Fancy some art with your shopping and dining? Thanks to the Institute of Modern Art and James Street, that’s exactly what’s on offer. The IMA’s latest exhibition takes up residence at New Farm’s hub of glitz and glamour for a month of locally focused work from Queensland-based contemporary practitioners Clark Beaumont, Louise Bennett, Anastasia Booth, Megan Cope, Sam Cranstoun, Caitlin Franzmann, Alice Lang, Archie Moore, Stephen Russell, Haruka Sawa, Sancintya Simpson, Athena Thebus, and Elizabeth Willing. The term “subtropic” is at the heart of the project. It's commonly thrown around to describe the city’s warm weather. But what does the expression mean in a cultural sense, in contemplating Brisbane attitudes and considering what it means to make art here and now? As curated by Tess Maunder, that’s the question 14 creatives all ponder. Visit Gail Sorronda, Bailey Nelson, Gerard’s Bistro, Camargue, Sass and Bide, Optiko, Maryon’s, Pistols at Dawn, Blonde Venus and Scrumptious Reads to see the results. Art and heat combine in a celebratory showcase that gets to the very heart of the Brisbane climate.
Chicago. Off Broadway. On Broadway. Off West End. Melbourne. After hopping from theatre to theatre around the world, Ayad Akhtar's Disgraced graces Brisbane's stage to explore freedom of speech, political correctness and prejudices towards Islam. With Melbourne Theatre Company's cast reunited for Queensland Theatre Company's production, the play focuses on a dinner party, with lawyer Amir, his artist wife Emily, his work colleage Jory and her husband Isaac sharing a meal. Of course, chats over meals can veer into unexpected territory, and expose the reality behind social veneers. Everyone knows the kind of situation we're talking about, although no one wants to. Probing and powerful, it's no wonder Disgraced not only took home the 2013 Pulitzer Prize, but was nominated for best play at the 2015 Tonys as well. It's also topical and timely too, particularly given both the current local and international climate. Expect a hard-hitting night at the theatre.
It’s hard to believe that the Beach Boys have spent half a century as part of musical culture. Their legacy as one of the most loved and influential bands of all time is a testament to their songwriting craft and love of catchy music. To celebrate their 50th Anniversary, the Beach Boys are touring international and they have one stop in Brisbane at the Entertainment Centre. Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks have reunited for the first time in over two decades to perform hits from their prodigious back catalogue. Songs such as ‘Good Vibrations’, ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’ and ‘Barbara Ann’ captured the hearts and ears of earlier generations, be sure to hear them live now as this is shaping up to be a historic tour.
If you thought that Michael Jordan was the epitome of cool and Albert Einstein didn't know how to have a good time then prepare to have your perceptions shattered. A significant part of being a successful celebrity is the act of persuasion. This includes the constant act of generating and maintaining a public image that appeals to a wide audience. Kurt Cobain did dense and brooding, Bill Clinton did regal and commanding, and Stalin did intense and intimidating. Yet here are ten photos that prove that sometimes what the spin media show us about famous people is not exactly the whole story. Teenage Eminem adorned in Alf T-shirt Kurt Cobain eating pizza Hillary and Bill 'The Dude' Clinton at Yale Dean Martin and John Wayne cooking spaghetti Hitler looked ominous even when riding a sled Michael Jordan as a dorky College kid Stalin: Part time dictator, part time model Colonel Sanders with Alice Cooper Winston Churchill says 'Line up, ladies!' Albert Einstein: everyone's favourite drunk uncle
For the past 11 years, Australians that are fond of a tipple have been familiar with one particular figure: two standard drinks per day. Equating to 14 drinks per week, that's the maximum number of standard beverages that Aussies were told they should consume to minimise the risk of health repercussions from their boozing, as per the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) guidelines on the subject. But that amount has just been revised as part of the first revamp of those recommendations since 2009. Now, as initially flagged this time last year but officially confirmed today, Tuesday, December 8, by the NHMRC, only ten drinks per week is recommended. Staying within that number will "reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury" in healthy men and women, the organisation advised. And if you're wondering how many of those ten tipples you should have in one sitting, the NHMRC says you shouldn't exceed four standard drinks on any single day. If you need a reminder, a standard drink is defined as ten grams of pure alcohol, no matter what type of beverage you're sipping. That's around 285 millilitres of full-strength beer or a can of mid-strength beer — and 100 millilitres of wine or a single shot of spirits. Sticking within the new guidelines — which aren't rules or laws, but recommendations — means that you'll have "less than a one in 100 chance of dying from an alcohol-related condition", Australia's Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly says. "Every year there are more than 4000 alcohol-related deaths in Australia, and more than 70,000 hospital admissions. Alcohol is linked to more than 40 medical conditions, including many cancers," he explains. Just how many bevvies you should have a week and a day comprises the first guideline. You'll already be well aware of the other two. They recommend that children and people under 18 years of age should not drink alcohol — which has been legislated, of course — and that women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding shouldn't either. The change to the number of standard drinks recommended per week came about after a wide-ranging analysis and review by the NHMRC — into "health effects of drinking alcohol, modelling, data on Australian drinking patterns and best practice guideline development processes", the statement about the change advises. An Alcohol Working Committee was formed, featuring independent health experts such as doctors, medical and public health professionals, researchers and consumer representatives, to guide the development of the new guidelines. And then the NHMRC Council, which includes the Chief Medical Officers of the Commonwealth and each state and territory, endorsed the new guidelines. Alcohol industry body Alcohol Beverages Australia has already voiced its unhappiness about the new recommendation, while the Cancer Council has come out in support of the changes — with the latter noting that three percent of cancers diagnosed in Australia are caused by alcohol. For more information about Australia's new guidelines for reducing the health risks from drinking alcohol, head to the National Health and Medical Research Council website.
Peter Alwast is a Brisbane artist who uses paintings, objects, sculptures and video portraits to explore ideas of community. His latest exhibition, Being Together, is a continuation of this recurring theme, as well as testing the limits and communion of seemingly disparate objects. Alwast completed his Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) in painting at QUT and was awarded the Samstag International Visual Arts Scholarship, which he used to complete his Masters at New York's Parsons School of Design. Since then he's exhibited in Australia and across the globe, including Experimenta Utopia Now at MONA and Selectively Revealed, which toured South Korea, Taipei and Thailand. His work is held in numerous corporate, university and private collections across Australia and the USA. In this exhibition, gold chain-making machines belonging to Alwast's father are presented with video portraits of others from Brisbane's artistic community. They sit alongside a series of site-responsive drawings inspired by Alwast's former mentor, Richard Tuttle. Here, the personal and mechanical combine to create a fragile sense of community based on finitude, relation and communication rather than any idealised principle. Being Together exhibits at The Block QUT from October 15 to 28.
Wine enthusiasts listen up! The Rosé Revolution is about to hit Brisbane, starting Wednesday. Winemakers Australia-wide have gotten together to celebrate the lesser-acknowledged but beautifully coloured sibling of red and white wine. Determined to put rosé at the forefront of wine drinkers’ minds, there are a series of events being held that are set out to showcase some of the finest rosés on the market. The revolution kicks off this Wednesday with free tasting events at Customs House (from 4pm) and Cove Bar and Dining (from 6pm) and wine tasting plus a three course dinner at Kettle and Tin hosted by The Wine Punter, Michael Ellis. Follow this way for more information on these events and how to RSVP.
We’ve finally reached the time of year where we begin to reflect on what has been, and plan on what we want to come. The New Year is a time for people to quit bad habits, start up new health regimes, and create new life goals. On a less philosophical note, New Years Eve is the time for everybody to get drunk and be merry, preferably with delicious drinks and food on hand. While many Brisbane-ites escape the river city for sun and surf, there is still plenty of fun to be had if you are sticking around, so here we have five great options for bringing in the new year in style. Next Door Kitchen Bar’s Burlesque spectacle Gatsby lovers will be thrilled to know that Brisbane’s newest venue Next Door will be open for a spectacle of burlesque performances and 1920’s style with delicious food and drinks. From 7.30pm until 12.30am you will be able to step back in time in the flavour of the roaring 20’s with cocktail style food and drinks, music and a performance by Brisbane’s burlesque performer Sunday Lucia. Tickets cost is $110 per person and you can purchase tickets via email at: info@nextdoorkitchenbar.com.au 164 Grey Street; 3846 6699; www.nextdoorkitchenbar.com.au Cove Bar + Dining fireworks extravaganza For some front row firework action head to Cove in the River Quay precinct at South Bank. With fabulous drinks, atmosphere and food, you will have a brilliant night with friends (and strangers!). DJ Cool Hand Luke will be spinning tunes keeping you and your friends dancing well into midnight. A ticket includes canapés and drinks and you won’t pay a cent until 2013. Tickets are $180 per person. You can book via email on info@covebardining.com.au or phone. River Quay, Sidon Street, South Bank; 07 3844 3993; www.covebardining.com.au. Bar Alto Porchetta spit roast special There's no more delicious way to bring in the new year than with a spit roast. Bar Alto knows the way to any foodie's heart by offering a traditional spit roast Porchetta in the early moments of the new year. Jackpot! Start off enjoying food from the à la carte menu while enjoying the river views and watching the magnificent Porchetta spit roasting on the deck. Once its countdown time, sip on your bubbles and prepare your second stomach for the amazing spit roast - no need to get a kebab on the way home. Bookings can be made by emailing info@baralto.com.au or phoning. The Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm; 07 3358 1063; www.baralto.com.au. New Year’s Eve at Sake For a romantic evening with your loved one why not head to Sake for some delicious food and fireworks. Alternatively, you and a group of friends could organise a private dining room to enjoy Head Chef Shinichi Maeda’s signature dishes. Choose to have a degustation, a la carte or the special NYE 6 course menu with Veuve Cliquot NV on arrival for $110pp. At the end of the night you can enjoy a midnight fireworks display from the balcony to truly make it a momentous occasion. Level 1, 45 Eagle Street, Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane; 07 3339 0999; www.sakerestaurant.com.au Bavarian Bier Cafe If there's one thing the Bavarians know how to do - it's how to entertain. Whether you are hoeing into some delicious pork knuckle or chewing on a pretzel, there is something that makes festivity so effortless when you are drinking out of a stein.Prost! You can choose off the a la carte menu or enjoy the NYE 4 course set menu for $95pp. With panoramic river and surrounding views, the venue is one of the best spots in the precinct to watch Eagle Street Pier’s fireworks spectacular at midnight, so book your reservation here: reservations@bavarianbiercafe.com.au. Level 1, Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane City; 07 3339 0900; www.bavarianbiercafe.com
British photographer Martin Parr has taken a series of photos of Western Australian’s coastline communities and beaches that make up the aptly named exhibit, No Worries. Originally commission by FotoFreo: The City of Fremantle Festival of Photography in 2011, Parr has captured the essence of these coastal towns, but also the essence of Australians across the board. Here in Brisbane, we are lucky to have the opportunity to view this exhibit celebrating the quintessential elements that make up a nation of people who live by the term ‘no worries’. Showing at the Powerhouse until 23 September, make sure you visit and celebrate all that is good about being an Australian.
Technology has changed the way we travel, and as the world gets smaller it's becoming an increasingly complex place to navigate. Where once we relied on the endorsements of friends and family to help shape our plans, we now treat the opinions of total strangers on TripAdvisor, Expedia and Stayz as gospel. As Lonely Planet roll out their trusty guide books in every digital format imaginable, niche publishers like Wallpaper and le cool are getting in on the act by creating city guides for people seeking experiences that complement their new Paul Smith socks. And what's more, social networking sites Facebook, Path and Google+, paired with photography apps like Instagram and Hipstamatic, let us share things as they happen and make us look like we actually know how to use our SLRs. But what generally lies at the heart of a traveller's wishlist is not the desire to micromanage every detail of their holiday, but to witness something truly beautiful. What these new technologies provide us with is rapid access to the places and people that capture the imagination. Here are 21 locations from around the world that do just that. Mount Roraima, Venezuela Wineglass Bay, Tasmania Multnomah Falls, Oregon, USA Preikestolen, Norway Paterswoldsemeer, Netherlands Blue Caves, Zakynthos, Greece Petra, Jordan Huangshan, China Skaftafell, Iceland Ebenalp, Switzerland Kawasan Falls, Philippines Anse Lazio, Seychelles Yi Peng Festival, Thailand Sagano Bamboo Forest, Japan Santorini, Greece Bora Bora, French Polynesia Moraine Lake, Alberta, Canada Soufriere, St Lucia Capilano Suspension Bridge, British Columbia, Canada Siminopetra, Greece Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Iceland [Images via Coolhunter]
Wrapping up high school with the party to end all parties is a rite of passage. Watching movies about the experience has become one as well. Most of their classmates would've pegged Booksmart's Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) for preferring the latter over the former — but, on the night before graduation, after buckling down, studying hard and getting great grades for their entire lives, these two besties are determined to treat themselves to one stereotypically OTT night out before heading off to college. Making her directorial debut, actor-turned-filmmaker Olivia Wilde might have chosen a familiar narrative; however, absolutely nothing about this affectionate and engaging instant-classic teen flick ever feels routine. That includes the genuine rapport between its delightful stars as their characters let loose, and learn plenty about each other and themselves across the course of the wild evening.
There once was a time when our Esky's only knew the beers of Fourex, Tooheys and the token import, Corona. Times have changed and these days beer-drinkers Australia-wide are swapping their in-and-out six pack (carton) for lengthy conversation with the bottle shop's resident beer connoisseur on the brewing process for the latest boutiqe beer on the shelf. Beer enthusiasts have turned casual beer-drinking into a full-blown hobby, seeking out new and unique craft beers to try and discuss. Brisbane bars and pubs have well and truly embraced this new found tradition. If you are wanting to turn your beer-drinking into an artform, then look no further than Concrete Playground's list of the five best craft beer spots in Brisbane. The Scratch Park Road in Milton has traditionally been known for its large Italian food presence. The Scratch however is focused solely on beer. Craft beer. With four taps and one hand pump, the guys at The Scratch change these on a daily basis keeping everyone on their toes. Aware that not everybody is a beer-spert they welcome newbies into their home with open arms, eager to explain what's on tap, where it's from and how it has been made. It is a totally relaxed vibe and you'll often find a group huddled around one of the many boardgames they have on offer. There is no kitchen but peanuts in the shell are on offer, otherwise you can BYOF. 8/1 Park Road, Milton; 07 3107 9910; www.scratchbar.com Tippler's Tap Amongst the thriving suburb of Newstead sits Tippler's Tap, a dreamy watering hole dedicated to top quality craft beers and delicious food to go with it. The fit-out is reminiscent of a mountain cabin with timber finishings and images of nature on the walls, giving the place a homely feel - it would be hard for the locals to stay away. The expert bar staff can take you through the ten-tap offering as well as what's being served off the hand pump and the extensive list of bottled beers. Food off of the Chicago-influenced menu will accompany your beers to perfection. Think sliders, chili and buffalo wings. 22 Masters St, Newstead; 07 3122 9886; www.tipplerstap.com.au Yard Bird Ale House We know we have mentioned Yard Bird before, but it would be remiss of us not to put it into our top five seeing as they have Sunday Crafternoon's dedicated to their love of craft beer. With a constantly changing supply of boutique beers in the fridge and on tap, Yard Bird has the much loved combination of top shelf beers matched with top shelf food. Their pizzas, burgers and wings never disappoint. Neither do the television screens which are generally displaying gratuitously violent or sexual movies. 6/24 Martin St, Fortitude Valley; 07 3852 6413; www.facebook.com/YardbirdAleHouse Archive Unlike the majority of boutique beer specialists in Brisbane that are intimate in both feel and size, Archive wins when it comes to size. The regular pub section is big enough for a dance floor (which regularly rocks thanks to the great tunes of the acoustic performers who play there) but also has the Next Door Cellar that hosts a huge amount of domestic and international boutique beers. The barstaff are very well-educated in this area and are always willing to let you try before you buy (after all some of these pints will set you back a pretty penny). You can get solid pub food at Archive and if you go mid-week can enjoy the night time activities hosted such as bingo and trivia. 100 Boundary Street, West End; 07 3844 3419; www.archivebeerboutique.com.au The Villager Up the George Street end of the CBD sits The Villager, a gastrobar known for its top quality drinks and food. This is the perfect place to let your hair down for a long lunch or after work. There is an extensive offering of domestic craft beers in the fridge as well as local favourites and guest beers on tap. All of the Gastrobar Classics (think really good burgers, fish and chips, pies) have accompanying beer suggestions, making your visit that little easier and more satisfying. You can also enjoy a three-course meal here and there's no doubt that the resident beer experts will happily recommend a beer with every dish...if you wish. 185 George Street, Brisbane; 07 3211 1300; www.thevillager.com.au
Each year Brisbane is graced with food and wine's best of the best at the annual Good Food and Wine Show. Running over three days at the Convention Centre in South Bank, there are over 200 exhibitors showcasing the best of Australian produce. This year there will be celebrity chef demonstrations from Masterchef's George Calombaris, the Barossa's beloved Maggie Beer, sauce-enthusiast Manu Feildel, Aria's Matt Moran and Ainsley Harriot of Ready, Steady, Cook fame. There are cheese and wine matching classes as well as a class with Andrew Fielke of Tuckeroo cooking with delicacies from the Australian bush. Sample some Skinny Girl cocktails; coffee connoisseurs will enjoy the Nespresso's exhibit, and Reidel give you the opportunity to do some glass tasting. The show runs from Friday 9 November until Sunday 11 November. This is a foodie experience not to be missed.
Even the most dedicated cinephile has to come to terms with one specific realisation: you can't watch all of the films (believe us, we're trying). What you can do, though, is view what you can when and where you can — such as the works of a Swedish master, for free, on the big screen. Think of Through A Glass, Darkly: The Films of Ingmar Bergman as the Gallery of Modern Art's gift to both those who haven't worked their way through the great director's filmography, and those keen to revisit selected titles in the best way possible. From March 1 to 19, the gallery's Australian Cinematheque will make both happen thanks to a program filled with a number of his most important efforts, including the existential chess playing — with none other than death — of The Seventh Seal, as well as a movie that would take its cues from Akira Kurosawa while subsequently inspiring horror whiz Wes Craven, aka The Virgin Spring. Also on the lineup: documentary Trespassing Bergman, which features Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson and more not just chatting about but walking through the house of the filmmaker, plus a special showing of The Phantom Carriage — the film considered to have had the biggest influence on him — complete with live musical accompaniment by Blank Realm. When it comes to understanding post-war European cinema and one of its key figures, GOMA really have put together a must-see showcase.
The Institute of Modern Art has played host of numerous exhibitions over the years, ones that push the boundaries of art and startle and amaze with their commentary. From the 5 October to 30 November, IMA will once again be pushing the envelope of displaying art that is raw and affecting, but also unique and enthralling. Simon Starling's project, In Speculum, is a collection of heavily researched works that touch on key historical moments but viewed through a different lens. The exhibition examines particular objects and the histories surrounding them, to "explore the legacies of modernism and globalisation". Simon touches on nuclear evolution, astronomy and engineering, in a series of reflective pieces about our world, yet skewed by the artists on worldview. Touching Reality by Thomas Hirschhorn is probably one of the most viscerally affecting pieces ever showcased at IMA. This video piece looks at the impact of war and what isn't covered by the media when it comes to the effects of violence. Scenes of war and carnage are examined on a touch screen, zoomed in and magnified then scrolled past to another visual of the recently deceased. This piece is not the faint hearted or soft of stomach, yet it is one of the most compelling commentaries on violence across the globe and reveals the true horrors of war in a modern age.
Like theatre? Then you should love La Boite's returning HWY Festival of New Work. It doesn't just bring one single new show to the stage — it presents a snapshot of the current state of the city's performing arts. And just how is the Kelvin Grove-based company managing to do that? Just let us count the ways. Running until Wednesday, March 18, the 2020 program is overflowing with works in progress, as well as talks and forums that showcase fresh scripts and ideas, ponder issues of relevance to today's theatre practitioners, and fine-tune essential skills. If you're an emerging theatre type, that means workshops on creativity, getting political and being inclusive, plus plenty of chatter at panel sessions that'll help you broaden your thinking. And if you just like to watch the end result of someone else's creative endeavours, then you can check out various efforts in various stages of evolution — and see tomorrow's hits well before anyone else.
There's no meal that can't be improved by dessert — yes, even breakfast — and no special occasion, either. That's all in Gelato Messina's wheelhouse, and it's mighty fond of releasing specials to make holidays even tastier. The latest example: the chain's Easter offering, which brings back its popular 2021 snack pack. Even better: if you've always wanted to smash open a Messina Easter egg, that's on the menu as well. Your tastebuds might already remember Messina's hot cross bun version of the brand's sticky snails — and they can savour it again this year. Basically, it's the brand's interpretation of a Cinnabon-style scroll, then combined with an Easter favourite. It's another of Messina's limited releases, and it'll be available at all of its stores for a very short period. Wondering what exactly Messina's hot cross bun sticky snail entails? Well, that spiced sticky hot cross bun dough is filled with choc chips and vanilla custard. Crucially, raisins aren't included — but it is topped with a cinnamon malt caramel. The sweet bake-at-home bite to eat can only be ordered online on Monday, April 4. It will set you back $65, which includes a one-litre tub of the brand's triple choc gelato hot tub, too — which features milk chocolate gelato, toasted white chocolate mousse and Ecuadorian dark chocolate crack. Or, also available at the same time — and for the same price — is the Messina Easter egg. Made from 44-percent single-origin cocoa couverture chocolate, the 420-gram egg comes filled with even more sweet treats. Crack it open and you'll find white and milk chocolate chickens, white chocolate and passionfruit gel fried eggs, caramelised white chocolate and waffle cone mini eggs, and milk chocolate hot cross bun bites. Messina now opens its orders at different times for different places, so you'll want to hop online at 9am for Queensland and Australian Capital Territory stores, 9.30am for Victorian shops, and at either 10am, 10.30am or 11am depending on where you are in New South Wales. Once you've placed your preorder, pick up will be available between Thursday, April 14–Sunday, April 17 from your chosen Messina location. And, after you've got the hot cross bun sticky snail safely home, you just need to whack it in the oven for 20–25 minutes at 160 degrees and voila. Gelato Messina's Easter snack packs and Easter eggs are available to order from Monday, April 4, for pick up between Thursday, April 14–Sunday, April 17 — head to the Messina website for further details.
Brisbanites, if catching a train is on your agenda between December 25–27, you might want to rethink your travel plans. Translink has announced that track work will take place over Christmas, with a number of stations closing as a result. Buses will replace rail services in the affected areas. The closures kick off from the first service on Friday, December 25 and run through until the last service on Sunday, December 27 — and a sizeable number of stations will be impacted. In the CBD, everything from Roma Street to Northgate will close, having an effect on every line. So prepare to hop off the train at either spot, then jump on a bus to complete your journey. Additional stations will be out of bounds, too, but it depends on the line. The Beenleigh line will be shut from Roma Street to Moorooka, the Cleveland line from Roma Street to Lindum, and the Doomben and Ferny Grove lines won't operate. As for the Airtrain, it'll operate to Eagle Junction — and Gold Coast services will run express from Roma Street to Altandi. The works involve general maintenance across the lines, upgrade works and works for the Cross River Rail project.. If you're thinking that this'll add some time to your journey, you're absolutely right. Travellers should factor extra time into their trips. For more information, and to check train and bus timetables, visit the TransLink website.
Whenever a new restaurant opens its doors, it hopes to become a local favourite. Every eatery wants to cement its spot in its neighbourhood, and its city, enticing diners back again and again. That's the aim at Coorparoo's new Ramona Trattoria, too, and it has an extra reason for Brisbanites to keep returning — a menu that changes monthly to maintain the venue's seasonal focus. Accordingly, the dishes you tuck into today mightn't be the ones you'll find on offer next time you visit, or the time after that. As well as heroing different ingredients at different parts of the year, as sourced from Queensland suppliers, the approach gives patrons a new restaurant experience every month, but in familiar and cosy surroundings. Seating 48 both inside and out, nestled into Leicester Street, and sporting casual vibes aplenty, Ramona Trattoria is the latest venture from chef and owner Ashley-Maree Kent. She's set up shop in Coorparoo fresh from Coolangatta's Cross-Eyed Mary, and boasts everywhere from Quay, Three Blue Ducks and Biota through to Tartine Bakery and Paper Daisy on her resume. Now, she's operating her dream venue. "Ramona Trattoria is the result of my dream to open a small, inexpensive Italian restaurant in a casual setting that serves simple, traditional meals and delicious wines. Everything about the restaurant speaks to this ethos, from the worn-in aesthetic to the open kitchen and seasonal menu," says Kent. "Pasta is the hero dish. Handmade and shaped from scratch – every pasta shape that makes its way to the plate will have been kneaded and shaped by my own hands using traditional and artisanal tools." Upon opening, with Ramona Trattoria welcoming in patrons since mid-August, the hand-shaped pasta lineup includes tagliatelle with ragu bolognese and parmigiano reggio, plus tonnarelli cacio e pepe. Another current highlight: malloreddus, also known as Sardinian gnocchi, served with Queensland prawns, clams and asparagus. Completing the classic Italian combo, hand-stretched pizzetta is also on the menu, in varieties spanning mortadella, margherita, vegana with vegan parmesan, and more. Among the other toppings: salame piccante, prosciutto cotto, mushroom and sage ragu, and pork and fennel sausage. A small range of starters covers fiori di zucca, eggplant caponata, fried mozzarella sandwiches and crudo di pesce, while desserts include gelato, affogato, tiramisu, and three-cheese platters. For something to sip, Kent has teamed up with Tom Angel, who has curated a lineup of international wines and bespoke cocktails. Among the latter, get ready to drink house martinis made with gin, yellow tomato, black pepper vermouth and basil oil; curaçao spritzes with prosecco soda; and highballs featuring Averna and grapefruit marmalade. Find Ramona Trattoria at 131 Leicester Street, Coorparoo — open from 5–10pm Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; 12–3pm and 4.30–10pm Saturdays; and 1–7pm Sundays.
Gin lovers, the start of Christmas season has officially arrived. Four Pillars is releasing its limited edition 2017 Australian Christmas gin tomorrow, Saturday, November 4. The Healesville distillery first debuted this smash-hit creation last year, with a gangbusters response demanding it become an annual occurrence. Building on a family tradition of making Christmas puddings every Derby Day, co-owner Cameron McKenzie distills some of those homemade puddings, adding a base of cinnamon, juniper, star anise, coriander and angelica. The blend's finished with a touch of Rutherglen muscat to create a luscious, spiced gin akin to Christmas in a bottle. This time around, the recipe features muscat matured in aged sherry puncheons at the distillery, stepping up the richness and adding even more complexity. Also new for 2017's gin is the striking label artwork, created by Melbourne-based artist Darren Song and inspired by Australia's own little beacon of Yuletide cheer, the Christmas beetle. A limited amount of Four Pillars Australian Christmas Gin is available online and at selected retail stores for $100 from Saturday, November 4.
When the ancient Greeks dreamt up democracy many moons ago, they surely knew their labour of political love would reap plentiful rewards for humanity — barbecuable rewards. Why else would our society have evolved so deliciously to the point where Election Day is synonymous with hot snags in bread? Yep, here in Australia, voting and sausage sizzles go together like Q&A and provocative tweets. But thanks to a bit of ingenious technology, you don't have to simply cross your fingers and hope your local voting booth is one of the ones firing up the barbie on voting day. There's a nifty online map that'll tell you exactly where to find those glorious democracy snags. The Democracy Sausage website crowdsources data from social media sites, as well as from direct audience submissions, to map out the polling places that feature sausage sizzles and other food and drink offerings. While the site has offered a comprehensive sausage database for various elections since 2016, it's currently getting a run for the upcoming 2022 federal election, which takes place this Saturday, May 21. [caption id="attachment_839440" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] Jump onto the map to easily identify which polling places will be slinging sausage sizzles, cake stalls, bacon and egg rolls, and coffee. You'll even spy separate icons marking those spots that are serving vegetarian food and halal options. According to the website's own stats, there are currently 722 polling places confirmed to feature sausage sizzles for this weekend's voting, with more to come. Of course, since the map is built largely off community intel, it's not entirely exhaustive — if you've got some goss about sausage sizzle locations, you can help by sharing it with the team via a direct message or tweeting #democracysausage. If you're a diehard fan of the humble Election Day snag, you'll also find a selection of snag-related merch available on Democracy Sausage's Redbubble online store. Of course, if you're one of the many Aussies who took advantage of early voting or postal voting for this election, you might have to settle for a Woolies run and a home-cooked homage to that democracy sausage instead. To plot your sausage haul during the federal election on Saturday, May 21, head over on the Democracy Sausage website. Top image: Jonathan Taylor, via Unsplash.
Ambitious is an understatement when it comes to the infamously ongoing construction of Antoni Gaudí’s famous basilica, Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona. Eighty-seven years have passed since the death of the Catalan virtuoso. During this time, a subsequent nine architects have continued the project, striving to adhere to Gaudi's original vision. However, according to the current chief architect, Jordi Fauli, the basilica will be completed by 2026. And even more excitingly, the Sagrada Familia Foundation has released a computer-generated glimpse into what the finished product will look like. Each architect who has taken on this eccentric masterpiece has encountered a unique set of challenges. One of the central problems was the destruction of Gaudi’s workshop, containing the building plans and models, during the Spanish Civil War. This resulted in a slow process of piecing together the essential details of the project. There's also the issue of decoding Gaudi’s highly unorthodox method of design. Rarely putting pen to paper, he created 3D scale models, moulding his uncanny inventions as he conceived them. Gaudi famously stated, "my client is not in a hurry," and clearly there is no substitute for perfection. You have to admire the commitment of a man who put so much faith in engineering technologies that hadn’t been invented yet. It is only recently that the special lightweight concrete cladding has been developed to complete the uppermost spires. To comprehend the scope of this magnificent structure really demands a visit to Barcelona. It is all too easy to whittle away the daylight hours inside this basilica, admiring the kaleidoscopic effect of light filtering in through stained glass windows or Gaudi’s distinctive organic structures blossoming like flowers across an impossibly intricate ceiling. Will the endless construction come to a close by 2026? Only time will tell. Via Gizmodo and My Modern Met.
Have you ever noticed how much Brad Pitt eats in his movies? He's like some sort of human garbage disposal, slamming down burgers, cookies, chips, Twinkies and whatever else he can find into his (perfect) cakehole. He also has a knack of making whatever it is he's eating (from gruel and stale bread to cheesy nachos) look like the most delicious, sensual food in the world. Go on, look: He eats without restraint, without delicacy, as we all should sometimes, and for that reason he's the central figure in a new cookbook called (appropriately but incorrectly) Fat Brad. The team from Long Prawn have collaborated on the project with photographer Ben Clement, PractiseStudioPractise, Tristan Ceddia, Ali Currey-Voumard and Mietta Coventry. The cookbook is a tongue-in-cheek collection of recipes based on Brad's most iconic food moments on film. You'll find instructions for a knuckle sandwich (Fight Club), game bird with taters and Guinness gravy (Snatch), Bellagio Shrimp Cocktail (Ocean's 11), roast turkey drumstick and Grecian salad (Troy) and bloodied roast (Mr and Mrs Smith) amongst others. As well as being straight-up hilarious, the Fat Brad cookbook is also just a really good looking (like its namesake) addition to your cookbook shelf. It's the first in a series of pop culture cookbooks by the Long Prawn crew, so keep an eye out and grab your Fat Brad: The Cookbook here. Have a little preview:
For every roamer and traveller hoping to get off the beaten track this summer, travel website Hooroo has uncovered 40 of Australia's best-kept holiday secrets. In a nationwide search for Australia's favourite 'secret spots', the Qantas Group's new online accommodation site has called out to Australians to submit their most beloved clandestine travel destinations. What came back were hundreds of hidden gems and attractions, from spectacular waterfalls, untouched coastlines and unreal rock formations, to hip milk bars, hearty B&Bs and dozens of tucked-away travel lodges. An expert panel of travel and lifestyle writers and presenters cut the list down to the Top 40 secret destinations and now it's up to the public to decide which of these beautiful and jaw-dropping locations is Australia's favourite hidden holiday treasure. Have your say at the Hooroo Facebook page for a chance to share in over $14,500 in prizes. The Top 5 destinations will become an official Hooroo 'Secret Spot'. Voting closes at 5pm on December 17, 2012 so get in quick to have your say.
Intently held stares between conductor and musician. Quiet suspense. One long wavering first note on strings. Brass and wind instruments at the ready. Then, an eruption of warm sound filling the room. What's certain? Queensland Symphony Orchestra delights the senses. Often, you'll catch them supporting your favourite band (or cinematic production). But, experiencing the troupe centre stage is truly something special. This August, Superfamous gives you the chance to do exactly that. On Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21, the masterful musos are taking pride of place at QPAC's Concert Hall — and exclusively playing the bangers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAMZf4fH--U Classical music devotee? Expect the elegance of Debussy's 'Clair de Lune' and the dramatic finale from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. New to the scene? Expect your ears to prick at familiar melodies, a boosted mood and the addition of 'orchestral music' to your list of likes. Queensland Symphony Orchestra's Superfamous takes over QPAC Concert Hall on Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21. Head to the website to grab yourself a ticket.
When you've won over one of television's most cynical characters with a serenade, what comes next? Taking the tunes on the road. During his time on beloved and hilarious Emmy-winning sitcom Schitt's Creek, Noah Reid did far more than sing Tina Turner's 'The Best' to Dan Levy's David Rose, of course. When he joined the show from season three onwards as Patrick Brewer, he helped bring balance to the Rose family's fish-out-of-water antics, and became one half of its big love story. But the series kept finding ways to get Reid singing, including having Patrick star in the comedy's version of Cabaret — and now he'll be taking to the microphone Down Under. Off-screen, Reid is indeed a musician, releasing his first album Songs From a Broken Chair back in 2016 before joining Schitt's Creek. Since then, he's dropped two follow-ups: 2020's Gemini and 2022's Adjustments. Next, he's bringing his live gigs to Australia for the first time ever. Yes, 'The Best' usually features on his setlists overseas. Beyond that, the Canadian actor and musician will be playing tracks from across all three of his records when he heads Down Under this spring. In Brisbane, Reid will play Eatons Hill Hotel on Saturday, September 30. Since Schitt's Creek, Reid has popped up on sci-fi western Outer Range — and also has past appearances on Degrassi: The Next Generation, Alphas and House of Lies on his pre-Schitt's Creek resume.
It's not every day that an inner-city street shuts down for an onslaught of music and fun. No, just Big Gay Day. Now in its 21st year, the annual event returns to The Wickham and the surrounding roadway for an afternoon and evening of music and celebratory mayhem. Toppig the bill this year is Confidence Man doing a DJ set, plus Alice Ivy, Karen From Finance and Samantha Jade. With Briefs Factory International, Vanity Faire, Maxi Shield, Harry K, Ellen Reed, Reef vs Beef, House of Alexandria, Being Jane Lane, Ben Hazlewood and local DJs also on the lineup, you can expect quite the lively event when Sunday, May 2 hits. Big Gay Day has proven to be the city's most colourful and diverse street festival for the past two decades, after all, and will continue to be so again in 2021. As always, there'll be carnival acts, multiple performance spaces, food trucks, themed pop-up bars and plenty of partying people on the agenda, as well as raising funds for six charity partners that help the LGBTQIA+ community: Queensland Aids Council, Australian Transgender Support Association Queensland, Brisbane Pride, Open Doors Youth Service, LGBTI Legal Service and QLife. Updated March 15.
If brutal honesty, passionate angst and extraordinarily affecting personal songwriting is your jam, rejoice the return of Martha Wainwright to Australia for a massive, 12-date national tour. Part of a large, fractured musical family, it was perhaps fitting that Martha made her first big splash with 'Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole', a song at once heartbreaking and defiant, laying bare her difficult relationship with her father in an extraordinarily public way. And her forthcoming album, Come Home to Mama, continues this deeply personal approach to music, inspired by the six-month period in which she gave birth to her first child and lost her mother — legendary Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle — to cancer. But it's not all doom and gloom. Over the years Wainwright has established herself as a compelling and engaging performer with an extraordinary voice, one that will have you in tears one moment and tapping your feet the next. It won't be an easy night, but it could be an amazing one. 31 May – The Tivoli, Brisbane 1-2 June – Byron Theatre, Byron Bay 6 June – Sydney Opera House 8-9 June – Live n Cookin' @ Lizotte's, Newcastle 13 June – Theatre Royal, Hobart 14-15 June – Recital Centre, Melbourne 16 June – Memorial Hall, Leongatha (VIC) 20 June – Dunston Playhouse, Adelaide 22 June – Astor Theatre, Perth
We download movies onto tiny laptop screens and watch them hunched over in our beds, spilling Red Bull on the keyboard when Ryan Gosling says sexy things like 'Hey' and switching over to check Gmail when he's not onscreen. It's sad, it's solitary, and the suspension of disbelief is, at most, fleeting. What happened to the glory days of yore, when moviegoing was an event? When you were truly transported? Sensing the aching pit in your soul, on December 11-14, World Movies is bringing its Secret Cinema event to a mystery location in Brisbane, in association with the inaugural Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival. You don't know what film you'll be seeing, and the location is revealed by text the day of the screening. Secret Cinema pushes a traditional medium into a new level of experiential entertainment. Live performance as well as themed food and drinks tie in with the world of the film. Examples of performative screenings from overseas have included London's 2010 version which re-created LA's Chinatown in 2019 for Bladerunner (two actors dangled from the ceiling during the climactic 'tears in rain' scene) and a 1950s Algerian casbah for The Battle of Algiers. In Sydney, Secret Cinema moviegoers were conveyed by ferry to Goat Island and subjected to a series of 'survival games' before seeing Japan's cult classic Battle Royale, forerunner of The Hunger Games. That event sold out in 15 minutes and drew a crowd of hundreds. Even bigger things were planned for Sydney's most recent event, though it ultimately had to be cancelled after issues with the venue, meaning this Brisbane incarnation marks a bit of a comeback for the WMSC team. What type of venue theming will be going on in Brisbane? This one's a classic: Roaring Twenties. Go back to the decadent and dramatic days of the pre-stock market crash 1920s. Tickets to World Movies Secret Cinema are $55 from qtix, but thanks to World Movies, we have one double pass 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 at win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au.
You might think that there's not much exciting about a fridge magnet. I mean, who is really thrilled by a piece of plastic that announces "I Love NYC" or is shaped like your pet dog? The designers at Kudu saw artistic potential in the common fridge magnet, however. They pushed the design of the magnet one step (or, rather, a few metres) farther and created magnetic panels to cover your entire refrigerator. Kudu's fridge panels create a bold kitchen statement, an easy way to spice up an otherwise lack-luster space. And the best part? They're simple to remove or to switch out. Swap your fridge panels to fit a party theme, a holiday, or perhaps your mood. Choose from a collection of themes, spanning from animals, to a sexy shirtless man, to designer illustrations; then, simply measure your fridge and order online. Kudu is willing to help you measure your fridge, and will even custom design a panel for you or your business, upon request. [via Notcot]
Brisbane Powerhouse has, rather slyly, been hosting a series of free film screenings this past year, aptly named Antidote Films: Films that Matter. Curated by Ruari Elkington, the films are based on meaningful stories that provide an antidote to Hollywood’s fairy-floss romcoms and über macho action movies. All are brought to us by independent Australian film distributors, Antidote Films. This Saturday’s pick is Love at the Twilight Motel, a documentary based around the busy motels of 8th Street in Miami, Florida, where rooms are available for hourly rates and the concealed garages have private staircases to the rooms (if you get what I mean). The doco is a survey of broken love stories and confessions, revealing the human stories behind the salacious circumstances. In it, we hear seven intimate stories from seven different patrons, all of them telling a story of love lost or betrayed. Produced by Alison E. Rose and with cinematography by Daniel Grant, Love at the Twilight Motel is a thought-provoking and visually beautiful portrayal of something very real; quite an antidote to the shimmer and sparkle of mainstream cinema.
Any Questions for Ben? and House of Lies' Josh Lawson writes, directs and stars in an effort destined to be labelled a sex-fuelled Love Actually. Sex Actually? Different types of fetish, kink and between-the-sheets behaviour are explored through the relationships of four couples. Maeve (Bojana Novakovic) wants Paul (Lawson) to fulfil her rape fantasies. Rowena (Kate Box) finds herself aroused whenever husband Richard (Patrick Brammall) cries. Phil (Alan Dukes) finds Maureen (Lisa McCune) at her most attractive when she is sleeping. Dan (Damon Herriman) and Evie (Kate Mulvany) make a foray into roleplaying that backfires. There's laughs both out loud and cringey to be had as the adventurous comedy unfurls. The Little Death is in cinemas on September 25, and thanks to Entertainment One, we have ten double in-season passes 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 https://youtube.com/watch?v=BnnhesQ8Rxc
Whether this year has been a good or bad one for you, one of the enduring downsides to 2020 has been this feeling that every day is on repeat. Whether you work from home or commute every day, there's a certain sameness to our routines right now. To help you shake off that Groundhog Day vibe, we've teamed up with Oporto to help you build some little wins into your working day — from virtually escaping the office to literally submerging yourself into a cool body of water. These quick, easy-to-action things to do will make you feel like you did something different with your break, and will hopefully boost your mood, too. [caption id="attachment_782787" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charlie Bliss[/caption] MONDAY: TAKE A TOUR OF NORTHERN TERRITORY ART It's the beginning of the week, and maybe you've got a stack of emails to wade through before lunchtime — but don't let that stop you from having time 'away' from the inbox. If you have a desk-bound job, or five minutes spare with your phone in hand, you have time for a trip to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). It's not easy to cross the border right now (and it certainly wouldn't be advised on your lunch break), but you can explore an exhibition of artworks by 65 First Nations artists in the 2020 National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards exhibition. Click through to each virtual room to discover a burial pole painted with the image of a serpent by Paul Namarinjmak Nabulumo, a tribute to the dying Great Barrier Reef by Torres Strait Islander artist Jimmy K Thaiday and an biographical work by South Australian multidisciplinary artist Nyurpaya Kaika Burton. It'll feel like a mini holiday from your Monday. [caption id="attachment_783137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Rebecca': (L to R) Lily James as Mrs de Winter, Kristin Scott Thomas as Mrs Danvers. Courtesy Kerry Brown/Netflix[/caption] TUESDAY: CATCH UP ON MOVIE TRAILERS If you're WFH, you can sometimes miss out on that office banter about what your 9-to-5 buddies are watching, reading or listening to right now. And if it's been half a year since you visited the cinema, maybe you're feeling out of touch with the latest film trailers. Well, use that half an hour in the middle of your day to play catch up. Have you seen Timothée Chalamet and the giant sandworm in the latest and highly anticipated adaptation of Dune? How about the ominous first trailer for Netflix's take on the psychological thriller Rebecca? It stars Lily James, Armie Hammer and Kristin Scott Thomas and hits your screens from October 21. And, if those have you fired up for seeing films on the big screen, why not book into a showing tonight at Cineplex? Tickets are just $8.50 on any night of the week. Or, at Dendy's Bargain Tuesdays you can see a flick for $12.50. Here are our picks of what's on at the cinemas right now. [caption id="attachment_703464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bunya River Crossing[/caption] WEDNESDAY: GO FOR A DIP Is there anything more rejuvenating than a swim? When you've hit hump day and need a reward for your efforts so far, seek out one of these outdoor swimming pools in Brisbane. The central Spring Hill Baths are open year-round and they're heated when the weather's not on your side. For wilder spirits, you could take a drive to one of these rivers and float upstream as you wash away your cares. Then, for the most adventurous of lunchtime dips, check out these ten unusual swimming holes — from saltwater pools to lakes with healing powers. You'll feel refreshed and ready to tackle that to-do list when you return. Or, cash in some of that annual leave and make an afternoon of it. THURSDAY: HAVE A WATERSIDE LUNCH The benefits of a walk in the sunshine are well documented, and though we know it's good for us, the week can often fly by before we've even considered stepping out the door during lunch. If you've made it to Thursday and haven't stretched your limbs before 6pm on any of your working days so far, make today the day. We suggest planning ahead to order one of Oporto's new Rappas — such as the Vegan Rappa, which includes a pea and herb patty, mixed lettuce leaves, slaw, fresh tomato, avocado and a tomato and capsicum relish in a warm pita bread wrap — then pick it up from one of Oporto's city outlets and take it to Brisbane City Botanic Gardens or Roma Street Parklands. Either way, you'll have a beautiful body of water to sit by and admire. For more ideas, check out these picnic spots around Brisbane. FRIDAY: BUST OUT OF A VIRTUAL ESCAPE ROOM If the daily grind is not stimulating your mind as much as it should, flex your brain power on something altogether more thrilling, without leaving your screen. The Sydney Opera House has launched a virtual escape room which challenges you to bust out of the iconic landmark in the middle of the night. You will navigate your way around backstage areas, like the orchestra pit, costume department and props room, to find clues and ultimately escape. You'll need a pen and paper handy, so you can write down the passwords you discover along the way. Start playing Trials of Wisdom here. Or, try more virtual escape rooms from Strike and The Escape Game. Check out Oporto's full Rappa Range here, then make tracks to your closest store — or order online. Top image: Roma Street Parklands by Brisbane Marketing, courtesy Tourism and Events Queensland
Break out your best green lycra outfit and get a rum-flavoured ham a-brewing. Throw in a viewing of Lethal Weapon 5, plus a killer rendition of 'Dayman', and you just might be ready. For trivia domination, that is, on one specific subject. Of course, the topic at hand is a certain television sitcom about perhaps the world's worst bar owners. For ten years now, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has immersed audiences into the devious, darkly amusing and downright odd antics of the Paddy's Pub gang — and if you have a certain sense of humour, you've likely lapped it all up. Now, all that time spent watching and rewatching all 114 episodes to date could win you some glory. Yes, Man vs Bear Trivia is at it again, this time joining forces with Brat Haus to quiz everyone senseless about one of the least sensible — yet savagely smart — comedies on TV. Prepare for ample shenanigans and prepare to say "god damn it" a lot, particularly if anyone in your team is called Dee.
Open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, Pompidou Cafe is yet another popular cafe and bistro in the 4171 postcode. With its sunlit interior and well shaded back deck, breakfast is Pompidou’s busiest time. Like so many establishments in the area, it tends to be packed on weekend mornings with those after a reliably good cup of coffee. As one would expect from the name, Pompidou Cafe has a decidedly French feel – a Henri Cartier-Bresson print hangs on the wall, as does a Gainsbourg movie poster. The lunch menu continues the theme with croque monsieur, steak frites with béarnaise sauce, and duck confit with lyonnaise potatoes. The breakfast menu is a bit more diverse – home style beans with chorizo sausage and warm flour tortillas, and chickpea and carrot pancakes with hummus and labna feature alongside the obligatory croissants and house made sweets. Francophiles may also be interested to know that one evening a month the restaurant hosts a three course French dinner (this month it’s Valentine’s Day).
Brisbanites, prepare to get hopelessly devoted — again — to Rydell High, summer lovers reuniting at school, leather jackets and Pink Ladies. Because giving Grease a prequel streaming series in 2023 wasn't enough, the 50s-set musical is returning to its original home, with Australia's brand-new multimillion-dollar theatre production of the five-decade-old show set to be the one that Brissie audiences want from December 2024. Grease is shaping up to be the River City's big electrifying summer hit, zipping into the Queensland capital's QPAC like lightening. This will be the fourth stop on the show's current Aussie tour, with the production playing Melbourne until mid-March, then heading to Sydney and Perth before arriving in Brisbane. Everyone knows Grease's plot by now, given how popular the 1978 movie adaptation of the musical rom-com still is, especially Down Under. It is about an Australian transfer student, after all, who falls in love with an American high schooler in California. After it sped from the stage to become a silver-screen classic, it spawned a 1982 Michelle Pfeiffer (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania)-starring sequel, too, then last year's Paramount+ show Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. Cast-wise, exactly who'll be slipping into John Travolta (Paradise City) and the late, great Olivia Newton-John's (The Very Excellent Mr Crocodile Dundee) leathers as Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson in Brisbane hasn't been announced, and neither has the rest of the talent taking to the stage. Down south, Joseph Spanti (Friends! The Musical Parody, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) and Annelise Hall (The Marvellous Elephant Man, Aspects of Love) have been leading the show, while Patti Newton has been playing Miss Lynch, Jay Laga'aia has been featuring as Vince Fontaine and Marcia Hines has been popping up as Teen Angel. An exact opening date in Brisbane also hasn't been revealed as yet. Whoever plays T-Birds and Pink Ladies in Brissie will obviously be belting out all the famous tunes — including the titular 'Grease' and fellow earworms 'Summer Nights', 'Sandy', 'Hopelessly Devoted to You', 'You're The One That I Want', 'Greased Lightnin' and 'Beauty School Dropout'. Check out the trailers for both Grease the film and the new Aussie musical below: GREASE 2024 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Until Saturday, March 16, 2024 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne From Sunday, March 24, 2024 — Capitol Theatre, Sydney From Sunday, June 30, 2024 — Crown Theatre, Perth From December 2024 — QPAC, Brisbane Grease is currently touring Australia, and will arrive in Brisbane from December 2024. For more information or to sign up for the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website. Images: Jeff Busby.
Over a hot, tumultuous summer, a group of teenagers struggle with love, sex and betrayal. Like an artsy Australian version of an episode of Skins, writer-director Rhys Graham's debut feature Galore is an earnest and technically confident piece of filmmaking but noticeably lacking in stakes. Like so many other tales about teens behaving badly, the overblown drama on which the movie hinges never really seems that important. Lush cinematography and natural performance ultimately make little difference when you just don't care about the story. The film takes place around the outskirts of Canberra, a few weeks before the devastating 2003 bushfires. Puberty Blues star Ashleigh Cummings plays 17-year-old Billie, whose voiceover bookends the film. Her best friend is Laura (Lily Sullivan), an aspiring writer and the girlfriend of skater boy Danny (Toby Wallace). She's thinking about giving Danny her virginity, and goes to her life-long BFF for advice. What Laura doesn't know is that Billie is already sleeping with him. In short, it's exactly the kind of angst-ridden rubbish that makes you glad you're no longer in high school. Petulant and manipulative, Billie treats life like a sordid little soap opera in which she's the tragic star. The reality of the situation is far less kind, not to mention a whole lot less interesting. The movie's dramatic inflation of Billie's selfish behaviour may strike a chord with teenage audiences, although they'll probably be bored by the film's deliberate pacing. Adults, on other hand, will just want to throttle her. The poor plotting is unfortunate, because in other areas the film is quite strong. Despite Cummings being saddled with a deeply unsympathetic character, both her and Sullivan give intensely authentic performances. The same is true of newcomer Aliki Matangi as Isaac, a troubled but good-natured youth who gets caught up in Billie's drama. The weak link is Wallace as the mopey, uncharismatic Danny, whose blandness makes the love triangle that much more difficult to comprehend. Graham also deserves credit for his graceful visual direction. While handheld camerawork and sun-dappled cinematography aren't exactly new tricks for an Australian made indie, there's no discounting the beauty of the film's setting, nor the elegance with which Graham, a Canberra local, brings the sleepy location to life. But the skill all comes to naught in the service of such an uninvolving narrative. Both Graham and his cast likely have bright futures ahead of them, sure to be filled with far more accomplished projects. Go and see them, but give Galore a miss. https://youtube.com/watch?v=iRWbh_TOLdw
Wine lovers of Australia, rejoice: picking your next bottle of plonk just got a whole lot easier. In fact, you don't even need to choose — or leave the house — thanks to top Melbourne sommelier Virginia Selleck and her new, curated online wine shop. Joining the ever-growing ranks of wine delivery options, Magnum + Queens promises a rotating array of specially selected stock brought to your door Australia-wide, with each month's offerings following a different theme. To celebrate their launch, May's batch has been dubbed The New Guard. Customers can opt for small, medium or large packs of three, six or 12 bottles, then enjoy Selleck's favourites from around the globe. Individual bottles are also available, and folks that sign up for a subscription will get access to specials, rare vintages and other hard to find drops. Not your usual online bottle-o, but not a traditional wine service either, Magnum + Queens wants to expand your wine-drinking remit; expect industry stalwarts among their wares, but also expect grape-based goodness from tiny wineries, family-run outfits, new brands, innovative winemakers as well. That could include varieties from France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and our local efforts, and even Spanish sherry and Japanese sake. "Our aim is to introduce customers to carefully selected, quality wines from all over the globe, and specifically from small, sustainable, craft producers that focus on new varietal wines that are interesting and delicious," says Selleck. A joint venture with photographer Kirsten Dickie, Magnum + Queens arrives at what's proving a busy time for the sommelier — after working at Melbourne's Cumulus, Inc, Rockpool Bar & Grill, The Stokehouse and Prince Wine Store, she's now the wine director at Wilson & Market. Find Magnum + Queens at www.magnumandqueenswine.com.
For more than 60,000 years, the world's largest sand island has been known as K'gari by its Traditional Owners. From now on, that's the World Heritage-listed southeast Queensland spot's official name again. Two years after announcing that it'd make the change, the Queensland Government has officially restored the 122-kilometre coastal locale's Indigenous moniker, with the spot no longer called Fraser Island. Pronounced with a silent k, K'gari is the original Butchulla name for the island, and it now applies across its entirety. Back in 2017, the island's national park was renamed the K'gari (Fraser Island) section of the Great Sandy National Park. Then, in 2022, the island's World Heritage Area was renamed K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area. This new move clearly goes a step further. The Queensland Government worked through the formal steps required to put in place the name change, in conjunction with the Butchulla people, stakeholders and the community. In 2022, it received almost 6000 public submissions about the move, the majority in favour. The suburb of Fraser Island also changes its name to K'gari. "It was through disrespect to the Butchulla people that her name, K'gari — the home of the Butchulla people — was taken away. Thankfully, it is now through respect to the Butchulla people that K'gari — her name — has been reclaimed," said Gayle Minniecon, Chair of the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation. "Our oral history, our creation story will now be told and learnt as it should be. Our ancestors understood and committed to the importance of caring for K'gari since time immemorial, and today we continue this cultural obligation." Back in 2021, then-Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Jade Gould explained why the Butchulla people had been campaigning for years to change the name. "The name Fraser Island is a tribute to Eliza Fraser — a woman whose narrative directly lead to the massacre and dispossession of the Butchulla people," Gould said. "A word meaning paradise in Butchulla language is a much more fitting name for such an iconic place." "I'm proud that today we can officially welcome K'gari home, and reinstate the name used by Traditional Owners for all these years," advised Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. "We will continue to recognise Indigenous languages through place names, in the spirit of truth-telling and reconciliation as we walk the Path to Treaty. While steps like this can't change the wrongs of the past, it goes a long way to building a future where all Queenslanders value, trust, and respect each other." "This always was and always will be Butchulla Country." Along with reinstating K'gari as the island's name, more than 19 hectares of land was transferred to the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation — land that used be used to benefit the Butchulla people, the island's Traditional Owners, and isn't allowed to be bought, sold or mortgaged. K'gari isn't just the biggest sand island in the world; it's made up of 184,000 hectares of the stuff, in 72 colours and mostly in the form of magnificent dunes, much of which are covered in rainforest. It's also home to more than 100 freshwater lakes, including the crystal-clear waters of Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie), a perched lake made up of rainwater and soft silica sand. For more information about K'gari, head to the Queensland Government website. Images: Queensland Government.
No one tells dramatic and scandalising stories about English royalty quite like the Renaissance playwrights. Secret and not-so-secret lovers, murderous schemes, plots of deception and throne-taking; Christopher Marlowe's Edward II is another example that a monarch's life is filled with drama and tragedy, and that people can't get enough of it! The play was written in circa 1592 and is based on actual historical documents. Edward II has just become King of England, and his first act is to recall Gaveston, his exiled 'favourite' (code for lover). The low-born knight is disliked to say the least, and even the Queen of France wants to get him murdered so she can move in on Edward. What follows is a web of ambition, deception and power, which leads, as always, to a grizzly conclusion. Artistic director of La Boite Theatre Company, David Berthold, directs third-year QUT acting students in this modern production of the hugely debated gay king who lost it all.
It's that time of the year: you've set your out-of-office, made the couch your new home, and only plan to leave to head to the beach, eat festive food or party. That means it's prime movie viewing time, and Google and Amazon have just the film-oriented gift for the occasion, offering up 99 cent film rentals. Need to catch up on The Jungle Book, Lights Out or Louis Theroux: My Scientology Movie? Get your Christmas mix courtesy of Love Actually, Elf or Die Hard? Revisit John Wick before the sequel arrives in cinemas next year? Or enjoy Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping seeing that it didn't end up making it to Australian theatres? Here's your chance. The good news: Google Play's deal is available in Australia and runs until January 23, 2017, with a limit of one film per user. The discount is applied at checkout, and once you finalise the transaction you have 30 days to watch your pick. The not so good news: Amazon might've launched Prime Video on our shores just last week, but their rental service hasn't made the jump. Of course, if you're interested in renting something from their library and you're handy with a VPN, you might know how to make that happen.
When a new year rolls around, an annoying change often comes with it, forcing Brisbanites to fork out a bit extra to get around town. That won't be the case when 2020 wraps up, however, with the Queensland Government advising that public transport fares won't be changing when 2021 kicks in. Instead, the price of hopping on all Translink and QConnect services across the state will remain at 2020 levels. So, whether you need to hop on a train, bus, ferry or CityCat, you already know how much that'll cost you based on this year's prices. Announcing the news on Wednesday, December 2, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that it was partly motivated by trying to "encourage Queenslanders back on to public transport". Unsurprisingly, not as many folks have been using the network in 2020, although that has been slowly changing as the state has opened back up after COVID-19 restrictions. This news means that, in Brisbane's Translink network, an adult one-zone journey will still cost $3.37 in peak times in 2021, $2.70 between 8.30am–7.30pm and 7pm–6am on weekdays and all day on weekends, and $4.90 whenever you buy a paper ticket. At the upper end of the scale, an eight-zone trip — which'll take you from the CBD to Noosa and Gympie — will come in at $20.34 in peak times, $16.27 in off-peak and $29.50 for paper tickets. Top image: Philip Mallis.
Melbourne's revered croissant experts at Lune are at it again, this time with an exclusive cruffin (that's a cross between a muffin and a croissant for you uncultured beasts). For two days only on the Saturday and Sunday of January 20-21, head into any Lune location in Melbourne or Brisbane to grab yourself "The Magic", a cruffin created in partnership with Visit Victoria to pay tribute to Melbourne's iconic coffee scene. To create The Magic, the flaky, buttery pastry is injected with a rich, aromatic Square One coffee cream. It's then adorned with a delicate dusting of Mörk chocolate, a swirl of coffee and vanilla buttercream, and a sprinkle of toasted cocoa nibs. Lune is no stranger to crafting the perfect pastry, so you'll want to get in quick if you're keen on tasting one for yourself. All Lune locations are open from 8am–3pm, but these gems might be snapped up well before closing, so it's a race against time and other pastry fiends if you want to nab one (or a half dozen). Remember, early bird gets the magic cruffin. Good luck! Lune has locations in Melbourne (Armadale, Fitzroy, Melbourne CBD) and Brisbane (Brisbane CBD, South Brisbane). All Lune stores are open 8am–3pm.
Move over, flowers. Everyone's tried, tested and trusty thoughtful gift option has some new competition. Posies of beautiful blooms are all well and good, but you can't eat them. Your loved ones can eat a bouquet of doughnuts, however (and maybe even share them with you). Meet Sweety's Treat Boxes, the new Brisbane-based delivery service that knows the way to someone's heart isn't just through their stomach — it's through their pastry-loving tastebuds too. Conceived by local couple James Greensill and Eloise Kerma, it'll bring boxes of goodies from The Doughnut Bar, Krispy Kreme and newcomers Marmalade&Co to your favourite person's door, with the latter serving up vegan and gluten-free morsels. Sweety's launched just before Christmas, offering 65 different combinations of boxes and 14 different arrangements, plus free delivery within a ten-kilometre radius of the CBD. As well as doughquets, which come with not only doughnuts but also wine or beer, their range includes candy, chocolate and Nutella-stuffed packages, plus an ode to an iconic ice cream (that'd be the 'You're Gonna Have a Gaytime Box', which recreates the dessert in doughnut form). Or, opt for an Aussie survival kit that comes with XXXX, VB and Tim Tams, or a Big Lebowski-themed bundle with Jack Daniels. From January 22, they'll also be selling a Valentine's Day pack for anyone after something other than roses. And, on February 14, they'll be popping up in the Wintergarden in the Queen Street Mall to share the love in person — for one day only. Doughnuts are made fresh that day, to be eaten that day, and if you're wondering where the dedicated doughnut gift box idea came from, "it all started with Eloise wanting to surprise me with a gift delivered to my office last Valentine's Day," explains Greensill. "She kept coming up short, [and was] frustrated with the lack of options and variety catering to each individual preference, whether it was too gender-specific or not customisable." Starting a doughnut delivery service to solve the problem? That's a solution Homer Simpson would be proud of. For more information, visit www.sweetys.com.au.
Underneath the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park lies a labyrinth of more than 600 caves that was once an ancient coral reef. This impressive subterranean system dates back hundreds of millions of years, with slow drips of water creating stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones — and it's located approximately a three-hour-drive west of Cairns. The three caves that are accessible via guided tour are the Royal Arch, Trezkinn and Donna, each with their own distinctive geological features. Ranger tours run daily (except Christmas Day), with local experts guiding visitors through each of the three caves for an hour. The tours include breaks between the caves, allowing time to enjoy a classic pub lunch at the nearby outback hotel. You can also explore First Nations rock art sites, go on bush walks, visit the remarkable Balancing Rock, take a dip at Chillagoe Weir and enjoy a sunset picnic at the historic smelters. Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway or drive 30 minutes inland from Cairns to visit the eclectic rainforest village of Kuranda. Here you'll find a plethora of artists and street performers roaming around town as you explore the town's quirky art shops and market stalls. If you're lucky, you might even be able to catch a live show at the much-loved Kuranda Amphitheatre. Also in Kuranda is the Rainforestation Nature Park showcasing the very best of the tropics. Want to gain in depth knowledge of the region? We recommend taking a guided walk with the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Djabugay People, via the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
There hasn't been much that's great about the past couple of years, but a big shift in the film festival scene is worth celebrating. Every cinephile would like to spend all their time watching movies — and, not only seeing them on their favourite big screens, but hitting up every film fest possible. Alas, sometimes non-cinema reality gets in the way. Thankfully, after hopping online during the pandemic, plenty of film festivals are keeping their digital programs — so if you can't go in-person because you're busy, unwell, live in another part of the country of whatever other reason applies, you can still join in the fun. In 2022, Sydney Underground Film Festival is one such event, with its virtual festival running from Monday, September 12–Sunday, September 25. Sydneysiders can attend the physical fest on the weekend prior first, and everyone can stream along for the virtual fest's two-week run. For those watching at home, SUFF's online program includes queer Canadian drama Compulsus, horror/sci-fi film LandLocked, and an impressive range of documentaries — such as F@k This Job, about Russian TV channel Dozhd and its founder Natasha Sindeeva; Girl Gang, which follows a 14-year-old London influencer; the self-explanatory Nightclubbing: The Birth of Punk Rock in NYC; Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters, about the Hellboy creator; and Circus of the Scars, about sideshow performers. And, SUFF's dedication to the most out-there shorts the fest can compile will also hit screens via the virtual lineup.
Dance and classical aren't music genres you'd usually find swirling around in the same basket — unless you have a particular bent for the orchestral 'Sandstorm' covers found in the depths of YouTube. Synthony — A Generation of Dance Music is here to prove that the disciplines go hand in hand. Touring Australia since 2019, the event is returning to Brisbane on Saturday, May 28. It'll see a 60-plus piece orchestra join forces with a selection of DJs and live performers at the Riverstage, all to play the biggest dance tracks of the last 30 years. Expect the venue to take a few cues from the nightclub scene, with lights, lasers and mapped video all part of the experience — and a selection of dance floor bangers note-for-note. The lineup includes live performances from Savage, Emily Williams, Mobin Master and more — and The Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra, of course — with Madison Avenue's Andy Van on hosting duties.
