Highgate Hill’s Laura Street Festival is really and truly one of a kind. Not only does it pride itself on not one but two pot luck meals, but it’s also a community event hosted by its friendly residents all in hope of showing off their wonderful, caring and super-festive neighbourhood. In its fifth year, Laura Street Festival is amping up the music, workshops, art, poetry, food and performance, with an afternoon-long showcase of the lot. Groove along to some Kpop, watch some spoken word and standup comedy, and eat to your heart's content at the various food stalls. Feel free to bring your own dish to share, and prepare to tuck into everyone else's; there will be plenty. For festival-bound fashionistas, there will be a free clothes swap — trade in something old and adopt something new — and for all those who need something a little more eccentric to get them in the mood, there will be an electronic music stage all day. Check out all the exciting things Laura Street Festival has on show at its website. The day kicks off at 1pm and rounds up at 10pm. Take your dog, take some cash, take your best attempt at a meal to share and have a wild time in a wilder neighbourhood.
There's no shortage of cheesy places in this food-loving town of ours, but King Street's Il Verde just might be Brisbane's cheese central. Serving up pasta from a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano has helped put the Bowen Hills eatery on the culinary map — and pairing that delicious delight with gooey raclette will keep it there. Unsurprisingly, they're calling this tasty double Death by Cheese. If you're going to go, you may as well go doing what you love, or so the thinking goes. And, let's face it, you're going to love this. Take one cheesy favourite, then add another — what's not to love? It all kicks off on March 1, with sittings at 6pm and 8pm, and then takes place every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Even better — this combo of pasta or gnocchi stirred up in a wheel cheese, wood-fired bread topped in melted raclette, a glass of wine and an Italian dessert will set you back just $55 per person.
If the Brisbane music scene proved one thing last year, it's that there's a grunge revival in the works — throwing a bit of surfer-rock gnarl for good measure. No band epitomises this more than our own local offspring, Doom Mountain. Jack, Jake and Lee make up a band that emits salty surf vibes, with offshoots of garage rock. Together, with White Lodge, they'll be kicking up a grunge-fuelled storm at Black Bear Lodge with a free gig this Friday night. 2015 is sure to be the year for Doom Mountain. They've already received claps from triple j’s Dom Alession, Maggie Collins and Sarah Howells. In 2014, they supported the likes of Step-Panther, Moses Gun Collective, The Good Sports and Pretty City — but this gig finally puts Doom Mountain as a deserving headliner. In support, White Lodge offer a similar sound to their stage counterparts, and are no stranger to Black Bear Lodge. They're awaiting the release of their recently recorded international split 7" with The Gorlons (USA), and aren't afraid to share their unique brand of psych, surf-centre rock. For all those sober Sallys out there, this could prove to be the highest entertainment return for little investment — again, tickets cost zilch dollars. And for all your drinkers out there, justify a few extra beers with ticket prices, and make this a night to remember.
Yass, a small NSW town near Canberra received the signature Queer Eye makeover when the Fab Five descended on the town earlier in June. Well, the whole town didn't, but George — a cattle farmer and former rodeo cowboy — did. As did the local pub. A rundown of the show, for the uninitiated, the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy show hit screens a whopping 15 years ago — running from 2003 to 2007 — and the reboot Queer Eye returned to Netflix this year. The general premise is that the Fab Five give less-fashion-savvy men (and it seems, establishments) much-needed makeovers. In Yass, while three of the Fab Five, Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France and Karamo Brown, were looking after George the cattle farmer, the remaining two — Antoni Porowsi and Bobby Berk — renovated the local pub's bistro and introduced a new signature dish to the menu. Fittingly, the five were also crowned — by Yass Mayor Rowena Abbey — Yass Queens. Yas, queen. If this reference is lost on you, it's a term said to have originated in the 80s ballroom community, but recently surged to popularity thanks to this YouTube video. The Australian mini-episode of Queer Eye will is now available to watch, with Queer Eye's second season also streaming on Netflix since June 15. Check out Yass, Australia! below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM2zD5FtrkQ&feature=youtu.be
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, quit your desk job and start that business you've always wanted to give a red hot go? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of bold characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. Dreaming big is easy. Following through on that dream — that's where the hard work begins. Junky Comics' owner Vlada Edirippulige knows this, but a year after opening her own store, she wouldn't have it any other way. Also known as illustrator Junky and as a member of local band Major Leagues, her commitment to boosting Brisbane's arts scene shows just what can happen when you embody 'Sine Metu', set your mind to something and throw caution to the wind. We had a chat to Vlada about how taking a big chance has paid off in a big way. You can read the interview over here. Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Vlada's being a total legend and helping us give away $1000 worth of rare comic books from her own Junky Comics collection, so you can see for yourself what happens when bold humans take big creative chances with big payoffs. This whopping prize includes the complete Walking Dead series 1-23, Hip Hop Family Tree by Ed Piskor, the complete Scott Pilgrim colour hardcover series and The Complete Wimmen's Comix. Enter here to win. And enjoy Jameson responsibly, folks.
When James Stewart peered out of his window and into the apartments of his neighbours in Rear Window, he looked into another world. Fans of the film — and of films in general — can surely relate. If you like catching a flick for a few hours of escapism and interesting stories, then you do the same every time you head to the movies. It's fitting, then, that Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece is among the drawcards in Dendy's latest cinema showcase. Every Monday evening, their Hollywood Classics program not only takes audiences to different places, but to a different time. Prepare to visit the golden age of movie making, St Louis from the early 1900s onwards, and Broadway during the depression — among others. Yes, Sunset Boulevard, Meet Me in St Louis and 42nd Street are all on the bill, alongside other greats such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Rebel Without a Cause. Whether you're revisiting an old favourite, or catching an iconic effort for the first time, you're guaranteed to enjoy an evening of terrific and transporting cinema.
When the Godzilla franchise first started rampaging through Japanese cinemas almost 70 years ago, it was in response to World War II and the horrific display of nuclear might that it unleashed. That saga and its prehistoric reptilian monster have notched up 38 movies now, and long may it continue stomping out of its homeland (the American flicks, which are set to return in 2024, have been hit-and-miss). In such creature-feature company, the films of Makoto Shinkai may not seem like they belong. So far, the writer/director behind global hits Your Name and Weathering with You, plus The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimetres per Second, Children Who Chase Lost Voices and The Garden of Words before that, sadly hasn't applied his talents to good ol' Zilly, either. But Japan's animators have been musing on and reflecting upon destruction and devastation for decades, too — stunningly and heartbreakingly so. In Studio Ghibli's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Grave of the Fireflies and The Wind Rises — in Howl's Moving Castle, Porco Rosso and From Up on Poppy Hill as well — conflict lingers in a variety of ways. In 2016's gorgeous and affecting In this Corner of the World, war is utterly inescapable. And in Shinkai's recent work, it's another catastrophe that casts a shadow: the Great East Japan Earthquake and the resulting Fukushima nuclear disaster. He's made his past three movies, including his latest beautiful and heartfelt effort Suzume, with that incident clearly in mind. Indeed, although it hops all over Japan, acting like a travelogue in magnificently realistic animated form, this new tale about a teenage girl, matters of the heart and the earth, supernatural forces and endeavouring to cancel the apocalypse firmly has its soul in the part of Honshu that forever changed in March 2011. Suzume meets its namesake (Nanoka Hara, Guilty Flag) on Kyushu, Japan's third-largest island, where she has lived with her aunt Tamaki (Eri Fukatsu, Survival Family) for 12 years. More than that, it meets its titular high schooler as she meets Souta (SixTONES singer Hokuto Matsumura), who catches her eye against the gleaming sea and sky as she's cycling to class. He's searching for ruins, and she knows just the local place — an abandoned onsen, which she beats him to. There, Suzume discovers a door standing mysteriously within a pool of water, then opens said entryway to see a shimmering sight on the other side. That's an ordinary act with extraordinary consequences, because Shinkai adores exactly that blend and clash. To him, that's where magic springs, although never while spiriting away life's troubles and sorrows. Every single door everywhere is a portal, of course, but this pivotal one takes the definition literally. Suzume can't walk through the opening; instead, she's left peering at the enticing evening-hued realm lurking within its frame. That said, she does unwittingly unleash a monster that Souta and his family have spent generations trying to contain. The worm lives up to its moniker, sprawling high into and across the sky, and sending its red tendrils far and wide. As his grandfather was, plus a long line of other relatives before that, Souta is a closer, which means he's tasked with shutting the doors that pop up at Japan's abandoned places — including a school and an amusement park — to keep the worm away and humanity safe. Sometimes, he needs a keystone to do so; however, the one in Suzume's hometown turns into a cat when she picks it up. Also transforming, but not by choice: Souta himself, who swiftly takes the form of a three-legged yellow chair that his new pal has owned and loved since she was a pre-schooler. What's a girl, a walking-and-talking seat and a tiny white kitty — Daijin, aka that metamorphosed keystone, which can also speak (as voiced by newcomer Ann Yamane) — to do? The latter cutely but quickly scampers, unsurprisingly attracting ample social-media attention, while Suzume and Souta follow as fast as they can. Most road trips don't involve attempting to save the planet, but Suzume's is as scenic as any cross-country jaunt by ferry, scooter, van, train and car thanks to one of Shinkai's ever-reliable hallmarks: his breathtaking visuals. Whether or not any member of the film's audience has been to Japan themselves, watching this spectacular affair feels like stepping right into Miyazaki, Shikoku, Kobe, Tokyo and more. Once again, as he did with Your Name and Weathering with You as well, Shinkai brings the Japanese capital to the screen with detail so gloriously lifelike that it makes for simply exquisite animation. That gift is shared with everywhere that Suzume, Souta and Daijin visit, mesmerisingly so. It's both a fitting and knowing touch to get Suzume's heroine residing in the city that shares its name with Studio Ghibli great Hayao Miyazaki. By the watching world, Shinkai has been anointed the Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro filmmaker's successor frequently since Your Name proved such a delight and smash — and so stirring, melancholy and dazzling — and, while thoroughly earning those comparisons yet another time, he leans in. Whisper of the Heart, which is similarly about a teen chasing a cat, gets a direct (and lovely) shoutout. Nods to Kiki's Delivery Service also ripple, again thanks to the crucial adorable feline. As its characters tumble through episodic adventures sparked by that fateful first door, Suzume adds references elsewhere, starting with Alice in Wonderland. It's easy to see the thematic trilogy it's happily forming with Shinkai's last two movies, too. There's a mythic air and a determination to make something meaningful and with a message that's oh-so Ghibli always, though; like the animation house, Shinkai crafts films as devoted to getting viewers marvelling at the planet, life on it and the relationships forged as they are committed to entrancing the eyes with their radiant sights. Already the fourth-grossing Japanese film of all time globally — Your Name is third, and Weathering with You ninth — Suzume is vivid in every moment. Aided by its music from Shinkai regulars Radwimps and composer Kazuma Jinnouchi (Star Wars: Visions), it's rousing in all the fashions that a feature can be, in fact. Its guiding light makes cosmic romances, fantastical voyages and supernatural disaster flicks as well, plus contemplations of growing up and taking care of nature, and ensures that they swell and swirl with all the emotions that they demand. In a national cinema industry so well-known for confronting the country's past that it turned part of it into a giant stalking lizard, Shinkai keeps finding bewitching and sensitive methods to achieve that feat, and wonderfully. Here, as Suzume battles her own hulking force, she faces life-changing heartache that no one can ever truly get over, still learns how to go on but never lets her history slip away. It's no surprise that Suzume is as sweet and swoonworthy as Shinkai's work comes, and as earnest, intricate, intelligent, involving and enchanting.
You might only eat birthday cake when it's your own big day, or if someone you know is celebrating. In October, commemorating 11 years of Lune Croissanterie also counts. As it did in 2022, the cult-favourite bakery is marking its latest occasion with one of its Frankenstein's monster-style sweet treats: a twice-baked birthday cake croissant. Each month, Lune Croissanterie whips up a new batch of limited-time specials, giving you something tasty to look forward to when you flip over your calendar. Iced Vovo cruffins, twice-baked finger bun croissants, pumpkin pie cruffins, lasagne pastries, lamington cruffins, its own take on baklava: they've all been on the list so far in 2023, just for a month. Now comes the return of its sprinkles-topped birthday treat, alongside other bites such as Snickers cruffins, choc-chip cookie pastries and an everything croissant. As also seen in Lune's very own cookbook by founder Kate Reid, the birthday cake croissant is exactly what it sounds like. Lune has taken a traditional croissant, filled it with birthday cake frangipane, then topped it with a sprinkle crumble, buttercream icing and then even more sprinkles. What's a birthday without sprinkles, after all? A bad one. The birthday cake croissant is available everywhere except the Melbourne CBD store right through the month until Tuesday, October 31, and you can order it online from Armadale in Melbourne, plus South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane. The rest of the list pops up here and there — but always at at least one spot in Melbourne and Brisbane, where Lune currently operates until it launches in Sydney in 2024. If you're excited about the Snickers cruffins, it takes a Lune cruffin, pipes in peanut crème pâtissière and salted caramel, then adds chocolate ganache and sundae peanuts on top. The bakery describes it as "like a chocolate-chip cookie, a muffin, croissant and a Snickers bar all rolled into one delicious package". The twice-baked choc-chip cookie pastries are filled with milk choc chips and a Marie biscuit frangipane, then score melted dulce chocolate ganache and choc-chip cookie chunks drizzled over them. As for the everything croissant, it's a take on the everything bagel featuring herb paste and chive cream cheese. There's also a hazelnut pudding that's made with Frangelico caramel hazelnut financier and praline cream, if you still need something to tempt your tastebuds. Lune's October specials menu runs until Tuesday, October 31, with different specials on offer at Armadale, Fitzroy and the CBD in Melbourne, and South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane. From the Armadale, South Brisbane and Burnett Lane stores, you can also order them online. Images: Pete Dillon.
Pablo Picasso jammed plenty of creativity into his 91-year life, including paintings, sculptures, prints, ceramics, stage design, plays, poetry and more. During the 1930s, he also etched and engraved a set of 100 pieces, in a series that was named after the art dealer who commissioned them: The Vollard Suite. Produced over an eight-year period, the collection takes inspiration from stories, tales and myths, as well as the human form, his mistress and politics at the time. In other words, it proves an artistic overview of his favoured themes and fascinations, while also offering an autobiography of sorts. It's the kind of intimate work that gives fans an insight into the Spanish master beyond his more famous pieces. And, courtesy of the National Gallery of Australia — who boast a complete set — the suite is on display at the Queensland Art Gallery from December 2 to April 15. Image: Pablo Picasso, Spain 1881 - France 1973, Minotaure aveugle guidé par une fillette dans la nuit. [Blind minotaur led by a little girl at night.] between 3-7 December and 31 December 1934, or 1 January 1935 from the Vollard Suite (97). Etching and scraper, printed in black ink. National Gallery of Australia. ©Succession Picasso. Licensed by Viscopy, 2017.
There's a story behind The Wolfe — and we mean that literally. In fact, the latest addition to the East Brisbane stretch of Stanley Street has a 1000-year-old account of ravenous and resourceful villagers to thank for its name. If you've heard the legend of Morey-Saint-Denis, you'll know what we're talking about. If you haven't, let's just say it involves famished townsfolk from the winemaking French village stealing cattle from nearby communities, then blaming wolves for their misdeeds. Other than serving hungry patrons beef products, and boasting a drinks list heavy on pinot noir and chardonnay, we're not actually sure how else the folktale comes into play at Paul McGivern's new fine dining establishment — but it's got us talking. And given that owner-operator McGivern is a veteran of Camp Hill's Restaurant Rapide and Hamilton's Restaurant Manx, we're sure there's plenty about the 40-seat a la carte venue that will keep locals buzzing once its doors swing open on Tuesday, February 2. The seasonal menu is a talking point in itself. Despite the story behind the name, The Wolfe will not serve up French cuisine, but contemporary Australian fare; comprised of five entrees, five mains and four desserts, the menu it will change every four weeks. All made with local ingredients, current offerings include asparagus with hen's egg, comte and olive, plus lamb rump with olive, parsley and goats' feta. And they really do mean local — though they won't be sticking to the legend and pilfering from nearby parcels of land. Instead, the restaurant has plans to set up its own veggie garden in its outside area. The Wolfe is now open at 989 Stanley Street, East Brisbane. For more information, visit their website.
Seen every part of Brisbane there is to see? That's all well and good — but have you seen your hometown turned into an interactive, animated illustration? At the Museum of Brisbane, artist Megan McKean has created an exhibition called Bristopia that will help you explore the place in a completely different way. Adding Brisbane to her list of illustrated locales (alongside Paris, Palm Springs, London and Sydney), McKean's largest commission to date is a six-metre-wide rendering of all of the cities landmarks, from the usual suspects to the other elements that are part and parcel of living in Brissie. Think the Story Bridge, the Gabba and the snaking river, plus all those palm and jacaranda trees that locals just stop noticing. Oh, and scrub turkeys, of course. More than that, the interactive aspect of the exhibition lets you create your own ideal version using Megan's illustrated bits and pieces. If you've always dreamed of a city filled with more parks than Leslie Knope could even conjure up, here's your chance to turn it into your own picture — as part of a showcase that not only wants attendees to explore Brissie as it currently stands but to also think about its future.
There's only one problem with the beach: it can make you dumb. Seaside days are the most tempting time to read trashy chick lit and airport novels, but what does that do to your brain? And what if you forget your book altogether and are forced to passively admire the glittering horizon while your companions enjoy tales of adventure and romance? Enter the beach pop-up library: a terrific notion from French architect and industrial designer Matali Crasset (whose website is really worth a visit for playtime). Currently popping up at La Romaniquette in Istres, France, the cute 'Bibliotheque de Plage' boasts more than 350 titles, so there's little chance you wouldn't find something that appeals. Adding a personal touch to the venture, the books on offer have been carefully selected and include many of Crasset's own favourites: for example, the classic architecture text The Poetics of Space, Gaston Bachelard's beautiful and influential meditation on how we experience interiors. The beach library creates its own special space to be experienced, composed of a simple steel frame with tarpaulin wings that form three shaded alcoves for peaceful reading. The idea for the project arose partly out of local government's focus on encouraging literacy. It would be great if charming libraries like this one were a common sight beside the food and drink kiosks that appear on beaches, ensuring you would never be stuck without a quality seaside read again. Via PSFK.
Everybody, be cool. This isn't a robbery — but it is a raucous rush through the filmography of one of the most distinctive directors of the past three decades. Two Man Tarantino is exactly what it sounds like, with two men hopping up on stage to re-enact diamond heists, twist dancing contests, blowing up bad guys, hunting down the hateful and more. Running at Wonderland between Thursday, November 29 and Sunday, December 2, it's an hour-long recreation that also has the perfect framing device: it's set in a video store. Everyone knows that's where Quentin Tarantino's love of movies blossomed long before he was asking Samuel L. Jackson to wax lyrical about royales with cheese — and revisiting the kind of shop that has died out in recent years is also part of the fun.
You know those presents that trigger a rapid physical response of overexposed pupils, a gaping mouth and a slight, pre-stroke tremor. Well, Trainspotters is unwrapping a pretty tasty line up for their first birthday that's going to have Brisbane kids freaking out just as much. The Grand Central Hotel has been playing host to Trainspotters for one year now and they've got a hell-of-a-lot to celebrate. They've established themselves as the go to, groove floor for any Saturday night, and they've set stage for some of Brisbane, and Australia's hippest, young musical talents - that's reason enough to buy the fancy streamers and full priced Woolies mud cake. It's only fitting Velociraptor lead the night. They're as sweet as birthday cake, and will make listeners just as sugar-dizzy. They'll be playing with The Kramers - those kids who haven't had nearly as many birthdays as you, but are 10 times as musically talented as you'll ever be. Their tune Ariel is one of the must happy go lucky songs we've seen stem from Brisbane's musical growth. Little Odessa and Surfing Bird will also be giving some hip hips on stage, making for a Christmas-rivalling line up. And if you're a party-pooper that hates music, birthdays and life, at least go for the free cake, balloons and cheap drinks - it's a birthday yo!
The best and brightest in new queer cinema is coming to Melbourne cinemas — and to couches around the country as well. When the Melbourne Queer Film Festival returns from Thursday, November 18–Monday, November 29, it's embracing big-screen sessions via a huge 145-film lineup. And, for folks who can't make it along in person, including everyone outside of Melbourne, it's also screening more than 40 flicks online. That's the film festival dream these days, giving movie lovers the flexibility to sit in a darkened theatre or watch along from home. You'll need to attend in person to make the most of MQFF's opening night, however, with the 2021 fest — the event's 31st, in fact — kicking things off with a gala screening of powerful animated documentary Flee at The Jam Factory. Other highlights include moving drama Great Freedom, which hits MQFF after picking up a prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival; closing night's Fanny: The Right to Rock, about female rock band Fanny; the Los Angeles-set Summertime, which focuses on 25 of the city's residents as their lives intersect; French romance Anaïs in Love; and the Udo Kier-starring Swan Song. Or, there's also striking Albanian drama The Hill Where Lionesses Roar; Dramarama, a coming-out comedy about theatre kids; the St Vincent and Carrie Brownstein-starring The Nowhere Inn; and South Korea's A Distance Place.
Whether you've been watching A Haunting in Venice in cinemas, Death and Other Details on streaming or The Mousetrap on the stage, murder-mysteries are rarely hard to find in Brisbane — fictional ones, of course, and purely for entertainment purposes. Accordingly, even if you're frequently sleuthing through the genre's very best, you might be feeling like you've seen every whodunnit ever. Murder Village: An Improvised Whodunnit is a cure for that sensation. In fact, even if you've seen it before — it debuted in Brisbane in 2016 — you haven't seen it before. Given that everything is made up on the night at each show by creator, director and star David Massingham and his cast, this production really isn't ever the same twice. It still takes its cues from Agatha Christie, however, just like it's one of the prolific author's 1950s novels. And, as the title makes plain, it all happens in a village where anyone could've gotten murderous. From there, the audience helps suggests where things go — and the show's actors react. You can see the results at the 2024 Brisbane Comedy Festival across Thursday, May 9–Sunday, May 12. Top image: Mark Gambino.
For three days, South Bank Parklands is celebrating love, both of the platonic and romantic kind. Perhaps you're all about Galentine's Day with your besties. Maybe you and your other half adore February 14. Both can prove true, too. Whichever fits, River Quay Green has you covered. From Friday, February 14–Sunday, February 16, 2025, this inner-city stretch of the river will becoming a picnicking haven, complete with cushions and blankets — and entry is free, as is the live entertainment. You can keep things on a budget by showing up with your own basket packed with food, or you can bring your wallet to enjoy specials from nearby and pop-up eateries. If you go for the latter, The Jetty is setting up a bar with themed cocktails, such as peach and yuzu spritzes and pineapple spicy margaritas; craft brews, including from Slipstream; and oysters, charcuterie boards, cherry pies and chocolate-covered strawberries to snack on. It's also one of two venues letting you order a feast, with its $110 picnic for two including a bottle of wine. River Quay Fish is doing hampers, either for $45 for two or $80 for four. If you're keen on either, you'll want to book them in advance. On Friday–Saturday, when the festivities run from 6–9pm, personalised love lock engraving is also on offer. On Sunday from 12–6pm, live portrait illustrations are on the agenda instead. And yes, Galentine's Day is traditionally on February 13 — as per Parks and Recreation, which started the occasion — but presumably to make the most of the weekend, South Bank is devoting the Friday and Saturday to Valentine's Day, then the Sunday to gal pals.
You don't play a character for almost 25 years if you're not fond of them. Renée Zellweger was nominated for her first Academy Award for portraying Bridget Jones — stepping into her shoes, slipping into her skirt and seesawing between her feuding romantic options, too — in 2001's Bridget Jones's Diary. Thanks to 2004's Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, 2016's Bridget Jones's Baby and now 2025's Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, she's returned to the part three times since. "Personally, I couldn't be luckier," Zellweger tells Concrete Playground about her time in the role over more than two decades, a stint that's seen the films take Bridget from a single thirtysomething scribbling her yearning for love in her journal to a widowed single mother in her 50s. The franchise's namesake was initially born in text, in an anonymous London newspaper column penned by Helen Fielding. Then, the author took the unlucky-in-love figure to bookshelves. Bridget now feels equally as tied to Zellweger, though, even if the Cold Mountain and Judy Oscar-winner herself sends the credit for the character's success Fielding's way. "It's a testament to Helen's talent, really, and what she's mined in these characters and these experiences that are universally relatable," she advises. Although all things Bridget Jones struck a chord on the page before lighting up the screen, in cinema the series has achieved a rare feat. Film franchises about everyday women aren't common — let alone a film franchise about an everyday woman who is permitted to go where life takes her over more than two decades, delights, dramas, joys, chaos and all, and who has been allowed to age from her 30s to her 50s over that time. Across its first three flicks alone, before Mad About the Boy reached picture palaces — including Down Under from Thursday, February 13 — the saga has earned over three-quarters of a billion dollars. In Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget's potential solutions to her singledom were her womanising boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant, Heretic) and buttoned-up barrister Mark Darcy (Colin Firth, Lockerbie) — and, although the picture ended with her happily in the latter's arms, The Edge of Reason repeated the same love triangle. Daniel was lost, presumed dead, in Bridget Jones's Baby, so American entrepreneur Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsey, Dexter: Original Sin) battled with Mark for her affections, and to discover who had fathered her child. In what's being presented as the franchise's final entry, and is certainly its most moving even while remaining delightfully funny, Daniel is back and firmly now a trusted friend, which Bridget needs after Mark's passing. As Mad About the Boy's love interests, then, enter Chiwetel Ejiofor (Venom: The Last Dance) as Mr Wallaker and Leo Woodall (Prime Target) as Roxster. As calm as Bridget is usually chaotic, Mr Wallaker is a teacher at the school attended by her children Billy (Casper Knopf, Rough Diamonds) and Mabel (debutant Mila Jankovic) — and, like the man that's so deeply mourned throughout the movie, his bond with everyone's favourite British rom-com heroine takes time to kick in. Twenty-nine-year-old park ranger Roxster first meets Bridget in Mr Wallaker's company, after she gets herself stuck in a tree trying to get her kids out of it. With Ejiofor and Woodall in the parts, the fourth Bridget Jones flick has enlisted more fans. "I'd always loved the films and so it was really lovely to be asked to join," Ejiofor explains. Of course, courtesy of Love Actually, the 12 Years a Slave BAFTA-winner and Oscar-nominee — and star of everything from Dirty Pretty Things, Kinky Boots and Children of Men to the Doctor Strange movies, The Old Guard and the TV version of The Man Who Fell to Earth — already had a widely loved English romantic comedy on his resume. "It's a tremendous gift to get to join this party," notes Woodall, who finds himself in his third big-name project in three years with an already-existing fanbase. No one will ever forget his turn in the second season of The White Lotus; then came his engaging performance in the television adaptation of One Day. We also chatted with Zellweger about one of the key aspects of returning to play Bridget again and again and again: that she's the same person in each film but also not, because we all change as our lives change and we get older. Ejiofor told us about portraying a character with parallels to Mark, too, and Woodall about his run of standout roles in well-known small- and big-screen series. On How Zellweger Is Playing the Same Character Each Time That She Steps Into Bridget's Shoes — But She's Also Not, Because Bridget Changes as Her Life Changes Renée: "I love that you say that. That's a big part of the experience — it feels like a familiar reunion, and then at the same time it's a rediscovery, to try to figure out how what life has thrown at her in the interim manifests. I love that you mentioned that. And especially at this stage in in life — I think that this film is tonally and stylistically a bit of a departure from the other three, and it's looking at some really meaningful milestones that a person in where we meet Bridget now is going through. So I love that you mentioned that; of course she's different. But part of the fun was also figuring out how she hasn't changed." On What Excited Ejiofor and Woodall About Joining the Franchise — and Playing New Romantic Interests for Bridget Leo: "There wasn't much that wasn't exciting. It's a tremendous gift to get to join this party and I had nothing but joy coming into this. Well, I had nerves, but they kind of started to go away once I'd met Renée and Chiwetel, and started becoming part of the family. It was lovely." Chiwetel: "I felt exactly the same way. It was a really exciting thing. I'd always loved the films and so it was really lovely to be asked to join it. And, you know, a little intimidating, but really just an embracing experience, I think, which is led by Renée — as Leo says. And you feel very comfortable very quickly within the environment of it all. It's a wonderful part as well. Just reading the script, it was so emotional and funny, and this great part to play. So what was not to like, really?" On What It Means to Zellweger to Lead a Rare Franchise That's Not Only About an Everyday Woman, But Has Followed Bridget Through Her 30s, 40s and 50s — to Box-Office Success Renée: "Wow, I guess I don't really look at it from that perspective. It's really special and it's a testament to Helen's talent, really, and what she's mined in these characters and these experiences that are universally relatable. It's just for me personally, it's a blessing. It changed my life creatively — and look at the people that I get to work with. Personally, I couldn't be luckier. Anywhere I go in the world, I meet strangers and we laugh together immediately because they want to share their own Bridget Jones experiences, and why their friends call them Bridget Jones. And what a beautiful thing that we have this thing in common immediately — and it's vulnerability and it's our humanity, and I think that's just so special." On Ejiofor's Sense of Responsibility Playing a Character with Parallels to Mark Darcy – But Never Trying to Replace Mark Darcy Chiwetel: "Mark Darcy is such an iconic character and a completely irreplaceable character, and Colin's work on it is so special that you would be, I think, nuts to even try to sort of step into the shoes in any way. I think the only real thing you could do is try to understand the character as an individual — and, I suppose, represent how Bridget is in a different place in her life and has completely different challenges. Mr Wallaker fits into those challenges in a really complex and interesting way, especially surrounding the dynamics that they have as a family — and Mr Wallaker as an educator, and therefore his relationship and what he brings to, especially Billy, Bridget's son, in terms of what they faced and what they've been through, and how he feels he can help in some way. So he's a really interesting character with this very individual arc, I think, from very buttoned-up to somebody with a few more interesting layers to that. But I think he's quite distinct, as I think Roxster is as well. They're distinct from the other characters, and I think that's what's really special about this. I think all the parts, and all of the parts through all of the films, have been so brilliant and so individually realised. And so it was really wonderful to be part of that." On How Woodall's Experiences on The White Lotus Season Two and One Day Helped Him to Step Into Another Project with an Existing Fanbase Leo: "It's a good question. I'm sure it did, partly subconsciously and consciously, I think. There's always — always — pressure when you start a new job. I am always the most nervous for day one, when you have no idea who you're going to be working with really, and how well you're going to do or how badly you'll do. So I just approach it as much as I can with the same attitude of just being open and wanting to do well, and to be nice and good to work with. I think one thing that's nice about an already-established fanbase is that everyone wants the thing to fulfil what they are expecting and what they're hoping for. So I think it kind of makes it a bit easier." Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Australia's states have been known to serve each other some pretty stiff competition when it comes to world-class boozing and bartending. We've usually got a handful of cocktail haunts vying to take the top Aussie spot in the annual World's 50 Best Bars list (last year, that was Sydney's Maybe Sammy coming in at number 22) and innovative new venues are emerging on the scene all the time. In May, global bartending competition Diageo World Class ignited even more of that interstate drinks rivalry when it named its Top 100 Australian Bartenders for 2022, who would go on to compete for the coveted title spot. And now, after a few rounds of fierce contest and some exceptional mixology, we have a winner — Nick Tesar from Melbourne's Bar Liberty has been crowned this year's Diageo World Class Australian Bartender. Held in Sydney overnight, the final stage of the annual drinks competition saw five Aussie finalists battle it out behind the bar, as they showed off their skills across three whisky-focused challenges. Joining Tesar in the ring were fellow Victorian, Black Pearl's Kayla Saito, as well as Maybe Sammy's Sarah Proietti, Eduardo Conde from Glebe's No.92 GPR and Samuel Cocks from Western Australia's Bar Rogue. The night's challenges included a mystery box-style task centred on Talisker Scotch, which Tesar owned with a cumquat-based cocktail creation, and a speed round during which the winner managed to smash out 12 show-stopping drinks in just five minutes. [caption id="attachment_623310" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Liberty, by Brook James[/caption] The newly-crowned bartending king will now go on to compete in the Diageo World Class global final in September, where he'll shake and stir up a storm alongside 55 other international hopefuls in a bid to be named World Class Global Bartender of the Year. He'll have a home-field advantage, too, with the competition to be held in Australia for the first time ever. It'll descend on Sydney as part of the World Class Cocktail Festival, from September 9–18. For full details on the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender competition and more info on Diageo World Class, check the Diageo Bar Academy website.
Getting some shuteye or even slightly comfortable on a long-haul can be tricky. With its new 17-hour non-stop Auckland to New York service on the horizon, Air New Zealand is hoping to put economy travellers to sleep with a new prototype that features six lie-flat pods. The Economy Skynest is the result of three years of research and development at its Hangar 22 innovation centre in Auckland. Each bunk bed-style Skynest, measuring 200 by 58 centimetres, will have room for six sleepers. While still yet to be confirmed, it is intended that each pod will include a full-size pillow, sheets and blanket, ear plugs along with privacy curtains and lighting designed for sleep. The airline says it is exploring other features such as separate reading light, personal device USB outlet and ventilation outlet. Air New Zealand Chief Marketing and Customer Officer Mike Tod says that the development of the Economy Skynest is a direct response to economy travellers inability to stretch out on long-haul flights. It's not the first time the carrier has put energy into making economy passengers more comfortable; the Economy Skycouch allows travellers to book an entire row and transform it into a makeshift bed, while last year saw the introduction of inflight exercise videos to enhance wellbeing. The airline today filed patent and trademark applications for the Economy Skynest. It will make a final decision on whether to operate the service next year after it has assessed the performance of its Auckland to New York operations. For more information about the Economy Skynest, visit airnz.co.nz.
Over the past 18 months, change has been sweeping through Bowen Hills, and it shows no signs of stopping any time soon. King Street continues to flourish as Brisbane's new foodie precinct, adding new eateries with frequency. A new boutique laneway is set to join the fold, complete with its own dining hub. And now a huge food truck hangout is speeding towards the Ekka site as well. The new meals-on-wheels mecca is named Welcome to Bowen Hills — and no doubt you'll be making yourself most welcome indeed when it opens in mid-February 2018. Designed to host a rotating array of Brissie's best food vans, it'll change its lineup daily. It'll also boast a permanent indoor bar slinging craft brews and cocktail jugs, plus a separate boutique gin bar called Swill. The concept not only follows in the footsteps of Melbourne's Welcome to Thornbury, but will be run by the exact same team. If you'd like an idea of just what might be in store, their Victorian venture has hosted burger festivals, mulled wine and hot cheese parties, vegan feasts and a mimosa and brunch fest — as well as events dedicated to hot chilli sauce, dim sims and dumplings, bacon and chicken nuggets. Welcome to Bowen Hills will make its home in the Dairy Hall and Sugar Building at the Brisbane Showgrounds Precinct, which has been revamped for its new purpose while also retaining the precinct's heritage. "It's full of history and atmosphere with a unique fitout, perfectly suiting the friendly community growing in this urban lifestyle precinct," explains Brisbane Showgrounds project director Andrew Hay. Find Welcome to Bowen Hills in the Dairy Hall and Sugar Building at the Brisbane Showgrounds Precinct, Bowen Hills, from mid-February 2018. Image: Welcome to Thornbury.
Normally, no one plans to go to sleep at the movies. If an uninspiring film, being in a cavernous darkened room, the comfort of recliners and daybeds, simple tiredness or any combination of the above can cause your eyes to get heavy, however, there's now a session where dozing is encouraged. More than that, having a nap is exactly what patrons are meant to do at southeast Queensland's Limelight Cinemas when its new Snooze Sessions kick off. Is this the first trip to the flicks that's all about drifting off? This chain thinks so. Its Ipswich venue initially floated the idea as an April Fool's gag, but it's now officially on the lineup, kicking off on Monday, July 14, 2025. If you hear snoring during it, well, don't be surprised. Those chaotic A Minecraft Movie screenings with "chicken jockey" screams and other mayhem that were packing cinemas earlier in 2025? Consider Snooze Sessions the exact opposite. The projectors will still get whirring, but there'll be no shouts and thrown popcorn. Also, you won't be slumbering through a big franchise hit, side-splitting comedy, affectionate rom-com or any other type of movie. Instead, relaxing visuals are on the agenda. At its first edition, Snooze Sessions is going with a rainforest theme, not just in what graces the screen but in the dialogue-free soundscape as well. Tickets cost $10 for a recliner and $20 for a double daybed — and places are limited to ensure that it truly is a restful experience Maybe this is your moviegoing dream, because picture palaces always make you sleepy. Perhaps you already know that dropping off will be impossible. Or, if you're spending cash at a cinema, you could want to actually see a film. Whatever fits, Limelight Cinemas is giving Snooze Sessions a try for a short time — and it's not joking about it.
Twin Peaks: you either love it or you love it, right? Don't just take our word for it — take Janey-E's, with her reaction expressing every Peaks-loving TV fan's as well. Indeed, both a quarter of a century ago and now, there's just absolutely nothing like David Lynch's most wonderful and strange television series. And, thanks to the music stylings of Angelo Badalamenti, there's nothing like its score and soundtrack either. In fact, the composer won a Grammy for the Twin Peaks theme, and since 1990 many a muso has tried to follow in his footsteps. Xiu Xiu have toured a stunning rendition of the show's tunes, and now it's time for a bunch of Brisbanites to try their hand at Brisbane Powerhouse's Fire Walk With Us: The Music Of Twin Peaks. As they've done in previous years at The Junk Bar, Electric Moon will assemble a 12-piece ensemble of musicians to reinterpret Badalamenti's compositions, this time for the Wonderland festival. Together, they'll be belting out new renditions of Twin Peaks' minimalist, atmospheric tracks, channelling their inner Julee Cruise, and maybe even imagining they're making like "the Nine Inch Nails" and taking to The Roadhouse's stage. Booking now for 6pm show on Sunday, November 24 is recommended, because these tickets usually sell out quicker than damn fine cherry pie.
This uber-cool barbershop has called Fortitude Valley home for a few years now — first in design firm Wrightson Stewart's workshop and now in its own shopfront on Ann Street. Owner-operator Ryan Reed hails from the Sunshine Coast and has been in the biz for over a decade having honed his craft in London before returning to Brisbane to open his own store. The sleek new space, which Ryan.Co took over in late-2019, is worlds away from the retro barbershops that you're used to seeing. But it suits its trend-forward, inner city location well, with a stripped-back industrial vibe — think bare concrete walls and a largely monochrome palette save for a few indoor plants. Here, you can expect to shell out about $30 for a standard or buzz cut, and $60 for a luxe face shave, and appointments are a must.
Buying clothes from shopping centres is fine. Ordering gifts on the internet works. And picking up a new plant for your home at Bunnings is okay (well, it's pretty good if you get a snag). But there's nothing quite like perusing rows and rows of vintage wares, handmade goods and leafy greenery at markets — and just-picked produce, too — especially when it's spring. 'Tis the season, obviously. Whether you're interested in picking up something for your house or you're particularly fond of seasonal local produce, you have options. Whatever you're after — even if it's just browsing and having a bite to eat in the process — here are our favourite ten markets happening around Brisbane during September, October and November.
Another year, another Archibald Prize forced to adapt to these pandemic-afflicted times. After the 2020 award was delayed due to COVID-19, this year's gong was handed out as normal — but now the Art Gallery of NSW exhibition that always follows has been impacted by Greater Sydney's current lockdown. So, the folks at AGNSW have released a virtual version of the popular showcase, which means both at-home Sydneysiders and folks around the rest of the country can view 2021's top portraits from their couch. The 360-degree experience lets you tour the exhibition at your own pace, and see its works as they appear within the gallery space. You can learn more about the pieces along the way as well, thanks to clickable hotspots that provide information about each artwork. Every year for the past century, the Archibald Prize has recognised exceptional works of portraiture by Australian artists. In 2021, from a field of 52 finalists, the coveted award has gone to Melbourne-based artist Peter Wegner for Portrait of Guy Warren at 100. A unanimous decision by this year's judges, Wegner's portrait of the centenarian and fellow artist obviously won the gong in a fitting year. "Guy Warren turned 100 in April — he was born the same year the Archibald Prize was first awarded in 1921," Wegner said. "This is not why I painted Guy, but the coincidence is nicely timed." Wegner's win came after an equal number of works from both male and female artists made the finalists list for the first time in Archibald history — all of which you can now scope out from home, alongside entries and winners for the Wynne and Sir John Sulman prizes, too. Across the three prizes, 2144 entries were received this year, which is the second-highest number ever after 2020. And, the three prizes received the highest-ever number of entries from Indigenous artists. If you don't agree with the judges, you can also cast your own vote for the People's Choice Award before 5pm on Sunday, August 29. [caption id="attachment_814784" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2021. Peter Wegner, 'Portrait of Guy Warren at 100'. Oil on canvas, 120.5 x 151.5 cm. © the artist. Photo: AGNSW, Felicity Jenkins. Sitter: Guy Warren.[/caption] Top image: Archibald Prize 2021 finalist. Kirsty Neilson, 'Making noise'. Oil on linen, 50.1 x 60.1 cm, © the artist. Photo: AGNSW, Felicity Jenkins.
In 2011, in this very country and galaxy, a pop culture favourite gained a singing, stripping burlesque parody. It's the mash-up that was bound to happen. Who hasn't looked at George Lucas' space opera, its sprawling drama and ample spectacle, and wondered what a steamier, funnier version with more visible butt cheeks would look like? Russall S. Beattie clearly did, and had a good feeling that other people would give it a shot. The Empire Strips Back was the end result. It became a hit around Australia, then took itself overseas to much acclaim. Now, after a successful 2019 tour back on home turf, it's coming back next year — once again showing local audiences that lightsabers aren't the hottest thing in the Star Wars galaxy. The saucy show promises "seriously sexy stormtroopers, a dangerously seductive Booba Fett, some tantalising Twi'leks, a delightfully lukewarm Taun Taun, a lady-like Skywalker [and] the droids you are looking for", according to its website. Apparently Yoda doesn't get the sexed-up treatment, but there is plenty of song, dance, acrobatics and — because it's burlesque — the removal of clothing. A dancing Chewie and Han is just the beginning of this cheeky take on Star Wars cosplay. Given that it's got an upbeat soundtrack, the costumes are extremely detailed and the show throws out lots of references to George Lucas' original plot, it's not surprising that local audiences — presumably the same ones that pack out Star Wars parties and large-scale screenings with a live orchestra — have latched onto the production. Heading to The Tivoli between Thursday, February 6 and Saturday, February 8 , The Empire Strips Back sits alongside Dame of Thrones in Beattie's pop culture parody stable — so if you've already seen one of your fantastical screen obsessions get the burlesque treatment, then you know what you're in for. If you're super keen, you can also nab a Wookieerotica magazine online: a 116-page, 70s-style men's mag, just casually featuring all of your favourite jedis, siths, ewoks and other Star Wars characters. Either way, it could be a great introduction to burlesque or Star Wars, depending on which way you're coming at it. Tickets for The Empire Strips Back's 2020 shows go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, November 12. Images: Jon Bauer, Leslie Liu and Josh Groom.
Snapping a few selfies over Christmas, and then sharing them with the world? Aren't we all. In this selfie-taking, uploading, sharing and Instagram-filling age, the days of only being able to spy your own image in a mirror or reflective surface are long gone. But, what if you could see it on a cookie, cupcake or even on top of your iced coffee? That's what New York's Selfee promises — and they can place your likeness on cold beverages and other baked goods as well. They've been holding pop-up events for the past six months, and are currently running a crowdfunding campaign to open their own store. At the time of writing, they've raised $23,516 towards their $30,000 goal with six days remaining. https://www.instagram.com/p/BOQBxEVAIgu/?taken-by=selff.ee How does it work, you're probably wondering? Flavourless, FDA-certified edible inks hold the key to feasting on food boasting your own picture — or another snap of your choosing. So does a quick printing method that happens as you watch, which gives it an advantage over existing methods of decorating food with your own image (such as cake transfers that have topped bakery fare for years — or online photo-printed marshmallow ordering service Boomf, which is co-owned by James Middleton, the brother of the Duchess of Cambridge). The New York shop will produce selfie-adorned cold-brew iced coffee, iced green tea, cupcakes, cookies, marshmallows and milkshakes, while an online store will ship cookies across America. Add it to your must-try list if you're heading to the US any time soon, or keep your fingers crossed that something similar pops up in Australia. (If you're heading to Asia, Selfie Coffee has proven popular in Singapore)> For more information about Selfee, visit their website.
Alright, guys and dolls, ready yourselves for a night of risqué cabaret that's sure to get your heart racing. This Brisbane Festival, the Courier-Mail Spiegeltent will channel all the glitz and glamour of 1920s Paris during a fully immersive burlesque extravaganza. With toe-tapping jazz, beguiling burlesque, circus tricks, side-splitting comedy and amazing music, Blanc de Blanc Encore is the kind of party that would make Jay Gatsby jealous. If you attended the first iteration of Blanc back in 2016, you'll remember the infectious fun and frivolity which ensued. If not, you best get a ticket this time around. Taking place from Thursday, September 5 to Saturday, September 28, the show will feature some big international names, including singer Vanessa Renee Jordan (Postmodern Jukebox), aerial artist Reed Kelly (Cirque du Soleil) and Spencer Novich, an award-winning clown who's performed all over the globe. Wondering who to bring along? Take date night to cheeky new heights and treat your partner to a night of edge-of-your-seat theatre; or grab your ride-or-die girlfriends — of course, don your best flapper dress, feather boa and string of pearls — and get set for an evening of captivating cabaret. But if you're a little sensitive, you might end up clutching said pearls — nudity is involved so consider this your warning. Image: Blanc De Blanc, Jacquie Manning.
Six Hunter Valley winemakers will take to the road this month for New Generation's Caravan of Courage tour. The whistle stop trip will engage wine lovers in a series of pop-up bars and dinners held all along the east coast of Australia, from Melbourne to Noosa. The events will be hosted by the six winemakers themselves, a rogue crew of thrill-seeking, bus-dwelling winos. There is no doubt that they know their stuff when it comes to wine, though. Hailing from the famed Hunter wine region, each winemaker promises event-goers the very best of their product, straight out of their big green bus accomodations. The Caravan of Courage will be making stops in Sydney on May 11 and Brisbane on May 17, each held at a secret inner-city location. To win tickets for you and a friend, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your city preference to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
One of the joys of living in a river city: walking along, near and in view of that river, a pastime that's easy to indulge in plenty of places around Brisbane. It's about to become even easier, with the city building new bridges with the same enthusiasm that Oprah Winfrey used to radiate on her talkshow giveaways. The CBD is getting one, and so is Kangaroo Point — while West End is set to score two, and Breakfast Creek will get one as well. All of these new bridges will be perfect for Brisbanites to stroll along, because that's exactly what they're being built for. As green bridges, they won't be open to cars. And if you're wondering about the Brekkie Creek structure, and how it will add to the riverside walk along Kingsford Smith Drive, Brisbane City Council has just revealed new details and images. While the Kangaroo Point bridge will include an overwater restaurant and bar, this northside stretch across the water will be far simpler. Here, it'll be all about moseying and soaking in the view. Set to span 80 metres, it'll feature dedicated pathways for pedestrians and cyclists — at a minimum width of six metres — all while extending the existing Lores Bonney Riverwalk and reaching over to Newstead Park. "The Lores Bonney Riverwalk is currently used 2300 times a day, and this new green bridge will improve safety and increase capacity to the riverwalk by creating a continues walking and cycling connection," said Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. He continued: "these green bridges will take cars off our roads and deliver new connections that will make Brisbane an even better place to live." Appearance-wise, arches feature prominently — and the design will be decked out in hues that match the Moreton Bay Fig trees in the area. At its landing point at Newstead Park, it'll be designed to integrate easily with the park's heritage look as well. And, the bridge will include LED lighting and rest stops as well, and also help connect the CBD with Olympics Athletes Village that's planned for Northshore Hamilton during the 2032 Olympics. Yes, the 'o' word is going to get a mention with every new project that pops up for the next 11 years, plus every already-in-the-works project that comes to fruition. Brisbane City Council has also already announced that it's looking at revamping a stretch of the river in South Brisbane for the Olympic Games, too, with the ultimate aim of turning it into a new South Bank-esque seven-hectare parkland precinct afterwards. The Breakfast Creek green bridge is set to come to fruition well before the games, however, with a 2023 opening date mooted and construction due to start before the end of 2021. That said, the final design does still need to get final approval from Council's independent planning officers. The Breakfast Creek green bridge is expected to open by 2023. For further details, head to the Brisbane City Council website. Images: Brisbane City Council.
The time-honoured Italian tradition of aperitivo has been embraced by Australians. Across the country, heaps of bars and restaurants offer aperitivo specials — but have you ever tried throwing your own aperitivo hour at home with family and friends? Classic Italian apéritif brand Aperol is here to help you do just that. It has launched a series of Aperol Spritz @ 6pm experiences, which are hosted by some of the country's top chefs, musicians and artists. With these, you can try out new recipes, partake in virtual art classes and learn how to create the perfect playlist for your (socially distant and responsibly sized) get together. Keen to pair your spritz with some snacks? Saké Restaurant & Bar has shared three of its signature recipes that'll seriously impress your mates during your aperitivo hang. Learn how to whip up kingfish sashimi, karaage chicken with yuzu mayo and salmon hand rolls via an easy to follow video. Or, you can log on for a cooking class with Fratelli Fresh's culinary director Gabor Denes, who'll demonstrate how to make the restaurant's famous lasagna, as well as pappardelle, linguini and farfalle from scratch. There's also a music mixing session with DJ Niki Dé Saint — a musician who's played at Fashion Week Sydney and Paris, Melbourne's F1 Grand Prix and Vivid — who'll also share her top playlists to set the mood for your aperitivo, and a sunset-inspired painting class with artist and photographer Danielle Cross. There are a heap of prizes up for grabs, too, including $150 vouchers for Saké Restaurant & Bar in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, and an Aperol Spritz cocktail pack — with Aperol, prosecco, Fever Tree soda water, Aperol Spritz glasses and a jigger — delivered straight to your door. The cocktail pack competition is running weekly until July 12, and to enter you need to post a pic of you and your mates having a spritz on Instagram or Facebook and tag @aperolspritzau and #SpritzAt6. You can check out all the details over here. To check out all of the Aperol Spritz @ 6pm experiences and enter the competition, head on over to the Aperol website. Remember to Drinkwise. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
It's hump day, which means it's time to start thinking about the weekend (if you're not already). And, excitingly, the weekend coming up is a long one. With all states, territories and capital cities copping an absolute scorching over the past couple of weeks, we thought we'd take a look at what's on the menu for the Australia Day long weekend. Our capital is going to be bearing the brunt of the heat with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting Canberra will remain in the near-40s from Friday through Saturday, with Sunday dipping to 35 with 30 percent chance of rain. We suggest hitting the sand in the early morning before it gets too hot (and before the UV peaks). Down the coast in Melbourne, Friday is expected to be a fiery 41 — luckily this all-vegan gelateria is giving out 1000 free ice creams to make it slightly more bearable — but Saturday's only hitting a max of 26, with 40 percent chance of showers. Sunday and Monday will also hover around the mid-20s, with minimal showers predicted, so it'll be perfect weather for a hike or splash around in a body of water. There'll be no near-40 temperatures in Sydney, instead just mid-to-low 30s across the board, with little chance of rain. Our mates at BOM are predicting extremely high UV during the day on Friday and Saturday, so do cover up (with clothes, zinc or sunscreen) if you plan to head outdoors to the beach or to Yabun Festival, an all-day celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Brisbane is expected to be equally subdued, with 33 degrees predicted all weekend. If this sounds like perfect gin-drinking weather to you, you'll be happy to know that two juniper-heavy parties will, in fact, be taking place across the weekend, as well as GABS' much-hyped top 100 craft beer countdown. Across the country, Perth is expected to be dry and balmy, sitting in the mid-20s, while Darwin should expect rain and thunderstorms every day for the next week. Adelaide folk will be cranking their air-cons with 45 predicted tomorrow, before it eases off to the mid-30s for the rest of the week. Hobart will be ten degrees cooler, with mid-20s expected across the weekend. To help you plan your beach trips, we've rounded up our favourite ten spots in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Images: Lorne by Robert Blackburn; Manly by Paros Huckstepp; Currumbin via Flickr.
It's a dream everyone has shared since 1993 — or, since you first saw Jurassic Park. Who hasn't wished that they could see dinosaurs up close at a theme park (albeit without having to evacuate an island afterwards)? Yep, author Michael Crichton and filmmaker Steven Spielberg have a lot to answer for. Or, we can thank them for not only letting us live out this fantasy on the page and screen, but inspiring other dino-themed attractions to pop up. Sure, America's Moab Giants Dinosaur Park doesn't offer living, breathing versions of the prehistoric creatures; however it does let you wander around 60 acres of desert and view more than 100 life-sized renderings. Opening back in September 2015 but finishing their final exhibit just last month, the Utah establishment is just what dinosaur fans have hoped for — as long as they've hoped to see these giant critters in dry, rocky surroundings, that is. When you're not literally following in their footsteps along a half-mile-long trail, you can get a 3D glimpse of what the area looked like when dinos roamed the earth, add two extra dimensions courtesy of virtual reality to explore the world of ancient sea beasts, pretend you're in a paleontologists' camp and even try to dig up some fossils. Sounds like the closest you're probably getting to visiting Jurassic Park, doesn't it? Aka, it sounds pretty dino-tastic. Think of it as your ideal dinosaur-oriented getaway, in case the Gold Coast's rumoured next theme park doesn't ever come to fruition — or, an overseas alternative to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton in central outback Queensland. Via AWOL.
Inspired? A class that'll keep you wired? Both apply at Espresso Yoga. The natural evolution in the spate of beer, wine and cocktail-fuelled fitness sessions that've been getting Brisbanites active, this Saturday morning workout comes with an espresso martini at the end. Yes, you read that correctly — you won't actually be sipping while you stretch, but you will have quite the motivation to get through the day's poses, moves and salutations. This won't be the first time you've rewarded yourself for doing exercise with something tasty, although it might be the one with the biggest post-workout buzz. With Espresso Yoga taking place at the Mon Komo Hotel in Redcliffe, you'll also rove your eyes over coastal views throughout the session. Classes start at 9am on Saturday, January 12 and again on Saturday, January 19, with the liquid energy flowing at 10am. Tickets cost a very affordable $15, and if you'd like the bliss without the booze, you can head along for just $5.
It's a scenario that every Australian can relate to: it's summer, the temperature has reached scorching levels and you can hear the sounds of someone splashing around in a cool, refreshing pool. Alas, those noises aren't emanating from your own pool, because you don't have one — and you don't know your neighbours well enough to just pop by for a dip. And, maybe your local swimming spot is too far away, you don't live near the beach or the nearest public pool is closed for the day. Add all of the above together, and you're stuck trying to cool down in the bath or under the fan. Enter Swimply, a service that's operational in nearly 20 American states, just launched in Toronto in Canada, and is set to head to Australia by summer, according to Lonely Planet. Like every other service that's popped up in today's sharing economy, it's all about renting out something that one person has and doesn't use all of the time, to another person that has a short-term need. In this case, it lets folks with pools lease out their backyard swimming spots when they're not in use, and lets folks without pools find a place for a splash. If you fall into the latter category, you can look for a spot by the day or for a weekend. If you're after a pool with specific facilities and inclusions — such as a changing area, lounge chairs, wifi, a shady spot to sit under and heated waters — you can do that too. Prices aren't particularly cheap, hovering around the US$40 mark for a day, but if you're planning a dip with your pals and can split the cost, it's much more affordable. Add Swimply to the list of Airbnb-like ventures popping up — services that let you stay in architecturally significant houses, the homes of friends of friends, camping grounds, and caravans and campervans; rent out your spare room to refugees; find a music studio; and take care of your luggage needs overseas. This one sounds particularly enticing, however, especially as the warmer weather starts to hit. For further details, visit Swimply's website and Facebook page.
If an apocalypse ever brings humanity so close to extinction that there might only be two people left, one thing is certain: if that duo is together and can communicate, they'll spend most of their time nattering about nothing. They'll talk. They'll argue. They'll fill the days, months and years by talking and arguing. They'll still be human, in other words, doing what humans do. Biosphere sets up house within this very scenario, and in that exact truth. Here, lifelong pals Billy (Mark Duplass, Language Lessons) and Ray (Sterling K Brown, This Is Us) are the only folks left after the planet has met a catastrophic fate — one that, because he was the US President when things went dystopian, Billy likely had a hand in — and they're now confined to the movie's titular structure. So, they talk. Sometimes, they argue. When first-time feature-length filmmaker Mel Eslyn plunges the audience into this situation, her characters have been talking and arguing, then arguing and talking, for so long that it's just what they do. Working with a script that she co-penned with Duplass, Eslyn introduces Biosphere's viewers to a self-contained ecosystem of discussing and disagreeing. In the abode designed and built by Ray, a scientist and Billy's former advisor, this pair has no other choice. "Self-contained" perfectly sums up the sensation when the film begins flickering, too — as Ray and Billy go for their daily jog around the sphere, talking and arguing as they trot, their dynamic and their routine is conveyed with such efficiency that it feels like you've been watching for longer than you have. Biosphere doesn't drag, though. Rather, it's excellent at constructing a lived-in world with Billy and Ray as they live through what could be the end of the world. It's ace at storytelling as well, but the talking, the arguing, and the immersive and relatable air all smartly say plenty about a movie that recognises from the outset how adaptable people are. "Life finds a way", aka pop culture's go-to Jurassic Park quote about resilience and versatility, even gets a mention in Biosphere. Life has clearly found a way to keep Billy and Ray chatting and conflicting like they've always done since childhood — the fact that their banter about Super Mario Bros and other trivial minutiae could be happening anywhere is purposefully meant to linger — but that's not all that Eslyn and Duplass have that famous line of dialogue sum up. Biosphere's narrative gets its drama when tragedy strikes the pond of fish that Billy and Ray have been using for sustenance, then a surprise development makes just as much of an impact. Life again finds a way in a number of manners, in a picture that revels in taking its audience along for the ride. While the second big revelation is easy to predict after the first, Biosphere's commitment to it keeps astonishing. A question lingers at the heart of this cleverly contemplative survival comedy: if all that was left of humans really was just two buddies shooting the shit and literally running in circles as they live Bio-Dome- and Spaceship Earth-style, how would the species respond? To be accurate, that's just one of many trains of thought in a layered screenplay that gets Duplass again unpacking modern masculinity as 2009 mumblecore entry Humpday did also. Two things couldn't be more important, then: tone and casting, which Eslyn and Duplass patently know. Biosphere is a film about interactions and reactions, after all, which couldn't be more dependent upon the prevailing mood and the players involved. Over and over, the movie's creative hands express and interrogate their ideas not just through the tale they're telling, but through filmmaking's fundamental elements. Again, this is efficient cinema — and effective. Biosphere's pivotal vibe is loose and light yet tender and compassionate. As writers, Eslyn and Duplass know what to take seriously, what to joke with and about, and how to avoid plummeting their huge twist into extinction. They lean into awkwardness but also hope. With all the talking and arguing, they also understand the rhythms of chatter and silence. None of this should be underestimated, and nor should Eslyn's fine-tuned efforts in bringing this sci-fi setup to the screen. Even the slightest wrong or false move would've punctured the film irreparably. Examining friendship, anxiety, identity and the nature of existence is like erecting and then dwelling in a dome when everything beyond the plastic is always pitch black, with shattering a fragile idyll far easier than maintaining it. Directing after shorts, TV series Room 104, and producing a swag of Duplass-starring flicks (Your Sister's Sister, The One I Love, Blue Jay, Creep 2, Paddleton and Language Lessons, for instance), Eslyn seems fated to have had cinematographer Nathan M Miller (also Paddleton) and the rest of her crew peer her co-scribe's way. Duplass frequently pens the indie flicks that he's in — solo or with a partner — but he's also excellent as Billy, who starts off as the slacker goof of this two-hander despite his presidential past. Selling the character's complicated journey from there isn't a simple task, but Duplass makes it look as easy and realistic as all the conversation and quarrelling. As the serious and analytical Ray, Brown is just as superbly cast in an equally as complex part. And their chemistry? Any filmmaker with actors who gel this well would have them talking almost non-stop, too. With its confined setting, lone pair of on-screen talents and dialogue-heavy approach, Biosphere is an economical movie, too, making the utmost of limited resources. Keeping the details about doomsday's coming vague might seem a budget-driven move as a result — neither telling nor showing what happened, nor what lurks beyond other than a growing green light in the sky — but it's also the best choice for the narrative. Why Billy and Ray are in this predicament is far less fascinating than what they do after their world gets domed in. Compared to exploring how humans adapt and cope from the ordinary talking and arguing through to the downright extraordinary, it's even superficial. Diving deeper comes naturally to this end-times comedy, although it does possess a fitting worst trait: loving existing so much that it's unsure about how to end.
Over the past few years, Gelatissimo has whipped up a number of creative flavours, including frosé sorbet, ginger beer gelato, Weet-Bix and fairy bread varieties, hot cross bun gelato and even gelato for dogs. For its latest offering, the Australian dessert chain is taking inspiration from an extremely popular drink: bubble tea. Yes, bubble tea is now a thing you can eat, not just drink, thanks to Gelatissimo. Launching this Friday, July 24, the brown sugar bubble milk tea flavour is made from a combination of organic assam tea and black tea, which are infused in creamy gelato and mixed with a swirl of brown sugar syrup. As it wouldn't really be a bubble tea without pearls, each cup or cone comes topped with chewy brown sugar tapioca pearls. If you order a takeaway tub, pearls come packed separately. Prefer sipping on your bubble tea rather than scooping it? Gelatissimo is also whizzing the limited-edition flavour into gelato shakes. As Victoria is in lockdown and NSW residents have been advised against non-essential travel, Gelatissimo is bringing the gelato to you and offering delivery through UberEats, DoorDash and Deliveroo. Gelatissimo's brown sugar bubble milk gelato flavour is available from all 43 stores nationwide for a limited time.
Get your wish, This That fans: come November, the coastal festival will return for the first time since early 2022 with another impressive lineup. US singer, songwriter and producer Porter Robinson leads the just-dropped roster of talent for the two-city touring event, which hits up Brisbane and Newcastle, joined by Australian favourites Gang of Youths. Queenslanders, you're heading to Sandstone Point Hotel on Saturday, November 4 to dance to 'Goodbye to a World' and 'Let Me Down Easy'. Music lovers of New South Wales, make a date with Wickham Park in Newcastle on Saturday, November 11. Also on the first This That 2023 lineup announcement: Peking Duk, Hockey Dad, Alex Lahey, Slumberjack, Set Mo and The Presets doing a DJ set, plus Lola Scott, Trophy Eyes, Dear Seattle, Chillinit, Hooligan Hefs, Jesswar, Sophiya, Godlands, Kinder, Alice Ivy and more. This That has traditionally taken place in spring, but that time of year wasn't happy for the fest, or for Newcastle and Brisbane folks planning to dance their way through the music festival, in 2022. The event had to pull the plug on its October and November dates "due to a combination of issues", organisers advised; however, it always promised that it'd be back in 2023. Some of this year's acts were also on last year's cancelled lineup, such as The Presets, Winston Surfshirt, Chillinit, Hockey Dad and Jesswar. This That 2023 will take place across three stages: the This stage, complete with fireworks; the That stage, the go-to for DJs and rappers; and the Other stage, which is about art, immersion and sensory installations. THIS THAT NOVEMBER 2023 DATES: Saturday, November 4 Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point, Queensland Saturday, November 11: Wickham Park, Newcastle, New South Wales THIS THAT NOVEMBER 2023 LINEUP: Porter Robinson Gang Of Youths Alex Lahey Alice Ivy Chillinit Dear Seattle Eliza & The Delusionals Godlands Hockey Dad Hooligan Hefs Jesswar Kinder Kita Alexander Lola Scott Peking Duk The Presets [DJ set] Set Mo Slumberjack [Live] Sophiya Trophy Eyes Winston Surfshirt + Triple J Unearthed winner Newcastle only: Made On Sunday DJs Ned Bennett Who Is Arcadia Daydreaming Soundsystem Queensland only: Rory Tolsher Sammy G Jess Toasty This That will return in November 2023, playing Sandstone Point in Queensland and Newcastle in New South Wales. For more information, and for pre-sale tickets from 8am on Tuesday, August 1 and general sales from 8am on Thursday, August 3, head to the festival's website. Images: Mitch Lowe / Jordan Munns / Zagexma via Wikimedia Commons.
It takes just over 50 seconds for the Cat Person trailer to get Margot (Emilia Jones, CODA) uttering nine glaringly accurate words: "this is the worst life decision I've ever made". She's talking about dating Robert (Nicholas Braun, Succession), a regular at the cinema where the 20-year-old college student works — and she's speaking a line that everyone read in 2017, in the viral short story to end all viral short stories from the past decade. Six years back, when the December issue of The New Yorker arrived, Kristen Roupenian's tale of a nightmare relationship instantly went viral. That's where the world first met Margot and Robert, and stepped into this wild story. Cat Person was then printed as a book, and of course Hollywood came calling as well. The movie that's resulted debuted at the Sundance Film Festival earlier in 2023, has locked in an October 26 release in Australia and also just dropped its trailer. There are bad dates, and then there's this bad date, as Jones and Braun bring to the screen in the film's first sneak peek. "Listen, concession stand girl, why don't you give me your number?" Robert asks while Margot is slinging popcorn. From there, a flurry of texts springs, then terrible kissing, then massive discrepancies that become evident the more time that the pair spend together IRL. And, when Margot decides to break things off, in comes a change in his behaviour. As Cat Person sinks its claws into modern dating, the role that technology now plays and the gender divide, Susanna Fogel (the director of The Spy Who Dumped Me and one of Booksmart's writers) helms, Michelle Ashford (Operation Mincemeat) and adapts Roupenian's text. Featuring on-screen alongside Jones and Braun: Geraldine Viswanathan (Miracle Workers), Isabella Rossellini (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), Hope Davis (Asteroid City), Fred Melamed (Barry), Liza Koshy (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts) and Michael Gandolfini (Beau Is Afraid). "Like the short story that stirred so much controversy, Cat Person will call upon you to reflect on romantic encounters you've had in the past, and to question the role (or multiple roles) you may have played," said Fogel about the film. "We've all been the victim in some narratives and the villain in others, and I hope you'll walk out of this film with a strong opinion, ready to debate." Check out the trailer for Cat Person below: Cat Person will release on October 26, 2023 Down Under.
A circus-themed arcade bar was the kidulting experience that Brisbane didn't know it needed when it opened back in 2019. That spot: Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, which set up shop at Toombul as part of its then-new entertainment and dining precinct. But since the shopping centre was inundated with water in the 2022 floods, there's been no fun and games to be had. Now that Toombul is officially being torn down, the team behind Archie Brothers has announced that the brand's only Brisbane site is on the move. Next stop: Bowen Hills, settling into King Street from Wednesday, September 6 with arcade games, drinks, bowling and more. Funlab, which is also boasts boozy mini-golf chain Holey Moley, Strike Bowling, the also games-related B. Lucky & Sons and challenge-room venue Hijinx Hotel in its stable — and opened a new Holey Moley and Hijnx Hotel in Chermside just last year — will take over a 340-person space. Inside, visitors will find everything from excuses to mash buttons to OTT cocktails, plus a six-lane bowling alley and karaoke rooms. Archie Brothers Bowen Hills will also feature Hungry Hungry Hippos, Connect 4 Hoops and Mario Kart games, The QUBE virtual reality experiences, and party rooms. More dodgem cars, air hockey, basketball hoops, VR, Dance Dance Revolution — that's all on the way to the King Street precinct as well. On the drinks list: alcoholic concoctions like the Pop Till you Drop (made with fireball, butterscotch, apple juice, maple popcorn, bitters and whipped cream) and the Candy Stand (a strawberry shake featuring white rum, Frangelico, a vanilla candy frosted rim and a giant lollipop, plus whipped cream and sprinkles). Archie Bros' food menu focuses on over-the-top novelty American diner grub — and fits right in with the circus decor. At Toombul, that included three-meat burgers, giant pretzels, and potato gems with garlic aioli that's served in a syringe. The venue will launch with a shindig, taking place on Saturday, September 16 as part of Brisbane Festival. at the 80s-themed street party, expect games — obviously — plus dance competitions, DJs spinning old-school tracks and roller skating all across King Street. "Following the closure of our Archie Brothers venue in Toombul Shopping Centre after the 2022 floods, we've been looking for the next best home for Archie Brothers in Brisbane — and where better than Bowen Hills? The heart of Brisbane," said Funlab CEO Michael Schreiber. "We're looking forward to bringing our much-loved brand back to the people of Brisbane, providing residents and visitors alike with an unforgettable experience where imagination knows no bounds, and they can create joyful moments and lasting memories." Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq will open at 3/30 King Street in Bowen Hills on Wednesday, September 6 — head to the venue's website for further details.
With its four-word title, Brisbane's latest music festival sends a clear message. After more than a year of lockdowns and restrictions, all of which have impacted the city's live music scene, this new event wants to let gigs go on. It wants to Let the Music Play, to be exact, and it's taking to multiple Fortitude Valley venues on Saturday, September 18 to make that statement — and to show Brisbanites a good time.. Taking place at the Fortitude Music Hall, The Zoo and outside at The Brightside, this fest celebrates everything we know and love about heading to a gig — including being able to hop onto the dance floor. So, you'll be able to do just that as you mosey between venues and check up an impressive lineup that spans The Jungle Giants, Shag Rock, Nerve, Voiid, Concrete Surfers and more. Also appearing: supergroup Expo88, which features members of Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants, Good Boy, Sweater Curse and Simi Lacroix. They'll ring in a few special guests, too, and play a selection of Brissie's greatest hits — so expect tunes by Powderfinger, Custard, Veronicas, The Go-Betweens, Violent Soho and Savage Garden, obviously. Top image: Vincent Shaw.
Since Australia is now its second largest importer, it's high time we learned a thing or two about the brewing and history of the fermented rice spirit known as sake. Cue Moga's Sake Masterclass. Since 1902, Fukui's (Japan) Ippongi Sake Brewery has been renowned for its pure, high-quality dry sake and will be bringing us a rare opportunity: to meet third generation Sake Master Kakutaro Kubo. Kubo will be headed to Paddington's Moga Izayaka for the classes that give sake bluffers a clue in. For $85, participants will get an introduction to the art of brewing, an education on sake's history and an appreciation of its role in tradition. You'll also score a six-course dinner from the restaurant's head chef Satoshi-san, paired with matching sakes and house made umeshu (plum liqueur). It all happens from 6.45pm on Friday, November 8, so call (07) 3367 2808 for bookings.
As Brisbane's largest antique centre, Camp Hill Antique Centre is a vibrant cluster of collectors and dealers, stocking over 70 dealers under one roof. It's the second venture for former TV and film assistant director, Sarah Jane Walsh, and ARIA-nominated Paul Butler. The duo is also responsible for Woolloongabba Antique Centre and Cafe. If all the trawling through exquisite antiques leaves you in need of a caffeine hit, the on-site cafe, Tart, is certain to hit the spot.
In 2020, when the Australian Government tightened its restrictions on public gatherings and social distancing in a bid to contain COVID-19, the country's flurry of event cancellations included the Ekka. It might now be 2021, but given that southeast Queensland is under lockdown again in an attempt to stop the region's latest coronavirus outbreak — and that those stay-at-home conditions will continue until at least 4pm on Sunday, August 8 — the annual show has just shuttered its 2021 plans. As announced at Queensland's daily COVID-19 press conference, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said that "the lockdown extends beyond the intended start day of the Ekka, so that means we've had to make the very regrettable decision to advise the Ekka to cancel their event for this year. It will not be able to go ahead." This year's event was due to take over the Brisbane Showgrounds from Saturday, August 7–Sunday, August 15. First held in 1876, this is only the fourth time in the show's 144-year history that it has been cancelled — with previous cancellations in 1919 and 1942 due to the Spanish Flu and World War 11, respectively, and in 2020. The Ekka joins a growing list of big events that have been impacted by the pandemic for two consecutive years — such as Bluesfest, Splendour in the Grass, Vivid Sydney and the Royal Melbourne Show. The 2021 Ekka will no longer take place from Saturday, August 7–Sunday, August 15. For more information, visit the show's website. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about the lockdown and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website.
Here's the headlines: Drake has announced Australian and New Zealand gigs for 2025; it'll be his first trip this way since 2017; and you're now going to have 'Hotline Bling', 'Too Good', 'Passionfruit', 'Nice for What', 'In My Feelings', 'One Dance' and 'Laugh Now Cry Later' stuck in your head again. The Canadian artist is bringing his Anita Max Win tour Down Under, locking in seven shows in four cities. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland, this is what's next. The five-time Grammy-winner will head this way in February and March, kicking off on Sunday, February 9–Monday, February 10 at Rod Laver Arena in the Victorian capital. The following week, it's the Harbour City's turn at Qudos Bank Arena across Sunday, February 16–Monday, February 17. After that, Drake will play the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and Spark Arena in Auckland on Friday, February 28–Saturday, March 1. The Degrassi: The Next Generation star last took to the stage in this neck of the woods on his Boy Meets World tour, and eight years will have passed between those shows and his 2025 visit. The platinum-selling singer is fresh off his 2023–24 It's All A Blur Tour, which saw him chalk up over 80 soldout shows in North America. On that last visit, Drake had four studio albums to his name: 2010's Thank Me Later, 2011's Take Care, 2013's Nothing Was the Same and 2016's Views. He's doubled that since, so expect tunes from 2018's Scorpion, 2021's Certified Lover Boy, 2022's Honestly, Nevermind and 2023's For All the Dogs, too. The Anita Max Win tour's announcement isn't new news if you've been paying attention to Drake's social media, where he's been teasing details — but now consider it all officially locked in. And yes, there's plenty of space between his 2025 Aussie and NZ shows — a great sign if you're worried about a huge demand for tickets, because there's room for more concerts to be announced. Drake's 'Anita Max Win' Tour 2025 Australian and New Zealand Dates Sunday, February 9–Monday, February 10 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Sunday, February 16–Monday, February 17 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, February 24 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Friday, February 28–Saturday, March 1 — Spark Arena, Auckland Drake is touring Australia and New Zealand in February 2025, with various ticket presales from Tuesday, December 2, 2024 at various times — and general sales from 12pm local time on Friday, December 6, 2024. Head to the tour website for more details. Images: The Come Up Show via Flickr.
This Christmas, all you need is love — plus a festive little cabaret that showcases all of the hit tunes from Love Actually. It's the way to celebrate the season when you're not just leaving the seasonal favourite flick on repeat at home. Yep, that's Christmas Actually. Created by the folks behind Rumour Has It and Lady Beatle, Christmas Actually features all of the tracks that've become synonymous with this merry time of year — including Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You', naturally. Songs by Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Eva Cassidy, The Beach Boys and The Beatles are all on the bill as well — and, to help belt them out, Price will be joined by Luke Kennedy, Irena Lysiuk, Doron Chester, Scott French, Mik Easterman, OJ Newcomb and Luke Volker. There'll even be more than one nativity lobster, plus a jolly mood and a whole room full of festive cheer. That room is Brisbane Powerhouse, where Christmas Actually plays its 2024 season from Tuesday, December 10–Sunday, December 15. Get excited by revisiting Love Actually's trailer below. 'Tis the season, after all. Top image: Katy Bedford.
Folks looking to get their art fix on the northside don't have to stray too far into the CBD. Have a browse through Andrew Baker Art Dealer in Bowen Hills where paintings, photography and sculptures from established contemporary artists from across Australasia are exhibited and sold. Get inspired by the captivating works on show or invest in a piece to take home. Check out the website to find out more. Images: Kiel Wode
Change is coming to The Witcher, with Henry Cavill (Zack Snyder's Justice League) set to relinquish Geralt of Rivia's icy locks after Netflix's hit fantasy series' upcoming third season. Before that big switch — which will see The Hunger Games, The Dressmaker and Independence Day: Resurgence's take over the role — fear is coming first, as the just-dropped first trailer for the show's next batch of episodes teases. "Now, for the first time, I understand real fear," growls Geralt to kick off the debut sneak peek at The Witcher season three — complete with his sword at the ready. Elsewhere, Ciri (Freya Allan, The Third Day) has ghost cavalry on her tail, while Yennefer (Anya Chalotra, The ABC Murders) has her own scares to deal with. Need a refresher on the story so far? Haven't watched the first two seasons yet? If The Witcher's name sounds familiar, that's because it's based on the short stories and novels of writer Andrzej Sapkowski — and, as well as being turned into comics, it was adapted the video game series of the same name. A Polish film and TV show also reached screens in the early 2000s, although they were poorly received. In the Netflix series, Cavill plays the witcher of the title. Geralt of Rivia is a monster hunter who prefers to work — aka slay beasts — alone in a realm called The Continent. But life has other plans for the lone wolf, forcing him to cross paths with powerful sorceress Yennefer and young princess Ciri. When it tosses a coin to its witcher again, season three will take its cues from Time of Contempt, the second book in Sapkowski's series. The new batch of episodes will hit streaming queues this winter Down Under, featuring eight instalments split into two parts. Volume 1 arrives on Thursday, June 29, with Volume 2 following on Thursday, July 27. One of Netflix's big successes, The Witcher has been renewed for a fourth season, too, which happened back in 2022 long before its third had a trailer or a release date — something that also occurred with season three before season two dropped as well, and with season two before season one debuted before that. But instead of Cavill as Geralt, Hemsworth will replace him, as also announced in 2022. The Witcher franchise doesn't just include the show itself, but also animated flick The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, which hit Netflix in 2021. And, there's 2022 prequel series The Witcher: Blood Origin, which takes place 1200 years before Geralt's time, spans four episodes and stars Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh. Check out the first teaser trailer for The Witcher's third season below: The Witcher's third season will hit Netflix in winter 2023 Down Under, releasing in two parts — with Volume 1 arriving on Thursday, June 29 and Volume 2 on Thursday, July 27.
UPDATE: MARCH 19, 2020 — The Cat Cuddle Cafe has announced that the Cat Cuddle Cafe Twilight Market, including the speed cat patting sessions, on Friday, March 27 has been postponed — with no new date as scheduled as yet. Ticket holders will receive a full refund. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. How many cats can you pat in 20 minutes? Don't know? Would you like to find out? Of course you would. From 5.30pm on Friday, March 27, Lutwyche's Cat Cuddle Cafe is hosting speed-patting sessions. You bring your feline-stroking hands, they'll provide the kitties — and it'll cost you just $5. Getting up close and cosy to the cutest of cats is just one part of the evening's festivities. The other is a twilight market in the cafe's car park. With the venue run by a rescue organisation, all your money will go to a good cause, too. Plus, there'll be stalls from other rescue groups so you can share the support around. If you fancy something to eat or a hot beverage, the cafe will also be serving up food and drinks — because all that browsing is hungry and thirsty work. And if it all sounds familiar, that's because the Cat Cuddle Cafe has held the same shindig a few times now. Unsurprisingly, the market keeps proving a hit, so the Lutwyche Road spot keeps bringing it back for more.
