Last year, we told you to get ready for a brand new scenario. This year, it's back. Yes, Newstead now has a Hip Hop Festival, and it's called Scenario, actually. Returning tot The Triffid on May 5 for its second time around, the fest promises 12 hours of beats, rhymes and more, all in one of Brisbane's best venues, and all for free. If the joint's a-rocking, do come a-knocking from 1pm — and given the lineup, it's bound to be. Local legends Resin Dogs lead the bill, unleashing the kind of 20th anniversary set that fans and newcomers alike are bound to love. And while the full roster of talent is yet to be announced, Ziggy Ramo, Jesswar, iiiConic and Gratis Minds are also on the bill. As well as the tunes — all day, non-stop — there'll be beverages and food on offer too. It wouldn't be a fest without them, of course, and it wouldn't be a public holiday eve either.
It's Brisbane's original CBD spot for drinks right by the river, pre-dating South Bank, Portside and Howard Smith Wharves. After cementing its spot as an inner-city mainstay since back in 1989, it's also saying farewell. That'd be Eagle Street Pier, which is being torn down and replaced by a sprawling new waterside precinct — and also setting up a pop-up bar to go out with a few drinks. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between Thursday, June 9–Saturday, June 25, waterside sips of champagne, wine and beer now await — all with that killer view. Providing the drinks: Mumm champagne and City Winery's Gerler wines, as well as a range of local brews. Coppa will be on snack duties, helping line your stomach during this last chance to soak in a piece of Brissie history. The pop-up will be up and running from 4–8pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and from midday–8pm on Saturdays. Head by on Friday nights and you'll also be able to check out roving entertainment, and see fireworks light up the sky.
Thanks to a lengthy stream of announcements dating back to autumn, Brisbanites can be forgiven for feeling like they already know what's on Brisbane Festival's lineup for 2022. We've already heard about the return of Riverfire, this time kicking off the huge citywide fest rather than ending it. Bob Dylan musical Girl From the North Country has been locked in for a few months as well. We also know that Brisbane Powerhouse is welcoming a huge kaleidoscope you can walk through, while Northshore Hamilton will score a riverside pop-up with a saucy cabaret show and Japanese magic bar. That's just the beginning of the Brisbane Festival events we've already been told about for this year, too. The list of previously revealed shows also covers installations Museum of the Moon, Gaia and Mars, which'll light up a seven-metre floating orb in West End; Brisbane's Art Boat making a comeback for cruises down the old brown snake, this time while looking at Lindy Lee's creative pieces; and sky-high event Raise the Roof, which'll throw six parties on six rooftops on one night. Plus, it spans openair gig Disco Wonderland, complete with orchestra-played 70s tunes at the Riverstage — and the stage adaptation of Shannon Molloy's coming-of-age memoir Fourteen. Excited already? That's perfectly understandable. Prepare to add a heap more shows, installations and events to your Brisbane Festival schedule right now, though. Today, Tuesday, July 6, the event has unveiled its complete lineup — and yes, all of the aforementioned gigs, art, parties and more has plenty of company. [caption id="attachment_859940" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Pool, Marcus Carter.[/caption] Marking Artistic Director Louise Bezzina's third program, Brisbane Festival's 2022 lineup covers more than 580 performances, 230 of which won't cost you a cent to attend. Within that hefty overall figure, there's also 22 new works, 12 Queensland premieres and six international presentations. That's what'll fill Brissie from Friday, September 2–Saturday, September 24 — and the highlights keep on coming. This year's Bris Fest is going big on art, featuring the event's largest-ever visual arts program. Among the new standouts, Ephemeral will see huge bubbles made using dichroic film take over the Festival Garden at South Bank — and, at the same spot, The Pool by New York artist Jen Lewin will bring its 100-plus light pads our way. The latter is inspired by Australia's tidal pools, in fact, and asks its audience to step, jump and dance across its floating circles. Also new to the bill: The Purple Rabbit, the latest show from Blanc de Blanc, Fear and Delight, and LIMBO's Strut and Fret; Nightwalks with Teenagers, evening strolls that are exactly what they sound like; Jessica Mauboy taking to the stage for an opening-night gig at South Bank Piazza; and The Last Drop, a hip hop and electronic music fest within the fest that'll bookend the fun at the other end. [caption id="attachment_859945" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atmosphere Photography[/caption] There's also play Super Sunshine Girl, about tennis star Evonne Goolagong; Queen City, a world-premiere video-game-inspired stage production from Blak Social that's set in the 80s; Slow Boat, which follows six Chinese workers staging a theatre show at the Bulimba Dockyard to celebrate victory in the Pacific at the end of World War II; and Dancenorth's Wayfinder, which features stage design and costumes by Japanese Australian visual artist Hiromi Tango. Comedic cabaret Considerable Sexual License will feature Wiradjuri man Joel Bray and his collaborators explore the history of sensuality Down Under, too — and Guttered is a dance theatre piece dance that's been crafted to be inclusive and informed by disability, and will play in Chermside's Kingpin bowling alley. Elsewhere on the program, The Whitlams will bust out their Eternal Nightcap album live to celebrate its 25th anniversary, 80s mixtape musical All Fired Up will jump back several decades and Common People Dance Project will host an eisteddfod. Also, a queer dance party will take over The Tivoli, and The House of Alexander will celebrate ballroom — and take cues from Harlem's ballroom scene — at the same venue. [caption id="attachment_859942" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bowerytopia, Nikita Oliver[/caption] Brisbane Serenades might sound familiar, but it's an evolution of the past Street Serenades event. Instead of hitting up all 190 of Brissie's suburbs, there'll be seven mini fests around town this time around — including a Moorooka block party headlined by L-FRESH the LION, opera in Victoria Park, the return of Mosaic Multicultural Festival to Roma Street Parklands and a big rollerskating party in Milton. Yes, the entire lineup just keeps going on. Yes, it's that massive. And yes, your calendar is going to be jam-packed for the first three weeks of September. Brisbane Festival runs from Friday, September 2–Saturday, September 24, with tickets for the entire lineup on sale on Wednesday, July 8. Top image: Ephemeral, Markus Ravik.
Your must-see movie list just keeps growing, but your wallet doesn't want to play ball. Call Dendy Cinemas' latest special a case of great timing, then, with the chain offering up discount tickets that'll solve your problem. Every day from Thursday, May 13–Wednesday, May 26, as long as you head to the flicks from 8pm onwards, you'll only pay $8 for your movie of choice at Dendy Coorparoo. Buy online or buy at the box office — either way, you'll nab a bargain. With everything from Wrath of Man, Mortal Kombat and Spiral: From the Book of Saw to Nomadland, First Cow and Supernova currently screening, there's plenty to watch if you're keen to spend as much time in a darkened room as possible. The offer isn't available for special events, previews, film festivals or Dendy Arts sessions, but remains valid for everything else. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jWZ6P1rWy4
12 days. 28 shows. 132 performances. That's what's on offer at this year's huge Bleach* Festival — the event's biggest lineup yet, and all the proof you need that there's more to the Gold Coast than the trio of sun, surf and sand. That said, when Bleach* returns from Wednesday, April 17 to Sunday, April 28, the fest's 2019 program doesn't forget the Goldie's biggest attraction. Instead of simply sunbathing and splashing around at the beach, attendees can watch a tidal-influenced contemporary dance piece on the shore thanks to Dancenorth's Tectonic or peer up at The Cleaners' performance installation, which takes place seven metres above the ground. At the festival's beachside hub at Burleigh, there'll also be live music, a pub choir session and a bar on the sand. Or, you can listen to the sounds of a hand-operated, multi-octave fire organ. It's free, and it really is driven by a furnace. With festivities taking place all across the coast, the list of shows goes on — whether you want to see a dark staging of Verdi's Requiem, enjoy the mesmerising sights of Limbo Unhinged, catch a grindhouse cabaret about this sprawling country of ours in Terror Australis, or watch street dancers face off in Between Tiny Cities. You can also go for a swim as part of Landing, where folks will take part in a continuous watery relay that covers the distance between Manus Island and Australia, or sit in your car for Throttle, aka a live-action drive-in. And the visual arts spread also delivers too, with an exhibition dedicated to surfers who make art (and surf culture in general) an obvious standout. Image: Scott Belzner
Many things have graced GOMA's walls and halls, from dots everywhere to weird and wonderful fields of not-quite-flowers. Between Monday, November 12, 2018 and Sunday, April 28, 2019, so will a secret jacaranda garden of sorts. Sure, it's easy to spot the eye-catching trees across the city at this time of year; however this creative exhibit will surround you with purple. Gary Carsley's Purple Reign is part of the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, and it's blooming inside the gallery for five months. It's designed for children, but great art can bring out the kid inside all of us. It can also make everyone want to take a whole heap of photos. The interactive piece is inspired by R Godfrey Rivers' 1903 painting Under the jacaranda, and projects gorgeous blossoms of purple onto the space's walls. There's also animated video and touchscreens, letting attendees — especially the younger ones — really play with and dive into the artwork. Image: Installation view of 'Purple Reign'. / Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA.
A local favourite for years, Ashgrove's The Junk Bar is sharing the community love around this month. On Thursday nights in February, they're looking in their own neck of the woods for their live music lineup — fittingly called The Neighbourhood Sessions. From 7.30pm each week until February 22, a different pairing will take to the stage On February 8, Screamfeeder's Kellie Lloyd playing with Luke Peacock, and on February 15 it's Regurgitator's Ben Ely with Seja, while Tylea and Adele Pickvance step onto the stage on the series' last night. Explaining the concept, Lloyd notes "there are quite of few musicians who live close by on the west side and I thought instead of doing just a one off gig with all of us, we could create a special series of gigs, like a month long festival of Thursday nights." As far as reasons for a mini-festival go, that's a particularly ace one.
It was one of Brisbane's best 2016 events, as well as the kind of shindig someone really should've thought of earlier. Now, after a killer kick off this year, the Mountain Goat Valley Crawl has announced its return for 2017 — and its lineup. Once again, it's the stuff live music fans' dreams of made of, and it's getting even bigger. Five gigs will happen at five of Brisbane's best hangouts, all within two blocks of each other, and all on the same day. Oh, and did we mention that they're all free? No, we're not making this up. The simultaneous sonic fun takes place on February 11, and other than upping the number of places you'll have to sprint between — and the number of bands belting out tunes, of course — it's business as usual. Music and beer-loving Brisbanites are invited to trek between The Zoo, The Brightside, The Foundry, Black Bear Lodge and Woolly Mammoth, take in a jam-packed lineup of local bands (and a couple of Sydneysiders and Melburnians too), plus devour plenty of frosty, refreshing beverages. The epic day of entertainment is sponsored by a brewery, after all. Details of the who plays at which venue variety are yet to be announced; however the whole shindig will kick off at 5pm. Given we know the what, where and when of it all in a general sense, the only thing left for you to do is clear your calendar for an ace day of tunes, brews and hopping around the Valley. Oh, and to get excited about the below lineup: Alice Ivy Angharad Drake Average Art Club BUTTERFINGERS Clea Dreamtime Evan Klar Future Haunts GILL BATES I Know Leopard Luke Daniel Peacock Mallrat Max Chillen + the Kerbside Collective Miss Blanks Moses Gunn Collective Pearls Polish Club San Mei Stevie sweater curse The Ocean Party These New South Whales Top Dollar WAAX WHALEHOUSE The Mountain Goat Valley Crawl takes place at The Zoo, The Brightside, The Foundry, Black Bear Lodge and Woolly Mammoth on February 11. For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.
Spring in Brisbane is a pretty great time to dial up the romance. The scent of summer is starting to drift through the air, and the days are getting longer, meaning more sunlight hours for planning a few stellar dates. But as is the age-old dilemma of being a young city-dweller, it's your budget that can hold you back when it comes to the planning. Dating can be pricy, but you obviously don't have to take out a bank loan to show someone you care; there are plenty of wallet-friendly activities to do in Brissie. To give you a little inspiration refresh this spring, we've teamed up with RACQ — who offer some pretty sweet deals, giving members access to top activities on the cheap — to put together five great date ideas for under 50 bucks, so you can spend some quality time with your person and still pay rent. AN OLD SCHOOL BOOGIE Brisbane's beloved Lefty's Old Time Musicall Hall hosts movers and shakers of all ages within their western saloon-style interiors. On Fridays and Saturdays, Lefty's is generally packed to the rafters, so head here during the week for slightly more relaxed vibes and excellent, 'old-timey' live music. Also, with a few less people, there's more room to practice your honky tonk, square dancin' skills. If you need a little liquid confidence to get you going, try a couple of Lefty's famous whisky and apple cocktails — the secret's in the apple, freshly juiced upon order. Once you and your date have worked up an appetite after all that dancing, treat yourselves to something delicious from the Southern American-inspired menu. Share some spicy buffalo wings, try the fried pickles with smoked habanero hot sauce and see who can eat the most bacon-wrapped padron pepper poppers. And if you're after something a little heartier, order the quarter pounder cheeseburger for only $14 a pop, or one of the barbecue po'boys for $12. A night of eatin', drinkin' and good ol' fashion dancin', sorted. POP CULTURE PUTT PUTT There's nothing wrong with adding a little friendly competition to the mix to spice up your date, so challenge them to a round of pop culture putt putt at Holey Moley, an inner city mini golf bar — yep, mini golf bar. Have a drink while you putt through a game of nine holes for only $16.50 per player, where each hole comes cleverly themed around your favourite pop culture references. As you putt your way through The Simpson's living room and up to the nine-iron throne, why not make things a bit more interesting by playing each other to see who shouts the first round of drinks? The bar has a clever selection of punny cocktails to choose from like the Teeyoncé Holes and Tee-quila Mocking Birdie. Hit up Holey Moley for a date night like no other. You and your date are bound to have a tee-lightful night out. (Sorry.) Image: Lucas Dawson. $20 THEATRE TICKETS Break away from the typical 'dinner and a movie', and change up your next date with a night at the theatre. Brisbane's theatre scene is brimming with talent, and there's always something guaranteed to inspire at Queensland Theatre. At first thought, seeing a play may sound a little out of your price range, but not to worry, there is such a thing as $20 theatre tickets. Members of RACQ can access this cheap ticket deal with QT any time, plus, after you've reserved those tickets, you're left with an extra $10 to spend at a cheeky pre-theatre happy hour at one of the many West End establishments. FREE COMEDY Who doesn't love a good laugh, especially when it's brought on by some free comedy. Every Friday evening, the Powerhouse hosts Knock Off Comedy from 6pm, welcoming various comedians, all making funnies for you at zero cost. It's an excellent cheap date night idea that also offers an opportune moment to see if your date's humour matches your own — because those who laugh together, stay together, right? And since you still have $50 to spend thanks to this freebie, you can now afford to enjoy a few Friday bevs overlooking one of Brisbane's best river views after the show. A total win/win. CHEAP EATS Whatever your date night plans are, it's inevitable a meal of some sort will be included — because who doesn't love food? Getting to know each other over great eats is a classic, but unfortunately when you're on a tight budget, eating out takes a noticeable chunk out of our back pocket. Cheap eats hot spots are great, but sometimes you want to up the ante with something a bit more special, which is where the Catch-22 of wanting to splash out on a meal, but not having the funds to do so comes in. With RACQ Dining Rewards, you can get 10% cash back on your Visa from a selection of restaurants around Brisbane. There are hundreds of culinary options to choose from, so even the pickiest of dates will find something to their liking. Some of our picks? Look to Sassafras — they're also dog-friendly — The Euro, Urbane and Lock'N'Load. Want more date ideas? RACQ offers members a huge selection of deals from those cheaper eats to a slew of festivals to scaling the Story Bridge and more. Check out their full offering here.
Where's the weirdest, wildest, strangest and most unexpected place you've seen a live show? Wherever it might be, would you like to best it? That's the challenge that Anywhere Festival gives Brisbane audiences every year, because this event's love of putting on theatre everywhere it possibly can is right there in its name. When you're not watching performances in a bar, you might be heading to a park — or a brewery, cemetery or someone's house. They're just some of the spots that Anywhere Festival is sliding into in 2023, with the event returning from Thursday, May 4–Sunday, May 21. Other destinations include libraries, paint factories, museums, laneways, galleries and a Harry Potter-themed store — and also a YMCA, a couple of universities, community centres, cafes, a beach and an old Stefan salon. [caption id="attachment_899326" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Travis Macfarlane[/caption] If you're new to Anywhere Festival, you can pick your way through the program in two ways: by whatever kind of show takes your fancy, or based on where you'd like to see everything the fest has to offer. There's only one kind of spot that you won't be able to catch an Anywhere Festival performance, whether you're keen on theatre, comedy, dance, cabaret, music, circus, spoken word or poetry: a traditional theatre. The 2023 event begins as it has in previous years, starting with a big laneway party on Fish Lane. From there, you can ponder cabin fever in someone's apartment, watch a dance work in an airport terminal, catch a musical parody of The Human Centipede and listen to live tunes in a Woolloongabba pedorthic clinic. Or, if you'd like to learn how to survive a zombie apocalypse — a handy skill — that's happening at a school. [caption id="attachment_899327" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Travis Macfarlane[/caption] Also on the lineup: pondering disaster at The Wilderness Society, musing on the worst funerals ever at South Brisbane cemetery, an immersive ten-year reunion at Blute's, songs about shopping at Garden City, a production about a hellish seaside escape at Northshore's beach, and the 12.7 million lights of the QUT Sphere backdropping music and movement. There's a show about the best bubbles — not the drinks — as well, and a string quartet at Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Dancing in a park, a circus show about the history of booze while beer is being made around you, an ode to introverts, wizard trivia and wondering what'd happen if Shakespeare's characters were still alive today are on the bill as well. And that old hairdressers? The Stefan's former South Brisbane home is this year's Anywhere Festival fringe hub, which means seeing plenty of comedy — no cuts, colours, foils or blow dries necessary. [caption id="attachment_810421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stuart Hirth[/caption] Anywhere Festival's 2023 season runs from Thursday, May 4–Sunday, May 21 in spots all over the city. For more information or to book tickets, head to the fest's website.
If popular culture-inspired tights, skater dresses, catsuits, shorties and gymwear are your kinds of threads, then you're probably a fan of BlackMilk Clothing. The Brisbane fashion label has been improving wardrobe options for years now, including via its super-popular Star Wars, Harry Potter and Stranger Things lines. Before the pandemic, it was also well-known for its sample sales; however, they unsurprisingly went on hold for a few years. After making a comeback in 2022, this chance to pick up discounted BlackMilk items returns for 2023 from 7am–1pm on Saturday, April 29. First, make some room in your cupboard. Then, head over to The Joinery in West End for this hefty sale. Previously sold-out pieces, limited-edition styles and one-off designs will all be up for grabs, plus other samples in all sizes. Whether you like BlackMilk's colour choices, designer fabrics, hand-drawn prints or those licensed pop-culture collabs, there'll be plenty to choose from. Given BlackMilk's following, expect to have company while you shop. Actually, the fact that nothing will cost over $35 is also certain to draw a crowd. The sale runs on a first in, best dressed basis, so arriving early is highly recommended.
Clay: it's more than just the substance a ghostly Patrick Swayze helps Demi Moore mould in a '90s romantic fantasy film. For ten Queensland artists, it's a changeable material that can transform into everything from a bowl to a sculpture — and they're just two of the more obvious options. At Artisan's new exhibition, the many different shapes, forms, sizes and textures clay can create is in the spotlight, as showcased in a collection of work by Mollie Bosworth, Andrew Bryant, Ray Cavill, Janet Fieldhouse, Chizuko Jones, Clairy Laurence, Tijn Meulendijks, Pru Morrison, Anne Mossman, Jenny Mulcahy and Megan Puls. Other than the former lump of dirt that they're all fond of, there's something else that the group has in common. Hint: that seductive Swayze really was on to something. Yes, there's a reason why the display dedicated to their communal efforts is called Objects of Desire: Contemporary Clay — and that's because of the sensation working with the titular substance conjures. You mightn't be jumping behind a pottery wheel to enjoy that experience any time soon, but if you enter into this exhibition's tactile world, you can do the next best thing. Image: Megan Puls, Mangrove Series 1 - 10, 2016. Scarva stoneware clay. Photo by Jaala Alex.
UPDATE, April 7, 2021: Weathering with You is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Amazon Video and iTunes. To watch as Weathering with You roams around Tokyo, wandering through its alleys and roving beyond its well-known tourist spots, is to almost feel like you're walking through the sprawling city yourself. That's an uncanny achievement for an animated film, however it speaks volumes about the level of detail evident in Makoto Shinkai's first movie since his huge 2016 hit Your Name. The luminous lights, towering structures and Shibuya's famous scramble crossing all feature, rendered as vividly as they demand. Also present: the rows of nondescript buildings that stretch across the Japanese capital, its maze of laneways, the blue vending machines on every block, and everything from everyday cafes to love hotels to small markets. While Weathering with You serves up a mix of romance, fantasy and drama in its narrative, it is fiercely determined to steep even its most fanciful narrative leaps in a realistic setting — and that choice has an impact not just visually, but emotionally. Three years after Your Name became the second-highest-grossing Japanese animated release ever around the globe — a feat that places it behind only Studio Ghibli's beloved Spirited Away — Shinkai's latest film once more ponders love, disaster and whether some things are just meant to be. Like the director's last movie, it also pits star-crossed teenagers against forces outside of their control, and aims for something offbeat yet insightful in the process. Themes of identity and self-exploration bubble to the fore again, albeit without Your Name's body-swap gimmick this time around. Instead, Weathering with You ponders societal and environmental changes, placing its high school-aged protagonists in the middle of both figurative and literal storms. If Hirokazu Kore-eda's Palme d'Or winner Shoplifters swapped actors for anime, added teen relationships and otherworldly elements, and examined global warming as well as life on the Japanese margins, it might actually look like this. Introduced on a boat approaching Tokyo just as a typhoon hits (and just as he's saved from a grim watery end by a stranger), 16-year-old runaway Hodaka (Kotaro Daigo) is a fresh-faced arrival in the big city. He has nowhere to stay, no job and no way to scrape by, failing to even find work in seedy bars or to get a moment's rest behind bins in an alleyway. When he first crosses paths with the orphaned Hina (Nana Mori), she's a fast food employee who gives him a free burger. When they meet again, he saves her from an exploitative new gig. A connection springs, but it's Hodaka's new place of employment that intertwines their fate. Hired as a live-in assistant to the jaunty Suga (Shun Oguri), who runs an occult-focused magazine out of his house, the teen is charged with tracking down people who can reportedly control the weather — and, following an eventful visit to a rooftop shrine during a time of trauma, that's a skill that Hina happens to possess. Writing as well as directing, Shinkai soon tasks his central duo with starting their own business to make the most of Hina's gift. As Tokyo's prolonged spell of unseasonable rain just keeps falling day after day, she brings sunshine to folks needing a reprieve — in small spots, only for short periods and for a fee. Of course, as many a movie has stressed, with great power not only comes great responsibility, but considerable consequences. It's here that Weathering with You starts weaving its various threads together — and although they don't all shine as brightly as the rays that Hina commands, the film still offers a smart and moving contemplation of one's place in, and impact upon, the world. That's true when it's poking into life at street-level and taking the planet's changing weather systems in a drastic direction, and remains the case when it's exploring individual decisions and influential relationships, too. As he did with Your Name, Shinkai packages his tale with an upbeat pace, expressive character animation, delicate voice work and music from Japanese pop band Radwimps, with the group's songs given pride of place across the picture's many montages. Indeed, while the filmmaker helms his sixth movie (with Children Who Chase Lost Voices and The Garden of Words also among his credits), Weathering with You often feels like it's following closely in its immediate predecessor's footsteps. That's where the film's finessed use of detail not only proves pivotal, but makes an immense difference. Its gorgeous frames serve up more than just something vibrant to look at, although they easily tick that box. A strikingly lifelike, never-romanticised vision of Tokyo anchors the narrative's Shinto-inspired spiritual and supernatural leanings. More importantly, it gives weight to both Hodaka and Hina's sizeable struggles, and to the movie's musing on where massive weather events could take today's society. Embracing fantasy, yet always ensuring that it remains equally enchanting and grounded, the result is a dynamic, stunningly animated outsider story with a heart and a conscience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouLO5iPc1yo
Every year the Meredith Festival taunts and teases us by bringing to Australia an eclectic yet amazing lineup of artists, then only selling tickets to the select few who lucked out in the ballot. Conveniently for the rest of us sad souls, a large number of the 2011 headliners are playing sideshows to help soothe everyone’s wounds. One such performer is the genius gentleman Kurt Vile. Touring Australia for the first time ever, the sale of his sideshows have been lapped up by adoring fans keen to hear their favourite songs live. Playing Woodland in Brisbane, I can think of no better venue suited to his style of music. Described as a kind of Neil Young and Television amalgamation, Kurt's soothing tunes are best listened to in a chilled out, bliss-like state where you can contemplate the heartfelt lyrics. Woodland offers that kind of vibe in spades, plus you have the added bonus of there being no raucous crowds to ruin your Kurt Vile experience. With a large discography that has never seen the light of day live in Oz before, his performance is sure to be amazing. Whether you’re a long term fan who's been waiting years for this, or a newbie who has only just discovered him now, Kurt Vile will be worth your time.
We've lost another one; London Grammar have pulled out of the Splendour lineup due to illness. Frontwoman Hannah Reid is apparently dealing with pneumonia, a pretty fair reason not to jump on a plane and play back-to-back shows. London Grammar issued the following statement: It's with great sadness that we must announce the cancellation of our trip to Australia & Splendour in the Grass this week due to illness. This is an incredibly sad situation for us as our last visit was one of the most memorable of our careers, but we do not feel that we can currently deliver the level of performance that you all deserve from us. Our fans in Australia have been hugely supportive of our music since the very beginning, and it pains us to have to disappoint any of you. We are going to do everything we can to make sure we are back down under as soon as possible and will reschedule our Sydney & Melbourne shows and give you more details very shortly. The preternaturally talented UK trio were slated to play sideshows at Festival Hall and Hordern Pavilion, alongside a hugely anticipated slot at Splendour. They'll now play the shows in March next year. The announcement comes after last week's Foals-replacing-Two Door Cinema Club Splendour shakeup. The party's now in the super capable hands of Sydney's kings of dance shindiggery, The Presets, who have just been announced to play the Friday slot. Splendour co-producers Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco issued their own statement: We're sorry to report that Hannah from London Grammar has been taken ill, after cancelling T In The Park we hoped she would recover in time for Splendour but unfortunately has not. It's been quite a challenge finding a suitable replacement at such short notice but we are pleased to announce The Presets have come to the rescue and will play at Splendour this Friday. " Whilst beyond our control we are personally very disappointed with the last minute line-up changes but we are thankful for the support from Foals and The Presets stepping up in lightening speed. Here's to a great show! For those who purchased a single day ticket particularly to see London Grammar, refunds for Friday 25 July single day tickets only will be available from Moshtix until 5pm Wednesday 23 July. More info about refunds here. But all we can say (loudly) is "AHMHEREWITHALLOMAHPEOPLE...MERR.MERR.MERR." https://youtube.com/watch?v=0H40riQv5Jk
The Gold Coast Film Festival isn't the first film fest to marvel at the sight of sun, surf and sand on the big screen. Thanks to a surf film retrospective at the Brisbane International Film Festival over a decade back, it isn't the first to do so in southeast Queensland, either. But it is the perfect spot for big waves to get rolling in a cinema, as the just-announced 2023 GCFF program celebrates with a dedicated strand of flicks that'll serve up that very experience. This isn't the first time that the Gold Coast's annual film fest itself has embraced the ocean, of course — its 2022 lineup included a session of Blue Crush, for instance — but there's no such thing as too much sea-obsessed cinema at this event. So, 2023 attendees can look forward to Big Wave Guardians, which focuses on surfing in Hawaii; The Road to Patagonia, about ecologist Matty Hannon's efforts to surf the west coast of the Americas while travelling by motorbike; Big vs Small, with big-wave champion surfer Joana Andrade and world-champion free diver Johanna Nordblad in the spotlight; and Birth of the Endless Summer, which steps behind iconic surf documentary The Endless Summer. GCFF's latest curated collection of movies spans further, including three world premieres, three Australian premieres and 15 Queensland premieres across Wednesday, April 19–Sunday, April 30 at HOTA, Home of the Arts and other GC venues. Making its Sunshine State debut is opening night's Polite Society, about a martial artist-in-training endeavouring to save her sister from an arranged marriage — and a hit at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Bookending the other end of the fest is doco The Last Daughter, also in a Queensland first, about Indigenous director Brenda Matthews' experience being taken from her family as a toddler, growing up with white foster parents, then being returned to her parents. Also, big-name TV gets a look in via Netflix's Sweet Tooth, which is previewing its first two episodes of season two ahead of its long-awaited streaming debut on Thursday, April 27. Elsewhere on the lineup, Aussie cinema receives a showcase complete with must-sees Sweet As and The Survival of Kindness — both hits on the international film festival circuit, with the former an outback-set coming-of-age story written and directed by Indigenous filmmaker Jub Clerc (The Heights), and the latter hailing from acclaimed director Rolf de Heer. There's also thriller Monolith, about a journalist chasing a conspiracy, plus documentary The Giants about the life of environmental activist Bob Brown. And, the fest also continues its Local Filmmaker Focus, screening a trio of titles from Gold Coast talent. Hits and standouts from far and wide are another big highlight of GCFF's 2023 selection, which is where the Oscar-nominated EO, a portrait of a donkey, comes in — as do Cannes 2022 Best Actress winner Holy Spider, the same fest's Best Screenplay recipient Cairo Conspiracy, and the fittingly cinema-obsessed I Like Movies. If you can only see a handful of flicks at the festival, make sure that the stunning The Inspection is one of them, as based on filmmaker Elegance Bratton's true tale about being a gay Black man who joined the marines. Film lovers can look forward to the return of short film fest SIPFEST within the broader GCFF program as well, which'll screen 14 titles at HOTA's outdoor stage. Plus, among the industry-focused events sits the Screen Industry Gala Awards at Warner Bros Movie World, aptly, plus the GCFF Women in Film Lunch in the QT Gold Coast's Ballroom.
Getting your culture fix in Brisbane shouldn't come at the expense of your bank balance. From brilliant deals to free exhibitions, there are endless things to do in the River City on any budget — you just have to know where to look. That's where we come in. In collaboration with Great Southern Bank, we've compiled a list of eight ways to explore Brisbane's cultural side while still sticking to your savings goals. In fact, with its clever tool The Boost, you can automatically top up your savings account with a small amount of money every time you use your debit card. So, when you spend on art exhibitions and fabulous drag brunches, you can simultaneously put a bit of cash towards those long-term financial goals. Or if you're a bit of an impulse buyer, The Vault lets you hide your savings account from yourself, meaning you can't easily dip into it. What are you waiting for? Hit the pavement and get a big ol' dose of culture, stat — without spending all your hard-earned bucks. [caption id="attachment_677201" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gallery of Modern Art Exterior South & East face James Turrell artwork[/caption] CHECK OUT SOME AFTER-HOURS ART South Bank is arguably even more beautiful as the sun sets — and thanks to some after-dark art shows, there are even more reasons to explore. QAGOMA's series of after-hours events, which usually coincide with its major exhibitions, offers both free and ticketed experiences in and around the galleries to soak up world-class art after dark. Night is also the best time to experience American artist James Turrell's permanent light installation that adorns the building's eastern and southern façades. Down the road, Queensland Museum also runs semi-regular nighttime sessions, with the next adults-only event allowing you to enter the wonderful world of Lego. [caption id="attachment_780268" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Van Gogh Alive[/caption] BANK ON LAST-MINUTE TICKET DEALS The thrill of watching a live performance is that extra bit thrilling if you know you've scored an epic deal. For nights when you're feeling frivolous (but frugal), Lasttix is your one-stop shop for last-minute discounted concert tickets. Keep an eye on the website — it's updated regularly with cheap tickets for all manner of shows — from dazzling magic acts to thought-provoking conversation panels and more. Here's hoping Lasttix includes some cheap tickets to the much-anticipated multi-sensory exhibition Van Go Alive, which is set to land in Brisbane from October 29. [caption id="attachment_791909" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Queensland Ballet[/caption] USE YOUTH TO YOUR FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE Turns out that discounts aren't limited to students and seniors. In fact, if you're still of a certain age, you could be in line to claim a cheeky discount, too. Queensland Theatre offers discounted season passes to people under 35, while Queensland Ballet offers cut-price tickets to its world-class performances to anyone under 30. With Brisbane's performing arts scene back in full force, there's never been a better time to support local creative talent — and you can do so without breaking the bank. SIT DOWN AND WATCH SOME STAND-UP A surefire way to boost your mood is sharing a laugh with friends. Thankfully, Brisbane is home to a number of excellent comedy clubs hosting local and international talent to get those ribs tickled. Paddington's legendary Sit Down Comedy Club hosts regular comedy nights at various venues around town, including three free gigs per week. It's hosted the likes of Trevor Noah, Hannibal Buress, Josh Thomas and more, so it's no stranger to some top talent. Nearby, Good Chat Comedy Club hosts a regular lineup of laughs in its Petrie Terrace digs, with some tickets sure to leave you change from a $10 note. After something a little more unpredictable? Leading improv studio Big Fork Theatre hosts regular shows with ticket prices that won't blow the budget. If you're feeling inspired, you can even sign up to an improv class— they're open to all experience levels, and your first class is free. GO ON A CULTURAL TOUR For an eco-friendly and low-cost way to explore the crystal blue waters, pods of majestic dolphins and sandy stretches of Minjerribah — AKA North Stradbroke Island — book a ride with Yura Banji Scooters. The First Nations-owned and -run business is committed to respecting and caring for its Quandamooka Country and sharing rich cultural and historical knowledge with visitors via guided island tours. If you want to explore on your own, you can hire electric scooters for $20 an hour or level up to an electric bike for an extra tenner. CATCH A CHEAP FLICK With so many streaming platforms at our fingertips nowadays, it's easy to forget about the magic of going to the movies. But a night at the pictures doesn't have to eat into your savings thanks to a range of great deals around town. First up, you can head to Palace Barracks or Palace James St on Monday for its Cheap Mondays deal. With all tickets less than $10, you can get that upsized popcorn, too. If you don't want to be confined to Monday movies, Cineplex offers cheap tickets at its seven Brisbane locations every single day, with tickets ranging from just $6–14. [caption id="attachment_784635" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cloudland[/caption] BE DAZZLED AS YOU DINE AT CLOUDLAND Brunch with a side of razzle-dazzle? Sign us up. Fortitude Valley mainstay Cloudland hosts glitzy drag brunches every Sunday (and the occasional Saturday), featuring Italian-inspired dishes, cocktail jugs and riotous performances by some of the city's most fabulous queens for $75 per person. If it's evening entertainment you're after, book a seat at the Big Band Cabaret. Taking place on Friday nights, this lively event combines a three-course menu and three hours of free-flowing drinks with swinging big bang and vocal performances, punctuated with captivating burlesque shows. [caption id="attachment_641267" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Triffid[/caption] KICK BACK AT A FREE LIVE GIG As we enter the warmer months, the idea of setting up a picnic and enjoying live music in the sunshine is beginning to sound like an ideal afternoon. And picnic backdrops don't get much dreamier than the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, especially with its free-to-enter Gigs & Picnics program that sees great local musos take to the outdoor stage. As the name suggests, picnics are encouraged here — you can pack your own basket or treat yourself to a bite from one of the food trucks parked around the grounds. There are more free gigs to be found around town, too. Cure your hump day blues by kicking back at Acoustic Wednesdays at Newstead's The Triffid, or end the weekend on a high note at Brisbane Powerhouse for Livespark, its monthly Sunday sesh of free live tunes. Great Southern Bank is empowering Aussies to get clever with their banking. Whether you want to stick to your savings goals with The Boost or hide your house deposit fund from yourself with The Vault, Great Southern Bank helps you get there. For more information on savings tools and home loan options, head to the Great Southern Bank website. Top image: Van Gogh Alive
The woods are a dank and dreary place in Disney's big screen adaptation of this beloved Broadway show. A star-studded fairy tale mash-up, Into the Woods contains no shortage of great actors, none of whom can do anything to distract from the film’s horribly awkward pacing or the apparent visual indifference of its director. Combine that with the script's (mostly) toothless treatment of Steven Sondheim’s subversive source material, and this is one Hollywood musical that sounds hideously out of tune. The story takes place in a generic far away kingdom, where a lowly baker (James Corden) and his cheery wife (Emily Blunt) enter into a bargain with the neighbourhood witch (Meryl Streep): locate four magical objects, and in return she'll lift the curse that prevents them from conceiving a child. The search takes them deep into the nearby woods, where they encounter a multitude of bedtime characters, including Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (newcomer Lilla Crawford) and Jack the Giant Slayer (Daniel Huttlestone). Sondheim doesn't just include these names because they're familiar. Although fairy tales are aimed at children, they're inevitably packed with plenty of adult subtext. Into the Woods, in its best moments, subverts our expectations, delving more explicitly into the ideas lurking under the surface of these kid-friendly fables, or in other cases turning them totally on their head. The sexually suggestive interplay between the pre-teen Little Red Riding Hood and the lecherous Big Bad Wolf (Johnny Depp) is seriously un-Disney, while Chris Pine's delightfully hammy performance as the somewhat less than charming Prince Charming speaks to the folly of unrealistic romantic expectations. His rendition of 'Agony' is the highlight of the film by far. Sadly, these tongue-in-cheek moments rarely go as far as you would like. The instances of morbid and self-aware humour are great, but they're ultimately secondary to a dull, drawn-out story. Furthermore, although the songs are generally well written and performed, they increasingly tend to bog down the narrative as opposed to driving it forward. At the same time, despite the endeavour feeling too long, a number of the major character arcs feel seriously short-changed. The witch, in particular, simply up and disappears once the movie has nothing more for her to do. Then there's the matter of director Rob Marshall, who between Nine and the most recent, nigh-unwatchable Pirates of the Caribbean movie seems determined to prove that his Oscar for Chicago was a complete and utter fluke. His unimaginatively framed musical sequences make Tom Hooper's super-extreme Les Miserables close-ups look positively artful, while the overcast grey-green colour palette of cinematographer Dion Beebe saps the film of whatever energy was left. For a film about magic, Into the Woods contains next to none. Here's hoping this isn't an indicator of what 2015 movies have in store.
Ridley Scott directs an all-star cast in The Counselor, the first original screenplay from Cormac McCarthy. Fans of the gritty, unflinching writing behind The Road will definitely want to check out this soon-to-be released drama-thriller. It stars man of the moment Michael Fassbender (currently generating praise for his turn in 12 Years a Slave) as a hotshot lawyer who gets involved in the dangerous world of drug trafficking and, quelle surprise, throws his near-perfect life (good job, beautiful fiance) into chaos. It's worth seeing for Javier Bardem alone, who demonstrates yet again just how well he can play the bad guy and rock an unsettling hairstyle. Although his 'do this time round doesn't quite live up to his No Country for Old Men coiffure in the creep-o-metre stakes. There are also performances from Penelope Cruz, Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz in a surprisingly hard-edged role that looks set to showcase her dramatic range outside of comedy. The Counsellor is in cinemas on November 7, and thanks to Twentieth Century Fox, we have ten double in-season passes per state to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Good news for Twilight fans and those waiting for the whole thing to come to an end; Breaking Dawn Part Two, starring Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart, is out this week and will bring the Twilight saga to a startling conclusion. After being brought back from the brink of death by Edward after a traumatic birth, Bella begins her new afterlife as a vampire, and mother to dhampir, half vampire, half human child, Renesmee. But, when Denali coven member Irina misidentifies Renesmee as an immortal child to the venomous Vulturi, she sets in motion events that’ll see them set out to destroy the Cullens for their betrayal. Breaking Dawn Part Two, the fifth installment in the saga, brings an end to the Twilight series, one that fans have been waiting for for years. Whether you think the books and films to be absolute trash or absolute masterpieces there is no denying their success, something that is sure to continue in this shocking finale.
Minions: they’re cute, yellow and mostly unintelligible — and they’re everywhere. Off screen, it certainly feels that way, with every store seemingly filled with brightly coloured merchandise. On screen, it definitely feels that way in their first stand-alone film. That's the point, though. Those mumbling, bumbling critters first sighted in Despicable Me and its sequel are inescapable, both in the antics they cause, and to audiences. In fact, minions aren't just prevalent in every frame of the movie that shares their name; as the film makes plain, the overalls-and-goggles-wearing fellows have always been here. An amusing introduction big on revisionist history and narrated by Australia's own Geoffrey Rush charts their evolution from the sea to swarming around a host of bad guys — dinosaurs, pharaohs, Dracula and Napoleon included. Those with short memories might need reminding that the titular figures are the ultimate henchmen, living to serve villainous masters. That's what they seek in 1968, and wreak havoc across several continents to find. After bad luck with their previous horrible bosses, and centuries spent holed up in an icy Antarctic cave as a result, leader Kevin, teddy bear-clutching Bob and guitar-playing Stuart (all voiced by co-director and Despicable Me veteran Pierre Coffin) trundle back to civilisation to find a new scoundrel to trail. At a convention for rogues and rascals, they team up with the scheming Scarlett Overkill (Sandra Bullock), who tasks them with stealing the crown of Queen Elizabeth II (Jennifer Saunders). To say things don't go smoothly is an understatement. Soon, the trio is fleeing from their would-be overlord and her inventor husband (Jon Hamm). Expect slapstick hijinks aplenty, with much of the mayhem designed with the minions' adorable nature in mind and little else. In general, the golden, rounded figures don't make that much sense, so it follows that neither does the madcap movie and its frantic array of gags. Eschewing logic, abandoning emotional awakenings and avoiding imparting a message add to the delight of the film in this day and age of lesson-centric all-ages affairs. As they flit across the screen to a period-appropriate soundtrack of the Rolling Stones, the Doors, the Who and the Beatles, the sidekicks turned stars simply enjoy revelling in silliness and anarchy. That's what Minions is: chaotic, amusing fun, albeit of the slight, sweet and ultimately disposable variety. In what amounts to an origin story, Coffin and his crew never take anything too seriously, including shoehorning in as many nods to other genres as they can — such as superhero flicks, of course, as well as royal comedies and even monster movies. They also never forget that, in their first two big screen outings, the minions were the primary source of comic relief. No doubt they'll be fulfilling that role again in Despicable Me 3, due out in 2017, but for now, they do just fine lapping up the limelight all by themselves.
Looking back on the last 24 years, the fashion world really hasn't changed all that much. Outfits are still outrageous, trends are as cyclical as the tides, and the pomp and puffery of the PR machine is as condescending and self-aggrandising as ever. In that sense, fashion's immutability makes it just as ripe for parody now as it was back in 1992, when Absolutely Fabulous first aired on the BBC. On the other hand, that the fashion world really hasn't changed all that much means that any parody done now risks feeling banal and familiar. Hence, the challenge of breathing new life into something old proves just as relevant for any pastiche as it does for the fashion world itself. It's here that we find ourselves presented with Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. The notoriously precarious production road of TV adaptations has seen a lot of traffic of late. In just the past few years, programs that have graduated to the big screen include The A-Team, 21 Jump Street, Entourage, The Equaliser, GI Joe and The Man From U.N.C.L.E, plus a whole bunch of Mission Impossibles and Star Treks as well as a Baywatch film currently in post-production. More often than not these films fall short of the mark, tending to feel like two and a half episodes stuck together, or one longer episode struggling to justify its expanded scope and budget. The best are more like reinterpretations, taking the idea of the TV series and using that as the base for an entirely new adventure (21 Jump Street and Star Trek: Into Darkness being the best of the recent bunch). Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie attempts to follow that trend, throwing its stars Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley) back into the limelight of the fashion PR milieu. The theme of the movie, appropriately, is relevance, with its two leads fighting to stay part of the conversation in a world that has all but left them behind. Physically that means morning rituals of self-applied botox, suction tubes and foetus-blood facial transfusions, while professionally it means trying to land a client who still means something to people (sorry Lulu). The solution presents itself in the form of fashion icon Kate Moss (who cameos), but when an attempt to lure her business ends in disaster, Eddie and Patsy find themselves pariahs of the fashion world and fugitives from the law. Does it all come together as a film? In parts, perhaps, but overall the feeling is one of overreach and superfluity. If anything, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie is more like a reunion episode than a film, bouncing from scene to scene with barely a plot in sight, even fewer laughs, and a series of fleeting walk-ons from characters you kind of, sort of, maybe remember from back when you watched the show. Barbs about gender reassignment and mixed-race families fizzle by without any real substance, and the drunken stumbling/falling routine that defined so much of the original series now seems sadder than it does funny. That's all part of the point, of course, that the desire for the party to go on forever will, over time, only serve to make fools of its disciples. But the delivery fails to resonate for much of the film's first hour. Where the film does shine is when it returns to its absolute core: pushing in tight on intimate, whispered conversations between its two outstanding leads as they heap red-hot private vitriol on everyone else in the room. Eddie's scatterbrained solipsism and Patsy's unwavering sex-bomb confidence are as funny now as they were two decades ago – making the film's insistent focus on slapstick and buffoonery all the more frustrating. Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie opened number two at the UK Box Office, where it will surely find its homegrown audience more than dutiful to the cause. Even so, it's hard to see this film resonating with either international audiences or moviegoers under the age of 40. When Saunders declared an end to the original TV series after just three short seasons, she did so proudly declaring that it was better to go out on top rather than to overstay your welcome until you're politely asked to leave. Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie might well have heeded such wisdom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj3ZWhlmexw
Finding the perfect spot for every beer drinking occasion isn't easy. So, that's where we come in — at Concrete Playground, we want to pass our expertise onto you. Together with Heineken, we've created two crafty tools to help you plan your next day or night out: the Heineken Bar Finder, a complete guide to the top-notch beer gardens, rooftop bars and other hotspots where you can enjoy an ice cold brew, and the Heineken Insider chatbot, your trusty brew companion. We're just a simple 'hey insider' away, making it even easier for you to find that perfect spot for your next outing — all thanks to the power of AI. While you can browse our expert guides over at the Heineken Bar Finder, we encourage you to have a chat with the Heineken Insider. Here's how it works: head over to our Facebook page and send us a message saying 'Hey Insider 'to get in touch. You'll be asked what you're looking to do, and we'll respond instantly with specialised recommendations for the occasion — either at your current location or anywhere in the city if you don't have a preference. Looking for a hump day lunch spot for you and your office mates? We got you. How about the perfect spot for late-night kick ons? We got you there, too. And what about the best pub in your area where you can catch the match? You get the idea. The Heineken Insider has your back with recommendations from day to night. Also, we should mention that there'll be chances to win freebies and VIP experiences at some key bars. It's time to make your friends think you're the expert in this city. Take the work out of the play and chat with the Heineken Insider now.
Spring, plus light- to medium-bodied red wine: what a pairing. It's the duo that not only sits at the heart of Australian wine-tasting festival Pinot Palooza, but has helped the vino-swilling event become such a hit. The weather is sunny, the tipples are heady, and sipping your way through a heap of the latter is on the menu — including in 2023. The Melbourne-born wine tasting festival will celebrate its 11th year by touring the country, including hitting up Brisbane Showgrounds from Friday, October 13–Sunday, October 15. This three-day affair filled with vino-sipping fun will cover organic, biodynamic, vegan and low-intervention wines, and more, as well as bites to line the stomach. In its decade of life until now, the fest has welcomed in thousands of vino lovers. Indeed, an estimated 65,000 tickets were sold globally before its 2022 events. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the popular celebration was shelved for two-and-a-half years, before making a comeback last year. The response? More than 12,000 folks heading along around the nation. Set to share their tipples among producers from Australia, New Zealand and further afield: New Zealand's Burn Cottage and CHARTERIS; Small Island, Ghost Rock and Meadowbank from Tasmania; M&J Becker from NSW and Moondarra from Victoria. The food lineup will feature cheese, salumi, terrines, patê, olives and other perfect vino accompaniments, with Tasmania's Grandvewe Cheese and Victoria's Mount Zero among the suppliers.
We love gelato. You love gelato. Everyone loves gelato. But do you really appreciate it? Could you appreciate it more? When it comes to Gelato Messina's frosty sweet treats, you mightn't think that's possible. That's where their Gelato Appreciation Classes come in, however. For two hours on a Saturday morning — with Brisbane's first-ever sessions scheduled for July 15, August 19 and September 23 — you'll get a double scoop of gelato goodness. We're talking about learning plus eating; don't worry, you'll actually get much, much, much more ice cream than that. Taking care of the first part of the class, Messina's gelato wizards will talk you through the company's story, share their secrets and show you how it's all done. If you've ever wondered how they perfect their flavours or what goes in to making one of their delectable cakes, you're about to find out. Then comes the main event, and we speak from experience when we say you'll want to wear something loose and comfy. Eat your way through a four-course gelato degustation, with the menu specially created for each session. Taste as many of Messina's flavours as you can (taste all 40 in the cabinet if you can manage it). Finally, take your pick of flavours for a take-home pack, and enjoy your weekend-long gelato coma. Tickets cost $160 per person, and are certain to book out fast.
They're the chefs of tomorrow — and you can eat their meals today. Everyone loves jumping on a good thing before it blows up to epic proportions, and that's what Good Food Month's annual Young Chefs Lunch at ARIA is all about. The July 23 luncheon will showcase the culinary talent of the future and be a much finer midday meal than your average weekday grab-and-go. It's an oldie but a goodie, as far as GFM's regular events are concerned, but is 100 percent focused on young kitchen geniuses. The Urban Group's Josh Raine, Esquire's Callum Decosta, Gerard's Bistro's Alex Gregg and ARIA's own Jeong Insik will whip up a four-course meal for you to enjoy. On the menu, you can expect fried prawn heads, wagyu short rib and hibiscus cured cobia, along with a lemon myrtle, pineapple and macadamia curry combo that sounds strange yet particularly appetising. The lunch will cost you a pretty penny, but it is one of those dining experiences that will be oh so worth it.
One person's trash is another's treasure, and that jewel in the rough might just become part of an artistic marvel. A whole heap of Brisbanites have certainly tried their best to ensure that that's the case, with shortlisted works now on display at Salvage: Recycling Art Exhibition. Taking over the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts until August 19, Salvage is the ultimate showcase of recycled, reclaimed and reused creations. Everything on display has been crafted from items sourced from one of the city's two tip shops, as well as other second-hand stores throughout Brisbane. That's right — these pieces are made from objects that were once discarded and destined for landfill. Salvage isn't just about celebrating resourceful artists, though; it's also about taking inspiration from their efforts. Gaze at their creative pieces, discover how these wonders came to be, and then think about fashioning your own. You'll never throw anything out again.
Politics getting you down? Take a break from today's craziness with a trip back into the antics of the past. Proving that headline-grabbing leaders definitely aren't anything new, Joh for PM turns the life of ex-Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen into a satirical musical. There's certainly plenty of material to work with, which probably explains why some of the show's songs have catchy titles such as 'Pumpkin Scone Diplomacy' and 'Feeding the Chooks'. Indeed, playwright Stephen Carleton (The Narcissist, The Turquoise Elephant, Bastard Territory) and off-Broadway composer Paul Hodge (Clinton: The Musical) have set their cheeky production at a fundraiser for Joh in 1987, creating a comedic cautionary tale as part of this year's Queensland Music Festival. With a cast of Colin Lane, Chloe Dallimore, Kurt Phelan, Barb Lowing, Stephen Hirst and Simon Burvill-Homes bringing this chapter of history alive, expect two things. Firstly, you'll experience a colourful era you've probably only heard about. Secondly, you'll come to realise that the years might change, but politics stays the same — as revealed with humour and singing. Image: Stephen Henry.
Everyone's favourite annual celebration of France is back for another year. That'd be Le Festival, aka the Brisbane French Festival, complete with all the fine food, busy market stalls and fun activities Francophiles have come to expect. This year's three-day cultural affair features plenty of all three, although the wine pavilion is certain to be everyone's first port of call. If you're able to tear yourself away from sipping on deliciousness — after enjoying a tipple at the Champagne bar too, of course — you can stop by the biggest cheese display in the fest's history. Then, browse for homewares, gifts, fashion, books and magazines, or enjoy live music, cabaret and even can-can dancing. Want to steep yourself a little deeper in French style? That's where the masterclasses come in. Learn about everything from French dressing to dairy to dabbling with painting (with wine, naturally). Then, cap off your weekend of Gallic goodness with a glass of champagne — yes, there's a session on that too.
There's treating yo'self, and then there's treating yo'self. On one side sits grabbing a sneaky doughnut on your way home from work; on the other, taking yourself out for a five-course truffle degustation dinner. Just as everyone deserves the former every once in a while, everyone should get to enjoy the latter, too — even if it's a limited-time-only kind of deal. If you want to indulge in a hefty Truffle Degustation dinner, Bacchus has the goods, but only until August 12. For $179 for food only and $249 with added free-flowing 2015 Frere Cadet Pinot Noir, you can eat your way through the truffliest meal you've ever eaten (and convince yourself that truffliest is a word). Free-range 64-degree egg with truffles, house-made tagiolini with truffes, parmesan risotto with black truffle, lamb with black truffle jus — yes, they're what you'll be devouring. To top it all off, there's also chocolate and truffle ice cream. You'll think you're in truffle heaven.
Ever wanted to see your favourite bands kick a few goals, and help support a good cause at the same time? Since 1993, the Reclink Community Cup has been turning musos into footy players for an annual charity Aussie rules match, with the Melbourne game drawing more than 10,000 people and raising over $100,000 each year. Sydney's been going strong for years too, with the game finally coming to Brisbane in 2016 — and now it's back again for another round. Come July 30, the city's music community will descend upon Pine Rivers Showground to put their sporting prowess to the test. Two teams will take to the field: The Rocking Horses, featuring players from an array of Brissie acts, and the Brisbane Lines, filled with a crew of 4ZZZ veterans, other industry insiders, street press staff and general music-related folks. Plus, the Community Cup isn't just about getting another dose of the live AFL action, as ace as the prospect of more footy is. Given that rock stars are involved, of course live music is part of the proceedings as well, with the Velociraptor, Seja, Good Boy and more taking care of the tunes. And, food-wise, expect stalls ready to fill your ravenous stomachs. Watching bands play — both music and footy — is hungry work, after all. Tickets cost $10, with every dollar raised going towards Reclink's efforts to improve the lives of Queenslanders suffering from disability, homelessness, substance abuse and economic hardship through participation in sport and the arts. Yep, whoever emerges victorious from the game, a heap of deserving folks will be the real winners. Image: Rod Hunt.
If you're a Brisbanite with a healthy appetite, there's only one place to be this weekend. Take your rumbling stomach and its yearning for something scrumptious down to James Street, and fill it with tasty treats. For a massive four days from July 27 to 30, the New Farm precinct becomes a foodie wonderland for the sixth year running, once again highlighting the gastronomic delights of the area. That includes devouring delicious dishes and drinks, of course, regardless of what kind of food, beverage or event takes your fancy. And, it also boasts a whole day of market activity. Between Thursday and Saturday, four main options will tempt cuisine lovers: a sake and rare Japanese whiskey collaboration between Harvey's and Bar Gyu+ of Niseko; vacation-style Italian eats at Bucci; foodie fun at Scrumptious Reads; and cooking classes at James St Cooking School. Then, come Sunday, more than 27 businesses will unleash their wares spanning everything from fish to wine to baked goods to yiros, plus cooking demos, two stages of live music and a pop-up kitchen.
If you're looking for the shindig to end all shindigs this weekend, don't just head to the Valley — hop aboard the Hogwarts Express. Or pretend to, complete with all the Harry Potter costumes such a journey needs. To mark twenty years of enchantment, the Brightside is once again celebrating a certain boy wizard, his wondrous world, and the books and films that defined many a childhood. Of course, their latest Harry Potter Party is a grown-up affair as always, complete with freshly brewed Butterbeer and boozy polyjuice potion. Plus, apart from drinking and dressing up — which everyone does, so consider yourself warned — there's plenty of other potty party fun to be had. Dance to the resident Slytherin DJs, find out whether the sorting hat thinks you're a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff, grab a free house badge and wand, don a deathly hallows tattoo, munch on Honeydukes candy and just generally magic the night away. Tickets cost $10 for general shenanigans from 8.30pm, or $15 if you'd like to outwizard other HP fans over a round of trivia from 7pm.
Taro Akimoto loves ramen. If you've been to one of his three eateries, you'll know that's true. Taro also loves experimenting — and not only with the noodle-and-broth concoction that ranks among Brisbane's best. Behold the Taro's Ramen Artisan Series, where he breaks free from his usual delicious menu. A regular chance to taste something different, Taro's Ramen's adventurous culinary endeavours step into new territory, be it dry-aged beef sprinkled throughout a Japanese delicacy, or throwing spanner crabs into his beloved soups. Throughout July, he's trying both. Yes, your mouth should be watering. On July 8 and 9 at Taro's Ramen's Queen Street store, it's time for The Ultimate Shabu Shabu Experience, which involves 28-day dry-aged wagyu and sweet pork belly thrown into a shabu shabu hot pot for two or more people to share. Then, come July 22, Taro is heading over to Wandering Cooks to make tonkotsu crab soup with pork charsiu, tonkotsu style noodles and tomato crab salsa. Book early — both are sure to be popular.
It's official: low and slow barbecuing has become Brisbane's favourite style of food preparation. In fact, there's a festival to prove it. Come July 8 and 9, the Brisbane Showgrounds will be engulfed in the kind of smoky, spicy taste sensations that can only come from taking your time to lock in as much goodness as possible. Following on from sold-out fests in 2015 and 2016, the third annual Brisbane BBQ Festival will once again see a convoy of food trucks, burger joints and more converge upon Bowen Hills to prove their culinary patience. They'll be starting up their ovens long before their doors open, and you'll get to devour the long-simmering rewards. Between sampling from the likes of That BBQ Joint, Ze Qickle and How We Rolls — and Seattle's Joe's Ribs, and Sydney's Parrilla Argenchino, Get in the Q and Rangers Texas BBQ too, just to name a few — you'll also watch teams of professionals battle it out to be crowned the low and slow champions, all while scoring free samples of their creations. Or, sip frosty bevs at pop-up bars, learn new skills at masterclasses and workshops, and browse the marketplace for barbecue-related products to help you whip up a storm at home. In total, there'll be 15 barbecue food stalls, 40 barbecue competition teams, 5 barbecue championship categories (including a whole hog category) and more than 25 market stalls over the two-day eating, drinking bonanza. Plus, the sounds of The Cactus Channel, Little Billie, The Hi Boys, The Pickletones, The Johnson Stompers, The Sugar Shakers, West Texas Crude, The Good Ole Boys and more will provide your ultimate barbecue soundtrack.
They're red, sweet and juicy — and they're everyone's favourite fruit. They're also grown in abundance around Queensland. Did you know that 40 percent of the state's strawberries come from the Moreton Bay region? Well, you do now, and you might just want to celebrate that fact. All you need to do is head on over to Bribie Island for Sandstone Point Hotel's third annual Strawberry Festival, and you can do just that. Because you can never have too much of a good thing, the event will paint the pub pink with farm-fresh strawberries, strawberry milkshakes, strawberry ice cream, scones with strawberry jam, and chocolate-coated strawberries. If you're still hungry for more, a strawberry-eating competition is also on the agenda. Then, wash it all down at a bar serving strawberry-flavoured beverages.
So, you've visited the Sunshine Coast more times than you can remember. Every Brisbanite has. Still, you haven't seen its distinctive landscapes through Michael Muir's eyes. View the scenic sights of Montville, Maleny and Noosa Heads anew — and in a painterly fashion — at Disappearing Act, which displays at Jan Murphy Gallery until July 15. Muir's pieces spring from his recent travels up north, but they also hail from his memory; in fact, consider the work that results a combination of both. He's inspired by real places, but can't shake the feeling of nostalgia in his combinations of geometric shapes and soft curves. No wonder peering at his pictures feels like stepping into someone else's fond holiday recollections, with the dreaminess that sensation conjures. Beware, however, of a not-quite-unexpected side effect: you'll be wanting to road trip to the Sunny Coast's enticing climes as soon as you can. Images: Michael Muir — The backroads, 2017, oil on linen / Into your suitcase, 2017, oil on linen.
Thanks to every movie that features someone cutting out magazines and sticking them onto a piece of cardboard, everyone thinks they know what collages are. And, thanks to every primary school art class ever held, everyone has made one at some point in their life. Forget all that — you won't find those at Pieces. In fact, Mitchell Donaldson, Ally McKay, Cosima Scales and Karl Shoobridge are understandably proud of the fact that no glossy pages were harmed in the making of their exhibition. To put it simply, there's more to the art of collage. To dive deeper into that idea, check out the quartet's work. Taking over Metro Arts between June 28 and July 12, Cut Thumb Laundry's group show makes a collage out of delving into collage — as a methodology, as an assemblage of styles and objects, and as a way of working with different materials. On July 8, the exhibition will also feature a screening of Snippets, video works selected by our artists to help put their way of weaving the world together into context.
The term 'ladies night' mightn't make you want to rush to a bar, but Women Who Whisk(e)y should. The regular get-together is all about celebrating a tasty type of amber ale and the ladies who love it. We'll say cheers to that. Cocktails, tastings, samples and just all-round tasty beverages: they're all on offer. So are nibbles, networking with fellow whisky aficionados and just generally giving a dram, with the event taking over Sabotage Social from 6pm on July 30. Plus, a number of distilleries will be showcasing their wares, so expect to become an expert on The Balvenie range, Monkey Shoulder and Glenfidditch. Or, expect to taste a few, then get a hankering to drink enough so that you can be considered one. Sounds like a successful evening to us.
Once you've brought mountain pose to Mt Coot-tha, what comes next? Getting Brisbane's yoga lovers to unleash their best bridge pose on Kurilpa Bridge, obviously. Ace inner-city views at sunset, the calm and tranquility that can only come from bending and stretching, and taking part in the first-ever silent yoga class on the famous structure all combine at Sound Off in the City, Urban Bliss Yoga's latest adventurous exercise outing. If you thought rooftop yoga and mountaintop yoga was exciting, then bridge yoga will once again take you to another level. Do downward dog as you stare down from a massive waterway crossing, and whip out your liveliest sun salutation as the fiery ball of heat descends over the city. Taking place on September 3, 150 yogis will climb across the structure linking South Brisbane with the CBD for this unique late Sunday afternoon session, with all of the fun kicking off at 4.15pm. And, thanks to the illuminated headphones everyone will be wearing, there'll be quite the glow coming from the class as well. Everyone from yoga first-timers to asana experts are welcome — as long as you BYO yoga mat — but tickets are expected to get snapped up quickly.
It's a scientific fact that you can't have too much laughter — or if it isn't, it really should be. Giggling is good for you. A hearty laugh is a heck of a good workout. And checking out the hilarious stylings of up-and-coming comedians doesn't just offer amusement for eager audiences, but supports aspiring talent. That's what's on offer at Bris Funny Fest, which returns for a second year of rib-tickling, side-splitting fun. From August 2 to 20, the fringe comedy festival will showcase the comic stylings of a few recognisable names and whole host of others that aren't quite household fodder yet — but one day, they just might be. And, this year the lineup is 50% bigger, with 45 shows on offer. Check out Matt Okine heading home before his new Stan series The Other Guy launches, let improv masters get you guffawing, catch a comic twist on your favourite throne and dragon-filled fantasy TV show, laugh along with amusing ladies, hop up to the open mic and see more sketches than Saturday Night Live has ever aired. Okay, so the last one is a bit of an exaggeration, but hey, whatever kind of comedy you're looking for, you'll probably find it here. Image: Stan.
If there was ever an event tailor-made for those with limited attention spans, it's Short + Sweet Festival. You know that feeling you get when you're 15 minutes into something that you're not all that into? Well, you won't find that here. In the fest's 2017 Brisbane run over July 26 to August 5 — and its Gold Coast leg from August 10 to 19 too — more than 60 new works will take to the stage across multiple strands of theatre and cabaret. Yes, that sounds like a lot, but there's a twist. Each and every different performance spans a maximum of 10 minutes. Everything from a singing Terminator and a chickpea empire to the most annoying songs in the world and the aftermath of a job ad gone wrong features among the heaving program of bite-sized theatre delights, with south-east Queensland's best and brightest eager to showcase their condensed skills. Of course, they're not just offering up a sample of their talents for the fun of it; they're also hoping you'll vote to send them through to the Short + Sweet gala finals on September 2 and 3. Image: Dave D'Arcy
For some, seeing the months tick by means Christmas in July, planning for the festive season and wondering just where the time goes. For high schoolers, if often means another tradition. They're approaching the end of school and having a party to celebrate — and for everyone who's already been there and done that, the Brightside is putting their spin on the classic coming-of-age shindig by throwing a mid-year prom. Yes, it's back. Yes, it's the excuse you need each to party like you're just about to end your studies. So frock up in your finest, fanciest attire, collect your date in style and then prepare to make some memories. You'll do all of the above dancing the night away, donning your finest cocktail attire, grabbing a free rose, and drinking themed beverages. We The Prom Kings will provide the live soundtrack, and make sure you stay until midnight, as that's when 2017 Brightside prom king and queen will be crowned.
Good things come in small packages at Simply Shorts — and, as the name suggests, short ones as well. Both a screening session of bite-sized filmmaking and a networking get-together for those who make and watch them, the event showers the love on cinematic storytelling of the briefer kind. At their latest evening on July 12, all things science fiction will be zooming across the screen, spanning from monsters to mutants to plenty of other genre staples. Will giant lizard-like creatures amble across the frame? Extra-terrestrials looking for home? Time-travelling teens? You just know that the film selection will include plenty of nods to sci-fi gems gone by, because that's what science fiction typically does — it takes inspiration from the past and present, and blends them into a new vision of the future. Expect all of that over three hours of filmic wonders, plus drinks and chatter afterwards. Expect music videos and movie trailers too, with all sorts of shorter bits and pieces in the spotlight.
Like beer? Like monsters? Like your brews named after creepy critters, with bottle, can and label artwork to match? Horror-loving drinkers, there's never been a better time to pair your beverages with your fondness for all things scary; however, October 7 and 8 will be even better than usual thanks to Netherworld's Monster Menagerie Beer Festival. The inaugural event will bring together 16 yeasty tipples, strange creatures and stellar collaborations, all for two days of boozing fun. And if you're wondering why it takes place on October 7 and 8, just think about it for a second. 'Tis the month of Halloween, after all. Everyone from KAIJU to Brewtal to Wolf of the Willows to Mountain Goat will be involved, plus locals like Green Beacon and Brisbane Brewing Co too. Tickets cost $60, which gets you 150ml of each and every one of the themed beers — almost all of which are being poured for the first time — plus a limited edition enamel pin, five game tokens and packet of Netherworld monster trading cards. Non-ticket holders will also be allowed to join in the fun, but won't be able to enjoy all of the brews.
Picnics, cheese platters, Parisian dreams and pithy jazz: that's what a perfect Saturday afternoon is all about. It's also what's on the agenda at Northshore Hamilton's A Frenchy Affair, aka the relaxing way to spend a few hours on September 2. From 1pm, the free community event will turn the Hamilton harbour into the place to be if you're a Gallic-loving Brisbanite. On the park's grassy lawns, the coffee will be free, J'adore Les Crepes will be serving up their titular dish, Cigany Weaver will be setting the mood with jazz tunes and a whole host of lawn games will add a bit more fun. Plus, if you really want to make a day of it, Albion fromagerie Emile & Solange have cheesy picnic hampers available for pre-order for the event. From $33, you can be feasting on triple cream brie, saucissons and baguettes, gazing over the water and pretending you're looking at the Seine rather than the Brisbane river.
Keen to celebrate the sights, sounds and tastes of Thailand, but can't make the trip abroad at the moment? Whether you're lamenting your inability to head to southeast Asia, getting your fix in-between sight-seeing visits, or simply a fan of Thai culture, cuisine and traditions, the annual Brisbane Thai Festival has you covered. The event is expected to attract more than 15,000 patrons, so you certainly won't be alone. Don't worry — with food, performances, Thai boxing demonstrations, and a beer and wine bar on offer, there's plenty for everyone at Brisbane's largest Thai-focused event. Indulging in all the Massaman curries you can eat, iced teas you can drink and traditional dances you can watch is only part of the equation, of course. As run by the Thai-Australian Association of Queensland Inc, the festival aims to promote and strengthen ties and harmony between the Thai and Australian communities. By heading along, you'll not only get a feast of food and entertainment — you'll be doing your cross-cultural part.
Everyone loves a comedy festival, but sometimes being so spoiled for comic choice isn't just amusing — it's overwhelming. That's where comedy festival showcases come in. They add laughs to the lulls between annual fests, plus they offer a bite-sized sample of the up-and-coming comedians you might not have seen live yet. The Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase certainly promises both, serving up the brightest and most buzz-worthy performers from the 2017 event. If it's highlights of hilarity you're after — from international and local funny folks alike — then this is the place to get it. LA Comedy Awards 2012 comedian of the year Al Del Bene tops a packed bill, as corralled by Aussie comic Sean Woodland doing MC duties. They're joined by South Africa's Dusty Rich, rising Australian star Daniel Connell and more, aka the nation's next big comedy names in waiting. Check them out now, and then put their solo shows on your must-see list for the 2018 festival circuit.
If you could be anywhere in the world on a Sunday afternoon, sitting in Paris drinking glass after glass of pink-hued tipples would have to be right up there. And if you can't be there on September 10, Baedecker is offering the next best thing: La Vie en Rosé, a rosé and French food party. From 2pm until 5pm, the Constance Street hangout will be serving up more than 50 pink drinks from around the globe, so arrive with a hankering for something other than red or white wine. And to soak it all up, there'll be French cuisine vendors on site, with rillettes, macarons and more on offer. As well as sipping and sampling while you're there — to the sounds of gypsy jazz, no less — there'll also be drinks specials for those wanting to stock up their rosé stores at home. Tickets cost $49 + booking fee for what promises to be a fine French-dreaming time in the bar's Champagne garden.
If you're a '90s kid who isn't too fond of clowns, your fears probably stem from Stephen King's It. And if that's the case, you're likely planning to steer clear of Pennywise's return in the new film version — and New Farm Cinemas' clown-filled opening night screening. In what promises to be a coulrophobic's nightmare, the Brunswick Street movie theatre is celebrating the release of the latest adaptation of the horror classic in coloured wig-wearing style — that is, with clowns aplenty. If their over-sized shoes and water-squirting flowers don't give you goosebumps, then head on down for the 7pm session on September 7. Clowns won't just surround frightening flick-loving film-goers, however. If you want to see the movie, you have to get into costume yourself. Following in the footsteps of the Alamo Drafthouse in the US, "all patrons should dress as a clown to attend" advises the venue, so don your best clown outfit and get made up Pennywise-style by on-site face painters. Pre-film festivities kick off at 6pm, and include a photo booth and magic tricks — and red balloons as well, we're guessing — before the Bill Skarsgård-starring movie itself plunges viewers into even spookier territory. And, if that's not enough fun, see how many clowns you can pack inside your own car at Yatala Drive-In's clown-only session at 9pm on September 9.
