! The Musical Parody, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) and Annelise Hall (The Marvellous Elephant Man, Aspects of Love) have been leading the show, while Patti Newton has been playing Miss Lynch, Jay Laga'aia has been featuring as Vince Fontaine and Marcia Hines has been popping up as Teen Angel. An exact opening date in Brisbane also hasn't been revealed as yet. Whoever plays T-Birds and Pink Ladies in Brissie will obviously be belting out all the famous tunes — including the titular 'Grease' and fellow earworms 'Summer Nights', 'Sandy', 'Hopelessly Devoted to You', 'You're The One That I Want', 'Greased Lightnin' and 'Beauty School Dropout'. Check out the trailers for both Grease the film and the new Aussie musical below: GREASE 2024 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Until Saturday, March 16, 2024 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne From Sunday, March 24, 2024 — Capitol Theatre, Sydney From Sunday, June 30, 2024 — Crown Theatre, Perth From December 2024 — QPAC, Brisbane Grease is currently touring Australia, and will arrive in Brisbane from December 2024. For more information or to sign up for the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website. Images: Jeff Busby.
Pour yourself a white russian, pop on your favourite bathrobe and prepare to spend two hours with one of the best big-screen creations there is. No one else in the history of celluloid is quite like Jeffrey 'The Dude' Lebowski, played with such relaxed slacker charm by Jeff Bridges that it genuinely seems as if he isn't acting. And no other filmmakers could've brought his zany (and immensely fictional) story to life like the Coen brothers, either. There's a reason that this flick has been a cult classic for more than two decades now. Actually, there are plenty — including a bowling joke that you've probably either quoted or heard multiple times, because it never gets old. If you're a newcomer to the 1998 movie, prepare for a mistaken-identity tale, with The Dude mixed up with a millionaire with the same name. Oh-so-many hijinks ensue, with the Coens firmly in offbeat crime-comedy mode, as aided by a cast that includes everyone from John Goodman and Julianne Moore to John Turturro and Steve Buscemi.
Every hotel tries to offer visitors a home away from home. At Melbourne's new luxe spot, however, that's the entire concept. Opening in June, United Places endeavours to blend the best of both — a hotel and a home — across its 12 roomy suites. And, like everyone's dream house, it also features plenty of greenery. The rampant plant life comes courtesy of United Places' location, situated opposite the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra. As well as views over the parklands, the hotel's three two-bedroom suites boast city vantages from their sunken bathtubs. Nine one-bedroom suites will also be available. Further ramping up the comfort, United Places will provide personalised butler service 24 hours a day, plus curated in-room breakfasts by chef Scott Pickett (Estrelle, Saint Crispin). Daily hampers will stem from onsite restaurant Matilda, Pickett's latest venture, which'll focus on open fire and hot coals. While it'll be open to the public for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and for weekend brunch as well, the eatery will also give hotel guests priority seating. Design-wise, architects and interior designers Carr Design Group have opted for velvet drapes, hardwood floors and charcoal bathroom pods, with each suite also featuring a kitchen and terrace. And as a striking focal point upon entry, artist Laura Woodward has created a specially commissioned piece for United Places' foyer, playing with water, light and movement and interacts against the hotel's monochromatic hallways. If all of the above sounds particularly luxurious, that's the entire point. Unsurprisingly, it also comes with a hefty price tag, with rooms starting at $650 per night. Find United Places Botanic Gardens at 157-159 Domain Road, South Yarra from June. Keep an eye on the hotel's website and Instagram feed for further details. Image: Moritz Marquardt via Flickr.
It's a lifesaver when it comes to transporting oversized items, it comes in especially handy when moving house and it even makes a pretty mean bucket hat. Now, there's another nifty new use for the ubiquitous blue IKEA Frakta bag — edgy doggy fashion for the oh-so-stylish canine. Yes folks, the Swedish furniture giant is taking a dip into the world of haute couture for dogs. The chain isn't selling the extremely blue outfits, though. Instead, it has released a series of instructional patterns to help you upcycle those signature bags into some very dapper looks for your pooch. In the spirit of its renewed focus on sustainability for 2021, IKEA has dropped DIY guides for three Hund Couture dog outfits, complete with the same sort of step-by-step instructions that accompany its flat-pack furniture pieces. With these designs, though, there's no Allen key required — and you won't have any pesky stray screws left over at the end of the build. The Hund Couture line features a ruffled raincoat, an eye-catching frilled-necked lizard-inspired get-up and even an AM-to-PM look centred around a dashing detachable collar. To recreate them, you'll need a sewing machine, some velcro, and — depending on which garment you're going for, and the size of your pooch — between three and seven Frakta bags. After first announcing the new pet-focused release on April 1, the brand had many people writing it off as an April Fools' Day joke, which is how it started out. But IKEA has come through and given canine lovers the step-by-step details on how they can turn the DIY pieces into legit dog outfits. You'll find all three designs and their accompanying manuals available to download for free on the company's website. All that's left to do is let your four-legged fur-shionista choose which glam statement piece they want you to whip up first. Check out IKEA's Hund Couture range over at the company's website.
With pubs, restaurants and cafes closing around the country forced to close comes the loss of many hospitality jobs — and it's all happened very, very quickly. According to website I Lost My Hospo Shift, at last count, 2294 Aussie hospo workers had lost their jobs and 11,709 shifts had been cut, which equates to around $2 million in lost wages this week alone. To help those impacted by the sudden changes, Pernod Ricard is offering $100,00 worth of free meals via Deliveroo to out-of-work hospo workers, including bar staff, waiters, managers, suppliers, cleaners, owners and chefs. From 12pm today, the new initiative called Meals for Mates will see thousands of free meals delivered across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. There'll be a total of 4000 $25 meal voucher codes available via Deliveroo for hospo workers now out of a job or just getting by on reduced hours. As an added benefit, when the hospo workers use the vouchers, they'll also be helping those venues still open for takeaway and delivery. Basically, it's a small win-win situation in what is an incredibly tough time for the industry. While there's a whole host of eateries where workers can spend their vouchers, some of them include cult-favourite burger joint Mary's (Sydney), Italian restaurant Salt Meats Cheese (Sydney, Brisbane), Sydney's retro-Aussie pub The Unicorn and St Kilda's PB's Bar & Eatery. Out-of-work hospitality workers can snag their voucher by emailing a copy of their RSA and the venue they last worked at to MealsForMates@pernod-ricard.com. Then, you'll receive a Deliveroo code, which can be redeemed anytime over the next three months. [caption id="attachment_766230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mary's Newtown by Maclay Heriot[/caption]
Gemma Arterton's resume is filled with roles both forgettable and masterful, in small and blockbuster movies alike, and in intimate and overblown films, too. Her time as a Bond girl in Quantum of Solace sits alongside vampire feature Byzantium, underrated zombie flick The Girl with All the Gifts, romantic drama Vita & Virginia and the Adam Sandler-starring Murder Mystery, for instance. But when she's in a film that feels as if it has been built around her, either wholly or in part — see: The Disappearance of Alice Creed, Tamara Drewe and Their Finest — she rarely fails to impress. Summerland is the latest movie to boast one of her most memorable performances, and it's definitely better for it. Exploring an unexpected connection between a misanthropic writer and a young boy placed in her care, tackling multiple types of trauma, and espousing the enduring need for hope, this primarily World War II-set drama would've proven far more standard otherwise. It's still often a straightforward affair, but it also demonstrates that a feature can be neat, obvious, heartfelt and rivetingly acted all at once. In the mid-70s, Alice Lamb (Penelope Wilton, Downton Abbey) taps away at her typewriter and scares away the children who come knocking at her door. Rewind to the 40s, and the younger Alice (Arterton) does much the same. She's been labelled a witch by the kids in her seaside village, and she's hardly happy when the pre-teen Frank (Lucas Bond, The Alienist: Angel of Darkness) arrives on her doorstep as part of a government program to evacuate the next generation from London. In fact, Alice demands that he be rehoused instead of interrupting her work; however, she's told that'll take a week. Moving to the big screen after stage success as a playwright and theatre director (and making short film Leading Lady Parts, also starring Arterton), debut feature filmmaker Jessica Swale penned the original script, so Summerland isn't based on an existing text or property — but everyone watching knows Alice and Frank have ample time to overcome their initial animosity, and that that'll end up being the case. When it spins a story about a woman given a new lease on life via an unanticipated bond that's thrust upon her, Summerland rarely flirts with surprise, let alone delivers many. Alice specialises in investigating the myths and histories of mirage-like imagery, including visions of a castle in the sky not far from her own quaint cottage — and the curious Frank quickly embraces her field of expertise. It brightens up his own uncertain predicament, not just because Alice is so unwelcoming, but given that his father is a pilot in the thick of the action and his mother remains in the capital as it is under threat from bombing. Frank's interest also helps soften the cantankerous Alice's tough exterior, which is predictably the product of past woes. Again and again, Swale's screenplay makes obvious choices, and yet it also tells a resonant tale in the process. Other than Arterton's efforts, Summerland benefits from two specific aspects: the backstory behind Alice's demeanour, and the way it unpacks her outsider status. Inescapably, Summerland also includes an almost-cringeworthy, far-too-convenient twist — but when it leaps back to the 20s, to Alice's immediate attraction to and subsequent time with Vera (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Misbehaviour) during her university studies, it doesn't just add a love story to the narrative. In its flashbacks and the shadow they leave on Alice's WWII-era life, the movie also invests depth and emotion that isn't as strong otherwise, unleashes unexpected elements that aren't evident elsewhere, and offers a quiet yet potent undercurrent of subversion as well. Swale needn't stress the point, so she doesn't, but she lingers on moments between Arterton and Mbatha-Raw because they stand out. Period scenes of queer romance will do that in genres and tales that aren't known for them, after all. Before flitting backwards, viewers have already seen that Alice lives alone prior to Frank coming along, so Summerland instantly delves into complex territory. The audience is well aware that Swale has reshaped and recontextualised a largely cookie-cutter narrative, and they're just as cognisant of the hurdles Alice and Vera faced in having any hope of enjoying a happy ending. Also apparent: why Alice has long chosen to cultivate a peppery reputation, and to close herself off to her fellow townsfolk. This is a warm movie with an array of hope, though. Summerland never lets Frank lose sight of it, or allows the embers of hope for a different future to die within Alice. Arterton is particularly compelling when Alice lays bare her heartbreak, even if that's clearly one of the character's much-needed steps on the path to moving forward — and, because it's paired with such a lived-in performance, Alice is able to navigate an easy-to-foresee emotional journey and still staunchly feel like her own person at the same time. There's no avoiding the air of familiarity that hovers over Summerland, of course. It's unshakeable in most of its storyline, its assortment of quirky bit players (including villagers portrayed by King of Thieves' Tom Courtenay and The Secret Garden's Dixie Egerickx) and its postcard-perfect imagery, especially. That said, Swale mostly manages to fly through much-recognised territory, find ways to dive deeper and occasionally transcend a template, and get viewers to share the heartache Alice wears on her sleeves and the desires she has buried inside — with Arterton so crucial to making that happen, it's hard to imagine the film without her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4gSLP9Smlg
As far as summer food/drink combos go, beer with guac and chips is definitely up there. But one brewery's just found a way to combine the two in one unusual but very intriguing beverage. The LA-based Angel City Brewery recently introduced Avocado Ale as part of their inaugural Avocado Festival on August 24, which celebrated the beginning of avocado season in California. The beer contains avocados harvested straight from brewmaster Dieter Foerstner's grandmother's farm, as well as other ingredients you'd normally find in guacamole, like crushed red pepper, garlic, lime and coriander. Angel City is no stranger to experimental brews — their previous creations include the Pickle Weiss and the less weird-sounding White Nite, a golden, chocolate- and espresso-flavoured ale. It looks like Avocado Ale's just a one-off local thing, but they're not the first brewers to take the 'Why can't we have both?' approach to beer and food. Sydney's own 4 Pines Brewery recently held a series of Beer Mimics Food events, featuring beer infused with HP sauce, apple and blackcurrant crumble and, even more bizarrely, a bento box lager. Foerstner, the man behind Avocado Ale, described it to LAist as a "love or hate kind of thing. It's not what traditionalists would expect a beer to taste like. It does have a well-pronounced avocado flavour, so people who don't care for the fruit to begin with might not enjoy it. But being an avocado lover, I love it." Via PSFK.
No matter how much we might want to, we can't all attend every music festival ever. And when one of those events is the huge behemoth that is Coachella, we definitely can't all nab highly sought-after, quickly selling-out tickets each and every year — or, indeed, even any year — either. But, thanks to Indio, California's huge annual drawcard, we can stay home and live our best Coachella lives by livestreaming along. The fest has been teaming up with YouTube to beam its tunes to the world for 11 years now — and it has just locked in plans to keep doing so until 2026. YouTube and Goldenvoice, the company behind Coachella, have announced the multi-year renewal of their partnership, which includes behind-the-scenes content on YouTube Shorts, playlist integrations within YouTube and YouTube Music, YouTube Shopping exclusive merchandise drops, exclusive content for YouTube Premium subscribers, live chats, and onsite activations with YouTube creators and artists — and, of course, that crucial and supremely popular livestream. Make a standing couch date each April, then, if trips to the US to head along in-person aren't in your future. "Our partnership with YouTube brings Coachella to everyone around the world," said Paul Tollett, Goldenvoice's President, in a statement announcing the news. "The 2023 lineup sees performers from Brazil, France, Iceland, India, Jamaica, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Spain, and beyond, and bringing international fans closer to their hometown artists is important to our team." 2023's fest announced its lineup earlier in January, and will be headlined by Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK and Frank Ocean. Also on the bill: everyone from Calvin Harris, Gorillaz, The Chemical Brothers, ROSALÍA and Blondie through to The Kid LAROI, Björk, Fisher, Charlie XCX, Porter Robinson and Idris Elba. Coachella will unleash that impressive collection of talent over the weekends of April 14–16 and April 21–23, which is Saturday, April 15–Monday, April 17 and Saturday, April 22–Monday, April 24 Down Under. While livestreaming is no longer a novelty in these pandemic times, given the calibre of the fest's lineup, it's still a mighty fine way to join in. Wondering who else is on the bill? Here you go: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coachella (@coachella) Coachella 2023 runs from April 14–16 and April 21–23 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. It'll stream via YouTube from Saturday, April 15–Monday, April 17 and Saturday, April 22–Monday, April 24 Down Under.
Just a few short weeks ago, when we were craving comedies to watch, we noted an important fact: that Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope knows how to handle herself in a pandemic. She's already done so once, in a fifth-season episode of the beloved sitcom — and, while the show came to an end in 2015, viewers are about to see how the Pawnee, Indiana resident copes with the coronavirus. In a one-off special to raise money for US charity Feeding America, the cast of Parks and Recreation are reuniting to tackle COVID-19. And, more importantly, they'll be showing the world how their adored characters are managing at the moment. Adding another scripted instalment to the series, the show's stars will be resuming their on-screen alter egos, courtesy of a brand new episode that follows Leslie's (Amy Poehler) efforts to keep in touch with her friends while everyone is social distancing. The whole gang will be back, including not only Poehler as Leslie and her Making It co-host Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson, but Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate-Dwyer, Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer, Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford, Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt, Jim O'Heir as Jerry/Garry/Larry/Terry Gergich and Retta as Donna Meagle. Although Rashida Jones' Ann Perkins and Rob Lowe's Chris Traeger left the series halfway through its sixth season, they'll be back as well, Variety reports — and you can also expect a few other yet-to-be-revealed guest stars from the show's original run, too. https://twitter.com/parksandrecnbc/status/1253461556102197251 As Poehler reveals in the above video announcing the news, it was all filmed individually from each cast member's home. That means that when this Parks and Rec special hits US screens on Thursday, April 30 (with an airdate Down Under yet to be announced), it'll look a little different to the show's usual episodes. Of course, no Parks fan will mind. Indeed, if you fall into that category, a new episode is literally the best news you could receive right now — so start making waffles, gather all the bacon and eggs you have, and make sure you've got plenty of whisky on hand. A Parks and Recreation Special airs on Thursday, April 30 in the US. There's no word yet about screening details Down Under, but we'll update you when they come to hand. Via Variety.
For the second time in 11 years, Brisbane is waterlogged, following a weekend of relentlessly heavy rain — and wet conditions in the days leading up to the non-stop three-day downpour, too. The impact across the city is enormous, including flooded homes and businesses, power outages, blocked roads and suspended public transport. Everyone across town has been affected or knows someone who has — and the Mud Army, the city's team of flood volunteers, has reassembled for cleanup duties. Also impacted: Brisbane's arts, culture and music industry, which has been weathering flooded venues, event cancellations and general fallout from the conditions like the rest of us. As a result, the city's upcoming lineup of shows, gigs and exhibitions is in flux again — a heartbreaking state of affairs following two years spent coping with the pandemic. Obviously, going out might not be at the top of your to-do list right now, but you can continue to support the industry and the folks within it by buying from artists who've had their shows cancelled, ordering gift cards and merch from venues that are closed due to flooding, or just booking in a show or gig for that birthday a few months away. To keep you abreast of what's been cancelled, postponed and suspended — and which venues are temporarily closed — here's our live list, updated as it happens. [caption id="attachment_827164" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] VENUES Artisan: reopening on Thursday, March 3. Brisbane Powerhouse: closed until further notice due to localised flooding in the area, with shows either rescheduled or cancelled. The Edge: closed until further notice due to significant flooding in the area. Metro Arts: closed until Thursday, March 10 due to minor flood repairs. Museum of Brisbane: reopening on Thursday, March 3. Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art: both galleries are closed until further notice due to significant flooding in the area. At present, all scheduled public programs and cinema screenings have been cancelled up to and including Sunday, March 13. Queensland Conservatorium: closed until at least Sunday, March 6 due to flooding, with performances up until Monday, March 7 either cancelled or postponed. Queensland Museum: closed until further notice due to significant flooding in the area. Queensland Performing Arts Centre: closed until further notice due to significant flooding in the area, with all performances either cancelled or postponed up to and including Thursday, March 10. Queensland Theatre, including the Bille Brown Theatre: doesn't have a show scheduled until Saturday, April 30, but currently closed until further notice due to flooding. South Bank Parklands: several sections remain until further notice due to significant flooding in the area. State Library of Queensland: closed until further notice due to significant flooding in the area. UQ Art Museum: closed up to and including Wednesday, March 2. [caption id="attachment_836543" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lisa Tomasetti[/caption] SHOWS/GIGS/EXHIBITIONS APT10 Cinema: cancelled up to and including Sunday, March 13. Blue Assembly: Oceanic Thinking: closed up to and including Wednesday, March 2. The Chocolate Factory: closed alongside Toombul Shopping Centre, which is shut until further notice due to flooding. City in the Sun: reopening on Thursday, March 3. Curiocity 2022: postponed, with new dates yet to be announced. Diary of a Madman: cancelled. Dylan Mooney: Blak Superheroes: reopening on Thursday, March 3. Feel Good Program: cancelled until further notice. Frozen the Musical: cancelled up to and including Thursday, March 19, with ticketholders being contacted to transfer their seats to future dates. Get Green! Sustainability Market: cancelled. Humans, Animals and the Natural World — World Science Festival Brisbane Film Program: cancelled. In Transit: reopening on Thursday, March 3. Ocean Film Festival World Tour: postponed from March 2–5 to June 16–18. Potted Potter: The Unauthorised Harry Potter Experience: rescheduled from March 1–6 to May 10–15. Stargazing at South Bank: cancelled. The 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art: closed up to and including Sunday, March 13. World Science Festival Brisbane: cancelled in-person program, now running from Wednesday, March 9–Sunday, March 13 as a virtual-only event. For more information on all of the latest Brisbane weather conditions, warnings and alerts, and traffic and public transport status, check out the resources below: The Bureau of Meteorology's Queensland warnings page, and its Queensland Twitter and Facebook Brisbane City Council's February 2022 severe weather event updates, which also features a Brisbane River flood forecast Brisbane City Council's Twitter and Facebook Queensland Fire and Emergency Services' website, Twitter and Facebook Qld Traffic Translink's website, Twitter and Facebook Top image: Matthew Toomey. Updated Monday, March 7.
Making wine, not just drinking it, is no longer on the agenda in Fortitude Valley. Five years after opening Brisbane's first inner-city winery, the City Winery team has announced that the company behind the venue, as well as the chain of Ardo's wine bars, has gone into voluntary liquidation. As a result, all of its locations — both City Winery spots and Ardo's alike — are closing effective immediately on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. In addition to its Wandoo Street base, where it took over Campos Coffee's old 500-square-metre warehouse, City Winery had expanded to Edward Street in the Brisbane CBD. Starting in early 2023, it also launched Ardo's neighbourhood bars, beginning in Newstead, then also setting up shop in Graceville, Hawthorne and Milton. "I am heartbroken at having to make the incredibly difficult decision to close City Winery and Ardo's. A drastic drop in consumer spending fuelled by the current cost-of-living and interest-rate environment, coupled with increases in labour and operational costs, have all had too great of a compounding impact on our business, along with the historical effects of COVID and lockdowns, for us to continue to operate," said City Winery Brisbane Former Director and CEO Dave Cush. "The recent opening of The Star at Queen's Wharf was the proverbial final nail — we simply cannot compete with an operation of that scale," Cush continued. "To our customers and clients affected by this closure, I offer my most heartfelt apologies and thank you for the years of support you've given us. You're the reason we kept going as long as we could." City Winery's Fortitude Valley location clearly didn't boast its own sprawling vineyard onsite. But, after sourcing grapes from around the country, it was barrelling, bottling and serving vino — and letting locals help with all of the steps in the process (as well as sip it, obviously). With Ardo's, the company set up neighbourhood wine bars in four busy parts of suburban Brisbane, where patrons could peruse its curated range of vino while getting drinking onsite over pintxos, cheese and charcuterie — or pick up their favourite tipple or a new discovery to take away. City Winery has closed at 11 Wandoo Street, Fortitude Valley and 162 Edward Street, Brisbane City — and Ardo's Wine Bar has closed at 22 Wyandra Street in Newstead, 335 Honour Avenue in Graceville, 7 Lindsay Street in Hawthorne and 19 McDougall Street in Milton.
Australian Venue Co — one of the country's largest hospitality groups which operates 94 venues in Queensland, 70 in Victoria, 26 in Western Australia, 18 in South Australia, 10 in New South Wales and 2 in the Northern Territory — announced on Monday, December 2, that it will no longer host Australia Day celebrations on January 26 at any of its more than 200 outposts. January 26 is a contentious date for many. Commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the beginning of European settlement on the Australian continent, it is a day of enduring collective trauma for First Nations communities and their allies who know it as Invasion Day or Survival Day rather than its traditional name. [caption id="attachment_908540" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morris House, Melbourne[/caption] In a statement supplied to The Herald Sun, an Australian Venue Co spokesperson said of the decision to bar events on January 26: "Australia Day is a day that causes sadness for some members of our community, so we have decided not to specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team," Since 1994, all Australian states and territories have enjoyed a public holiday on January 26, but calls to move the country's national day to another less controversial date have gained momentum in recent years. In 2017, radio station Triple J made the decision to move its annual Hottest 100 rankings to January 25 and earlier this year, major supermarket brands Woolworths and Aldi both pledged to no longer stock Australia Day merchandise in its stores. Across Australia, January 26 has also created opportunities to show solidarity with First Nations communities. More than 80 councils around the country no longer hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 and Invasion Day rallies attract thousands of peaceful protesters every year. For a full list of the Australian Venue Co venues effected by the January 26 event ban, visit the Australian Venue Co website.
They can't all be good ones: Baz Luhrmann movies, that is, although almost all of them are. There's one outlier on his resume, though — one film that definitely doesn't live up to the others. That flick: Australia. Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby and Elvis are all spectacular. Despite combining two of the nation's biggest actors with one of its biggest filmmakers, 2008's Nicole Kidman- and Hugh Jackman-starring Australia definitely isn't. But if you ever wondered what it might look like with a bit of tinkering — actually, a lot of re-cutting and re-imagining — you're about to find out. Faraway Downs will be the end result, a six-part miniseries that's destined for streaming queues in the near future. It's set to drop in the US via Hulu sometime during America's winter, which means that it'll hit Disney+ Down Under — at around the same time, hopefully. "I originally set out to take the notion of the sweeping, Gone With the Wind-style epic and turn it on its head — a way of using romance and epic drama to shine a light on the roles of First Nations people and the painful scar in Australian history of the Stolen Generations," said Luhrmann in a statement, as per The Hollywood Reporter. "While Australia the film has its own life, there was another telling of this story; one with different layers, nuances and even alternative plot twists that an episodic format has allowed us to explore. Drawn from the same material, Faraway Downs is a new variation on Australia for audiences to discover." If you need a refresher on Australia's plot — and therefore Faraway Downs's plot, too — it follows English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman, The Northman) after she comes into possession of an Aussie cattle ranch. To save it from cattle barons, she enlists the help of a drover (Jackman, Reminiscence). That's just the overall gist, however, given that the sprawling movie also spans World War II and its impact, as well as the country's historical treatment of Indigenous Australians. Fittingly given the name — and as usually proves the case with Luhrmann's flicks — the cast includes a who's who of homegrown talent. As well as Kidman and Jackman, plus Brandon Walters (Mystery Road) as Nullah, everyone from Essie Davis (Nitram), Bryan Brown (Hungry Ghosts) and John Jarratt (Wolf Creek) to Ben Mendelsohn (Cyrano), Jack Thompson (High Ground) and David Wenham (Elvis) features, as does the now-late David Gulpilil (Storm Boy) and Bill Hunter (The Cup). Exactly how long each episode of Faraway Downs will run for hasn't yet been revealed — but at 165 minutes, the movie it's remixing wasn't short. Check out the original trailer for Australia below: Faraway Downs is due to hit Hulu in the US sometime in America's winter — and Disney+ Down Under. We'll update you with an exact date when it announced. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
Despite being nominated for Best Actor for Being the Ricardos, Javier Bardem had zero chance of nabbing a shiny trophy at the 2022 Oscars. The movie he deserves his next nod for instead: savagely sharp workplace satire The Good Boss, which is home to a tour-de-force of a performance from the Spanish actor. Already an Academy Award-recipient for his powerhouse effort in No Country for Old Men — and a prior contender for Before Night Falls and Biutiful, too — Bardem does what he long has, playing a character who uses a set facade to mask his real self. Here, he's a seemingly kindly factory owner who makes a big fuss about treating his employees like family, but happily lets that ruse slip if they want more money, or have problems at home that disrupt their work, or happen to be an attractive intern. He still sports a smile though, naturally. In his latest Goya Award-winning part — his 12th to be nominated, too — Bardem becomes the outwardly friendly, inwardly slippery Básculas Blanco. Given the darkness that lingers in his self-serving, self-confident, self-satisfied true nature, the character's name is patently tongue-in-cheek. He presides over a company that makes professional-grade scales, which he inherited from his father, and tells his staff "don't treat me like a boss". But filmmakers who put the word 'good' in their movie's monikers rarely mean it literally, and writer/director Fernando León de Aranoa (who reteams with his lead after 2002's Mondays in the Sun and 2017's Loving Pablo) is one of them. As portrayed with quietly compelling magnetism by Bardem, The Good Boss' ostensibly respectable CEO finds his perfectly calibrated public persona cracking slowly, surely and devilishly, all thanks to the weight of his own ruthlessness. Awards aren't just coming Bardem's way off-screen for this exceptional turn; they're baked into the movie's plot as well. When The Good Boss begins, Blanco is determined to win a prestigious business prize — but he can't be called desperate, because appearing anything other than commanding, magnanimous and prosperous isn't in the grey-haired, sleekly attired manager's wheelhouse. Still, everyone around him knows how insistent he is about emerging victorious, including his clothing boutique-owning wife Adela (Sonia Almarcha, The Consequences). Their dutiful but hardly passionate marriage says plenty about Blanco, how he operates, and how careful he is about maintaining the illusion he wants the world to see. Indeed, when pretty young Liliana (Almudena Amor, The Grandmother) starts in his marketing department for a month-long stint, she instantly earns his attention, while he still outwardly flaunts committed family-man vibes. Liliana's arrival isn't without complications either professionally and personally. But in a film that skewers nine-to-five life and relationships alike, that's one of several troubles that upsets the company's balance. Just as Blanco's business is set to be inspected during the prize's judging process, his orderly world is pushed askew. There's the just-retrenched José (Óscar de la Fuente, The Cover), who won't accept his sacking, has set up outside the worksite's gate with a loudspeaker shouting out his woes and even has his school-aged children in tow. Then, there's underling and childhood friend Miralles (Manolo Solo, Official Competition), whose marital struggles are impacting day-to-day operations. And, trusted employee Fortuna (Celso Bugallo, The Paramedic) calls upon Blanco's sway for help with a domestic situation of his own. The Good Boss doesn't lack for subplots. It's filled with them — overstuffed, even. Putting so much chaos on Blanco's plate stretches the film out to two hours, and it feels it, but there's a method behind León de Aranoa's approach. The deceitful air that lurks around his protagonist, not to mention everything he weathers and gets away with, has its heart in paralleling Spanish history. The filmmaker is in as pointedly comedic territory as he was with 2015's A Perfect Day, his Benicio del Toro-starring English-language debut about aid workers — and while the analogy to his homeland's past here remains unspoken, it's as gleaming as Blanco's ashen tresses nonetheless. An employer, husband, friend and person like The Good Boss' central figure isn't unique to Spain, but it's easy to connect the dots between the morally reprehensible behaviour on display and what's come before at the highest level in the European nation. Also mutely blatant: the statement made about what Blanco and his ilk will justify to maintain their authority. With its shaggy running time, and the convenience that seethes through some of its plot points, The Good Boss isn't as fine-tuned as it could be. While bearing a completely different tone, it also somewhat sits in the shadow of Pedro Almodóvar's Parallel Mothers, which similarly nods to Spanish history. And, it is inescapably a movie of two clear halves — the patiently building setup, because there's much to establish; and the payoff, where what Blanco's corruption means for men like him in a place with such a past becomes apparent. Still, when León de Aranoa's script slices, it cuts deeply and with a blackly comic disdain for the excesses of power and privilege that's so palpable that feeling it is inescapable. Also a key component: layering in the change bubbling in modern Spain, especially with gender roles. Regardless of whether The Good Boss happens to be hitting all of its marks at any given moment, Bardem is always mesmerising. Exuding menace has never been hard for him, as his Academy Award illustrates, but he proves as skilled here at letting that unease linger behind a superficially affable exterior as he is at flat-out getting villainous (for the latter, see also: Skyfall). Perhaps what's most striking about that polished-but-ominous combination is how recognisable it is at every turn, as it's designed to be, and how genuinely unnerving it is as a result. Workplaces everywhere are filled with Blancos, of course, aka people who can't ever quite hide their entitled, opportunistic, bullying and winner-takes-all tendencies with pleasant posturing, and yet have made successful careers thanks to coming close enough. Bardem mirrors a world of folks like Blanco with his transfixing performance, but also ensures that The Good Boss' namesake won't be easily forgotten.
The awful truth is now that we all know someone who has either battled or is battling with cancer. The really awful truth is that one in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. What as individuals we can do about this is unfortunately very little, but the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer is offering the community a chance to make a difference. The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a major fundraiser for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), which is a world leader in cancer research. Therefore by raising money for the continuation of QIMR’s work individuals can help with the work of finding a cure for this pervasive disease. As with anything worth doing though it is not easy. The participants will be riding through the Queensland countryside for two days, 20-21 August, pushing themselves to the limit to help others. The ride isn’t just for the super fit though, there will be riders who are jumping on a bike for the first time since their 12th birthday. To support these riders in their quest, and add your support to the fight against cancer you can donate here. Go team!
No big deal, but just a 90-minute drive from Brisbane is where you'll find the most extensive area of subtropical rainforest in the world. Okay, actually it's a huge deal. Springbrook National Park is just part of the massive Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, which extends down to Newcastle, and you'll want to spend at least a day there. To be honest, you'll want to spend an entire day at the stunning Natural Bridge alone, where you'll find a rock arch and waterfall over a creek that's unlike anything you've ever seen before. We could keep listing Springbrook's epic natural features, such as waterfalls, lookouts, swimming spots and walking trails, but that's the thing about National Parks, they just have so many. If Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope was to visit, she'd fall in love instantly. Just remember to bring a hamper full of goodies for mid-hike snacking. Four of the park's picnic areas have barbecues, too. Image: Jason Clark / Flickr.
Ever wanted to hear the music of Leonard Cohen echoing around a lake, watch contemporary ballet performed on a floating stage in the middle of an estuary, or see an opera staged at a wildlife sanctuary? Dreamed of eating dinner with a character during a performance? Or gazing at bodies flying into the sky on one of Queensland's most famous beaches? Well, even if you haven't, here's your chance. Gold Coast's Bleach* Festival has announced its 2016 lineup — and it includes all the above, and more. Yes, it's the three-week-long Brisbane residents should jump in their cars and make the trek down the highway for this March. When it comes to coastal weekend fun of the music, arts, theatre, dance and performance kind — and of the taking creative ventures to exquisite natural locations kind, too — this annual multi-arts fest has you covered. It does boast more than 50 events, including eight world premieres, after all. That bustling schedule includes Horizon with Angels, that is, that combination of Cohen, acrobats and Evandale Lake you didn't know you were hanging out for. Mid-water dancers form part of Shifting Sands, a celebration of the cultures, communities and characters that shape Currumbin Estuary. Opera Selvaggio also graces the beachside suburb, with The Voice finalist Naomi Price heading to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to belt out soaring renditions of opera and musical theatre's most popular pieces. Then there's Saltwater — which comes complete with a meal with the play's protagonist — plus The Last Blast, which lets Gold Coast dance company The Farm loose on the shoreline of Surfers Paradise. If that's not enough, a concert and songwriting workshop with festival special guest Ben Lee, an outdoor projection gallery named Luminaries, and a free street party at Palm Beach are also on the Bleach* bill. Because a great festival is all about variety. Bleach* Festival Gold Coast runs from March 4-20. Visit their website to check out the full program. Images: Darcy Grant.
Go on Brisbane, get dotty. When The Obliteration Room is on display, that's exactly what's on the agenda. Yayoi Kusama's famed interactive project doesn't just feature the circular shapes beloved by the iconic Japanese artist, as featuring in many of her pieces. Turning everyone who enters its space into a fellow contributor, this artwork is all about adding dots, more dots and then even more, all in sticker form, to completely fill every surface. Here's how it works: you step inside a room that has been painted white from floor to ceiling. All surfaces, fixtures, furniture and objects are white — every single one. It's then up to each and every visitor to add spots of colour via those stickers. Kusama calls the process "obliteration", hence the piece's name. Joining in is as fun and therapeutic as it sounds. The Obliteration Room and Brisbane have been intertwined since Kusama first conceived of the work, because it was developed for the Queensland Art Gallery in 2002. Since then, the piece has toured the world, but keeps returning to the River City — with its latest visit courtesy of the Gallery of Modern Art's huge new free Wonderstruck exhibition across Saturday, June 28–Monday, October 6, 2025. [caption id="attachment_1008419" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yuken Teruya / Japan b.1973 / Notice - Forest 2006 / Paper and glue / Dimensions variable / Purchased 2007. The Queensland Government's Gallery of Modern Art Acquisitions Fund / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Yuken Teruya[/caption] Part of QAGOMA's massive 2025 program, this showcase features over 100 works hailing from 70-plus international and Australian artists. As its name makes plain, this collection from is all about awe and wonder. Expect playful pieces, imaginative creations, and works big and small. Expect extraordinary art and everyday objects morphed into marvels, too — as well as an all-ages experience, as The Obliteration Room has long provided. Indeed, while The Obliteration Room has always been a feature of GOMA's Children's Art Centre, witnessing and participating in the transformative process is a delight for big kids as well. That theme carries across Wonderstruck as a whole, whether it's also displaying pieces by Patricia Piccinini, Ai Weiwei and American artist Nick Cave, or from Ah Xian, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Gordon Hookey, Madeleine Kelly, Yvonne Koolmatrie, Ron Mueck, Craig Koomeeta, Jemima Wyman, Rosemary Laing, Sandra Selig, Gemma Smith, Yuken Teruya, Brian Robinson, Judy Watson and Louise Weaver. Across its six chapters, other specific highlights span the wearable sculptures of HEARD from Cave; Piccinini's The Observer, featuring a child peering down from a stack of chairs; Ai Weiwei's Neolithic pottery painted in bright colours; vivid hues aplenty in Pip & Pop's Rainbow Bridge and Emily Floyd's Steiner Rainbow; Mueck's giant In Bed; and Connection from Slovenian artist Tobias Putrih, which turns cardboard boxes into an arch. Or, Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan's contribution In Flight (Project: Another Country) will get you making sculptures fund materials to to the piece; Lightning for Neda by Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian is a mirror mosaic; and Notice — Forest from Yuken Teruya refashions shopping bags. [caption id="attachment_1008418" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ron Mueck / England b.1958 / In bed (installation view) 2005 / Mixed media / 161.9 x 649.9 x 395cm / Purchased 2008. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Ron Mueck[/caption] Top images: Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian / Iran 1924 - 2019 / Lightning for Neda (installation view) 2009 / Mirror mosaic, reverse-glass painting, plaster on wood / Six panels: 300 x 200 x 25cm (each); 300 x 1200 x 25cm (overall) / The artist dedicates this work to the loving memory of her late husband Dr Abolbashar Farmanfarmaian. Purchased 2009. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Monir Shaharoudy Farmanfarmaian. Emily Floyd / Australia b.1972 / Steiner rainbow 2006 / Two-part epoxy paint on medium density fibreboard / Nine parts. Part a (dark blue): 54 x 131 x 60cm; part b (light blue): 82 x 160 x 60cm; part c (teal): 96 x 188 x 60cm; part d (dark green): 110 x 217 x 60cm; part e (light green): 124.5 x 245 x 60cm; part f (yellow): 139 x 275 x 60cm; part g (orange): 154 x 303 x 60cm; part h (light red): 166 x 334 x 60cm; part i (deep red): 180 x 362.5 x 60cm. / Gift of the artist through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2011. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Emily Floyd/ Courtesy: The artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery. Yayoi Kusama / Japan b.1929 / The Obliteration Room (installation view) 2002–present / Furniture, white paint, dot stickers / Dimensions variable / Collaboration between Yayoi Kusama and Queensland Art Gallery. Commissioned by the Queensland Art Gallery. Gift of the artist through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2012 / Collection: QAGOMA, Brisbane / © Yayoi Kusama / Photograph: N Harth © QAGOMA. Alfredo Juan Aquilizan / Philippines/Australia b.1962 / Maria Isabel Gaudinez-Aquilizan / Philippines/Australia b.1965 / In-flight (Project: Another Country) (installation view) 2009 / Courtesy and © Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan / Photograph: R Fulton © QAGOMA
Go dotty about the world, and it'll go dotty about you: that's the Yayoi Kusama story. For seven decades, the Japanese artist has thrust polka dots to the centre of her paintings, collages and installations, making her a contemporary art favourite — and all of those years of circular creativity are now coming to Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. From 4 November 2017 to 11 February 2018, GOMA will host Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow, a major showcase of her lengthy and prolific career since the 1950s. Co-curated with the National Gallery Singapore, where the exhibition is currently on display until September, it will boast than 70 of her pieces — featuring 24 works from her recent My Eternal Soul series, which has been ongoing since 2009, and currently comprises 500 canvases in total. Kusama's early painterly experiments, a multi-decade presentation of her 'net' paintings, soft-sculpture and assemblage will also grace the gallery's spaces, as will performance documents and large-scale installations. With the celebrated artist no stranger to the Queensland Art Gallery and GOMA, a number of her iconic pieces will be making a return. Two artworks commissioned for the gallery's 2002 Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art will feature, including Narcissus garden in the QAG Watermall. Of course, the beloved interactive experience that is The Obliteration Room will also be brightening up GOMA's Children's Art Centre for the first time since summer 2014-2015. Fans of plastering a white room full of coloured dot-shaped stickers, rejoice. Fans of Kusama's bright riot of dots and hues, rejoice as well. Images: Anwyn Howarth.
Brooklyn artist Stephen Meierding has pulled bicycles apart to make his short film Bicycle Sounds. The video takes its soundtrack from noises made by bicycle wheels, spokes, chains, gears and bells. Each bike part creates a different sound, which combined create an interesting rhythm. The film's progression shows the wheels spinning faster, the sound and the visuals getting a little heavier and slightly more manic, while playing cards attached to the spokes with pegs create visual stimulation. Meidering premiered the film at the recent Bike Shorts film festival in New York, where it took out the top prize. [via Wired]
Since the untimely passing of legend David Bowie in January, mourning fans have been creating respectful and fitting ways to remember him. They've held tributes all across the country (and the world) in the form of concerts, karaoke, screenings and dance parties. But fans looking to get closer to the life of the prolific artist now have another avenue to consider: a stay in Bowie's former holiday house in the Caribbean. The house, which is on the luxury Caribbean island of Mustique, has just gone up for rent — albeit for a whopping $52,000 AUD (or $78,000 AUD in high season) per week. That's cool, right? I mean, what you're paying for is priceless. Bowie had the villa built himself back in 1989, and a lot of the original design and fixtures still stand. Everywhere you stand, it's likely you'll be standing in the exact same spot that Bowie once stood (we're not sure how long it will take for that game to get old, but we're guessing a substantial amount of time). Of course, the house — named the Mandalay — comes with a lot of non-priceless things too, like an infinity pool, personal waterfalls, an epic outdoor dining pavilion, views of the Atlantic Ocean and a staff of 10 (including your own personal chef). It has five bedrooms (each with their own private verandah), sits on 6.2 acres and comes with neighbours like Kate Moss, Hugh Grant and royals Will and Kate. It's important to note that the home doesn't come straight from Bowie's hands — he sold the property back in the '90s to publisher Felix Dennis. Following Dennis' death, it was bought by English entrepreneur Simon Dolan, who has now put the house up for rent for the first time. But if you've got $50k to spare on a lavish Caribbean trip, you may as well go all out and holiday like Ziggy Stardust. Via Travel + Leisure.
If video game cutscenes ever made the leap to cinema, Warcraft: The Beginning would be the end result. Fashioning a film from the interactive fantasy franchise, the long-awaited movie version functions in much the same way: advancing a narrative, fleshing out characters, and delving into material that can't always be gleaned during gameplay. That's the good news. The bad news is that it also looks and feels the part. That's not an indictment of the movie's impressive special effects, but a reflection of the unfulfilling way the feature seems like it was pieced together from standard in-game sequences rather than specifically made for the cinema. Directed by Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code), and co-written by the filmmaker with Charles Leavitt (In the Heart of the Sea), Warcraft: The Beginning takes viewers to the realms of Draenor and Azeroth. The former, the home of the orcs, is dying, with warlock Gul'dan (Daniel Wu) using a magical force called the fel to transport his people to the latter. Durotan (Toby Kebbell), the leader of one of the orc clans, is wary of this plan, but also has his pregnant mate Draka (Anna Galvin) to worry about. Upon their arrival, they're hardly greeted with a warm welcome by Azeroth's suspicious human inhabitants — including King Llane Wrynn (Dominic Cooper), knight Anduin Lothar (Travis Fimmel), mystic Medivh (Ben Foster) and aspiring magi Khadgar (Ben Schnetzer) — although the orcs' penchant for warmongering doesn't help things either. A clash between orc and mans ensues, and at this point, audiences could be forgiven for wishing that the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films didn't exist, or that their enormous popularity hadn't cemented the template for the action-fantasy genre. Charged with the difficult task of bringing a multi-player game to the big screen, Warcraft: The Beginning takes far too many cues from Middle Earth. The film might gather its details from the game series that dates back to 1994 in various forms, but in turning them into a feature, it's content to dwell in generic territory. Simply put, you've seen this stuff before. A derivative game-to-film adaptation isn't the same as a bad one, though it does struggle to maintain interest. The need to set up potential sequels is made clear in the movie's title; however as the battles stop seeming distinctive, and the characters chart familiar paths, it makes much of the feature feel like filler. Jones knows how to handle action and exposition, and convey a strong sense of grandeur as well, but remains trapped by his world-building mission and the need to stick to the formula. Try as they might in both live-action and motion-captured performances, the cast are placed in a similar predicament, particularly Paula Patton as half-orc, half-human outcast Garona, who is literally caught in the middle. When the best a movie based on a computer game can offer is CGI wizardry, something has obviously gone awry. Once fans have had their fill of clocking knowing references, even they'll likely wish they were just playing the game instead. And for everyone else — don't expected to be recruited to the horde just yet.
If you think you don't know who Cody ChesnuTT is, then you will be pleased to learn that you are wrong. He is the soulful singer of the incredibly catchy 'Look Good In Leather', one of many brilliant songs from his debut album, The Headphone Masterpiece. The Roots (you will know them) also reworked ChesnuTT's song 'The Seed' for their famous album Phrenology. Since then it has been a long time between drinks — Australia last saw ChesnuTT in 2006. Thankfully, though, he is back with his second studio album and an Australian tour. Landing on a Hundred was released late last year and is well worth seeing performed live. In fact, anyone compared to music legends Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Jimmy Hendrix and Prince is worth seeing, especially for under $50. So hand over a gold note, get your change and enjoy an evening of musical artistry. https://youtube.com/watch?v=8iTRRkOXIoI
From Godzilla to Studio Ghibli, Mario Kart racing to robot restaurants and inventive karaoke spots to capsule hotels, Japan is known for many things. But — in the end — it's really all about the food. You could spend weeks in the country and plan your itinerary solely around its restaurants, street eateries, izakayas and other watering holes, and have the trip of a lifetime. Been lucky enough to do just that? Can't get the ace memories out of your head — or stop your stomach from grumbling — especially while you're now spending more time at home? Even with current COVID-19-related restrictions in place, Brisbane has plenty of top Japanese joints serving up takeaway and delivery meals that'll trick your tastebuds into thinking they're on holidays. If you are going out to pick up takeaway, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health
It’s hard to believe that the Beach Boys have spent half a century as part of musical culture. Their legacy as one of the most loved and influential bands of all time is a testament to their songwriting craft and love of catchy music. To celebrate their 50th Anniversary, the Beach Boys are touring international and they have one stop in Brisbane at the Entertainment Centre. Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks have reunited for the first time in over two decades to perform hits from their prodigious back catalogue. Songs such as ‘Good Vibrations’, ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’ and ‘Barbara Ann’ captured the hearts and ears of earlier generations, be sure to hear them live now as this is shaping up to be a historic tour.
If a luxury getaway is on the cards this summer, NSW has a stunning new outback accommodation option to add to your wish-list. Set on a 9000-acre family-run, third generation beef and sheep property near Warialda in the state's north (about seven hours from Sydney and five from Brisbane), the newly launched Faraway Domes promises a luxury secluded escape, with the added bonus of a minimal carbon footprint thanks to an off-grid power supply. Designed to be able to create its own natural heating and cooling, the self-contained geodesic dome structure fits two and is kitted out in style. You're sure to feel right at home with the luxury four-poster king size bed, a proper bathroom, open-plan living area with TV and, if you choose, a full kitchen stocked with your choice of gourmet eats and ingredients. Meanwhile, a surrounding elevated deck (complete with an outdoor bath) takes full advantage of those sweeping rural views, ideal for nights spent sipping wine under the stars. When you're not living it up in your gorgeous temporary home, you'll find plenty nearby to keep you entertained — Macintyre Falls, Copeton Dam, Cranky Rock Nature Reserve and the Ceramic Break Sculpture Park are located all within an hour's drive of the dome. Faraway Domes currently just has one dome on the property, with plans to construct more in the future. Faraway Domes opens for bookings today with a one-night stay priced at $372. You'll find it at 405 Munsies Road, Warialda, NSW.
With Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaching southeast Queensland, and expected to make landfall overnight between Thursday, March 6–Friday, March 7, 2025, it's far from business as usual in Brisbane and on the Gold and Sunshine coasts right now. Venues are closing and events are cancelling. Schools will be closed from Thursday. Public transport services will be suspended from then, too, with buses and trains joining the already-stopped CityCat and ferry services. Bus services will be suspended from the last service on Wednesday, March 5 — and so will rail services. As with the area's river-based forms of transport, buses and trains are cancelled until further notice. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brisbane City Council (@brisbanecitycouncil) For buses, if you're wondering which companies are impacted, the short answer is all of them. The long answer: Brisbane City Council Buses, Mount Gravatt Coach and Travel, Transdev Queensland, Hornibrook Buslines, Thompsons Bus Services, Kangaroo Bus Lines, Kinetic Gold Coast, Kinetic Sunshine Coast, Glasshouse Country Coaches, Westside Bus Lines in Ipswich, and Christenson's Bus and Coach in Kilcoy, as well as Bus Queensland in Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley, and Clarks Logan City and Park Ridge Transit in Logan. If you are heading out on foot in Brisbane's inner city, the Story Bridge footpaths are also closing, effective from 5.30pm on Wednesday, March 5 — and, again, until further notice. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Queensland Rail (@queenslandrail) Brisbane's CityCats and ferries ran their last services until further notice on Monday, March 3. As at midnight the same day, all ferry terminals, between UQ St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton have also closed. Currently at Category 2 at the time of writing, Tropical Cyclone Alfred is working its way towards the southeast Queensland coast at 16 kilometres per hour, and is expected to hit land between Maroochydore and Coolangatta. Wind gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour are predicted from Wednesday, then up to 155 kilometres per hour from Thursday afternoon. Heavy rainfall is expected from Thursday, which may cause flash floooding, and a storm tide could occur on Friday morning if the cyclone crosses the coast at high tide. To keep up to date with the latest conditions, warnings, alerts and timetables, Brisbanites can head to the below services: The Bureau of Meteorology's Queensland warnings page, tropical cyclone advice, Queensland X and Facebook Brisbane City Council's emergency dashboard Queensland Government's disaster site Brisbane City Council's X and Facebook Translink's website, X, Facebook and Instagram Queensland Fire and Emergency Services's website, X, Facebook and Instagram Qld Traffic Stay safe and dry out there, Queenslanders. Brisbane City Council will continue to update its emergency dashboard. For transport news, head to the Translink website. The Bureau of Meteorology will continue to update its warnings and maps regularly — visit its website for further details.
You might already know that this year marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' last tour of Australia. Maybe you attended the recent exhibition in honour of the event, you might have spun a bit of Sgt. Pepper in an act of solidarity, or perhaps you've been copping an earful from older relatives reliving their days as hapless groupies. Either way, any of your tributes pale in comparison to that of the legends who live in Holbrook, New South Wales. In what's being hailed as the country's largest ever yarn bomb, thousands of eager knitters have this week coated a decommissioned Navy submarine in yellow crocheted wool. Organised by Murray Arts, the project has been six months in the making and features a crazy amount of work by the local community. Outside of Holbrook, contributions for the project came from as far across the globe as Scotland, where family members of those that had served on the submarine kindly offered their efforts too. At a whopping 90 metres in length, this yellow submarine now stands as beautiful tribute to the eponymous Beatles' classic (and also uncannily makes the vessel look like a prop from a Wes Anderson film). The yarn bomb will stay in place until July 12, when the blankets will be cut down and donated to an animal shelter. Good vibes all 'round. Via ABC. All images via the Holbrook Submarine Facebook.
Start making staycation plans: if you're keen for a night or several away from home in five-star surroundings, Brisbane's Amora Hotel will have you covered from December. The site previously known as the Novotel is currently undergoing a huge revamp, with $30 million being spent on the Creek Street spot's refurbishment. Guests are still staying at the hotel at present, but the new-look venue will officially launch as summer hits. On offer: 296 rooms located over 14 floors, plus an outdoor rooftop pool with a deck that sounds perfect for Brisbane's usually sultry weather. When you're hanging out indoors, you'll be surrounded by the work of interior designer Cottee Parker. Think: greenery, natural light and tones, and a tradition-meets-contemporary approach. The Amora Group purchased Amora Brisbane in 2020, adding it to a suite of properties that spans six hotels in Australia and Thailand. As a result, the made-over Brissie venue is going with a vacation vibe even though it's located smack-bang in the middle of the River City's CBD. "The pandemic brought about a shift in the mindsets of travellers, and their motivations are very different now. They seek unique and meaningful experiences that bring value to their vacations. It is not enough to just position a property as 'five-star luxury'," said Amora Hotels and Resorts Group Executive Director Earp Siriphatrawan. "We're very excited to soon unveil the complete Amora Brisbane and cater to both locals and travellers alike with a more sophisticated experience," added Amora Hotels and Resorts Group Director Commercial and Business Development Narej Farik. Amora Brisbane also boasts skyline views, a lobby bar and restaurant, a fitness studio and sauna, and spaces for events. Food-wise, the hotel's new culinary highlights are set to launch in January complete with a new menu and new fitout. Elsewhere in Australia, the family-owned hotel brand operates Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne — which has been on its books for 25 years — plus Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amora Hotel Brisbane (@amorabrisbane) Amora Hotel Brisbane's revamp will launch at 200 Creek Street, Brisbane City in December 2023 — head to the hotel's website for reservations and further information.
Returning for its 20th year, 2019's Brisbane Queer Film Festival starts with a restored masterpiece and ends with a new look at an icon. Sounds fitting for a fest that celebrates LGBTIQA and gender diverse tales on screen. It opens with Buddies, the 1985 movie that marked the first feature-length film about AIDS — and then closes with Wild Nights With Emily, starring Molly Shannon as poet Emily Dickinson. Across BQFF's 11-day program, the festival has plenty of other stories to show when it arrives at New Farm Cinemas between Thursday, March 7 and Sunday, March 17. French film Sauvage follows a 22-year-old selling his body on the streets, rom-com Anchor and Hope contemplates the mechanics of starting a family with Oona Chaplin and Game of Thrones' Natalia Tena, and Mapplethorpe sees Matt Smith play the famous photographer. Or there's also Obscuro Barroco, TransMilitary and Genderblend, which take three different looks at gender — one charting the life of transgender figure Luana Muniz in Rio de Janeiro, the second focusing on four US soldiers trying to serve as their country keeps changing its policy on their rights, and the last honing in on five folks who neither feel male or female. BQFF also features multiple shorts programs from its 20-session lineup, delivering diversity in plenty of ways.
A character drama about a West Texas woman who wins the lottery, but six years later has nothing to show for it except pain, alcoholism and burned bridges, To Leslie is all about English talent Andrea Riseborough's remarkable performance — famously so thanks to her Best Actress Oscar nomination for an indie film widely underseen until that nod of approval. Nothing can take away the power of the Mandy, Possessor and Amsterdam star's stunning portrayal. A spectacular performance is a spectacular performance regardless of what surrounds it. So, Riseborough's work in the debut feature from seasoned TV director Michael Morris (Better Call Saul, 13 Reasons Why, Brothers & Sisters) remains a gut-punch no matter the controversy around the campaign by high-profile names to help get her the Academy's recognition, with Kate Winslet, Edward Norton and Jennifer Aniston among those advocating for accolades. To Leslie remains Riseborough's movie despite comedian and actor Mark Maron uttering the words that sum it up best, too. In his latest compassionate performance — with a less-gruff edge than he sports in GLOW — he plays Sweeney, the co-proprietor of a roadside motel in Leslie's hometown. That's where she ends up again after the money runs out, plus her luck and everyone she knows' patience with it. As scripted by Ryan Binaco (3022), Sweeney is another of To Leslie's flawed characters. The movie teems with such folks because everyone of us is flawed, and it sees that truth with the clearest of eyes. In a sincere but awkward chat, Sweeney explains how his now ex-wife's drinking helped end his marriage; however, he catches himself afterwards, making a point to say that just because his story turned out like that, that doesn't mean Leslie's will as well, or that he thinks it that'll occur. One person's tale can be everyone's — cinema, and storytelling in general, thrives on the fact that the deeply specific can be profoundly universal — but no one's experiences ever play out exactly as another's have. That's an essential message at the heart of To Leslie, and it's one that asks for understanding but not judgement. While watching the film's very fictional namesake on-screen, it's easy to spy parallels, to relate, and to feel what it is to be in Leslie, Sweeney or the feature's other figures' shoes. Movies are empathy machines, after all. That said, battling assumptions about what the course that Leslie's story has to follow, and what that says about her and other people who've struggled with addiction and poverty, is as important to Morris and Binaco's picture as Risebourgh's awards-worthy performance. There's such weight and soul to the actor's titular portrayal in this tale of redemption — when Leslie is at her best, worst, hovering in-between and splashing between the two extremes alike. In early footage that's repeated later, Riseborough is giddily ecstatic holding a giant cheque for $190,000 and hollering in a local news interview about what an impact it'll make (and promising to spoil her young son). She cuts a still-wiry, still-determined sight, but now fraught rather than euphoric, in the hard jump to after the cash has been drunk away, which is when she's being kicked out of her The Florida Project-style digs for not paying her bill. There's a visible difference between the two Leslies, as her grown-up boy James (Teague, The Stand) notes without saying when she reunites with him next — but much of Riseborough's efforts are about what's churning inside Leslie moment by moment, whether inebriated, desperate for whatever she can sip or stone-cold sober. When she turns up carting a pink suitcase containing all of her worldly belongings, James has one rule for Leslie's attempts to reconnect: no booze. Part of the heartbreak of To Leslie, and of Riseborough's performance, is foreseeing what might happen while witnessing how Leslie endeavours to battle against it. Similarly, part of the film's joys and surprises spring when addiction doesn't win out. With James, though, Leslie can't keep her promise. When she's sent home to Dutch (Stephen Root, Barry) and Nancy (Allison Janney, Breaking News in Yuba County), pals she was once as close as family with, she's met with the spite and bitterness of former friends rather than a son's disappointment and hurt. The bulk of the small town's residents similarly have long memories, largely treating her as a joke. And Sweeney's colleague Royal (Andre Royo, Truth Be Told) is hesitant when the former sees her sleeping outside their motel, initially runs her off, but then generously offers her both a place to stay and a cleaning job. Country music echoes within the film, heard and spoken about, in a telling choice for a movie about second, third, fourth and fifth chances (and more). Notes of Wild Rose, another feature about a woman piecing her life back together, filter in with that in mind; the two pictures have plenty of dissimilarities, too, but share exceptional leads. Indeed, simply watching Riseborough sit at a bar nursing a drink and listening to a twang-filled tune makes for an astonishing scene, with Morris shrewdly holding the moment, and cinematographer Larkin Seiple (Everything Everywhere All At Once) lighting a lengthy closeup like it's extraordinary and ordinary all at once. In what might be her biggest acting feat in a deservedly well-regarded career, Riseborough knows how to be Leslie, not play her — in this scene and from start to finish. This isn't a performance courting attention, but one committed to conveying what's swishing and swirling within a tumultuous character whose strengths and missteps are both always in view. To Leslie's least impressive trait is its fondness for neat and conventional beats, although Riseborough ensures that even the most predictable plot developments never feel like a standard pour (as does Morris' ability to recognise what he has with Riseborough as the narrative's anchor). Stories can turn out like this, traversing the highs as well as the lows, and To Leslie certainly isn't afraid of getting messy through its protagonist and her lifetime's worth of tussles before it starts letting hope loiter. It definitely isn't scared of showing what's worth striving for, either, be it the tenderness of Leslie and Sweeney's blossoming bond, the yearning of a mother who wants to finally be able to do right by her son, or a path to a future that's safe and sustainable. Riseborough is striving, of course, but her every move and expression — alone, and when paired with the also-excellent Teague, Maron and Janney — couldn't be more raw, complex and lived in.
2025 is a great year to be a fan of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein in Brisbane. Not one but two films based on the literary masterpiece are headed to screens — one from Guillermo del Toro (Guillermo del Toro' Pinocchio) for Netflix, the other courtesy of actor-turned-filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Lost Daughter) — and Shake & Stir Theatre Co's take on the tale has also locked in its Sunshine State return. This stage version of Frankenstein debuted in Queensland in 2023, headed to Melbourne and Sydney in 2024, and now heads back to Brissie in 2025. The story remains the same as it has since 1818, of course, following a young scientist tormented by grief, a bold push to thwart mortality, plus the consequences sparked by his act of playing god. And, as always, it covers the impact upon the being that's spliced together, jolted into existence, yearns to belong, but is swiftly and cruelly shunned. Yes, some of gothic horror's greatest works clearly foresaw their longevity. Bram Stoker's Dracula will never die, and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein will never stop being brought to life, either. Shake & Stir Theatre Co took on the former back in 2015 and 2017, in a brand-new world-premiere stage production that sunk its fangs into the most famous vampire tale there is. Then, the South Brisbane-based theatre company turned its attention to Victor Frankenstein and his creation. "Gothic fiction is a passion of the company, and Shelley's ground-breaking novel, credited for both its gothic roots and for pioneering the science fiction genre, presents an excitingly monstrous challenge in mounting it for the stage," said Shake & Stir Co-Artistic Director Nick Skubij, who is also directing Frankenstein, when the initial Brisbane season was announced. "This production invites audiences on a journey into the mind of a madman and they will see things on stage that they've seldom seen before. This is Shelley's classic story told in a brand-new, hi-tech monster of a show. Multiple axis of automation, over 140 square metres of LED video panels, pyrotechnics and a cinematic, sweeping score — all working seamlessly together to bring Shelly's tale to visceral life." Accordingly, audiences at QPAC Playhouse from Saturday, May 24–Sunday, June 8, 2025 can expect an immersive performance that steps through Shelley's classic — and with a big emphasis on production design. Think: those video and digital elements playing a hefty part, and the meticulous sound design setting the mood. Shake & Stir's Frankenstein follows not only Dracula, but also Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, A Christmas Carol, Macbeth, Othello, Animal Farm, The Twits, Fantastic Mr Fox and Romeo & Juliet among the company's looks backwards. In the past few years, the theatre group has brought Fourteen and Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas! — both personal stories, with the first based on the memoir of the same name — to the stage as well. The oft-adapted Frankenstein is no stranger to audiences, including earning a stunning Royal National Theatre iteration by Danny Boyle (Yesterday) starring Benedict Cumberbatch (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar) and Jonny Lee Miller (Guy Ritchie's The Covenant) in 2011 — with the two actors rotating roles between Victor and the creature each night — that's been playing cinemas worldwide ever since thanks to NT Live. With Shake & Stir's take, Skubij sees the timelessness of the work, plus the current parallels. "It's been fascinating to consider this incredible work dealing with themes of advancement, progress and pushing the limits of possibility alongside contemporary advances in AI technology today. The story could not be more relevant," he noted. "Like Victor Frankenstein's creation, AI is arguably neither good nor bad; it's how it's built and used that dictates its legacy." "Frankenstein's monster is just that: a living, breathing 'being' far superior in capabilities than any natural human could ever be. But what are the consequences of using science to play God?" Shake & Stir Theatre Co's Frankenstein will play Brisbane's QPAC Playhouse from Saturday, May 24–Sunday, June 8, 2025. Head to the production's website for further information and tickets. Images: Joel Devereaux.
Everybody loves condiments, but it's hard to imagine sitting down to a 33-minute documentary about one. Until, perhaps, we reveal that the condiment of choice is Sriracha, the punchy hot sauce that inspires cult-like levels of devotion the globe over. Sriracha is a Kickstarter-funded documentary by Griffin Hammond that follows the rise of the ubiquitous 'rooster sauce' in America after a Vietnamese refugee named David Tran decided to make his own version of the sauce, which originated in Thailand but is also popular in Vietnam as a condiment for pho. Tran founded Huy Fong Foods in 1980, and since then the company's revenues have grown by at least 20 percent every year — amazingly, without advertising. The documentary mainly consists of interviews with Tran, as well as several die-hard Sriracha fans. According to reviews, there's some interesting trivia in there and it does give you an insight into the company and its founder. But it's also been described as "one long Sriracha commercial" due to its lack of non-Sriracha-loving subjects. There's some anxiety among Sriracha lovers following the recent partial shutdown of the main Huy Fong factory in California. Combined with a new 30-day freeze on shipment, it's looking like a short-term shortage may be a reality. Have fortitude, heat fiends. You can watch the trailer for Sriracha below. The full documentary is available on Vimeo for $5. Via the NPR blog.
A soundtrack of wall-to-wall floor-filler classics will echo across Australia this autumn, featuring tunes by Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers and Groove Armada — but not exactly as you know them. Joining the dance-meets-symphony trend is the just-announced Alive Garden Party, which has enlisted the UK's Club Symphony to head Down Under to give the country another event in the style of Synthony and Ministry of Sound Classical. The setup: having a symphony orchestra play tracks normally known for getting clubs pumping, not concert halls. The concept isn't new; however, it is popular. Australia's latest instance is heading to outdoor venues, including some wineries — taking queues from A Day on the Green and Grapevine Gathering as well. Songs by Faithless, Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz will also feature when Alive Garden Party debuts in South Australia at the end of March, then tours to Moss Vale Showgrounds in New South Wales' Southern Highlands, Swan Valley's Oakover Grounds in Western Australia, the Gold Coast in Queensland and Rochford Wines in Yarra Valley in Victoria. The lineup will expand as well, beyond the Steve Anderson-, Dave Seaman- and Cliff Masterson-led Club Symphony, including vocalists. Attendees aren't just in for a treat for the ears, but also for the eyes and tastebuds. With the latter, the focus will be on gourmet local produce that you can enjoy while picnicking the afternoon away — plus drinks, of course — before getting dancing beneath the stars when night hits. Bringing your own blanket to sprawl out on is encouraged, as is relaxing on the grass. If you'd like the VIP experience, it includes express entry, premium viewing and a bar with an expanded range. [caption id="attachment_936463" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Hildebrand[/caption] "This will be a visual and audible show that leaves audiences elated," said Jaylee Osborne on behalf of Alive Garden Party's organisers. "Alive Garden Party was born because music festivals aren't for everyone and concerts sometimes don't quite hit the spot. So we created a highly bespoke, beautiful and comfortable experience for every concertgoer." [caption id="attachment_936464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Perry McLaughlan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_936462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Hildebrand[/caption] ALIVE GARDEN PARTY 2024 DATES: Saturday, March 30 — TBC, Adelaide, South Australia Sunday, March 31 — Moss Vale Showgrounds, Southern Highlands, New South Wales Saturday, April 6 — Oakover Grounds, Swan Valley, Western Australia Saturday, April 13 — TBC, Gold Coast, Queensland Saturday, April 20 — Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, Victoria Alive Garden Party will tour Australia in March and April 2024, with tickets on-sale now — head to the event website for further details.
Steak and frites is a very straightforward pairing, but a great one. Some of the best combinations keep things simple, after all. It's also on the menu once a week at Emporium Hotel's Belle Époque — and the French joint has something particularly special on offer. Head by on a Thursday night between 5–9pm, and you'll be able to tuck into a 200-gram black angus sirloin as topped with Cafe de Paris butter. You'll also get frites — and they're bottomless. We all know the feeling of munching through your fries, wanting more and being disappointed, so with this deal, you can eat as many as you want. Also included is a glass of vin de table — aka red wine — with the whole dinner costing $32 per person. If you're dining with someone who doesn't fancy steak, Belle Époque's is also serving up soup of the day, oysters, charcuterie and cheese, plus house-made pies, crispy skin confit duck leg, mussels and cauliflower gratin. And, unsurprisingly, bookings are essential by contacting the venue. Updated February 1, 2021.
One of my most vivid childhood memories occurred when I was around seven years old. School had just started back from term break and a lot my mates were talking about how great a time they had camping over the holidays. Wondering why I was missing out on all the fun, I asked my mum when she got home from work that evening why we'd never been camping before. Her response? A deadpan, and completely earnest: "But we have been camping, darling – remember that time we stayed at a Best Western?" Not only is this one of my earliest memories — it turned out to be one of my most formative, too. Mine wasn't a particularly outdoorsy family, which is a legacy I have stubbornly (or proudly, depending on the day of the week) kept going. I can't swim — in fact I only started enjoying even getting into a pool just a few years ago. I never managed to master riding a bike. And hiking? I am yet to be convinced that it's anything other than a mind-numbing and utterly pointless endeavour. If I wanted to experience nature, I'd drive through it on paved and well-signed roads in a climate-controlled vehicle, thank you very much. So imagine my surprise when I arrived in Cairns. [caption id="attachment_854603" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jarrad Shaw[/caption] I felt like David Rose. It's safe to say that a trip to regional Queensland had never been on my radar. But, as a guest of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, I was duty-bound to wholeheartedly embrace the itinerary put together by my incredible colleague and Mission Beach local Courtney Ammenhauser. Yes, it was going to put me well beyond my comfort zone, but that was entirely the point — could this part of the world appeal to someone who can count on one hand the amount of times he's voluntarily been in nature? The short answer is yes, it bloody well can. Over a jam-packed three days, I was shown just some of what the region has to offer by Cairns local Katie Purling. At the risk of being hyperbolic, I was lucky enough to see and do things that I never thought I would see or do. Sure, I didn't have to cosplay as Bear Grylls, but it turns out I didn't have to. There are plenty of ways to explore the spectacularly diverse and truly beautiful tropics that would appeal to even the most discerning of travellers, from luxe, carbon-neutral accomodation set among the rainforest canopy to excellent fine-dining venues that showcase the richness of produce available in Australia's tropical north and First Nations-owned and operated tours offering immersive cultural experiences that offer a fascinating look at Indigenous protected land. [caption id="attachment_854604" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jarrad Shaw[/caption] While the videos in this feature do a far better job than my words ever could of illustrating the beauty of the tropics, there were some highlights that will stay with me for a while. Swimming (well, wading, really) in the Great Barrier Reef after a very comfortable yacht trip with Sailaway was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I'll not soon forget. Reef conservation is something that is, understandably, taken quite seriously in the region. Dipping my toes into the Coral Sea's crystal-clear waters dotted with an infinitesimal fraction of its fascinating coral formations was a truly humbling experience that afforded me an almost tangible perspective (beyond my existing but more conceptual one) around just how important it is to keep the Reef thriving. As a regional leader in ecotourism, Sailaway not only gets visitors up close to the Great Barrier Reef in a responsible way with trips that are 100-percent carbon neutral, but is also an active participant in coral planting and monitoring initiatives — trips are also offset with a portion of each ticket price invested back into rainforest reforestation projects. If nature walks aren't your thing, the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, located just 15 minutes north of Cairns, is an incredible way to experience the world's oldest continually surviving rainforest. It's a strange combination of fear and awe as you enter your cable car and ascend up to 90 metres above ground, the ideal spot from which to enjoy sweeping views of the rainforest canopy below and the beautiful blue ocean beyond. I can confirm, though, that the awe quickly consumes the fear as you take in the incredibly diverse sea of green underneath you, especially when the mighty Barron Falls comes into view. A one-way journey on Skyrail is 7.5-kilometres long, with three legs that are broken up with stops featuring stunning lookout points, complimentary ranger-guided boardwalk tours and informative discovery zones. An EarthCheck-certified operator, Skyrail is part of the Wet Tropics Management Authority, which works to protect and conserve this World Heritage area, while its own Skyrail Rainforest Foundation raises and distributes funds to support research and education projects for the tropical wonder. But the biggest takeaway was something I couldn't quite put my finger on until I was discussing my time up north with Courtney upon my return. There's an almost palpable sense of time slowing right down — the days somehow feel longer but you never get the sense that they're dragging on. Whether it's down to the humidity, the warm hospitality of the laidback locals or really more of a general vibe, that, for me, truly felt like the biggest money-can't-buy luxury of all. And even writing this from the far more familiar surrounds of the big smoke, I can't wait to experience that again soon. Nik Addams travelled to Cairns as a guest of Tourism Tropical North Queensland. Top image: Jarrad Shaw
Bendigo Art Gallery will honour one of the most influential fashion icons of all time when the Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion exhibition opens on August 17. A pioneering 20th century designer hailing from Spain, Cristóbal Balenciaga was considered one of the leaders of haute couture — and hundreds of his designs are making their way to Australia this winter. For this exclusive exhibition, Bendigo Art Gallery has collaborated with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Expect over 100 garments and hats designed not only by Balenciaga, but also by his 30 contemporaries and apprentices at the design house — who include the likes of Oscar de la Renta and Hubert de Givenchy. Along with the designer pieces — including pieces worn by actress Ava Gardner, mononymous 50s model Dovima and 60s fashion icon Gloria Guinness — visitors will gain access to Balenciaga's house through archival sketches, fabric samples, photographs and fashion show footage. This is the gallery's latest fashion-focused installation, with past exhibitions including Melbourne's own Toni Maticevski in 2016, golden era Hollywood designer Edith Head in 2017 and, most recently, an exhibition on Finnish textile icon Marimekkoin June 2018. The art gallery is located about two hours' drive northwest of Melbourne. Instead of flying into Melbourne, out-of-towners can opt to take a newly operating Qantas direct flight from Sydney to Bendigo — and August would certainly be the time to do it.
In the fleeting game of fashion, it is hard to find or create a brand that is consitent, on trend and sustainable. Noticing the need for some environmentally concious clothing, Undress Brisbane emerges as a brand which proves sustainability, and should be celebrated. Undress Brisbane are hosting Australia’s biggest sustainable fashion show. Indulge in an evening of entertainment: runway shows, design exhibitions, music and organic cocktails, all hosted in the (re-usable) venue of the Chinatown car park. There will be three runways to catch throughout the evening – swimwear and lingerie, day wear, and evening wear and accessories. Continue the celebrations late into the evening, with the after party congregating at Oh Hello after 10pm, directly across the road on Ann Street. Head to the event website to see the full list of designers whose talents will be on display during the evening. Attendants are encouraged to act responsibly throughout the celebrations, which includes donning your own sustainable garments for the show.
Keen to escape the house after spending the past few months in lockdown? Eager to watch a movie on a screen that's larger than your television? Want to do all of the above and go easy on your wallet? A visit to one of Event Cinemas' Brisbane sites has you covered — now that they're reopening across the city. For a limited time — with no end date announced for the special as yet — the chain's venues are offering up half-price tickets to celebrate their relaunch. That means that you'll generally pay less than a tenner to see your movie of choice in a standard theatre, and also score discounted Gold Class and V-Max tickets as well. To nab the deal, you will need to be a member of Event Cinemas' Cinebuzz Rewards program. If you're not already, you can sign up for free online. And if you're wondering what to watch, there's plenty on the bill if you're keen to spend as much time in a darkened room as possible. That includes new releases such as The Personal History of David Copperfield and Love Sarah, as well as older 2020 titles like Dark Waters, Emma, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Invisible Man, The Gentlemen, Bloodshot, 1917 and Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Parasite is still screening at some sites, too, because of course the best movie of 2019 is still on screens more than a year after it first released, and even after pandemic closures. Event Cinemas' half-price deal is available for a limited time — head to the chain's website for further details.
Everybody loves food. The glorious stuff keeps us alive, after all. But our relationship with it is so much more than just one of sustenance. It's a deep love based on bold flavours and gastro-satisfaction — and it's a love so strong that we're willing to cross seas, hop on rickety buses and pay big money to travel far-flung countries just to get our hands on what could be the world's best sandwich, or the perfect cup of coffee. Culinary tourism is one of the top reasons people travel, and travelling for a food festival is one of the most hectic, informative and fun ways to immerse yourself in the city's food culture. So take a coffee break and scroll through some of the world's most delicious food festivals. They're events we reckon are worth dusting off the passport and busting out your custom chilli spoon for. And even if you can't make it to the actual event, it might at least give you an inspired idea of what to eat for dinner tonight. AUSTIN FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL, TEXAS, USA Austin has long been the culinary darling of the United States, and the glorious April feast that is the Austin Food + Wine Festival is the best way to find out why. As well as artisanal food and booze from a slew of local vendors, there's usually a fire pit, a taco showdown, interactive demonstrations, live music and meet and greets with America's top chefs. There's so much on you won't even be thinking about the exchange rate — just about how much you can fit in your tummy. When? Late April. COPENHAGEN COOKING, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK So we all know about Noma (especially after Rene Redzepi brought the restaurant to Sydney earlier this year), but do you know anything else about Danish cuisine? Probably not. But your one-way ticket to finding out is attending the Copenhagen Cooking food festival. This lovely little festival (which was in fact modelled in part on Melbourne Food and Wine Festival) will have you biking all over the small city to eat all the smørrebrød and skagen you possibly can. They also have a heap of good coffee and natural wine to try. The festival itself includes a wide range of events, from slow food dinners held in barns on the outskirts of town to cupping sessions and a long table outdoor feast that takes over a street in the city's Frederiksberg area. When? Late August. [caption id="attachment_594133" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Seth Lui via Singapore Food Festival[/caption] SINGAPORE FOOD FESTIVAL, SINGAPORE The entirely unique blend of cultural flavours (and price points) that is Singapore's cuisine jumps out at you like nobody's business at this annual celebration of eating as much as you deem safe. At the Singapore Food Fest, top chefs (many Michelin-starred) re-imagine classics in market stalls, and street vendors around town dish out every delicious colour of the foodie rainbow. This year they were even serving up something called laksagne — that's laksa-flavoured lasagne. Yep. When? Mid July. FOOD AND FUN FESTIVAL, REYKJAVIK, ICELAND With Iceland's relative proximity to the well-known food scene of Copenhagen (thanks to Noma) and the fact that it's on just about every traveller's bucket list, it's no surprise to see the culinary delights of Reykjavik becoming more and more popular. The most popular food event in the nation's capital, the Food and Fun Festival, sees restaurants across the city gather together to showcase Iceland's best home-grown produce over a few days in March. When? Early March. [caption id="attachment_594107" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Binder.donedat via Flickr.[/caption] PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL, PHUKET, THAILAND Although it's already passed us by this year, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is definitely worth marking down on your travel calendar. The festival is actually a religious one, and celebrates the Chinese community's belief that abstaining from meat and other stimulants during the ninth lunar month and praying to the Nine Emperor Gods for good health and peace of mind. It packs in ten days of intricate ceremonies — from fire walking to others too gruesome to mention — all while following a strict vego diet. Their mock meat game is strong and the food is stellar, with nature's produce being cooked with such skill that it'll probably never taste better. Remember this is a religious festival though, and if you attend you'll have to follow the festival's ten rules (no alcohol is one of them). When? Early October (but changes with the lunar calendar). L'APLEC DEL CARAGOL, LLEIDA, SPAIN Deep in the heart of Catalonia lies the city of Lleida — and every year in May, it plays host to up to 200,000 visitors for the annual gathering of snails. Essentially, it's a huge snail feast. The festival, named l'Aplec del Caragol, lays it on with parades, bands and whole mess of snails to consume. Last year, twelve tonnes were demolished across the weekend. When? Late May. WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL, CANCUN, MEXICO Legging it to a destination for food doesn't necessarily mean sticking with the local offerings, so why not treat yourself to a festival of pure world class gastronomy? Cancun's Wine & Food Festival is regularly hosted by some of the best chefs in the world, and it comes with the jaw dropping scenery of Caribbean in the background. Plus, you can snack on street tacos in-between events if you're still hungry. When? Early October. LE SALON DU CHOCOLAT, PARIS, FRANCE This one's pretty straight up and simple: a four-day chocolate festival in Paris. Le Salon du Chocolat sees hundreds of pastry chefs, chocolatiers and confectioners from all around the world descend on Paris for a whole long weekend's worth of take my money now. That's a bender to really get behind. When? Late October. Top image: Copenhagen Cooking.
Even the most dedicated camping fans aren't that fond of packing. So much to bring, so little space, even when you're a seasoned outdoorsy type. Factor in not only shelter, bedding, food and other essentials, but anything fun you'd like to do while you're away from the big smoke, and you're carting quite the hefty stack of gear with you. Next time you're heading beyond the city limits for a stint under the stars, the Traft will help reduce your luggage, especially if a paddle along a waterway is also on your agenda. And, it'll open up your options when it comes to activities. As the name suggests, it's an inflatable tent-raft combo that you can splash about in by day and sleep in at night. Officially described as a line of "hybrid tent-packraft-sleep systems", the Traft can also be used to lounge around in both on land and water, with or without shade from the sun thanks to its removable tent. Should you fancy sleeping in something other than a raft, the latter can also be used as shelter independently from the base. Sparked by an idea for a floating boat hammock, and made from thermo plastic polyurethane, the Traft was first unveiled at a US outdoor retailer show back in July. It comes in 2.43-metre, 2.59-metre and 2.76-metre options, although only the first is available at present. The smaller size weighs less than four kilograms, making it a lightweight addition to your camping kit — but, unsurprisingly, it doesn't come cheap, selling for US$900. For more information, visit the Traft website. Via: Digital Trends. Image: Traft.
While most Australian states and territories shiver their way through winter, the Top End becomes an ideal vacay destination thanks to its balmy dry season (which runs from May–October). And, if you needed even more reason to escape the winter chill, the region is turning up the heat this season with a stack of arts and cultural events. Sure, Australian cities are in no short supply of creative endeavours. But Darwin is different. Billing itself as the beating heart of First Nations culture and creativity, the Northern Territory's capital has long-recognised the traditional custodians of the land, specifically the Larrakia people. Fittingly, this August, it's got an epic month-long lineup of First Nations-focused exhibitions, runway shows, art fairs and a one-night music celebration. In partnership with Darwin Festival and its Beating Heart of First Nations Culture events series, we've rounded up seven must-see gigs that are not only worth the plane trip, but also represent Australia's past, present and future. So go on — book that flight. [caption id="attachment_817479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elise Derwin[/caption] DARWIN FESTIVAL August 5–22 Darwin's annual winter party is not shy of events this year, with music, dance, theatre, cabaret and comedy performances popping up across a whole host of Top End locations. Naturally, the three-week fest is championing First Nations performers. You can catch openair concert Buŋgul on opening night (more about this later) and the world-premiere of intercultural dance troupe Marrugeku's provocative new production Jurrungu Ngan-ga (Straight Talk) (August 13–14). The stirring show combines dance and theatre, and is inspired by both Yawuru leader Patrick Dodson and Kurdish-Iranian writer Behrouz Boochani's perspectives on incarceration. Ilbijerri Theatre Company's Heart is a Wasteland (August 11–15) — a play and (whisky-fuelled) live music show of First Nations storytelling — is one you won't want to miss. Also on the bill is singer-songwriter Sycco, of Torres Strait Islander heritage, who's playing alongside Confidence Man and Flight Facilities (August 13). To check out the full program, head to the festival's website. BUŊGUL August 5 We promised you we'd talk more about this one. Kicking off Darwin Festival is this free, openair concert celebrating the music of Gurrumul and the people of North East Arnhem Land. Born blind, proud Galiwin'ku man and award-winning musician Gurrumul (AKA Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupiŋu) was a member of Yothu Yindi and Saltwater Band, and had a successful solo career. Dubbed 'Australia's most important voice' by Rolling Stone Australia, he remains one of the most celebrated — and commercially successful — First Nations musicians. His impact is still deeply felt and Buŋgul is set to shine a light on his genius. Featuring Yolŋu dancers, songmen and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, the opening night event will be held at Darwin Amphitheatre at George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens — we recommend getting in early for this one, as spaces are limited. While the concert is free, registration is required. NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS August 7 The music at the Botanic Gardens continues on August 7 with the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA). The event has been celebrating Aussie music for 16 years, and every year it recognises the stellar tunes coming from First Nations musicians from every corner of the country. From emerging artists to those of international acclaim, past awards have been picked up by the likes of Archie Roach, Baker Boy, Emma Donovan, Dan Sultan, Gurrumul and JK-47. Get in on all the action and head to Darwin Amphitheatre to see who will add their names to the honour roll and catch a heap of live acts including Baker Boy, Miiesha, Electric Fields, King Stingray, Alice Skye, and Dallas Woods and Kee'ahn. [caption id="attachment_814319" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dylan Buckee[/caption] DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR August 6–8 On the visual arts front, the first weekend of August will see the return of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF). Showcasing more than 70 Indigenous-owned galleries under one roof, the fair is a unique opportunity for you to purchase artworks directly from the source. Misrepresentation of First Nations artists is not uncommon, so if you want to pick up authentic Indigenous artworks in an ethical fashion, DAAF is a surefire bet — 100 percent of sales to date go back into First Nations creative communities. The fair always has an exciting entertainment program, with this year promising dance performances, workshops, material demonstrations and artist talks, as well as food, film and fashion. You can check out the full program on the DAAF website. [caption id="attachment_814321" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charlie Bliss[/caption] TELSTRA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER AWARDS August 2021–February 2022 The Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA), presented by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, is the longest-running and most prestigious art awards program for First Nations artists. For 37 years, it has celebrated contemporary artworks from around the nation across a broad range of disciplines — from paintings to photography and textile works. What makes the awards so special is the diversity in storytelling; here, you can explore perspectives from coastal regions, desert towns, cities and everywhere between. Can't make it to the Top End this season? The exhibition is running right through to next year. Otherwise, you catch it from your couch thanks to the virtual gallery. [caption id="attachment_814318" align="alignnone" width="1920"] George F Photography[/caption] COUNTRY TO COUTURE August 4 Missed seeing Australian Fashion Week make history with its all-Indigenous fashion showcase this year? No worries — you can still get your fashion fix in the NT this August. Falling under the umbrella of DAAF, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) are set to return on August 3. Launched only last year, the awards are a celebration of the innovative, diverse and ethical practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers. DAAF even has its own runway show, dubbed Country to Couture, set to take over Darwin Convention Centre on August 4. The stylish show has run alongside the annual DAAF since 2016 and champions First Nations contemporary fine art, textiles and high-end fashion. For tickets, head to the event website. [caption id="attachment_817282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Ngayuku Ngura – My Country' by Barbara Moore, acrylic on linen. Photo: Elise Derwin[/caption] SALON DES REFUSÉS August 5–September 25 Rounding out the stacked events calendar is Salon des Refusés, presented by Salon Art Projects. This year, the organisation is presenting seven Indigenous art exhibitions across five local galleries from July to September. But it's the much-anticipated aforementioned show, running from August 5 to September 25, that you'll most want to check out. Held in Charles Darwin University Art Gallery, the exhibition showcases works submitted but not accepted into NATSIAA. The high quality of works on display showcase First Nations artists from around Australia, while shining a light on the current state of Indigenous art and what its future might look like. Now in its ninth year, the event is also hosting an opening night shindig on Wednesday, August 4. Time to start planning that trip north? Darwin Festival — and its Beating Heart events — runs from Thursday, August 5–Sunday, August 22. For the full program of events, head to the website. Top image: Elise Derwin
