In the past 12 months, Cairns-based songstress Emma Louise has gone from strength to strength, experiencing a flurry of success. Her whimsical single, 'Jungle', taken from her debut EP Full Hearts and Empty Rooms, was instantly loved by music buffs worldwide and constantly spun on the radio. Selling out shows internationally, Louise was honoured with Queensland Music Awards for Song Of The Year and the Pop Award. The dreamy darling has just released her new single, 'Boy', and returns to Australia to play a run of intimate shows after recently sharing the stage with accomplished musicians like Bob Evans, Sarah Blasko, Tim Rogers and Boy & Bear. She perfects indie pop with her gorgeous vocals, honest lyrics and stunning melodies. Head along to Black Bear Lodge and enjoy this stunning chanteuse's showcase of heartfelt and masterful songs.
Brisbane electronic music collective Silo is celebrating its first year of activity by throwing a birthday bash at Bar Soma. The group have been responsible for throwing great parties and shows over the past year, featuring some of Australia’s (and the world’s) best electronic artists. Celebrations will include performances from Oliver Tank (SYD), Silo affiliate OUTERWAVES, Rainbow Chan (SYD), and Charles Murdoch. Silo is also marking the occasion by launching its first vinyl release – a split 7-inch, featuring Rainbow Chan and OUTERWAVES. The discs will be hand cut onto clear vinyl and will be the first in a series of vinyl releases from Silo. There will be plenty of cake and shenanigans, tickets are $18 and there is a limited release. No birthday suits required.
Live music outpost Black Bear Lodge will again host its wild and audacious Jazz Party Tuesday event this week. The popular monthly party, curated by local barbershop trio The Melotonins, takes inspiration from the infamous jazz parties of Jack Kerouac’s beat generation. A loosely formatted affair, Jazz Party Tuesday will see local jazz veteran Evan Mackenzie lead a group through numbers inspired by immortal gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. Other jazz musicians including The Melotonins will perform on the main stage or around the house piano while vinyl from jazz’s golden age is spun during interludes. The event’s climax comes in the form of a raucous free-for-all jam that will burn well into the early hours of the morning. Musicians and music fans are all encouraged to come along, sink a gin and reimagine the glory years of jazz.
Oh, the things that creative couples can do! Jon Hamm and his partner Jennifer Westfeldt may be the latest amazingly talented pairing on the Hollywood scene, hopefully with a lot less drama than those we read about in the gossip rags. Hamm, the loveable face we've come to know from Mad Men, once again gets to show off his comedy chops in Friends with Kids, not to mention also take a producer credit on the film. But it's Westfeldt who steals the show, writing, directing, and starring in this very interesting rom-com about having children that manages to leave out the schmaltz. Julie (Westfeldt) and Jason (the very funny Adam Scott) have been friends since college days and share absolutely everything with each other, except themselves. While all their friends are coupling up and deciding to have children, they are continually searching for 'the one' that they can finally settle down with and procreate. After seeing their friends' marriages deteriorate at the arrival of children, however, they decide to go for parenthood as friends so as not to kill the romance. While the path to your typical Hollywood rom-com is crazy clear with this plot description, the journey there isn't. The characters are witty, real, and very well-crafted for screen. Relationships in pain and the reality of having children and how it changes you are very clearly and thoughtfully portrayed without always going for the easy comic route. While this film may only particularly reach an audience at the time in their lives when all their friends are having children, there's enough fiery banter along the lines of a slightly more crass Chandler Bing coming from Scott and Westfeldt that most viewers will find something to laugh at. The film is not without fault; it is slightly long in places, and it's unclear why they get Chris O'Dowd to do an American accent when he quite clearly can't. But with a spectacular support cast that might as well be a reunion special for Bridesmaids, this could be the Bridget Jones's Diary meets Knocked Up of the teens. Read about the history of relationships on screen, and what they say about us.
Bleeding Heart Gallery and The Black Parlour have created an interactive series of workshops designed to assist fans of arts and crafts to develop their creative skills. Hands On Brisbane includes workshops, demonstrations and Q&A sessions with some of Brisbane's creative geniuses who are eager to share their craft secrets. Bleeding Heart Gallery is located in the centre of Brisbane's city and is the creative heartbeat to our bustling city. Hosting markets, exhibitions, workshops and even a cafe, Bleeding Heart Gallery is always brimming with creativity and excitement. The gallery was established in 2008 by the Wise Foundation and designed to empower the disadvantaged in our community. Every dollar spent at the gallery is used to fun charitable projects. The events in Hands on Brisbane include a clay demonstration, many DIY sessions and a cake pops tutorial. If you love arts and crafts, this event is designed for you. Taking part just involves registering for a class online as most sessions supply materials – it's as easy as that.
Brisbane has a treasure trove of musical talent and sparkling three piece Avaberee are no exception. Aimee, Genevieve and Irena make up this talented trio and are playing at Black Bear Lodge this Sunday night for what is bound to be a goose-bump inducing performance. These skilful songstresses will warm the cockles of your heart as the girls are known for their honeyed harmonies and tender tunes. Influenced by a kaleidoscope of musical genres, the girls shake up folk music for Brisbane's music scene. As the main support for Matt Corby, Avaberee have returned home after playing a run of secret garden shows across the nation and have hit the ground running. Avaberee are no strangers to the stage and have entertained audiences at venues including Woodford Folk Festival, the Brisbane Powerhouse, The Old Museum, The Press Club and Brisbane's beloved Troubadour. Their impressive vocals, charming stage presence and raw lyrics have seen them support a long list of successful artists such as Emma Louise, Ball Park Music and Charlie Mayfair. Why sit at home twiddling your thumbs when you could be squeezing the last bit of fun out the weekend by enjoying Avaberee's heavenly performance?
Albion’s dining lounge bar, Stockholm Syndrome, not only provides delicious meals in a gorgeous setting but also hosts live entertainment in their upstairs show room. The monthly Deadly Nightshade Cabaret aims to showcase Brisbane’s most daring artists who specialise in bringing old school glamour and charm back to the stage. The team at Stockholm Syndrome have searched high and low for quirky acts that will raise eyebrows and get hearts racing. Entertainers include classically trained musicians, self-taught artists, burlesque dancers and circus performers. This Wednesday marks the premier of Deadly Nightshade Cabaret starring the enchanting Rag Tag Band and special guest vocalist and comedian Bertie Page. What is sure to be a memorable performance by Lena Marlene, one of Brisbane’s leading ladies in the burlesque scene, will top off the night. Why not head down to Stockholm Syndrome early for a 3 course meal before the show, offered in the $80 package. It'll be a night of indulgence, wonder and a nipple tassel or two.
If Brisbane is good for one thing, it's breeding top-notch, a-grade artists. Our local art scene is bustling, with artists, such as Shida, making it big on the international scene from humble Brisbane beginnings. Local artists Dan McCabe and Mitchell Donaldson, co-founders of Addition Artist-Run Initiative, have well and truly bolted themselves on Brisbane's healthy list of emerging talented artists. Interrogating notions of form, stasis and presence surrounding memorial practices, Donaldson’s work gently dives into the potential of subtle interventions to unmake found objects and images. McCabe, on the other hand, encourages his viewers to approach his compositions that mold the preconceived understandings of an image, with great scrutiny by altering their own material and visual stability. Their latest exhibition, Seeing Things, will present a wide variety of new work from both these provoking artists. Indeed, it is the creative partnership between the two that ensures the rigorous critiquing of each other's work and practices, in turn creating work, and an exhibition, nothing short of perfection.
The best thing about humour is how it is most effective when spread around. With that idea in mind, the Melbourne International Comedy is hitting the road and is bringing a car-load of the funniest comedians to Brisbane to share the laughs. Loretta Maine (UK - pictured), Asher Treleaven, Nazeem Hussain, Tom Deacon (UK), and Tommy Little were all highlight performers this year, so it is safe to say that you be splitting your sides with merriment when this bunch of outrageous individuals hit The Powerhouse this week. They say it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, so give your muscles a rest at let loose with some of the best jokes told this year! Sound good? Pop on over to The Powerhouse website for ticket information and session times.
Prepare yourself for a total Punk/Hardcore annihilation over three days with the third edition of Total Attack Festival. This absolutely monstrous line up will be coming to Crowbar on May 3, the Transcontinental Hotel on May 4 and Coniston Lane on May 5. All of these main shows are strictly 18+, however Tym’s Guitars will be hosting Deep Heat for an all-ages, free show from 2pm on the final day of the festival. The best of Australia’s punk and hardcore bands will be converging on Brisbane for the event, as are the nation’s most devoted fans. Headliners, including the Euro-smashers Sotatila, Sydney’s Deathcage and Melbourne masters Kromosom are among the many bands attracting huge attention to this long awaited celebration of these genres. For the full line up, set times, locations and ticket prices, head along to the event website.
If there's one thing humans will always have over the rest of the animal kingdom, it's our sense of creativity. Sure, there are those sell-out, painting elephants and the ever-entertaining lyrebird, but it's humans alone who are graced with the ability to create abstract compositions of colour, shapes and textures. The proof lies right on our doorstep with local artist Simon Degroot. His bright and colourful paintings of bulky shapes and transulcent forms have cemented him as one of Brisbane's best. His latest exhibition, Titanium Anvil, is a display of abstract compositions of mechanical figures, painted in a graphic style that combines flat pinks and yellows with chrome coloured bends and twists. Degroot strips fragments of his pieces of their original context, evoking a meaning quite familiar but still very distant for the viewer. Degroot's production of aesthetically teasing, chrome paintings are the perfect meal for any creativity-starved human brain.
Paniyiri Greek Festival is back for another year, with the weekend of all things Greek food, dance and celebration taking place on May 18 and 19 at Musgrave Park. It is the longest running cultural festival of its kind in Australia, and once you’ve been, you’ll know why. Over 30 food stalls of meats and sweets and everything in between will leave no craving unsatisfied, and traditional music and dancing will entertain and enlighten you throughout the day. Grape stomping, honeypuff eating competitions, Zorba ‘til you drop, cooking demonstrations, surprise guests; it’ll all be Greek to you. Prepare yourself for an afternoon (or a double feature?) of al-fresco dining, the smells and smashing plates, the sounds of the bouzouki and the lira, among some 50,000 Greeks and honorary Greeks and this year’s special guests, Kelly Paterniti (Home & Away) and Jake and Elle (My Kitchen Rules). Opa! Children under 13 enter free, and tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Opa!
Ever wished you were a fly on the wall at a rock star after-party? How about being part of the action? Fallen star Uta Uber Kool Ja (aka Melbourne actor Georgina Symes) is inviting you to one of her raucous hotel room soirees. The “almost-was” Uta and her assistant George will be hosting an intimate, decadent and revealing party in her glamorous Holiday Inn penthouse suite (that’s right, with harbour views). As the champagne flows, so too do Uta’s stories, party games and meltdowns. There may also be some nudity, dancing and a little dress up... and Uta feels better if everyone gets involved. Uta Uber Kool Ja is immersive theatre at its most up-front and personal: expect to get down and get loose, party people. With rave reviews from the Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe Festivals, it'd be wise to book in advance.
Experience everything India has on offer at Brisbane's week-long Encounters Festival. Let the tantalising tastes and aromas of fresh, handmade food tease you while fall in love with the sounds of a solo sitar. Southbank will be transformed for seven days from early morning till midnight with vibrant colours and exquisite Indian imagery. Seasoned India-lovers and adventorous armchair-travellers will be able to immerse themselves in bursts of Bollywood, fragrances and myriad musical styles through more than 50 concerts and masterclasses. From film buffs to self-proclaimed food critics, the Encounters Festival Program will have an activity and event for every taste, interest and generation. For the music lovers, opera, orchestras and world-class solosist. For families and children, free community events in the Parklands. And for those who can handle the hottest of spices, an adventure through some of the best restaurants and cafes. Join the bustling parade of Indian celebration and experience at this year's Encounters Festival.
“Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.” A Tender Thing, the 90 minute tale of love and sacrifice, is the achingly beautiful retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Superbly crafted by British playwright Ben Power, it celebrates Shakespeare’s relevance to a contemporary audience, this time transformed into the tale of two older lovers. This play was first commissioned and premiered by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2009, and featured in the World Shakespeare Festival at Stratford in 2012. It’s not often that a highly celebrated and influential play comes to our home town, and this one in particular is ideal for a wide audience. School groups are welcome to attend as part of their own studies, just as older attendees are invited to re-experience this timeless classic, where “language [is] made fresh” – The Stage. Discounts are available for preview sessions, as well as groups of 10+ people and school groups. Check on the website for more details.
Since selling out two Sydney Oxford Art Factories in less than ten 10 minutes back in January, Foals have relased their third studio album, Holy Fire — a sweeping follow up to their sophomore effort Total Life Forever. Holy Fire is an uninhibited mix of emotion and instrument, and should give Yannis Philippakis and the crew plenty of juice with which to fuel their notoriously savage live sets. But while it doesn't stray far from Foals' addictive sound, a blend of riffy math rock and danceable electronics, the album does sound more cohesive than anything the band has released previously. Tickets for Foals' Tivoli show go on sale Monday, 18 March at 9am. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_PMvjmC6M
Never again will you have the opportunity to witness a collaboration like this. One part, a man whose musical exploration and creativity has made him one of our finest exports; the other, a just as renowned pianist whose music transcends time and space to create something rather enigmatic. They are Mike Cooper and Chris Abrahams and they are teaming up to show off their new work at The Box. The Necks' pianist Chris Abrahams is one of Australia's most revered composers, with his latest record, Memory Light, being one of his most complex and haunting to date. Abrahams' appearance will mark his first solo performance in Australia in nearly two years. His counterpart, Mike Cooper, is just as widely recognised as one of Australia's best. Cooper's rock-solid songwriting in both the folk and blues genres has made him one of Australia's most respected artists, especially since the release of his 2004 Rayon Hula. Celebrate the launch of Abrahams' Memory Light and Cooper's White Shadows of the South Seas in this highly anticipated night of mesmerizing groove. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bnm7KBtq53I
Under her stage name of Cat Power, US musician Chan Marshall has established herself as one of those real rarities in music nowadays — an original. Trying to categorise her music is difficult, especially as it has evolved ever since her debut in 1993. Calling it 'her take on soul' or 'her brand of indie' is unjust since nothing she makes feels try-hard — it all feels real. From the sparse, haunting melodic indie of 'Cross Bones Style' to the uplifting blues of 'Lived In Bars' to the discordant R&B of 'Cherokee', Chan is always unmistakably unique. Her 2012 release Sun is her first album of original material in over six years. With increasing onstage confidence (and her notorious onstage meltdowns a thing of the past) Chan's more striking stage presence matches her powerful voice. https://youtube.com/watch?v=PDbPrOuXq2s
Since their establishment in 1999, Holgate Brewhouse have pumped out an incredible range of internationally recognised, delicious beers – 999 to be exact. From German to Vienna lagers, chocolate porter to American Indian ales, they've seen, tasted and brewed it all. Now, to celebrate the milestone of their 1000th beer, Holgate Brewhouse have cooked up something extra special - The Millennium Falcon Emperial IPA. Brewed with all pale malt to allow the hops to drive the ship, this beer contains an unprecedented quantity of Millennium, Falconers Flight and Galaxy hops. Furthermore, the bitterness of the Millenium Falcun Emperial IPA is pushed to a big chewy 100 IBUs – in lay-man's terms, it's more bitter than Luke was when he found out this. Archive Beer Boutique will be hosting a night of celebration, entertainment and most importantly drinking to celebrate the launch of this much anticipated beer. Don't forget to come in your favourite Star Wars Costume to really get into spirit – you're never to old to sport a Jedi robe.
Just over a year ago Thee Oh Sees came to Australia to play Melbourne's Sugar Mountain Festival and sell out Sydney's Annandale Hotel. If you a) missed out on a ticket, b) got kicked in the head by a rogue crowd surfer and can't remember most of the show or c) had your eardrums ruptured and couldn't hear most of the show then don't stress, because they're coming back this month. The San Francisco band are known for having a sound that is difficult to pin down and a live performance best described as cacophonous. Frontman John Dwyer has been consumed by music for over 25 years and finds inspiration in everything from Dracula to Donald Duck. How he soaks those up and spits them out in the form of such moshable rock 'n' roll anthems I don't know, but maybe the huge range of and genres he draws from is why these tracks are so raw and harmonious simultaneously.
Have your finger firmly on the pulse of fashion by attending the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival hosted by the newly renovated City Hall. In its eighth year, the festival brings a sneak peek of new Spring/Summer trends and collections to the runway and maintains its position as one of the most coveted events of the year for Brisbane fashionistas. Catch new-season showcases by designers such as Ellery, Charlie Brown, Tengdahl, sass & bide, Wayne Cooper and Sacha Drake amongst a bevy of other big names. The festival is filled with fun fashion events that would have any trend-setting squealing with delight. Standouts include A conversation about 'Queensland Style', Emerging Designer Shows, Napoleon Perdis Top 5 Looks and Bridal Shows plus many more. Tickets start as low as $25 but are sure to be snapped up quickly.
September might as well be called Bristember, because it is the best month of the year to be living in Brisbane. Spring has arrived - people are heading outdoors again – and there is that feeling of optimism about the months ahead; blue skies, beach trips and everything nice that Spring and Summer bring. Alongside events like the Brisbane Fringe Festival, the Brisbane Writers Festival and BIGSOUND; the Brisbane Festival (arguably the biggest of the bunch) hypes everything that is great about Brisbane, and injects a healthy dose of outsider culture into the mix to create a program of events that has something for everyone. Check out our picks for the 2013 Brisbane Festival here! WIN TICKETS TO BRISBANE FESTIVAL Concrete Playground readers have the chance to win a special night out thanks to Brisbane Festival. One lucky reader will win two tickets to see URBAN on Saturday, September 14 at 9.30pm and two $30 Festival Flavours vouchers to use at 5ifth Element for a pre-show feast. Here after sell-out seasons from Columbia to Paris, URBAN is a high-energy circus show that tells a story of the streets. Through dance, music and acrobatics, Circolumbia reveal the real joys and violence the young artists grew up around. Brisbane Festival has paired up with 19 great restaurants to offer some mighty fine wine and dine deals for the duration of the festival. Audiences can tuck into a Festival Flavours dish and a beverage for just $30 from September 7 to 28. For your chance to win, be subscribed to the Brisbane Concrete Playground newsletter and email your name, address and phone number to daniela@concreteplayground.com.au with 'Brisbane Festival' in the headline by Tuesday, September 10. Winner will be drawn at random.
The humble “selfie” seems so common and widespread that it is rarely given thought to. However, to artists and philosophers, it is a continuation of the traditional practices of self-portraiture, and so can help represent the progressions in medium, technology and therefore attitude and cultural norms. A collection of artists, including Dana Lawrie, Lee Lombardi, Nicola Scott and Tyza Stewart, will merge their own works in order to closely examine what a contemporary self-portrait entails. These artists will question, push boundaries and redefine how a person can visually represent themselves, as well as look at what it means to live within and experience a body in today’s world. This is an exhibition that is sure to produce more questions than answers, and shall hopefully make you see yourself from a different perspective, and consider how others perceive themselves.
What is Everyday Magic? No… It’s not Ricky Martin’s jawline. It’s not Velcro. Why, it’s not even Mos Burger. Everyday Magic are those simple things that make life just a little more dreamy, as well as QAGOMA's latest, and most blissed exhibition to date. As an embodiment of John Cage’s remark ‘beauty is now underfoot wherever we take the trouble to look’, Everyday Magic is all about seeking gratitude, appreciation and thanksgiving in a materialist world. The free exhibit holds a collection of art that reflects everyday materials and situations in a way which is humbly enchanting, so that we can see the magic in our lives. While it may sound a tad meta, the focus on transformation from the simplest presences is the foundation of a collection of work that transcends the raw establishments of everyday to expose something quite complex. Everyday Magic will be open from the 7th of September to the 16th of March next year, so give it a go and hopefully become a more conscious person in the act. It'll at least be a little more riveting than a bunch of quilts.
Presented by the Walkley Foundation, the Nikon-Walkley Slide Night is a celebration of those whose passions and talents lie in photography. The Walkley Foundation aims to support and encourage professional and ethical practices in journalism, and rewards excellence within the Australian media. Whether you are a member of the artisan community or industry, a beginner or professional, or simply an admirer, this night is for you. For those who know their way around a camera, you are invited to submit your work for showcase on the evening, in front of an enamoured audience and media representatives. The winner, chosen by those in attendance, will receive a $1,500 Nikon voucher. This event is free to attend, but please indicate your interest to walkleys@walkleys.com.
Winner of Best Innovation in Theatre and Best Performance at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, Show Me Yours, I’ll Show You Mine is a dissection of the life of a sex-worker – love, family, intimacy. In an interview, Not-Nick reveals the intimate details of his life to Tim, who in turn ends up revealing pieces of himself. Described as an ‘alluring study of integrity and play acting, made volatile by the rules of theatre’ – Show Me Yours is an engaging piece of theatre that makes its mark by exploring a topic that has been largely hidden in the shadows. The work is performed by Tim Spencer (also the writer) and Charles Purcell. It is showing at La Boite theatre as part of the second wave of their Indie showcase. Be sure to check this production out while you can. The likes of this wont be seen again in Brisbane for a long time.
Lawrence Greenwood aka Whitley’s last album, Go Forth, Find Mammoth, was a breezy, lightweight yet layered and complex example of why Australia is at the top of the list when it comes to folk singer-songwriters. After the success of the album, Whitley went on an indefinite hiatus that left fans wondering if they’d ever hear a new note from him again. Well, after some time away, Whitley has returned with a bunch of new songs in the form of his new album, Even the Stars Are a Mess. For this record, Whitely travelled to Mexico, Cuba, The Netherlands, Peru and Italy for inspiration. To celebrate his own return to the stage, Whitley is heading on a massive tour that will see him play most major cities and mega-festival, Splendour In The Grass. Whitley takes over Black Bear Lodge on the 12th and will be supported by chanteuse Esther Holt.
Happy Birthdays were in order at Southside Tea Room last week, with the small venue celebrating it's first year of operation, and reigning supreme as one of Brisbane's trendiest little cafe bars. Remarkably too, in twelve months they've proved to Brisbane they don't settle for less than top shelf when it comes to hosting gigs – connect the dots and you'll realise The Good Sports fit Southside Tea Room's mold quite snuggly. Nash, Jake, Andre, Liam and Lily are the geezers that make up this boppy little rock'n'roll band. Their 60s inspired sound and same era inspired look makes for a welcome alternative, grunge rock revival for the Brisbane music scene. The only way they could become cooler would be for them to add a sitar to the mix, wear matching sweaters and bring home-made quiches to their gigs. For now though, let's just say if David Boon, Wally Lewis and Thorpey had as much musical ability as they did sporting talent, they'd still be pressed making a funkier sound than The Good Sports.
One scrap of detail sums up much about the new Superman reboot, Man of Steel: He doesn't wear underpants. The 75-year-old character's red underwear, worn on the outside, is among the silliest ensembles ever dreamed up, but it's also iconic. To take on the role of Superman is sometimes called 'donning the red underpants' for that reason. The modern Superman interpreter can go one of two ways with this: 1. Keep the red undies, finding a self-aware spin on old anachronisms (we'll call this the 'Marvel way'), or 2. Ignore the undies, because contemporary superheroing is serious business (aka the Dark Knight way). So when you see Henry Cavill on the promo posters, looking pretty and pumped and decidedly sans contrast knickers, you should have a fair idea of what kind of Superman you're in for. And sure enough, it's Dark Knight's Christopher Nolan and David S Goyer who are behind this story, along with director Zack Snyder (Sucker Punch, Watchmen). The costume is not the only beloved bit of camp that's gone: this Clark Kent is not yet trying to keep up his dorky cover as a Daily Planet reporter, and this Lois Lane (Amy Adams) won't be unable to recognise him just because he puts on some specs (that last change, at least, is way overdue). Of the sprawling Superman mythos, Man of Steel tries to fit in the origin story and the bit immediately after. It opens on Krypton, as the planet is being torn apart following the over-mining of its natural resources (relevance!). General Zod (Michael Shannon) has also chosen this time for a military coup. Baby Kal-El's father, Jor-El (Russell Crowe), and mother, Lara (Ayelet Zurer), save him — and, with him, they hope, Kryptoniankind — by putting him on a shuttle bound for Earth. We next see Kal-El as a young man, drifting around the globe trying to find clues as to his real identity. In a spaceship buried in the Arctic, he finds the answers, recounted to him in detail by a hologram of his father. It's all ready-made, including his suit, and the film quickly moves on to its bulkier second part: The hero working out whether his place is with the human or the alien. And General Zod is on his way back from the Phantom Zone to help with that quandary, by invading Earth. Ahead of the screening, I thought there was no way the Dark Knight approach could work for Superman. Or any approach, nearly; he's a hard character to make interesting. He's not conflicted, he doesn't have a dark side and he's not funny. He's never going to have a battle 'with himself' or one that's morally ambiguous. His powers are perfect. He has no hubris. Like Captain America, he's just kinda lame. As it happens, the team does surprisingly well with portions of the material. They find an involving moral question without descending into darkness, and their 'scientific' explanations of a lot of the mythology work well. Cavill is super-handsome but also reasonably charismatic, which is the more important draw. In many ways, this is the strongest Superman reboot for a long time. Unfortunately, the story manages to be both rushed and overlong — because Clark finds the tell-all hologram in 30 minutes, there is no sense that he's struggled. The pace, afterwards, is flat. But Man of Steel has a bigger problem: director Snyder has no taste. Again and again, he's come up with some amazing visual styling and action sequences, but he doesn't know when to say stop. When to pull back. The fight scenes between super-strong characters, who destroy rows of buildings with a single punch, are repeated to the point of exhaustion. The final battle should have been two battles earlier. Lois isn't a 'strong female character'; she's superhuman herself. Exposition is heavy. It's all very loud. So there you go: a Superman with both strengths and weaknesses. It's rumoured an Avengers-style team-up of dour DC heroes will follow, which isn't hugely thrilling. But with his own sequel, this Man of Steel could yet firm up.
It’s fairly rich these days to compare a band to both The Doors and Bowie, but these labels seem to only stick firmer with every performance by Brisbane’s own Mega Ogre. For two years they’ve been working the Brisbane music scene and now, with the support of Gung Ho’s Michael McAlary, they’ve got their first EP to show for it. In a night of celebration at Black Bear Lodge, these four musos slash synth dreamers will be launching their first-ever single 'TED (The Ethereal Darkness Beyond Planet Earth)' — a track reminiscent of aliens, dinosaurs, shadows, fuzzy jams and loopy riffs and wails. Tickets for this monster of a gig are going at $10.20 a pop, with the support acts Cull (Sydney) and Pool Shop ensuring you'll receive far more than your money’s worth. Remember, don’t wreck yourself before you Shrek yourself.
Ever spent an afternoon walking around with a sketchbook, taking in your scenery and drawing the world through your own artistic eyes? No? You should try it sometime, it’s very relaxing. Here is an opportunity to be amongst other sketchy individuals (the good sketchy, the art sketchy) and to see Brisbane through a different lens. The 41st Sketchcrawl is happening on the 19th of October and organisers invite interested parties to join for all or even part of the 3 stop route, to sketch their city and be a part of a global occurrence that takes place on this date, each year. Check out the event page for timetable and information. Be sure to bring your drawing implements, GO card, camera, water, sunscreen and hat (it’s going to be a hot one). Get sketchy!
Ah, Go Violets, you make our hearts flutter. With their surf-rock goodness and babin' good looks, it's impossible to not fall for this all girl quartet. Head to Jet Black Cat Music for the Brisbane band's latest musical offering. Join Go Violets on Thursday night to celebrate the girls' debut EP, Heart Slice, and pick up a copy for yourself. In the meantime, listen to its tracks such as Josie, Teenager and Runner. Heart slice is filled with cheerful and irresistibly catchy chorus' with honest lyrics. These girls always put on an entertaining show and their love of music oozes into their performances. Go Violets are destined for big things so make sure you get your hot little hands on a copy of their debut EP while you can. What's more, this is one for all ages.
One of the UK's most versatile and interesting directors, Michael Winterbottom, is a hard man to pigeonhole. Teaming again with Steve Coogan, whom he collaborated with on 24 Hour Party People and the wonderful The Trip, his latest is a biopic of Paul Raymond, the controversial figure who became the 'King of Soho', pulling crowds with risque theatre at his nightclub and successfully branching out into the world of magazines with his bestselling lad's mag, Men Only. The action opens with a shaken Raymond (Coogan) pondering tragic events involving his daughter and driving around the district of London he rules with a small child, pointing out the business he owns, markers not just of his great wealth but also his striving for respectability. His rise was marked by his audacity and knack for turning setbacks to his advantage — when a newspaper condemns one of his theatrical productions for including "arbitrary displays of naked flesh", he slaps the quote on the promotional poster as a selling point. After leaving his family for his mistress, Richmond finds himself on the wrong end of an expensive divorce settlement ("I think you'll find it's the most expensive divorce settlement in UK history" he corrects reporters), but remains focused on empire building. Along the way he reconnects with his daughter Debbie (an excellent Imogen Poots), whose ambitions of stardom are not accommodated by the public and whose frail confidence is boosted by lashings of champagne and cocaine. Moving from the swinging sixties to the darker onset of disco, Raymond continues to show an unerring sense for what the public want and gleefully pushes the boundaries with his magazines and live shows. He intuited what the public wanted was a taste of his hedonistic, womanising lifestyle. Yet behind the glamorous facade, there was a melancholy underside to his life, with Raymond's inability to let go of his humble beginnings and his unusual relationship with his daughter forming the wounded heart of this impressive biopic. Impeccable in its period detail and scored by the sweeping melodrama of Burt Bacharach songs, The Look of Love gives the always watchable Coogan meaty, complex material to wrestle with. Some will be disappointed at the way it brushes over the darker corners of his porn empire; Raymond had a way of deflecting difficult questions that the film also uses. Whether Raymond deserves such a sympathetic biography is debatable, but there is no questioning the aplomb with which Coogan and Winterbottom have brought this contradictory and ultimately quite sad figure to life. https://youtube.com/watch?v=t3OxrgrD0VI
While Facebook asks if you are in a relationship, whether said relationship is open and or complex, the popular app Grindr is a tad more blatant. Would you like to have sex with any of the men within your immediate proximity? While the idea of an application which institutionalises sex isn’t wildly original - and yet none of us thought of it - neither is the comedy that ensues from these iOS fuelled love riots. It's an idea and concept that surpassed us again, yet didn’t pass the mind of comedian Nath Valvo who, in a spark of genius, created Grindr: A Love Story. Valvo has combined his own melodramatic comedic wit, with his own experiences with the infamous app to produce his sell-out, stand-up, 18+, brutally hilarious comedy masterpiece. Grindr: A Love Story aims to capture the lust and the comedy of Grindr, through the eyes of a rising comedy star on a stage that couldn't hold a handful of the 1.5 million men who use the app every day.
What event can guarantee a multi-country experience over a short span of time that isn’t a Contiki tour? If you guessed the World Theatre Festival, you were right! Put stamps on all the pages of your cultural passport (not your real one, that’s probably not legal) at the Powerhouse, which, for ten days, promises to bring sights and sounds to the stage that will appease everyone, from theatre buffs to first-time theatre-travelers. From the whiskey-fueled broken tunes of The Suitcase Royale to performances by Il Pixel Rosso that claim to engage all of your senses at once, it’ll be hard to find something in the World Theatre Festival program that you couldn’t enjoy. For those who prefer to be in the spotlight, there are ways for you to explore the theatre world even further – Motus Masterclass deconstructs the processes used in creating the internationally acclaimed work of Theatre Motus. Get inspired and influenced by the World Theatre Festival before they pack their bags and leave to their next destination.
If you haven't been to Black Bear Lodge yet, you practically haven't lived. Okay, I may be exaggerating, but really, Brisbane's latest indie hang out has all the things Ric's wishes it had, but with the kind of Canadian feel of a wooden lodge, all in snuggled upstairs on Brunswick Street. This venue is the perfect place for the Black Markets. To clarify, it's not the sort of black market where you sell your kidney, though if you think your kidney would make a great necklace, this is the place to sell it. The lovely girls at Velvet Pins have taken the premise of an indie market, and opened it to a wider audience, ie. it's not just for girls. They have encouraged all market stall holders to bring their best stuff and think outside the box, because after all, the black markets have an elusive name to uphold. The organisers have also said to “open your mind, man”. While you browse the eclectic goodies, there'll be coffee on and a bar too. Really, what more could you want at a market? Nothing - that's what I thought. Happy shopping!
Happy Birthday The Edge! You’re growing up so fast! Considering all of Brisbane’s creative types can still remember when you were a wee little infant who had just burst into the world, the fact that you’ve already made it to your ‘terrible twos’ says things both about how fantastic you are and how quickly time goes by. Seeing as their overall aim is to engage and teach anything imaginative the mind fancies, The Edge celebrating their birthday with a We Made This party seems more than right. Especially when you find out it involves workshops, bands, and a suitcase rummage – creative trinity! Partying the only way they know how, this Saturday will definitely go down in history as heaven for the creative DIY types of Brisbane. Offering fifty free workshops over five hours, the topics vary so much it’s ridiculous. If you can’t find something you like happening on the day you need to crawl back under your rock immediately. Highlights include: DIY bookbinding, pizza box oven making and paper plane creating. There is something for everyone so a good perusing of The Edge’s website is in order. But the best part of this birthday is yet to be mentioned – everything is free! Come celebrate The Edge’s anniversary and enjoy the free creative activities on offer.
This is about pride. It's about the cinematic experience and it's about discovery. The Brisbane Queer Film Festival is in its 13th year and shows no sign of stopping. Like any film festival, it has something for everyone, but unlike most it encourages the acceptance of sexual diversity in modern culture. The event helps to bring documentaries, shorts, and feature films from all over the world into one festival to encourage people to be who they are and to embrace the liberation this type of festival brings to the greater community. French porn stars, Swedish politicians, American rock stars and Israeli pranksters are all on the big screen at Brisbane Queer Film Festival 2012, where multi-award winning international and local films explore queer life around the world. The opening night party is set to go off, however we all know what we will be there to see - the array of films on offer. There's drama, comedy, thriller, documentaries and shorts, all exploring the daily life and issues of queer society. To celebrate diversity and one of Brisbane's keys to equality in this great land, we have tickets to the opening night party featuring Leave it on the Floor, a raucous and fun movie exploring the LA Ball scene. Email sarah@concreteplayground.com.au for a chance at the free tickets!
“Lies bind the fabric of every human life. We are imaginatively masked, adorned with the lie, bedecked with the elegance of verbal dissimulation. To be so is the very mark of adult humanity. Or so it may seem,” (Paul J. Griffiths, 2004). Contemporary dance company Prying Eye Productions bring you A Likely Distrust, exploring the theme of trust and its affects on close personal relationships. In today’s society many guard their true emotions out of fear and distrust. These themes and issues are explored in depth through the integration of dance, theatre and video interaction. A Likely Distrust is actually in its second development, building upon the discoveries from their first stage development in 2009. The whole project aims to build an important collaborative language between the artists involved to assist with creating sustainable working practices for future creations and developments. As part of the development, the group also post their processes via weekly blogs and snippets of video rehearsals. You can follow their developments via their facebook page. Otherwise you can witness the real deal - a wonderful display of skill, development and insight into deep trust issues during their month long residency at The Brisbane Powerhouse.
It is definitely a hard slog for emerging bands to get noticed. There is Triple J Unearthed of course, which is a fantastic exposure tool through the interwebs, but finding the chance to play live on a major stage in front of potential new fans alongside the industry elite can be near impossible. Enter ‘Emergenza’, a unique international music festival that doubles as a band competition. Now in its twenty first year, Emergenza has helped hundreds of musical groups put their name in lights, or at least give it a red hot go. The festival and competition is global, with sub-events in different ports around the world. From Australia to Japan, to the USA and many places in between. All these mini-festivals culminate in a final major event in Rothenburg, Germany. Groups of any type are encouraged to get involved - performing originals or even covers that have been reworked. Bands are then knocked out through audience voting at each mini festival until there is a group of winners from all over the world, and they compete to reign victorious in Germany. Set to be an exciting night of competitive sets, head down to the HiFi for Emergenza, the band competition to end them all!
Over the last two decades Zen Zen Zo have stapled their reputation as one of Australia's premiere physical theatre ensembles. The company's style and methods, inspired greatly from various Asian and European avant guard theatre, give audiences wondrous spectacles of light, movement and sound. Given their quirk for re-inventing classical tales, there's no doubt this new production will give anything less. Vikram the Vampire is a tale of adventure , seduction and madness. Adapted from the award winning production, The King and the Corpse and developed from a collection of Hindu tales, the story follows King Vikram and his journey to deliver a vampire to the evil sorcerer, Shantil. The adventure spirals off into different universes as the vampire, in an attempt to escape Vikram, begins to tell tales that spring to life around them. The voices of the dead and conjured pull Vikram in as he tries to decipher what is real and what is the workings of his own unstable mind. Brisbane audiences should anticipate something a little different, as this production with be the first endeavour of new directors Michael Futcher and Helen Howard. With it's epic plot and Zen Zen Zo's disposition for the intense and eccentric, Vikram and the Vampire is sure to be a captivating performance. Take a trip to the weird and wonderful and grab your tickets while they're still available.
When Kate Cooper met Damon Cox while working together in beloved Brisbane record store Skinnys, they bonded over a shared love of music and decided it was time they created their own sound. After spending some valued time abroad to record new tunes for our ever waiting ears, An Horse are back in Brisbane for the hometown reunion tour we’ve all been waiting for. Announcing a string of tour dates across the nation to support their 2011 release Walls, everyone can get excited about our local record store duo making it back to Brisbane. Walls has attributed to much of An Horses's local and international success, earning them a truck load of critical acclaim and a strong following of supporters across the globe. As An Horse continue to tour relentlessly through Australia, Europe and North America don't miss their Brisbane venture. Supported by fellow Bris’ locals, We Set Sail and Go Violets at The Zoo, the night promises to be a proud eve for Brisbane music lovers. Catch them this Sunday before they scoot back overseas once more.
London based writer, Susie Lau pioneered the fashion blogging revolution in 2006 with her blog Style Bubble and is considered by many to be the best in the business. Her daily posts are an intelligent and articulate approach to fashion trends and cycles. This, matched with her expert knowledge of online publishing, has established Susie as the leading voice in fashion blogging internationally. Not to mention that she has also gone on to help some of the world’s biggest brands, such as Prada, Dior and Top Shop, to become relevant online. This gives you an idea of how incredibly influential Susie Lau has become in the world of fashion. Thanks to Portable you have the chance to see this iconic trendsetter in a uniquely non-virtual way (aka in the flesh). Susie will explain how fashion designers and retailers can position themselves globally by working with online publishers, bloggers and social media channels to create real connections with audiences. She will also share insights into her trajectory as a professional blogger exploring challenges as well as creating an authentic voice. There will also be a Q&A session with the audience and networking drinks after the event. Tickets, on sale here, are limited and highly covetable so make sure you grab some fast!
Do your visits to the Sunshine Coast usually revolve around hitting the beach? If so, you're only seeing part of what this Queensland region has to offer. Make a date with the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden in Tanawha until Sunday, October 17, and you can soak in the other side of the Sunny Coast's natural splendour — and see an art exhibition designed to make a statement. At Final Call, six installations have taken up residence among the garden. Accordingly, you'll mosey around, rove your eyes over the greenery-filled scenery and look at creative pieces. And, whey you spot the artworks, you'll be peering at items created in designed to contemplate climate change. The roll call of Queensland artists involved is impressive, with Robert Andrew, Courtney Coombs, Caitlin Franzmann, Courtney Scheu and Itamar Freed all contributing, as well as Judy Watson with Tor Maclean and Aunty Helena Gulash. Checking out Final Call is free, with the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden open daily from 9am–5pm.
Things are getting a little scary at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. Spooky, even. Haunted as well. For two and a half months between Friday, September 10–Sunday, November 28, the venue's Australian Cinematheque is dedicating its big screen to movies of the ghostly variety. If it's about spirits, spectres, apparitions, poltergeists, haunted houses and the like, it'll be playing here — and for free. Playing on Wednesday and Friday nights, as well as on Saturday and Sunday during the day, the Ghost Stories: Spirits, Hauntings and Worlds Beyond lineup is filled with plenty of all-time greats that you'd expect to see in such a program. Yes, all work and no play will make Jack Nicholson grab an axe in The Shining. Yes, you might want to avoid saying either Beetlejuice or Candyman too many times. And yes, you'll also get Spirited Away, descend into The Fog, take a trip to Lake Mungo and get acquainted with The Others. Also on the bill: J-horror standouts Ring and Pulse, the inimitable thrills of 1977 Japanese cult classic House, the sublime Kristen Stewart-starring Personal Shopper, and the excellent beDevil, the first Australian feature film to be directed by an Aboriginal woman. Or, from the eclectic selection, you can also get immersed in Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives and Cemetery of Splendour, enjoy a dark fairy tale inspired by Mexico's drug wars via Tigers Are Not Afraid, and watch an archival print of Guillermo del Toro's The Devil's Backbone. If you haven't seen the weird and wild The Boxer's Omen, you owe yourself to. If you need something fluffier, The Muppet Christmas Carol also features. And if you're looking for something new, The Scary of Sixty-First screens direct from picking up the Best First Feature Award at this year's Berlin International Film Festival.
Recognisable faces spilling essential facts about important topics: it worked for Damon Gameau's documentaries That Sugar Film and 2040, and it works for the Christiaan Van Vuuren-fronted Big Deal. With the same emphasis on being accessible, engaging, clear, sometimes light-hearted and even hopeful, the tactic has also done what it's meant to in Craig Reucassel's various small-screen doco series — see: War on Waste and Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Change — so it should come as little surprise that he directs this big-screen takedown of money in Australian politics. Accordingly, one of the Bondi Hipsters joins forces with a member of The Chaser to lay bare the murky minutiae behind buying sway in our democracy. The subject couldn't be worthier of attention, especially in the lead up to the next federal election, which needs to be held by May 2022. The approach taken in Big Deal couldn't be more familiar, but it proves effective for the same reason it did when sugar and the environment were in the spotlight. These films take something that's crucial, rustle up all the convincing detail, expose tidbits the average viewer mightn't know and make it personal. And, if it matters to the person on-screen as they not only explore a pivotal topic but see it through the lens of their own life, then it's easy for audiences to take their lead. Van Vuuren couches his deep dive into cash for political access, the inequity it represents and the lack of transparency behind it, in two factors: his six-month experience quarantining in hospital with a rare form of tuberculosis, and his growing awareness of the kind of world he wants his kids to live in. Those children show up to build towers of blocks that signify the significant fossil fuel donations to Australia's Labor and Liberal political parties, putting a few additional relatable faces on the subject — because the matters here really do impact everyone. That extended stretch under medical care underscores the documentary's entire perspective, though. Van Vuuren worries that Australian politics is taking more cues from the US than the nation's population realises, or can easily discern given that donations to political parties only need to be disclosed once a year, and nothing underscores one of the big chasms between the two countries like healthcare. It's a blunt card to play, especially during a global pandemic, but it makes the point savvily and well. No Aussie should want to follow America's lead if it could potentially weaken our universal healthcare scheme and the free or affordable treatment available under it, obviously. That's why Van Vuuren doesn't want Australia to be like the US, and it resounds powerfully. Also compelling: all the instances he collates of our political system following in America's footsteps anyway. If you're wondering how, lobbying and the funds filtered to political parties to gain access to leaders and members of parliament — and at the local, state and federal level alike — is the main focus of Big Deal. The film explains how easy it is to buy a dinner with a minister or premier, if you have the cash, and therefore push the interests of corporations or other groups trying to sway our laws. It contrasts that with the struggles of ordinary Aussies to get meetings with the very elected officials that are supposed to represent them. Money talks, while constituents spend months trying to. That dosh is meant to have an impact, and it does. And, if they're attempting to speak to an MP about a pressing subject — the mining and gas industries are used as examples — everyday voters mightn't get the chance to before the organisations they're rallying against have had many, and decisions have been made accordingly. Big Deal doesn't merely proclaim how wrong and dangerous it is for corporate interests to donate fat stacks of cash to politicians, who then use those funds to advertise their parties' platforms — and get to keep the source of that money secret for an entire year. It easily could've; however, following that cash and showing what big bucks in politics actually means in practical terms firmly hammers the message home. Among the doco's interviewees sit folks who are well-acquainted with greasing the political wheels, as well as ordinary Aussies working through the system as it is supposed to function. The contrast between the two and the treatment they have received or do receive when endeavouring to access Aussie pollies speaks volumes, as it's meant to. From the roster of experts, journalists, lobbyists, and current and former politicians who chat with Van Vuuren, ex-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, former senator Sam Dastyari and current senator Jacqui Lambie bring their respective political experiences to the discussion — and their candid thoughts say plenty as well. Given Van Vuuren and Reucassel's involvement — plus the tried-and-tested issues-focused documentary template they adopt — Big Deal isn't just about getting talking heads to explain their parts in Australia's political ecosystem. An oversized novelty cheque gets a workout, Van Vuuren sings and infographics pop up on-screen. The tone: rightly concerned, understandably impassioned, always sincere, and determinedly keen to highlight what's going on and why it shouldn't be. There are fewer gimmicks and pranks than might be expected given the talent behind the flick, and there's more earnestness than anticipated as well. When the film moves its focus to people across the country who've been doing their parts to thwart the status quo and fight back against the pervasive influence of money in politics, it's rousingly heartfelt, but that feeling also comes through Van Vuuren, too. All those people who stopped eating sugar after That Sugar Film? They didn't solely respond to a slickly packaged movie that delivered details people needed to know in an approachable and entertaining way, but to the person who took them on the journey. Big Deal hits the same mark, and Van Vuuren is up to the task. Mobilising people here is a bigger challenge, of course — your diet is something each one of us can change instantly by ourselves; an entrenched political norm isn't — but this film smartly and eagerly takes it on.
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 — but Saturday, October 23 will be even better than usual thanks to Netherworld's Monster Menagerie Beer Festival. The returning event will bring together eight yeasty tipples, strange creatures and stellar collaborations, all for a day of boozing fun. And if you're wondering why it takes place in October, just think about it for a second. 'Tis the month of Halloween, after all. Everyone from Revel Brewing Co to 3 Ravens to Soapbox Beer will be involved, with Netherworld serving up blood orange-spiced witbiers, mulled stouts, spiced pumpkin ales and more. Entry is free, but a tasting paddle will cost you $35 for a sip of each and every one of these beastly beers, as well as a limited edition enamel pin and ten game tokens.
A boozy trip to the Treasury's courtyard usually involves pairing wine and cheese. The inner city venue has hosted more than a couple of parties that combine the two, and it'll undoubtedly do so again in the future. But, from 5.30–7.30pm on Friday, May 28, a different drink and a different type of food will be on the menu on George Street — which is great news if you like beers and American barbecue dishes. At Brewed Treasury Brisbane, your beverages will be yeasty. For two hours, you'll be sipping tipples from James Squire, Eumundi Brewery, Panhead, Brooklyn, Burleigh Brewing and XXXX, all while wandering through an event that takes place inside the hotel as well. Food-wise, your $60 ticket also gives you access to a wing station, where you can choose your toppings and sauces. Nachos and sliders will also be on offer — but, if you really can't get enough chicken, there'll be a wing roulette challenge, too.
We're all guilty of sometimes fantasising about doing something different while at work. Whether your notebook is filled with shoe sketches or that yoga retreat has you seriously rethinking your potential to teach a downward dog, taking your daydream from go to whoa can can be confusing. And, as much as a theatrical arms-in-the-air-storm-out-on-a-whim from your job scene might be appealing, it might be worth getting tips from those in the know. That way, you can learn from those who've done it before and make sure you turn your side hustle into a success (and not have to return to your old job with your tail between your legs). On Wednesday, May 26, head to Queensland University of Technology's Education Precinct for an inspirational and educational day at the Accelerator for Enterprising Women Summit in partnership with QUT Entrepreneurship. The talk is targeted to female-identifying entrepreneurs aged 18–24 wanting to turn their passion into a full-blown profession. Connect with like-minded people and hear from other women in business who'll be discussing the ever-important idea of how to get people talking about your business. Guests include tinsel maven and designer Rachel Burke, Zest Robotics founder Sarah Eisenmenger and CEO of Queensland AI Hub, Dr. Sue Keay. To finish off, you can get involved in a workshop to prepare and refine your entry for the National Kickstarter Challenge where you could score some much-needed seed funding to take your idea from thought to thing. For more information and to register to attend — both in person and online — visit the website here.
If you've ever tumbled outta bed, stumbled to the kitchen, then felt like you're pouring yourself a cup of ambition, you know exactly what Dolly Parton was singing about in her 1980 hit '9 to 5'. You clearly know the lyrics, too, as everyone should. The song accompanied a biting comedy about office life, which has rightly become one of the go-to movies on the topic — and the film is one of the flicks on the bill at the Gallery of Modern Art's new work-focused free cinema program. Between Friday, May 21–Wednesday, June 30, All in a Day's Work will explore films about making a living. The lineup features an eclectic bunch of titles, reflecting the long list of different ways that we can all spend our days. Catching the 9 to 5 and Working Girl double on the program's opening night is highly recommended, as is revisiting Frances Ha's take on quarter-life malaise, delving into Sorry to Bother You's corporate savagery, getting spirited away by Kiki's Delivery Service and diving into Parasite's class clashes. The selection of stellar movies about the daily grind keeps going from there, including classics such as 1948's Bicycle Thieves and 1960's The Apartment — and the Charlie Chaplin-starring Modern Times, too. Plus, if you haven't yet seen The Assistant, which takes place across one day inside the office of a hotshot filmmaking producer, that's on the bill as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeISaoQDh2g
