If Nambour can have a big pineapple, Bundaberg a big rum bottle and Bowen a big mango, then Queensland's capital can have a large likeness of the item that really has become nearest and dearest to its citizens — or to their stomachs, at least. "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" isn't just advice your mum doled out when you were at school. It's also Brisbane's new motto when it comes to the food craze we can't get enough of. Yes, we're talking about doughnuts. What else? With every corner of town seemingly selling the fried, glazed morsels (often pumped full of devilishly gooey fillings, and coloured so brightly that you can probably spot them from space), Brisbane City Council has finally decided that they may as well embrace the trend. In doing so, they're adding another landmark to the cityscape — and it'll definitely be big, probably a bit awkward looking, most likely made of fibreglass, and will certainly attract tourists, inspire merchandise, and feature in way too many selfies. Prepare to say hello to Brisbane's brand new giant doughnut monument. King George Square is the current preferred site for this Springfield-like monument to doughy desserts, because building it in the actual Brisbane suburb of Springfield would be way too obvious. The CBD location would ensure that that massive round object also serves another very important purpose: casting some shade over the area's sun-drenched, so-hot-you-could-cook-a-doughnut-on-it pavement. Soon, you'll be hanging out in the inner-city space, meeting your mates in the statue's shadow, and presumably feasting on as many cinnamon-coated snacks as you can consume. Those'll be the days. That's just the beginning of the colossal sweet treat trend, though — consider it the Brisbane City Council dipping a toe in the icing, if you like. If the big doughnut becomes the hit everyone knows it will be, another idea is on the agenda. Fancy soaring over South Bank on a revolving version of the pastry wonder (aka The Wheel of Brisbane repainted and made to look like a giant, rotating doughnut), anyone? [caption id="attachment_565927" align="alignnone" width="631"] Image: @marina_mendes1984.[/caption] Top image: Reddit.
After snagging their second ARIA for Best Heavy/Hard Rock Release, DZ Deathrays are doing a victory lap of Australia this February and March in celebration of their second album, Black Rat. Big, loud and in-face, the lads' second offering demonstrated DZ Deathray’s versatility, from their classic DZ sound on 'Reflective Skull', to the wonderfully frantic 'Gina Works at Hearts', to the moodier 'Northern Lights'. It’s all there and it’s all good. The Get Rich or Drunk Tryin’ tour will see the boys reunited with past touring pals, and good mates in general, Bass Drum Of Death (USA) and Hockey Dad. After an absolutely massive 2014 filled with international touring, it's nice to have the Brisbane lads home. Catch them while you can.
West End and watering holes go hand-in-hand. Pubs, bars, cafes that serve booze — throw a stone in the inner west suburb and you'll hit one. But there's always room for more, with The Montague Hotel adding its own blend of brews and food to the mix come the end of April. Setting up shop on the road that shares its name, The Montague Hotel — or the Monty, as the pub has nicknamed itself — will boast plenty on both the drinks and the dining front. Enough to encourage both West End residents and those who find themselves in the vicinity to drop by more than once. Indeed, that's their aim — in a place filled with spots to have a sneaky sip or two, the 80-seat restaurant and 400-capacity premises wants to become the suburb's new go-to drinking spot. Showcasing local creatives, as seen in the venue's wall mural by street artist Stewart Shuker, is also on the cards. Beverage-wise, copper beer tanks above the bar will pump out CUB brews, while the Montague will also pour craft tipples from the likes of Newstead Brewing, Green Beacon and Fortitude Brewing, helping to tempt thirsty patrons. In total, more than 17 beers will be available on tap, alongside a wine list spanning over 19 vineyards and suppliers, as well as eight straight-pour gins, eight classic cocktails, six house signatures, six martinis and six share jugs. With ex-Bavarian Beer Cafe, London Fields and The Charming Squire chef Enda Gaffey in the kitchen — and with a charcoal rotisserie on the premises, too — the food menu falls on the substantial side to help soak up all of those drinks. Think haloumi fries, fish tacos and crispy buffalo wings to snack on, alongside an 11-strong selection of burgers (ranging from Swiss beef to crab), and a choice of chicken, lamb or pork from the rotisserie. There'll also be the usual pub faves of schnitzels, pizzas and steaks, and dessert will feature 'espresso martini' ice cream sundaes. The Montague will be open for lunch too, which could prove a nice time to try their 'superfood' menu with items like mushroom burgers and 'detox' salads, though those healthier options will be available all day. Find The Montague Hotel at 363 Montague Road, West End from the end of April. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for further details.
Kingpins of Brooklyn hype Parquet Courts are the kind of ramshackle, indie genre benders that strip back production-heavy 'garage' and deliver punk-as-blazes music every time. Blending lo-fi, geek-chic, your beyond stock-standard garage rock, and a healthy dose of punk, Parquet Courts are impossible to pin down. Think Pavement meets The Strokes, but with more tongue-in-cheek. Now, after playing sold-out shows in the States and making their mark at Splendour in the Grass last year, they're heading back to Australia for three intimate shows. Their 2014 album, Sunbathing Animal has been praised by Pitchfork as a musical testament to the band's unique grasp of simple, rough rock that places the band, "in their own distinct weight class." The foursome just released a new album Content Nausea under the name Parkay Quarts last December, recorded on a four-track tape over two weeks and predictably brimming with bristly feedback. Making appearances after their headlining spot at Secret Garden Festival, Parquet Courts are popping into Manning Bar in Sydney, The Zoo in Brisbane and Melbourne's Hi-Fi in early March. Supported by Blank Realm + Kitchen's Floor.
When is a wine bar more than just a wine bar? When it also boasts a champagne garden and deck, and its daytime espresso cafe doubles as a whisky-focused space by evening. That's what Baedeker is promising. You won't have to choose your favourite tipple here — you can indulge in them all (responsibly, people). Taking over the Constance Street space formerly occupied by Wine Emporium, the new Fortitude Valley venture aims to offer a one-stop-shop as far as its beverages of choice are concerned. If you're wondering why yeasty, foamy pints aren't highlighted, that's because Baedeker will sit underneath an existing craft beer bar, aka The Mill on Constance. As well as breaking up its 600-square-metre site, carving out separate areas for different drinks also allows Baedeker to open in stages. Nothing is up and running just yet, but expect to grab a coffee there soon, with the whole place due to be operational in November. The new venue is the latest project from Darren Davis, a name vino and dairy lovers might recognise from Grape Therapy and Cheese Therapy, his existing efforts. And in case you're wondering, he'll be bringing snacks with him, courtesy of cheese and charcuterie boards, as well as other items from food partners. Find Baedeker at 111 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley, in the coming months. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for further information. Via The Courier-Mail.
In the words of Tyrion Lannister, it's not easy being drunk all the time. Everyone would do it if it were easy. That may be true, but you can certainly give it a go, when Game of Rhones returns for another year. An epic wine tasting event inspired by the grapes of France's Rhone Valley and the works of George R. R. Martin, this year's Game of Rhones will visit all Seven Kingdom – by which we mean Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Wellington and Auckland. Each event will welcome more than 40 different winemakers, including Shaw + Smith, Yarra Yering, Tarrawarra Estate, Olivers Taranga and Paxton Biodynamic Wine (exact producers vary city to city). There'll also be a number of food vendors on hand, to ensure you don't go hungry. In between goblets, ticketholders will get the chance to chat with sommeliers at the Rhone Bar, vote for their favourite vintages as part of the People's Choice Award, and take part in a blind tasting 'torture chamber' that we promise is more fun than the name makes it sound. It should also go without saying that dressing up as your favourite GoT character is highly encouraged. Zombie John Snow, anyone? GAME OF RHONES DATES May 1 – Adelaide May 22 – Perth May 29 – Brisbane June 18 – Melbourne June 19 – Sydney July 2 – Auckland July 9 – Wellington For more information and to book tickets visit the Game of Rhones website.
If your New Year's resolutions are to be a) more honest with yourself and b) save money, then December 31 might be the perfect time to put them in action. It takes an honest person to accept that on New Year's Eve (after a few drinks) money is bound to be burnt. Black Bear Lodge has the perfect solution to keep your bank account intact. For one solid price of $92.90 you can dance and drink the night away and welcome 2015 without a care in the world. The price includes all you can drink — that's Mountain Goat beer on tap, basic spirits and house wine, a glass of champagne on arrival, and live sets from some of Australia’s best. If you haven’t heard of The Creases, Babaganouj or Donny Benet, then maybe your New Year's resolution should be to get your head out of the clouds and pay attention to the Australian music scene. These guys have been making leaps and bounds on national and international rock radars — between The Creases landing a pretty sweet deal with London's Rough Trade Records and Donny Benet's open (and highly contagious) synth addiction. This is one solid New Year's lineup to combat the usual 'Destination Unknown'-spinning NYE DJ. You can grab tickets online here, or take your chance grabbing them on the door.
Have you ever wanted to run away and join the circus? Well now it looks like you finally can. Cirque du Soleil, the world famous circus troupe, is heading to Australia, and they're inviting all of us to audition. What could possibly go wrong? Preliminary auditions will take place in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth throughout the second week of February, with talent scouts on the lookout for artists, acrobats, sportspeople, singers, musicians and dancers, as well as "everyday Australians" who are looking to show off their "creative performance talent." We don't know about you, but that description sounds just vague enough to mean pretty much anything. Time to bust out the hula hoop people! If it all sounds a bit like an episode of Australia's Got Talent, you're actually not that far off the mark. Turns out the audition process is part of an as-of-yet unnamed reality show. A selection of talented and/or ridiculous candidates from each city will be flown down to Melbourne for a second audition on February 14. Hurrah! If you dream of being the next Philippe Petit or are just happy to make an idiot of yourself on TV, you can register for an audition in your home city at the following website. Registrations close at 5pm on Monday February 8.
Jackson Browne dropping a cover of The Eagles' 'Take It Easy'? Classic Bluesfest. Kendrick Lamar echoing across Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm with "This. Dick. Ain't. Freeeeeeeee."? New Wave Bluesfest. Bringing over 200 performances to seven stages over five 12-hour days, Bluesfest returned to the hallowed, well-gumbooted grounds of Tyagarah just out of Byron Bay over the Easter weekend. This outrageously-loved festival brought in its 2016 chapter with one of its most eclectic lineups yet (but importantly, brought back the festival's renowned yearly menu of fish tacos, Yemen rolls and organic doughnuts). From Celtic voodoo to pre-WWII 'minstrel blues', Icelandic indie folk to truly avant garde performance art rock, this year's festival took the genre-spanning game next-level. Kicking off the first night, Kendrick Lamar drew one of the most dominantly Young Person crowds of the festival. Following widely praised shows in Melbourne and Sydney, the 'King Kunta' gamechanger brought his wildly eloquent unpacking of race and identity to the festival's opening night — from 'Backseat Freestyle' to 'Alright'. Lamar gave ups to fellow festival headliner and R&B legend D'Angelo, who, helped the Bluesfest crowd find new hinges in their pelvises with his two highly seductive sets — even though multiple reports from Thursday's set saw Kendrick fans actually booing the R&B icon. Really. Booing D'Angelo. Kids today. Big favourites Tedeschi Trucks Band and Grammy award-winning, face-melting multi-instrumentalist Grace Potter made most Bluesfesters highlight lists, alongside a swathe of relative newcomers to many Aussie ears. Jerron"Blind Boy" Paxton had the festival well abuzz, the twenty-something multi-instrumentalist specialising in '20s and '30s blues a la Fats Waller and "Blind" Lemon Jefferson. Our jaws are still on the floor in the Delta tent after seeing San Francisco's super fun outfit Con Brio, lead by the unforgettable Ziek McCarter — the lovechild of Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars with better abs. Punters stood open-mouthed and wonderfully freaked out watching legendary avant garde experimental art rock collective The Residents. We raised plastic cups to Mojo Juju's "love song to Newcastle", attempted terribly to sing along Nai Palm-style with Melbourne's Hiatus Kaiyote, madly Googled 'Shooglenifty' and generally flailed around in bona fide Dad Dancing style to Mick Fleetwood. Big ups have to be paid to Friday night's heart-in-mouth set from The National, ending with frontman Bryce Dessner genuinely gobsmacked by one heck of an emotional, to-the-syllable singalong. Bluesfest delivered yet another feelgood, like-clockwork festival, nabbing only one and a half days of downpour and less mud than usual. More than one artist, including the legendary Jackson Browne, called it "the best festival in the world". With police happy, punters happy, sleeping kids in wheelbarrows happy and artists happy, we reckon that calls for another organic doughnut. Images: Andy Fraser. Words: Shannon Connellan.
Heading to Northshore Hamilton's Eat Street for a food fix has become a weekend staple for many Brisbanites; however, everyone's favourite evening markets have just gotten even better. No, they're not adding even more delicious bites to eat. Yes, they want you to hang around while you're digesting their tasty wares. From November 6, you won't just be hanging around — you'll be jumping in your car, driving down the road, then parking and peering up at a big screen with a riverside, city view. You'll also be taking all the edible morsels you've bought at Eat Street and devouring them while enjoying a movie at their pop-up drive-in. Films will run every Friday and Saturday night, spanning recent releases like Trainwreck and Everest, as well as classic fare. Fast & Furious 7 jumpstarts the program, because there's no better movie to watch while sitting in a vehicle, obviously. Just make sure your engine remains switched off, because no one needs to add to the feature's sound effects. If you're only interested in the movie, not the markets, don't distress — you won't go hungry. An American-style, retro-themed diner will be on site, or you can flag down the drive-in's Segway crew to deliver snacks, ice creams and non-alcoholic drinks to your car window. Yep. Segway delivery. Those with not-so-short memories might recall that the Brisbane International Film Festival did the same thing in the same spot back in 2011 and 2012. The current iteration is a limited time deal, only running until Eat Street moves into the space from its current site. When that happens, outdoor cinema will become a feature of the markets, just sans cars. All tickets must be purchased online and in advance, whether you're going with the romantic option (two people in a car for $32), coasting along on a double date (four people in a car for $44), or bringing every pal you can (seven people in a car for $54). Those without a set of wheels can get comfy in one of 200 moon chairs for a real under-the-stars viewing experience for only $13. For more information about the Eat Street Drive-In, visit their website.
Burgers flying through the sky in Melbourne? It's not a mere pipe dream. The wacky scientists at Monash University have teamed up with Mr Burger to create Future Burger, the new delivery service powered by drones and your insatiable love of burgers. If you’re in Melbourne and interested in receiving a burger that flies majestically through the air as if by magic and flutters delicately into your lap, oozing with cheese and relish (actual experience may be sloppier), you can sign up via the Future Burger website. A few caveats though. You have to be at the Monash campus at Clayton on August 2 (a Sunday on campus) and you'll have to actually be picked by the Monash Future Burger overlords as the chosen burger recipient. You have until July 28 to enter your details and be considered for this esteemed honour. We haven't been this excited about novelty food delivery since parachute jaffles. This seems to be an experiment coming out of Monash's drone department (or, more correctly Monash's Faculty of Information Technology, but we like 'drone department') and as such, we will strive do all in our power to help science — by stuffing our faces. Future Burger is brought to you by Monash University and Mr Burger. To be in the running for drone burger delivery, enter your details here.
Aunty's done it again; inviting the whole country round for a cup o' chai and a grand ol' hootenanny — the 2015 lineup for Meredith Music Festival is here. Returning to beloved Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, near Golden Plains over December 11-13, Meredith's more eclectic than ever — it's the Silver Jubilee 25th anniversary after all. Following the recent major announcement of Ex-Fleet Foxes minstrel Father John Misty as this year's top headliner, Aunty's added the likes of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Ratatat, The Thurston Moore Band, Tkay Maidza, Neon Indian, Big Daddy Kane, Shellac, Fatback Band, Jessica Pratt, Briggs, and many more to the bill. As always, Meredith's a BYO paradise, and of course, the 'No Dickhead Policy' stands stronger than ever. There's just one ticket type (none of this fancy schmancy VIP tiered business) and it'll set you back $338.70 + $10BF + $7.50 post. Like every year, it's a ballot system and first round ticket offers will be made today, the second on August 20. Enter over here. But enough chatskies, here's who's ringing in 25 years of glorious Meredith fun with Aunty this year. MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015 LINEUP Big Daddy Kane Bully Father John Misty Floating Points Fatback Band GL Goat Harvey Sutherland Jessica Pratt Julia Holter Levins Lucy Cliche The Peep Tempel Master Khalil Gudaz MC Jane Clifton Mighty Duke and The Lords Briggs Moon Duo Neon Indian Optimo Pearls Power Ratatat Shellac Steve Miller Band The Thurston Moore Band Tkay Maidza Totally Mild Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats Unknown Mortal Orchestra Meredith Music Festival is happening December 11 to 13 in the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, Meredith. Enter the ballot here. Image: Meredith Music Festival.
He's brought Brisbane doughnuts and bubbles, made Alfred & Constance one of the Valley's top hangouts and the Limes one of its coolest hotels, plus added Kwan Bros to our list of must-eat Asian eateries, too. He's Damian Griffiths, Brisbane restauranteur and entrepreneur extraordinaire — and his next stop is South Bank. If you've ever thought that the riverside precinct that hosted Expo '88 all those years ago needs more kiosks, then you're on Griffiths' wavelength. Over the coming months, he'll be filling a space on Grey Street with more than a couple of places dedicated to your favourite foods. With Doughnut Time one of his most popular eateries, expect glazed, fried pastry circles to start hitting South Brisbane. Ice cream sandwiches and milkshakes are among the other options currently mooted. Regulars to the area will have spotted that Grey Street has been undergoing a revamp in recent times, with a number of beloved shops — including now online tea store Tlicious — closing down and making way for new businesses. If revamping the inner-city hotspot means more sweet treats like Griffiths is planning, then consider us all for it. Image: Sam Petherbridge, Flickr.
He's collaborated with everyone from Kylie Minogue to Kendrick Lamar. Even Grumpy Cat wears that hat. Now, Pharrell Williams has teamed up with choreographer Jonah Bokaer and visual artist Daniel Arsham for a unique multidisciplinary dance project — and it's coming to Australia. From September 14 to 17, Brisbane Festival will host the Aussie premiere of Rules of the Game, which brings eight on-stage performers together in a combination of dance, music, video, art and theatrical expression. Williams crafts his first-ever orchestral score for the stage to accompany Bokaer's crisp, elegant dance moves and Arsham's offbeat, architectural environments. Loosely based on Nobel Laureate Pirandello's controversial play Six Characters in Search of an Author, the piece "recasts dance as something close to moving sculpture" as Bris Fest's artistic director David Berthold puts it. For Bokaer, who is as acclaimed and innovative in the field of contemporary dance as Williams is in music, it's a blending not only "of cultures, but a blending of forms, expressions, and of inheritance". Rules Of The Game's four-day, five-show Brisbane run will mark only the second time it will have be seen by an audience, after debuting in May at the SOLUNA International Music and Arts Festival in Dallas. In fact, the production won't premiere in New York until November. And if you're not in Brissie, you'd better book plane tickets fast, because it won't be showing anywhere else in Australia. Catch Rules of the Game at Brisbane Festival from September 14 – 17. Check out the Brisbane Festival website for tickets and further details.
If you’ve been feeling lousy about procrastinating and putting off your dreams to watch cat videos on YouTube, prepare to feel even lousier. A resourceful rapper from New York City has made a legitimately amazing album solely using the display computers available in Apple stores. Prince Harvey, a 25-year-old rapper from Brooklyn, was floored when his laptop and music equipment was stolen and he couldn’t afford to replace them. But instead of doing what the Average Joe might have done (buying a bucket of caramel corn to cry-eat in the shower while pounding red wine), Harvey worked his way across New York and put his album together at Apple stores. "New York is expensive. I couldn’t just buy another laptop," he told Daily Beast. "I just thought, ‘I’m going to die before anyone knows I’m hot.’" Harvey's debut album is straight-up wonderfully-named PHATASS, which stands for 'Prince Harvey at the Apple Store, Soho', and the beats were made entirely by manipulating vocal recordings. He also befriended his neighbourhood Apple store Geniuses who showed him how get around obstacles (read: security), let him save his work instore, and generally helped the guy out over the four-month creative process. Talk about helping someone make the best of a shitty situation. They say hardship makes you stronger and Harvey joins a lineup of creatives who’ve overcome poverty and disenfranchisement to realise their dreams."I don’t think I’m poor. Poor is a mentality," Harvey told Daily Beast. "I mean, I can be broke — no money in my pocket — but I’ve never been poor." Mary J Blige survived a childhood of violence, poverty and sexual abuse only to be signed on the strength of a cassette tape of a karaoke recording. J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book in cafes while raising her daughter and scraping by in London and Jay Z grew up in the notoriously rough Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, sold drugs to make ends meet and is now married to Kween Yonce and worth $550 million. Damn. Round of applause. Harvey is now making waves for his tenacity, inventiveness and talent while further highlighting important issues that face young people across America. So let’s all of us get up off the couch, block YouTube for a while and go do. Via Elite Daily. Image: Sarah Wang.
Kween Yonce is about to tower over Melbourne. A skyscraper inspired by Beyonce’s fierce aesthetics in the 'Ghost' video clip is set to be built near Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station. Although 'Beyonce' is not yet a recognised religion (give it time), the 76-storey tower will pay homage to the mother of us all by mimicking her monochromatic twists and turns in 'Ghost'. The 13012 Premier Tower will house retail space and hotel rooms as well as apartments and creates those curves with an innovative vertical cantilever system designed to make Beyonce fans weep (and effectively redistribute mass and stabilise the building but whatever). The tower has been designed by the architectural firm Elenberg Fraser, who have a monopoly on the chic apartment market; they're responsible for 42 percent of the apartments under construction in Melbourne right now and we're stoked they're Beyonce fans too (can we please have a 'Crazy In Love' apartment block next?). It may just be a marketing strategy but if so, boy do they have our number. We would love to live inside Beyonce. And we can even discern some graceful and svelte curves in the initial renderings of the 13012 Premier Tower. It’s a case of art mimicking life and who better to mimic than the Kween herself. Bow down bitches. Via The Guardian. Images: Elenberg Fraser.
Brisbane cinephiles, prepare for six words you never imagined you'd hear again: it's Brisbane International Film Festival time. The city's major cinema showcase was killed off following its 2013 festival, then replaced by the short-lived model that was the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, and now rises from the dead like a ravenous film-loving zombie. Instead of eating brains, however, the now Palace-run festival wants to fill movie buffs' heads with plenty of ace new international cinema. Indeed, with 60 shorts and features on the agenda between August 17 and September 3, BIFF's returning lineup aims to do just that. Austere Russian dramas, endearing first-time Aussie efforts, national icons taking on more roles than seems humanly possible, slice-and-dice samurai dramas and docos about Brisbane legends are all on the bill, and that's just the beginning. Here are our ten top picks (plus a few other recommendations) to help you fill nearly three weeks worth of movie-going. LOVELESS Dissecting a society infected by oppressive politics, Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev captures modern life in his homeland in bleak slices, whether exploring brothers reunited with their absent father in The Return, a woman forced to do whatever it takes for family in Elena, or a family taking on a corrupt mayor in Leviathan. Stark and stunning from start to finish, Loveless is no different. Here, a squabbling couple on the brink of divorce discover that their largely neglected 12-year-old son has gone missing — and there's no one like Zvyagintsev at taking an already tense and heartbreaking situation into formally composed, emotionally brutal, absolutely astonishing territory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tsu0UaTk0 THAT'S NOT ME Some of the best comedies find their laughs from relatable drama. And, while we all haven't watched our twin sister live out our wildest dreams of becoming a successful actor (and date Jared Leto), we have seen hopes and wishes fall by the wayside, taken leaps of faith that haven't paid out, and had to redefine our idea of a happy ending. That's the tale of low-budget Aussie comedy That's Not Me, the first feature from writer/director Gregory Erdstein and writer/star Alice Foulcher, and an earnest, astute, insightful and thoroughly amusing exploration of making it, faking it and the fact that life usually exists somewhere in between. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hKtgrj7UXo GRADUATION Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu has proven a Cannes Film Festival favourite — if he's not winning the Palme d'Or for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, he's nabbing best screenplay for Beyond the Hills, and best director for Graduation. One of the key talents in the Romanian new wave, his acclaim is justified, as the latter demonstrates. Delving into the consequences of a fateful act and the decisions that follow, he chronicles a hardworking doctor's attempts to ensure that his daughter gets into university, exposing the horrors of real life — the unfairness, the corruption, the compromises and the sacrifices — in the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqIXtTZNnck THE WAY STATION Award-winning Vietnamese actress Pham Thi Hong Anh turns director with The Way Station, making her helming debut with a passion project about an isolated restaurant. Lives intertwine, problems coincide and a love triangle springs as the handy-with-a-knife Phuoc wanders into the eatery, then finds himself both employed and living in the same space as his boss's family. The film won best feature, actor and cinematography at this year's ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards, and is also in the running at the Brisbane-based Asia Pacific Screen Awards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no-aseDD2Z0 MANIFESTO Cate Blanchett was already won two Oscars and a whole host of other acting awards, however she's deserving of many, many more for her work in Manifesto. The formidable Aussie talent plays no fewer than 12 roles for German artist and filmmaker Julian Rosefeldt, with each of her characters spouting a political, social or artistic creed within their ordinary lives. If the fact that this was originally designed as a gallery installation doesn't give it away, then the precise framing and composition will — this is an art film through and through. It might test some viewers' patience, but it's also a unique piece of cinema determinedly endeavouring to provoke and challenge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NRXPSBycy0 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL Long after we're all gone, Takashi Miike will probably still be alive — and still be making movies. The prolific and provocative Japanese director has done everything from unnerving horror to superhero comedy to ultraviolent crime to a film about ninja kids on his resume (and much, much, much more), and he's simply not stopping. With swords flying, samurais fighting and carnage swelling, Blade of the Immortal is his 100th directorial effort, telling of a blade-wielding mercenary who cannot be killed. A word of warning for those new to Miike's inimitable antics: expect a bloodbath and then some. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BncEmI_OXx4 THE GO-BETWEENS: RIGHT HERE They're the Brisbane band so iconic, we've named a bridge after them — and whether you're a lifelong fan going round and round through the streets of your town, or have always wondered what the South Brisbane-to-Milton structure was all about, The Go-Betweens: Right Here has the answers (about the group, not the toll roadway.) Making his third film in less than a year, Red Dog: True Blue and Australia Day director Kriv Stenders weaves the tale of the band that leapt from the University of Queensland to the top of the international music scene, with plenty of archival footage, an ace soundtrack (obviously), and candid interviews from The Go-Betweens' current members. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCgM2IsnwOM FUN MOM DINNER Fun Mom Dinner takes an ace cast (including Toni Collette, Molly Shannon, Adam Scott and Paul Rudd), an Aussie director (first-timer, Jungleboys signing and former Tropfest winner Alethea Jones, who is next set to helm the live-action Barbie flick), a carload of inappropriate gags, a heap of heart and a '99 Luftballoons' karaoke singalong, and turns it into a frank and funny girls-night-out comedy. And if you feel like you've seen this before, and recently, don't worry: the terrible Rough Night, this definitely isn't. Ignore the not-so-ace title and settle in for a spirited, sometimes silly effort filled with great performances, moments and banter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=9xyoKq6_3HY NAMATJIRA PROJECT Australia has long been filled with talented folks. And, at the moment, we're increasingly filled with documentaries celebrating that fact. Hot on the heels of docos about Brett Whitely, Anthony Lister, Dr G Yunupingu and more, Namatjira Project sets its sights on Indigenous art pioneer Albert Namatjira, however this isn't just a life-and-times type run through of his career and impact. Filmmaker Sera Davies directs her focus towards his family's long and ongoing battle to reclaim the copyright behind his pieces, which was sold by the Australian government in the '80s, and therefore get back an important part of their culture and heritage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx5EfTvQc0w RETURNEE It's not every day that you get to see a Kazakh film on a big screen. And no, the Sacha Baron Cohen comedy you're thinking about definitely doesn't count. Far, far removed from Borat's outlandish antics, Returnee takes its title from the term used to describe Kazakhstan residents who have moved back to the country since its 1991 independence. In a measured drama filled with striking imagery, director Sabit Kurmanbekov examines the events that follow when an Afghanistan-raised family is finally able to head home. Eager for a few more picks? We have you covered. As well as being keen for Patti Cakes when it played Sundance, Song to Song at SXSW, Wonderstruck at Cannes and Happy End in general, we saw and loved The Party and On Body and Soul at Berlinale. Plus, we enjoyed Ali's Wedding and The Square at the Sydney Film Festival, and My Life as a Zucchini at the Gold Coast Film Festival as well. And then there's Faces Places and In This Corner of the World, two of our must-see selections from the Melbourne International Film Festival. The 2017 Brisbane International Film Festival runs from August 17 to September 3. To view the complete program and grab tickets, visit the BIFF website.
Come July, Brisbanites can knock back cocktails at a gin-soaked high tea, taste creations from the city's next breed of culinary wizards, and dine under the stars at Eagle Street Pier, all thanks to one event. That's right, Good Food Month is back from July 9 - August 9. Gird your stomachs, and prepare to go gaga over gastronomy. To help keep you from going wild and eating yourself to death, here are our picks for the ten tastiest Good Food Month events. Tuck in.
When we take that first sip of our barista-brewed coffee on a workday morning, a lot of us can't actually imagine living without coffee. But what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately, this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day, but on Friday, August 7, you can help your fellow Aussies out simply by buying a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its third year running. Last year, 415 cafes and 20 coffee roasters raised $120,000 to fund 91 community projects. Not too shabby. So how does it work? From every coffee purchased on August 7 at a participating cafe around Australia, $1 will be donated towards local projects. So if your go-to local isn't participating, shake things up for a day and head to one that is. Prefer a hot chocolate? You can also donate at the counter. Simply by aiming for a bighearted cafe, you'll be helping some of our country's most in-need humans, so treat yourself to a third or fourth coffee guilt-free. CafeSmart is happening around the country on Friday, August 7. Check the website for participating cafes near you. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Earlier in 2018, a massive change was announced for this year's Brisbane International Film Festival, with the festival heading to the Gallery of Modern Art for the next three years. With its previously revealed October berth fast approaching, further details have been unveiled for this year's fest — namely its specific dates and broader range of venues, as well as its opening night film and a retrospective series. While the South Brisbane gallery's Australian Cinémathèque will present and host the event from October 11–21 (and in 2019 and 2020 as well), BIFF will also take place at a range of cinemas around town. Cinephiles can expect to catch the festival's program of more than 100 films at Event Cinemas Myer Centre, New Farm Cinemas, the Elizabeth Picture Theatre and Reading Cinemas at Newmarket, with events also at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane Powerhouse and the State Library of Queensland. As for what'll be screening, the full lineup won't be announced until mid-September; however the fest will open with the north Queensland-shot Celeste, which was directed by Brisbane-born filmmaker Ben Hackworth, stars Radha Mitchell and is set in the rainforest splendour of the Innisfail region. Across this year's BIFF, it'll be joined by a selection of movies either involving or considered inspiring by festival patrons Bruce Beresford and Sue Milliken — who've worked together on a number of titles, including this year's Ladies in Black, and will also feature in an in-conversation session about their careers. Retrospective screenings will include key films that Beresford has directed, as well features he's specifically enjoyed, such as 1928's The Passion of Joan of Arc, 1947's Odd Man Out and and 1995's Casino. Elsewhere, a curated series will explore current ideas from Iranian, Asian, and African filmmakers, while other sessions will come with live music, conversations, panel discussions. Of course, whatever else ends up on BIFF's screens, 2018's festival marks a landmark year after a period of significant upheaval and uncertainty for Brisbane's major government-supported festival. It was first run from 1992 to 2013, then cancelled in favour of the short-lived Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival between 2014 to 2016, which was also axed after a three-year stint. BIFF was brought back in 2017 via Palace Cinemas, but when that decision received criticism — both for awarding the festival exclusively to one commercial operator, and for doing so without calling for tenders from other interested parties — funding body Screen Queensland opened the event to submissions, with GOMA emerging victorious. The 2018 Brisbane International Film Festival will take place from October 11–21 at the Gallery of Modern Art, Event Cinemas Myer Centre, New Farm Cinemas, the Elizabeth Picture Theatre, Reading Cinemas Newmarket, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane Powerhouse and the State Library of Queensland. The full program and tickets will be released in mid-September — visit the GOMA website for further details.
Vivid Ideas is bringing innovative humans from all over the world to Sydney stages. Championing change-making creative voices, you can hear Troye Sivan explore beauty and fluidity, delve into the experiences of those who were raised in cults with filmmaker Sarah Steel or listen as experts discuss the ethics and potential ramifications of a future reliant on artificial intelligence and QR codes. Joining a lineup that's not lacking a lick in talent is Gretchen Carlson in conversation with Lisa Wilkinson. The prolific journalists and media personalities will dissect power (specifically the fallout when it's out of balance), toxic workplace culture and finding the courage to expose wrongdoing. As well, the pair discuss the intricacies of what's needed to make it easier for people to come forward after experiencing sexual assault. In 2016, Carlson — the highly respected and acclaimed US journalist and ex-Fox News anchor — successfully sued Fox founder and CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. This win, which inspired 2019's Bombshell, saw Carlson receive an unprecedented apology and settlement. The landmark case laid the foundation for the #MeToo movement's catapult to the global consciousness, as well as take down a predator who was in a position of immense power. [caption id="attachment_813274" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivid Sydney 2019, Destination NSW[/caption] Bound by an NDA, Carlson has tirelessly fought to break the culture of silence and remove protections from perpetrators — working to ban NDAs, enact legislative change and encourage survivors to share their experiences of harassment (which has resulted in the most significant changes to labour laws — passed by Joe Biden in March, 2022 — in over 100 years). The trailblazer was also named in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World (2017). With a social climate that's been immersed in the courage of those sharing their stories of trauma in the quest for justice and a safer existence — the Grace Tames, the Brittany Higgins, the Saxon Mullins — the pair will discuss the shifting media and legal landscapes both here and in the US. They will look at what still needs to change so survivors are encouraged to draw upon reserves of bravery and resilience to keep pushing forward — for the good of others, for safer communities and to upend the status quo. Sydney's Town Hall will host Gretchen Carlson and Lisa Wilkinson on Speaking Out on Sunday, May 29 at 1pm. Head to the website for details. Top image: Destination NSW
Five generations back, the Hamilton family planted some of the first vineyards in South Australia. It was 1837, a mere year after the arrival of European settlers in the state, and to this day they continue to produce top-quality, award-winning wine under the name Hugh Hamilton Wines. Mary Hamilton, Hugh Hamilton’s daughter, has been the CEO for the last seven years and explains that her father has always been considered the black sheep of the Hamilton flock. “He was a very spirited young boy and got up to a fair bit of mischief," she says. "He was never going to be corralled into anything and has always remained an elusive character.” Hugh’s lively sense of humour and his ability to march to the beat of his own drum has never wavered, so it makes sense then that the wines have names such as The Scallywag Chardonnay and The Scoundrel Tempranillo. Quality, flavoursome wine is the number one priority for Hugh Hamilton Wines and they have ensured this by sourcing grapes from their three vineyards. McLaren Vale hosts perfect conditions for ripening grapes and viticulture, as it’s located between the Adelaide Hills and the coast. “Most people are not aware of this, but McLaren Vale has the most diverse geology of any wine region in the world,” explains Hamilton. Each of the three vineyards have very different soil types which greatly influence the flavour of the grapes, from the black clay at their cellar door vineyard, producing darker-style shiraz (think bitter dark chocolate and black olives) to their next vineyard 500 meters down the road that produces more red-fruit flavours due to a different soil type and climate. Hamilton refers to this as their "big comfortable red velvet chair" with a generous and juicy yield. As part of the FreeWines app, Hugh Hamilton Wines have contributed two of their expert drops; 'The Trickster' Pinot Grigio and 'The Rascal' Shiraz. The Trickster is made from grapes sourced from the Adelaide Hills and came about due to Hugh’s love of freshly shucked oysters and his desire to create a wine that would pair with it perfectly. Described as “racy, upbeat and brisk,” Hamilton would recommend pairing this wine with seafood dishes such as salt and pepper squid, prawns and, of course, fresh oysters. The Rascal, described as “the quintessential McLaren Vale Shiraz, with lots of fruit ripeness but also elegance,” goes beautifully with a scotch fillet or beef casserole. When it comes to selecting a wine for herself, Mary is often influenced by her mood first, rather than having a constant go-to drop. At the moment Hamilton is particularly taken with the medium-bodied 'The Mongrel' Sangiovese, “It’s got lots of lovely, juicy cherry-flavoured fruit, and it tends to be a great partner with the food I cook, which is often Mediterranean or Middle Eastern.”
Throw those GoPros, bubble bottles and novelty gumboots in your rucksack, Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands for another year of festival merriment. As usual, speculation has run wild in anticipation of the lineup announce — will Kendrick and the Arctic Monkeys make an appearance? Will there by more than three females on the lineup? — but the details for Splendour 2018 are finally here. And we're happy to report that some of the rumours were true. There will be no Arctic Monkeys, but King Kunta himself, Kendrick Lamar, will be Splendouring. The lineup also doesn't state that Splendour is his only show, so stay tuned for news of a national tour (hopefully). The other huge name is Lorde, who will be doing her only Oz show at the Parklands — better get practising that 'Green Light' hair flip now. She leads a female contingent — that is kick-ass but still nowhere near as big as the pool of male performers — which includes Amy Shark, the Lauren Mayberry-led Chvrches, Sampa The Great, Alex Lahey, Jack River, Anna Lunoe, Stella Donnelly, female four-piece All Our Exes Live in Texas and Wafia. Also doing their only Australian shows at Splendour will be Vampire Weekend, Khalid and Girl Talk. The lineup seems to go on forever, including The Wombats, Gang of Youths, Franz Ferdinand, Superorganism and MGMT. Anyway, we know what you're here for. We'll cut to the chase. SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2018 LINEUP Kendrick Lamar Lorde (only AUS show) Vampire Weekend (only AUS show) Khalid (only AUS show) The Wombats Hilltop Hoods Chvrches Miguel Girl Talk (only AUS show) Angus & Julia Stone Gang of Youths Franz Ferdinand MGMT Ben Howard Dune Rats & Friends James Bay PNAU Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite The Avalanches DJ set Chromeo DMA'S Ball Park Music Henry Rollins (only AUS show) SAFIA The Jungle Giants Lil Xan Methyl Ethel Amy Shark The Bronx Ocean Alley Carmada (L D R U & Yahtzel) DZ Deathrays Lord Huron Middle Kids Hockey Dad Towkio Cub Sport Touch Sensitive Sampa The Great Dean Lewis Skegss Albert Hammond Jr Mallrat Marmozets Alex Lahey Riton & Kah-Lo Jack River Superorganism Anna Lunoe Lewis Capaldi All Our Exes Live In Texas Alex The Astronaut Yungblud Crooked Colours Nina Las Vegas Soccer Mommy (only AUS show) Elderbrook Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Tim Sweeney Stella Donnelly Bully Baker Boy Wafia No Mono Waax Angie McMahon West Thebarton Eves Karydas G Flip The Babe Rainbow Haiku Hands Didirri Alice Ivy Amyl & The Sniffers Ziggy Ramo Fantastic Man Lo'99 Human Movement Manu Crook$ Kasbo Madam X Andras Alta Ara Koufax Two People B Wise Made In Paris Jensen Interceptor Woodes Teischa Antony & Cleopatra Muto Elk Road triple j Unearthed winners (TBA) Mike Gurrieri Love Deluxe Lauren Hansom Poolclvb Godlands Nyxen Emma Stevenson Ebony Boadu Splendour will return to North Byron Parklands on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July. Onsite camping will once again be available from Wednesday, July 18. Image: Justin Ma.
Heading out to play board games while drinking beer is a fairly common prospect these days, but drinking and enjoying a round of BASEketball — well, that's not quite so usual. If you watched Trey Parker and Matt Stone's movie many moons ago and have always wanted to give it a try, now's your chance. The action all happens at Ploughman, with the Alderley joint serving up the game in question, hip hop and craft beverages for your afternoon pleasure on March 11. Bobbing for pickles is also part of the fun. No, this isn't your same old, same old kind of event. Image: Theresa Grace for Ploughman.
It's the main reason most of Brisbane has made their way to Good Food Month over the last couple of years, and in 2016, the ever-popular Night Noodle Markets are back — and they're bigger and better than ever. Sure, every event says that these days. However, when 25 different food stalls take over the South Bank Cultural Forecourt for 12 days of Asian-inspired eating delights, that claim seems pretty accurate. Among the spoils will be Sydney's Black Star Pastry's famous strawberry watermelon cake, and Harajuku Gyoza will be bring their take on the famous clear raindrop cake to the food free-for-all for the first time. Come for the likes of Pasar Malam's pork belly satay slider on a black bun, and stay for the vibrant, delicious atmosphere.
If you've been searching for a supportive environment to use the phrase, "How very droll," listen up. NPR humorist, bestselling author and creator of uncomfortably real windows into human existence David Sedaris is coming back to Australia. Returning for a national tour in January 2016, the beloved American humour writer will bring his trademark sardonic wit and social critique to the stage for An Evening with David Sedaris, his third tour to Australia. Celebrated for his constant This American Life appearances, must-read pieces in The New Yorker and his unputdownable books Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames and his most recent book, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls, Sedaris is no stranger to telling it like it is — and don't expect our own country to get away unscrutinised. "I love the airports of Australia," says Sedaris. "Security wise, they’re like stepping into a time machine and coming out in 1975. No one yells at you, you get to keep your shoes on. It’s heaven. Coming from the UK, I also appreciate how open the people are, how willing to talk about money. ‘How much did your house cost?’ I ask. ‘How much do you make per year?’ In Europe people pass out when you ask that question, but in Australia, they just jump right in and answer." Sedaris's last Australian tours sold out quicksmart, so you're going to want to lock these down when they're on sale 9am August 14. AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS TOUR DATES: January 17 — Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Tickets via ticketek.com.au. January 18 and 19 — Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall. Tickets via sydneyoperahouse.com. January 20 — Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane. Tickets via ticketek.com.au January 21 and 22 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. Tickets via artscentremelbourne.com.au. January 23 — Theatre Royal, Hobart, Tickets via theatreroyal.com.au. January 24 — Octagon Theatre, Perth. Tickets via ticketswa.com. Tickets on sale 9am Friday, August 14. Image: Anna Fishbein.
To get a sense of Benedict Cumberbatch's Dr Stephen Strange, first picture in your mind Hugh Laurie's character from House. Tall and lanky, with a gravelly voice begging to be coughed into clarity and an unyielding arrogance that offends all who meet him, House is the super surgeon whose primary demon is his crippling fear of failure. To get, then, from House to Strange, just add a pinch of traumatic injury, mix in some eastern healing and meditation, and serve it up with a magical cape and the ability to manipulate space and time. Okay, yes, that's quite a leap, but as a departure from the last thirteen superhero flicks from Marvel Studios, Doctor Strange is as refreshing as it is successful. Strange's transformation from surgeon to sorcerer is an altogether conventional one – a Matrix-style 'forget everything you know' sequence comprised of training, studying and martial arts under the guidance of a mystical Tibetan monk named The Ancient One (a fantastic turn by Tilda Swinton). Driven by a solipsistic determination to heal his wounded hands, Strange's focus slowly shifts to larger matters – chiefly, saving the world – as his psychadellic journey of discovery reveals a multiverse of infinite possibilities and supernatural threats that only sorcerers can repel. As one character explains, the Avengers deal with threats on earth, but threats to the earth? That's where these guys come in. Like Ant-Man before it, Doctor Strange offers a more intimate, individual tale compared to the ensemble juggernauts of The Avengers and Captain America. That's not to say it's a small-scale production, however. Visually, this is Inception dialled up to eleven, a world-bending, shape-shifting and time-distorting Escher painting filled with heroes and villains duelling over the possibility of immortality. As always, there are Marvel's well-timed comic touches, as well as a pair of end-credit scenes (so do stay through to the very end for a hint as to Strange's next villain). A solid supporting cast boasts Rachel McAdams as Strange's love interest, Chiwetel Ejiofor as his sparring partner and Mads Mikkelsen sadly under-utilised as something of a two-dimensional villain. Wordier and more offbeat than the standard Marvel fare, Doctor Strange nonetheless rightly and proudly earns its place in the franchise's extraordinary universe, offering a visual feast unlike anything else seen this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSzx-zryEgM
Fuzzy's national electronic-meets-hip hop festival Listen Out is back for another round and this year's lineup is a humdinger, topped by California's inimitable Anderson .Paak, with his live band The Free Nationals. He's joined by UK beatsmiths Gorgon City, big trap fiend Baauer, AV-happy producer Claptone live, Harlem Trap Lord A$AP Ferg, LA young gun Jauz, grime newcomer Stormzy, Swedish rap phenomenon Yung Lean and more. There's plenty of homegrown love on the bill this year, as always, with festival favourites Rüfüs marking their final Aussie shows of 2016, alongside the likes of Cosmo's Midnight, Ngaiire, L D R U, JOY, Sui Zhen and Willow Beats. Listen Out tours nationally to four of Australia's capitals, kicking off on September 24 and hitting Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane over two weekends. Tickets are on sale from midday on Thursday, June 23 from the Listen Out website. LISTEN OUT 2016 LINEUP: Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals A$AP Ferg Claptone Immortal Live Cosmo's Midnight Gorgon City DJ Set Baauer JAUZ JOY. L D R U Ngaiire Rüfüs Stormzy Sui Zhen DJ Set Tash Sultana Tchami Willow Beats Yung Lean LISTEN OUT 2016 DATES: MELBOURNE — Saturday, September 24 at Catani Gardens, St Kilda PERTH — Sunday, September 25 at Western Parklands, HBF Arena, Joondalup SYDNEY — Saturday, October 1 at Centennial Park BRISBANE — Sunday, October 2 at The Sporting Fields, Victoria Park All shows 1-10pm Image: Listen Out.
Spotify had best watch its back, because there's a brand new music streaming service in town. Launching this week, BitTorrent Now is an Android and soon to be iOS and Apple TV app that lets users stream ad-supported music and video, with a special focus on curated content that might otherwise fly under the radar. While BitTorrent is probably best known as a way of sneakily pirating TV shows, the company has actually been helping artists distribute their work for years. Since launching their BitTorrent Bundle service in 2013, they've worked with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, comedian David Cross and countless other lesser-known filmmakers, musicians and miscellaneous creatives. Artists who make their work available via BitTorrent Now can choose whether or not they wish to participate in the ad program. If they opt not to, they can instead make their work available for purchase, or upload it for free without any ads whatsoever. According to the company, artists will receive 70 percent of revenue generated by ads on their videos, and 90 percent of revenue if they chose to place their content behind a paywall. BitTorrent will also make a concerted effort to curate content on the app, in order to help artists find an audience and vice versa. The app includes trending and new release sections, and allows users to build a list of favourites. Nothing too revolutionary — perhaps the most interesting thing about it is the focus on smaller artists, who'll hopefully be able to use the platform to make a name for themselves. No word yet on if/when BitTorrent Now will be available in Australia. Via Engadget.
Australians are notoriously picky when it comes to their daily coffee. But how many of us actually know how and why coffees can vary so much from place to place? Sure there's the skill of the barista, but it might be time to learn a bit more about the beans to inform our preferences. Here's a handy guide to coffee tasting, from what aromas to look for to how to drink better coffee in general. You'll be hosting your own coffee cupping sessions at home in no time — something you can even do with the humble coffee pod. [caption id="attachment_578979" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Daniel Ruswick.[/caption] WHY DO A COFFEE TASTING? Coffee cupping sessions are about educating people on the difference in beans. Where they're from, if they're single origin, how they're roasted and ground all contribute to a different product at the end of the line. Sam Gibson co-owner of Back and Forth cafe attends quarterly cupping sessions with his supplier Gabriel coffee. "Coffee tastings are important to identify the profile of the coffee, where it's from and how it's roasted determines the flavours which inform our choices of what to serve." Back and Forth has a house blend then a monthly single origin coffee it grinds freshly and sells to customers. Cupping sessions are also available and gaining popularity at places like Campos in Newtown and Rueben Hills in Surry Hills. DO'S AND DON'TS Don't do anything silly like brush your teeth just before doing a tasting. Cleanse the palate with sparkling water, that's not too cold between tasting. Don't swallow the coffee, but do leave it and swill it around your mouth a bit before spitting it out. Don't add sugar. When you're sipping, Gibson advises to take in a little bit of air with the mouthful, in the same way as when you're tasting wine. "It's really important as it gets the coffee to the back of the mouth and all over the tongue," he says. [caption id="attachment_578982" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Drew Coffman.[/caption] WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR "Aroma is really important and the first thing to be considered," says Gibson. Before tasting the coffee smell each one after the other and notice the difference. Then smell each one again just before you taste it. "Very roughly speaking the darker blends are better for milky coffees as they hold up with their more full bodied, bitter chocolatey characteristics." Lighter blends tend to be a bit more earthy, floral and citrusy which suit black coffee. When tasting the coffee think about characteristics beyond the actual flavour profiles like body, acidity, complexity, mouth feel and finish. Try to think of words that describe the flavours you're tasting, such as grassy, earthy. chocolatey, sharp, delicate, bitter, bold etc. COFFEE TASTING AT HOME With the rise in popularity of portable espresso machines at home, so too are people developing tastes for their favourite beans and blends in the pods. Australian startup company Tripod Coffee sources single origin and blended regional beans, then roasts and vacuum sealed locally to retain freshness. It might be an idea to get one of their sample packs, which has all five varieties from their spicy, savoury, cedar style 'Grey Gaucho' to their raisiny, citrusy and coco bean-esque 'Blue Beret'. Otherwise getting a small pack of a few different beans from a cafe, having them freshly ground and serving them French press style side by side, is a surprisingly good way to compare the characteristics of the beans. TIPS FOR DRINKING BETTER COFFEE Adding sugar is a real no-no for coffee purists. But knowing what kind of bean suits the way you drink your coffee (black, espresso or flat white, for instance) can help you make an educated choice to bring out the best in your coffee. Never keep coffee in the freezer at home, but tightly sealed somewhere dry. The best thing you can do is invest in a grinder and grind small quantities of beans as you make your coffee. And try as much coffee as you can — shake it up.
For decades, television screens have been filled with renovation shows. Every type of house has been transformed. However, no one on TV has ever tried to transform an East Brisbane basement into a work of art, without being able to paint anything, for only $500, and while making a political statement against Queensland's Homosexual Advance Defense at the same time. No, of course they haven't, but Ashgrove designer Kaylee Gannaway is going to try. At The Boy with the Rainbow Umbrella, expect astroturf, milk crates and a show that speaks out against injustice. Now that's a combination you don't see every day.
Ever think about Brisbane's many, many pubs, bars and clubs, and realise that something's missing? No matter where you are in the city — and in most suburbs, too — there's no shortage of places for a pint. What you won't find among the array of watering holes, however, is a three-storey German-themed brewhouse. Well, you won't at the moment — but you will soon. Munich Brauhaus is bringing this exact kind of establishment to the Brissie drinking scene, with their first venture north of Sydney. And given that it'll feature five bars, 750 seats, a beer garden and a rooftop hangout space all in South Bank's heritage-listed Allgas Building, it's set to be massive. For those who haven't experienced Munich Brauhaus at The Rocks in Sydney or South Wharf in Melbourne, let us enlighten you with a few more details. As the name suggests, Munich-style shenanigans are the name of the game here, including a bier hall for knocking back one-litre steins of Crafty Bavarian (their own brew) and other beverages. They'll also have a very German menu that boasts everything from chicken schnitzel burgers to sauerkraut hot dogs to all sorts of roasted pork offerings, plus live Bavarian bands taking care of the tunes. It looks like everyone in Brisbane will be able to pretend it's Oktoberfest all year round (or try to make Februaryfest, Julyfest and Decemberfest a thing as well). Munich Brauhaus will also add another stop to the city's unofficial German pub crawl after Woolloongabba's beloved German Club and Eagle Street's Bavarian Bier Café. For more information and an opening date, keep an eye on the Munich Brauhaus website. Via The Courier Mail.
At Mac From Way Back, one thing monopolises the menu: creamy, gooey macaroni and cheese. And at Sabotage Social, it's about to take over their kitchen as well, with the food truck and the Valley bar teaming up to create Brisbane's first dedicated mac 'n' cheese eatery. From mid-to-late October, Mac From Way Back will make 143 Wickham Street its permanent base, serving up its 100 percent indulgent creations from within Sabotage Social. That means loaded bowls, fries and burgers will be permanently on offer to complement the venue's whiskey, beer and cocktail range. Operating from Wednesday to Sunday, there'll be meal deals too. For those who haven't experienced the food truck's existing mac dishes, think overflowing containers filled with the good stuff, such as the old favourite that is the five-cheese original — plus m'n'c drizzled over chips and smashed onto burgs. Their new digs will offer all of the above, with more mouthwatering varieties, and in monster-sized servings that might just feed two. Truffle mushroom and parmesan and chilli chorizo bowls are just two of the fresh flavours to look forward to, with fried haloumi and mozzarella sticks as sides, as well as onion rings. Coming just over a year after first hitting the road, it's a big move for Mac From Way Back, as well as indication of just how popular they've proven. Their actual opening date is still being determined, but we'll let you know when you can expect a mac attack. Mac From Way Back will open at Sabotage Social, 143 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley from mid-to-late October. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for further details.
The Flaming Lips are the very definition of a band that has too much creativity to quit. Their unique psychedelic rock has been around since 1983, but they're not the type of band who'd sign, seal and deliver the same hits over and over. Having said that, you (or someone in close proximity) probably have their greatest tunes perpetually on high rotation, from ‘Do You Realise??’, ‘The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song’, to ‘Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Part 1’ and ‘She Don’t Use Jelly’. Listening to these psychedelic ditties is a joyous trip of an experience in itself, but seeing them live is something else entirely. The Flaming Lips' undeniably brilliant album, Clouds Taste Metallic, is currently enjoying its 20th anniversary and to celebrate, The Flaming Lips are off on tour yet again. Ahead of their Sydney Festival and Palais Theatre shows, we managed to catch up with the very chatty Wayne Coyne and asked him about giving new life to a 20-year-old record, his next-level live shows, and of course, his work with Miley. [caption id="attachment_554895" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: George Salisbury.[/caption] WHERE CLOUDS TASTE METALLIC AND HEADY NUGGS ROAM The Flaming Lips have released a whopping 16 studio albums since 1983, with the beloved seventh album Clouds Taste Metallic hitting shelves in 1995. Over a decade later, how does Coyne feel about the album now? "Some of those songs are just really great, dynamic, freaky songs to play. It’s one of those records that is never that far away from us.” The reissued vinyl, titled Heady Nuggs: Clouds Taste Metallic 20 Years Later, comes with quite a few extra goodies, including a live Seattle set from 1996. “We’re a very lucky group that virtually everything that we’ve ever recorded, we really do have absolute say over what we can reissue.” At first, the live vinyl was not going to cut it. “We never liked the quality. Even though we liked the show, it never sounded very good.” After a little playing around with plug-ins, the band was able to recreate the “crazy, freaky, exciting show" they knew they had on their hands. “I think when people listen to that they get a sense of that very amped-up punk-rock meets psychedelic rock, meets prog-rock weirdo group that we were," says Coyne. With track names such as ‘Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles’, it's hard not to ask for the story behind the album title Clouds Taste Metallic. Turns out Sydney had a hand in it. About 20-odd years ago The Flaming Lips were hanging out with Tool in Sydney. Tool’s then bassist, Paul D’Amour was taking a ride in a four-seater airplane (as you do) and asked the pilot to fly through a cloud (because Paul D'Amour). “He opened his mouth because he thought, 'How often do you get to go through a cloud?' I asked him, what did it taste like? And he said, 'You know, it tasted kind of metallic.' That’s an absolutely true story." ON FINDING A KINDRED SPIRIT IN MILEY The Flaming Lips are no strangers to collaboration; just check out their 15th studio album With a Little Help From My Fwends; a star-studded cover album of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. One creative partnership stands out amongst them: Coyne and Miley Cyrus. “The way that we live our lives is very similar,” Coyne explains, “She’s so on it. She has so much shit to say and songs to sing. I think that’s why we like each other. I’m always going and she’s always going, and so we meet up and we’ve got 20 things we want to do.” According to Coyne, the writing and recording process is more impulsive and natural rather than scheduled and labored. Coyne may start working on something at his studio in Oklahoma, then brings it to Cyrus, where sometimes all they’ll need is one take. “Usually even though we would say we’d start recording at noon, we usually wouldn’t start until 2am,” says Coyne, “She always has a lot of stuff going on. She can be in her house with 50 people and there can be a crazy party going on, and I’ll go in and say ‘Let’s go out and we’ll do some stuff for 20 minutes’. There’s five to six tracks we did together where it’s literally one take and I went into the house, got her, she came out, sang, and that will be the song.” [caption id="attachment_545696" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Todd Spoth.[/caption] LIVE SHOWS AND THE VIEW FROM INSIDE A HUMAN-SIZED BUBBLE There's a good reason why The Flaming Lips have been declared by Q Magazine as one of the 'Top 50 Bands to See Before You Die'. If you're fortunate enough to have witnessed them live already you’ll be familiar with confetti guns, crazy light shows, costumes, and of course, Wayne Coyne rolling over the crowd in a human-sized bubble. So what’s it like to literally walk on your audience? “I’ve done it so much now that it’s not an utter freak-out surprise,” he says. “I have a certain control over where it’s going to go, I can get a sense of how freaky and exciting it is for the audience. It’s one of those cool moments that we embrace, we’re glad we get to do something like that, and that the audience gets to play along with it.” The only thing that Coyne worries about in the bubble is potentially breaking a nose or a pair of glasses. Bless. For Coyne, the live show experience is a chance to bring everybody into their colourful world. “The things that we do with the lights and the volume, it includes everybody. Even if they don’t know the songs, it brings everybody together. That’s why we want it to be so dynamic. You want everyone to get the most out of it.” The Flaming Lips are most at home in a festival atmosphere, as Coyne explains, “I think it works well with our type of optimistic message. The things we really love to sing, those really do communicate at festivals pretty well.” Coyne believes there could be a new Flaming Lips record ready by April or May this year, but depending on their future work with Cyrus, no plans have been set in stone. “But that’s the great thing about always creating, sometimes by shear accident you stumble across this great song that you didn’t even know that you were going to do. That’s what we want to happen, that’s the reason to always be doing stuff. Some special moment may accidentally happen.” See The Flaming Lips perform live at Melbourne's Palais Theatre on Friday, January 8 and at Sydney Festival on Saturday, January 9 for free in the Domain. More details on The Flaming Lips' website. Top image: George Salisbury (WB).
Been thinking about grabbing a few drinks at Uncle Bia Hoi? Think again. Instead, you'd best head to Aunty Oh Bia Hoi. That's right, the Brisbane Vietnamese bar everyone has been talking about this week has yet another new moniker. Here's hoping that the third time proves the charm for the Fortitude Valley establishment as it comes to the end of a tumultuous first month of trading. Since welcoming its first patrons in late March, the Hanoi-style beer cafe has weathered peaceful protests from the city's Vietnamese community, alleged death threats, and been forced to close its doors for a day, all over its name. While the hotspot's blend of Vietnamese eating and drinking has been a hit (think authentic street food and fresh beer), its title has been more than a little controversial. Anger focused on the cafe's initial moniker, Uncle Ho, which referenced communist North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh. This nod to the former dictator brought up memories of his punishing, violent regime for protestors, as did the restaurant's online advertisements: [caption id="attachment_567340" align="alignnone" width="700"] @unclehonewfarm via ABC.[/caption] Taking the backlash seriously, restaurant director Anna Demirbek announced a different title last week — and then another popped up on their Facebook page over the weekend. Say goodbye Uncle Ho and Uncle Bia Hoi, and hello Aunty Oh Bia Hoi. The new name links to the style of place — aka a beer hall — and to a particular brand of foamy beverage as well, while dropping any questionable terms such as "uncle" too. Now, when you stop by for a few rice paper rolls, an evening tipple and a couple of hours of hip hop-scored hangouts while sitting under twinkling lanterns, you'll do so in a place that doesn't make everyone think about a dark chapter of Vietnam's past. Find Aunty Oh Bia Hoi at 826 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley. For more info, visit their website.
First, they drove around Brisbane serving up American-style barbecued delights to the hungry masses. Now, they're moving from one motoring home to another — or rather, from a food truck to a pimped-out bus. We're talking about Bella BBQ, the source of some of Brisbane's favourite slow-cooked meals. Maybe you've built your own burger from their menu? Perhaps you tried their burger-doughnut hybrid? Or just enjoyed their usual array of pulled pork nachos, smoked ribs, brisket and buffalo wings? Either way, if you've munched on Bella BBQ's array of tender, juicy meat-centric products, then we know you're a fan (and you probably have the loyalty card to prove it). So, that makes the news that they've just unleashed their bigger, better vehicle — an old Mercedes school bus decked out two deep fryers, a cook top and grill, and a state of the art smoker — onto the city's streets even more exciting. Expect not only more of all the dishes you already know and love, but a few new offerings too. An ice cream machine is the latest addition to the fold, meaning their bus is now a one-stop shop when it comes to dinner and dessert. So is a 10,000 watt stereo system; eating at Bella BBQ always felt like a party anyway, but now they're making it official. Stay up-to-date with Bella BBQ by downloading their app or keeping an eye on their Facebook page.
If the owners of Paddington's new Club Sosay were playing The Game of Life, they'd be winning. Or, at the very least, they'd be advancing their plastic car to all of the best squares on the board — like the one that says "open up your own board game bar and cafe". Encouraging people to have some good old-fashioned fun, and enjoy everything from Uno to Monopoly (plus Hungry Hungry Hippos, Risk, Scrabble and Chess, too), is the new addition to Latrobe Terrace's aim. And if you don't like those particular games, don't worry. More than 500 will be available when the inner west's new hangout spot opens its doors on May 21. It's yet another one of those ideas that everyone wishes they'd thought of — and while the Greenslopes-based Go Lounge already has, as have plenty of other places around the globe, Club Sosay is giving the concept their own twist. Craft beer, wine and tapas will be on offer at the 70-seat establishment, getting paired up with new pals is an option, learning new games is as simple as asking an in-house guru, and playing whatever you'd like will only set you back a fiver. Plus, after graduating from a regular games night to its own permanent digs, the Paddington venue is just the beginning for Club Sosay. Negotiations are underway to add another location in St Lucia, with further future expansion plans covering the rest of the city, the Sunshine Coast and even interstate. Find Club Sosay at 2 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington from May 21. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for more information.
Brisbane's cultural ecosystem is booming. Cafes and bars are opening (almost) weekly, restaurants and pubs are more forward-thinking and imaginative than ever and you can find innovative cultural events and pop-up spaces to visit every day of the week. At Concrete Playground we encourage exploration and showcase innovation in our city every day, so we thought it fitting to reward those most talented vanguards pushing Brisbane to be a better, braver city. And so, we are very pleased to announce Concrete Playground's Best of 2017 Awards. As we continue to attempt to define Australian cuisine, chefs continue to push the boundaries. We've seen (and tasted) emu tartare and black ants, eaten bao topped with dumplings and sampled whole kimchi-glazed fish in a cocktail bar. Bars continue to offer immersive, imaginative experiences that take you beyond their drinks lists — you can drink cocktails at a bar hidden in a bottle-o, climb the stairs of a two-level gin oasis and sip house-made sodas while playing arcade games. The cafe culture is stronger than ever, too, with new cafes not only guaranteeing a stellar cup of Joe, but also innovative lunch snacks and sleek interiors that'll really make you reconsider that desk sandwich. Pubs are popping up riverside and brewing their beer in-house, while continuing to champion other local brands, artists and events. The bringing together of the art and food scene has expanded beyond pubs, with venues spending more time on their appearances, collaborating with local designers, architects and street artists to create stunning spaces. Event organisers have created smart and clever new events, celebrating the city's cultural ecosystem and bringing people together to run away from zombies in museums, look at innovative art and discuss the future of health, wealth and technology. This year, we will be awarding a People's Choice and Overall award in each of the following five categories: Best New Restaurant Best New Bar Best New Cafe Best New Pub Best New Event These 30 outstanding Brisbane ventures have been handpicked by Concrete Playground for their combination of originality, innovation, creativity, approachability and sustainability. We straight-up love them. And the winners are... BEST NEW RESTAURANT OVERALL WINNER:DETOUR You don't have to veer off the beaten path to find Woolloongabba's Detour — physically, at least. Diving into its menu? That's another thing entirely. When was the last time you ate emu tartare, gunpowder-cured salmon with black ants, octopus in miso butter or a Hawaiian curry? Or Kentucky Fried Duck with cornbread, the restaurant's signature dish? They're just some of the highlights offered by ex-Public chef Damon Amos's kitchen. When we say serve up, we mean it — and, not just because Detour's plating game is visually stellar. Here, you'll see everything happen while you relax under the former tyre factory's lofty ceilings. The open kitchen sits in full view of patrons, adding some glistening chrome to the space, and making watching your meal get made all part of the experience. PEOPLE'S CHOICE: JUNK At Junk, a hawker-style eatery from the due behind Donut Boyz and Hello Harry, you'll find a menu filled with Korean fried chicken wings, crisp Peking duck spring rolls, and four varieties of steamed bao (soft-shell crab, pork, pork gyoza and chicken katsu). Yes, one of those options really does include dumplings on bao. Dumplings. On. Bao. Crispy fried gunpowder chicken ribs and Vietnamese noodle salads will also be cooked up in executive chef Mitch Smith's kitchen, as will Gangnam fries (covered in house-made kimchi, nacho cheese sauce, nori and spring onion, and certain to get a K-pop song stuck in your head). The restaurant is always buzzing. It's a place you can take your friends, your parents, your overseas visitors and know you'll have a great time. BEST NEW BAR OVERALL WINNER: ELECTRIC AVENUE Electric Avenue is the kind of place you could kick-start your evening, drop by late or hang around all night. Brought to Brissie by Canvas owners Daniel Rodriguez and Bodie Schofield, their former head bartender Nick Royds and carpenter Adam Pykett. They also have ex-Sourced Grocer chef Will Quartel in the kitchen, whipping up more than just your usual bar food. Whole grilled kimchi-glazed fish, blackened duck breast and black garlic crepes — yes, that's a dessert — are just some of the menu standouts. You can wash all of that down with their choice of more than 70 wines, or a range of cocktails. We recommend moving this bar to the top of your list. PEOPLE'S CHOICE: NETHERWORLD Shelves of board games. Rows of arcade games. A wall of old-school consoles with retro televisions to match. Daytona given pride of place. The sound of The Simpsons' theme filtering through the playing space. Welcome to Netherworld, Brisbane's first arcade game bar. If you like hitting flippers, smashing buttons and passing go, all while drinking brews and eating burgers, you'll like it here. Trust us. For a place named after somewhere hellish or hidden, it's all rather inviting, which also fits the food and drink lineup. At the Hellmouth Diner, American and Japanese influences infiltrate a selection of bar fare that aims higher than the greasy usual bites to eat. All standard items such as burgers, burritos and bowls are also vegan-friendly, though meat and dairy can be added. And if you're keen on something other than the range of beers on tap, wine, spirits, cocktails and house-made sodas are also on offer, with the latter available as boozy 'loaded' versions as well. BEST NEW CAFE OVERALL WINNER AND PEOPLE'S CHOICE: GROWN West End has been a hive of activity lately, with new venues springing up all over the place. One such venue is Grown, a vegan dining venue offering breakfast and lunch six days a week. The plant-based, seasonal menu uses produce from FoodConnect, a company who source from local farmers within a 400km radius of Brisbane. The ethos behind Grown is pretty simple: good food, sourced from local farmers, beautifully presented. Plus, scraps and waste aren't going into the bin — they're being composted at Jane Street Community Garden (check them out — it's a must-do and just a stroll around the corner from Grown), a volunteer-run community space where permaculture reigns supreme. BEST NEW PUB OVERALL WINNER: LITTLE BIG HOUSE LBH comes courtesy of the Matt Moran-led hospitality group Solotel. Raised above Grey Street next to the train station, the two-level heritage-listed building stands out from the crowd with its city views, cruisy vibe, and creative food and beverage menu. From the open front and side balconies, that benefit from the cooling river breeze, to the downstairs karaoke room, where groups can belt out a tune (and slap on a brightly coloured hat) for free — the venue impresses. A pink pool table with an adjacent big screen for sports also takes up one room, while DJ booths are found on both floors. When it comes to booze, two bars — one upstairs, one downstairs — have plenty to offer, including a limited-time-only beer collaboration with Sydney's Young Henrys. PEOPLE'S CHOICE: NEWSTEAD BREWING CO A slightly larger and somewhat more polished version of their original Newstead location, the Newstead Brewing Co. Milton is a bustling brewery and craft beer bar right across the road from the Suncorp Stadium. Opened in early 2017, the venue quickly established itself as a popular pre-State of Origin beer spot. With plenty of outdoor terrace space, a large main bar and a function area that is open to the public on event days, the space is prime for big groups and bigger nights. Head brewer Kerry Claydon is in charge of all things small batch, craft beer and seasonal brews. There are a total of 32 taps across three bars, offering the Newstead's core beer range and a cider, as well as Claydon and her team's latest ale experimentations. BEST NEW EVENT OVERALL WINNER: SUPERCELL: CONTEMPORARY DANCE FESTIVAL This innovative new festival celebrates Queensland's place in the dance world by bringing together local and international artists, performances, workshops and conversations. Highlights included a five-woman piece from Switzerland's Simone Truong; a triple bill by Australia's Bridget Fiske and the UK's Joseph Lau; dancers from China, Indonesia and around Australia; and a three-day workshop with Gold Coast outfit The Farm. During February this year, the dance festival, co-founded and curated by Kate Usher and Glyn Roberts, took over the the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. PEOPLE'S CHOICE: ESPRESSO MARTINI FESTIVAL As far as boozy beverages go, nothing beats the espresso martini. It gives you a buzz, it's a crowd-pleaser and most venues have one on their menu. In fact, they're so beloved, Brisbane had a whole festival dedicated to them. They've appeared previously in Sydney and Melbourne, but Brisbane's inaugural (highly caffeinated) festival took over Fish Lane in August this year. Of course, there's no prizes for guessing what was on offer — but it wasn't just the usual 'tinis combos of coffee and alcohol. With the team from Brooklyn Standard on drinks duty, they whipped up at least five different varieties.
UPDATE, December 11, 2020: The Lobster is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies and Prime Video. Imagine living in a world where the pursuit of love provided only two choices. You can find a spouse and live happily ever after in coupledom, or you can earn the scorn of others for failing to pair up. In this scenario, society champions the intertwined and persecutes the single. Does it feel familiar? It should. That such a situation doesn't seem too far from reality is the point of The Lobster, despite the clear exaggerations if gleefully plays with. In an unnamed time, those like the mournful David (Colin Farrell) who prove unlucky when it comes to affection — even through the death of their spouse or via infidelity — are shipped away to a matchmaking-focused hotel as a last resort, literally. If they don't connect with another person in 45 days, they'll be transformed into the animal of their choice. Their only other option is to run away and live in the nearby woods with a group of loners, who shun relationships, dig their own graves in a mournful bit of forward thinking, and seek solace by dancing alone to electronic music. If that sounds cynical as well as comedic in an absurdist, deadpan manner, that's because it is — and writer/director Yorgos Lanthimos is certainly known for raising his eyebrows and donning a wry smile in the face of many of the behaviours and preferences that define our lives and interactions. In his first English-language film after the equally heightened Dogtooth and Alps, he does the same with modern romance, skewering and dissecting the fact that finding monogamy and matrimony are championed by most as the be all and end all of human existence, no questions asked. That's not all he does, though, as he follows David's interactions with others looking for their similar other halves, such as Lisping Man (John C. Reilly), Limping Man (Ben Whishaw) and Biscuit Woman (Ashley Jensen). Nor is scepticism his only attitude when David meets Loner Leader (Léa Seydoux) and Short Sighted Woman (Rachel Weisz), finding a kindred spirit in the latter, even if he's not supposed to. Mixing suspicion with sweetness — not of the sappy rom-com kind, but bursting from a genuine appreciation of the joy that can result when two people really do find something special in each other beyond having superficial things in common, and are willing to sacrifice to keep it — is the key to The Lobster's brilliance. Lanthimos finds the overwhelming beauty that can lurk in the stark reality he depicts, perhaps surprisingly so given how stylised and precise everything else proves: the dialogue, setting, recurrent use of music and tightly shot visuals, for example. The impact is as astounding as it is intriguing. Consequently, prepare for a smart, sensitive and surreal movie that both looks on in horror and inspires hope as far as matters of the heart are concerned. And prepare to pay attention too, because the details mean everything. When the excellent international cast all speak in their native accents, aptly mirroring the film's conflict of structure and chaos in the process, or the soothing tones of Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue's ballad 'Where the Wild Roses Grow' contrasts with the overt tones heard otherwise, that's when The Lobster's wondrous, winning, witty take on love and life starts to truly shine.
If you're looking for a slice of Britain in Brisbane, the city's newest watering hole has you covered. Think English-style food and booze, just like you'd find across the seas. Think Old Blighty's public houses of yesteryear combined with the epitome of the modern London bar scene. Think gastropub. Celebrating the location that provided its inspiration in its moniker, London Fields champions British fare of the eating and drinking variety. And where better to set up shop than the inner-city spot with its own UK connotations: West End. Don't go looking for the pub in the heart of the suburb, though, with London Fields calling the corner of Montague Road and Raven Street home. While the area might not be as happening as the rest of West End at present, a quick glimpse at the surrounding development sites indicates that that's all about to change. On the food side of things, expect nose to tail offerings that span roasted morsels of your favourite meats, as well as burgers and chips-style bar food, all served up for lunch and dinner every day of the week. When it comes to booze, the usual craft brews and some not-so-usual cocktails are planned, though currently it's a BYO affair while the proprietors wait for their liquor license to come through. London Fields is the latest venture from Bonnie Shearston and Tom Sanceau, who already have Public, Red Hook and Coppa Spuntino in their stable of Brisbane eateries. Combine the gastropub's theme with its pedigree, and it looks set to be another winner. Find London Fields on the corner of Montague Road and Raven Street, West End, or visit their website for more information.
We reckon you're never too old for Easter. Let's be honest — when an occasion involves copious amounts of chocolate, that's something that you never outgrow (and if you claim you have, we call fibs). Sure, egg hunts and bunny ears seem better suited for kids; however there's still plenty of tasty concoctions that'll make even the most mature among us start salivating. You just need to know what to look for — from OTT chocolate eggs and hot cross cruffins to cocktails served in Easter bunnies. HOT CROSS CRUFFINS AT LUNE CROISSANTERIE When Lune Croissanterie opened its first interstate store in Brisbane in 2021, pastry lovers across the city understandably got excited. Indeed, the baked goods haven serves up delicious bites that'll tempt your tastebuds all year round — but this is officially our first Lune Easter. On the menu: hot cross cruffins. Yes, they're exactly what they sound like, and they're only available for a super-limited time. These croissant-muffin-hot cross bun hybrids come filled with a spicy and fruity creme, topped with a cross (obviously) and brushed in a sweet glaze. If you're keen, you'll find them in-store from Monday, April 11–Monday, April 1, and online on Easter weekend only. HONEYCOMB AND ROCKY ROAD EGGS AT NEW FARM CONFECTIONERY Not content with handcrafting some of the best chocolate Brisbane gets to eat all year round, New Farm Confectionery dials the deliciousness up at Easter. More than a few delicacies grace its menu, so prepare to be spoiled for choice. The honeycomb and rocky road eggs ($35 each) take treatin' yo'self to the next level. Available in milk, dark and white coverture chocolate varieties, and worlds away from the kind of choccies you'll find wrapped in foil, they're equal parts yum and fun. Also on offer: caramel-filled eggs ($30 each), including both salted caramel and coconut caramel varieties. You'd best get in quick though — these melt-in-your-mouth beauties usually sell out. EASTER BUNNY COOKIES AND HOT CROSS SCONES AT BELLE EPOQUE There's never a bad time to treat yo'self to high tea, but Easter is one of the best. Plenty of spots around town celebrate the occasion with exactly that kind of spread — and this list includes more than one. So, what makes Belle Epoque's high tea stand out? Only being dished up across Saturday, April 16–Monday, April 18, this one includes hot cross scones, Easter bunny cookies and an edible garden. It also comes just with tea or coffee ($60), sparkling ($70) or champagne ($80). If those dates don't suit, Belle Epoque is also slinging a takeaway range. There, you'll find both fruit and chocolate hot cross buns ($4 each), truffle-filled Easter eggs ($25) and egg nests ($25) made out of wafer, then filled with white, milk and dark chocolate eggs. HOT CROSS BUNNY COCKTAILS AT EMPORIUM Stop by the Emporium Hotel in South Bank before Tuesday, April 19 and you'll find multiple ways to celebrate Easter — not only spanning Belle Epoque's options above, but also including a couple of boozy choices. Over at the venue's glittering Piano Bar, you can hop on in for Hot Cross Bunny cocktails. They combine vanilla vodka, applejack brandy, hot chocolate, cinnamon syrup and dark chocolate liqueur, and they're the $20 Easter treat that you didn't know you needed until now. And if that's not enough Easter-themed sipping for you, upstairs at The Terrace — yes, 21 floors up, and with striking views over Brisbane to prove it — you'll have two more choices. The Cold Cross Bun cocktail mixes spiced rum, cold butter and saffron syrup, while the Holiday Hopper goes with white cacao and Mount Tamborine Crème de Menthe. HOT CROSS BROWNIES AND BUNS FROM DELLO MANO It might be best known for its indulgent chocolate brownies, but Dello Mano also likes to have a crack at some hot cross buns as well. And, to combine the two, it also does hot cross brownies. So, you've got options — because, when it's this time of year, isn't that exactly what we all want? For brownie fiends, the long-time seasonal favourites take Dello Mano's always-rich brownies, hand dip them in Belgian chocolate and finish them up with a white chocolate cross. Even better — you can get them in a box of 16 for $69. Or, for buns, buns and more buns, you've got regular (aka spiced dough studded with loads of fruit) and chocolate to pick from for $30 for six. BOOZY HIGH TEA AT W BRISBANE If you're fond of tiny bites to eat — and also drinking cocktails — then add a trip to W Brisbane's Living Room to your list. It's hosting Hopping Good Easter High Tea feasts from Friday–Sunday each week until Sunday, April 24, paint your own' Valrhona white chocolate easter eggs, hot cross scones, raspberry chocolate squares and mocha crème brulee tarts, as well as confit duck pie, lobster tarts and creamy truffle eggs with blue scampi caviar all on offer. But, you'll probably get most excited about the boozy side of things — including bottomless Chandon Garden Spritzes. If you're keen, you have two price options. Pay $65 each, and you'll feast your way through the food, accompanied as much tea and coffee as you can drink. Opt for the $109 option, however, you can add those aforementioned free-flowing spritzes. DIY COCKTAILS IN EASTER EGGS FROM COCKTAIL PORTER Like Gelato Messina? Love Easter eggs? Then Cocktail Porter's DIY kits are your kind of treat. The make-at-home packs let you whip up your own boozy beverages — and you can choose between a Messina dulce de leche and coffee cocktail set and espresso martinis served out Lindt milk chocolate bunnies. The former comes with Messina's popular topping, Baileys, cold-drip coffee and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, plus chocolate Easter eggs to pour your mixed liquids into (and drink them out of). The latter pairs vodka, cold-filter coffee, sugar syrup and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, and you can pick between two different-sized packs of both. Go small, and you'll pay $80 to make five drinks. The large costs $145, and makes 12.
It has been almost a decade since Petrie Terrace's former gaol-turned-barracks was transformed into a retail, restaurant and cinema complex — and it just keeps evolving. There's always seems to be somewhere new to eat here, with Nativo Kitchen and Wine Bar the latest addition to the precinct, bringing Tuscan-style food and dining to Paddington. With NKB Group running the show, Nativo joins their alliterative stable of culinary haunts, which also includes Nickel Kitchen and Bar in Fortitude Valley and NKB Express in Indooroopilly. It's a case of one door closing and another one opening for the company, however. Their other Indro joint, Nantucket Kitchen and Bar, is set to shut on May 14. But back to all things new, shiny and delicious. Nativo plays up the rustic-style atmosphere the Barracks has in spades, turning the former French Twist site into a little Italy, complete with exposed brick, a cosy courtyard and a mural of the Italian countryside. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, the menu keeps the same vibe flowing, favouring classic, regional dishes. Start the day with a Nativo breakfast board, which features Parma ham, dried tomatoes, basil pesto, smashed avocado, sourdough and marinated eggplant, or get fresh and fruity with fresh strawberry and basil salad, whipped ricotta, fresh honeycomb and vincotto. The lunch and dinner selection ranges from crisp fried baby calamari with squid ink aioli and house-made rabbit and pistachio terrine for starters, a choice of ten pizzas and five pastas, plus mains such as osso bucco, pan-roasted duck breast and three types of scallopini. For dessert, opt for more old favourites, with gelato, affogatos and tiramisu on offer. And as for the drinks list, Italian wines — including nine rather pricey varieties labelled 'collector wines' — lead the charge, as well as a hefty array of grappa (of course), and trusty tipples such as Bellinis, Americanos, Negronis and Milano martinis among the cocktail choices. Nativo Kitchen & Wine Bar is now open at 61 Petrie Terrace, Paddington. For more information, check out their website and Facebook page.
Courtney Coombs is no stranger on the Brisbane arts scene. In fact, as a curator, artist and co-director of local arts initiative LEVEL, she’s probably one of the first names that pops into mind at its mention. This year already she’s exhibited in Dirty Laundry at Hardgrave Park, In Pursuit of Magic at Melbourne-based Bus Projects, A Rose Is a Rose Is a Daisy at Cathedral Square, and Highflying at Highgate Hill Park. Now she brings to West End’s Boxcopy her latest project: It’s Complicated. Utilising photography, moving image, installation, performance and found objects, It’s Complicated is the closing chapter of Coombs’ extended body of work investigating gendered engagements with the modernist canon. It uses humour, offers a scope into modern relationships, and gets down to the nitty-gritty of her fervent relationship with the history of Western modernism. Courtney Coombs: It’s Complicated runs for a single weekend this Saturday and Sunday, with opening night Friday 12 at 6pm. Image: Lifesaver (2014) by Courtney Coombs.
It's been 11 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005. Heading back to their collection of unconventional venues for another year, Laneway Festival have announced their dates and venues for 2016's Australasian run. Returning to the five established Australian Laneway go-to cities as well as the Singapore and Auckland legs, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with an undoubtedly killer lineup and unique, random locations. Kicking off in Singapore on Saturday, January 30 at Gardens by the Bay, Laneway will then head over to Auckland’s Silo Park on Monday, February 1. Then it’s off to Adelaide on Friday, February 5 to kick off the Australian leg for the first time at Harts Mill, Port Adelaide, before heading to Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday, February 6, Sydney College of the Arts on Sunday, February 7, Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC) on Saturday, February 13 and finishing up at Fremantle’s Esplanade on Valentine’s Day. The full festival lineup for all three countries will be announced at 9am AEST on Tuesday, September 22. ST JEROME'S LANEWAY FESTIVAL DATES AND VENUES FOR 2016: Saturday, January 30 — SINGAPORE (THE MEADOW, GARDENS BY THE BAY) Monday, February 1 — AUCKLAND (SILO PARK) Friday, February 5 — ADELAIDE (HARTS MILL, PORT ADELAIDE, 16+) Saturday, February 6 — BRISBANE (BRISBANE SHOWGROUNDS, BOWEN HILLS, 16+) Sunday, February 7 — SYDNEY (SYDNEY COLLEGE OF THE ARTS, ROZELLE) Saturday, February 13 — MELBOURNE (FOOTSCRAY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE (FCAC) + THE RIVER’S EDGE) Sunday, February 14 — FREMANTLE (ESPLANADE RESERVE AND WEST END) Image: Andy Fraser.
Movie buffs of Brisbane, prepare to spend a good chunk of July in a darkened room. After its successful debut in 2015, Queensland Film Festival returns for another year of championing the best in international cinema — and its second annual program is even bigger. In fact, the boutique, curated festival has doubled in size in 2016, with 40 films — aka 20 features and 20 shorts — due to light up the silver screens at New Farm Cinemas from July 15 to 24, and at the Institute of Modern Art at a pre-festival teaser on July 9. Expect everything from gems of the global festival circuit to restored greats, with 19 titles in the lineup screening in Australia for the very first time. QFF 2016 kicks off with a slice of colourful melodrama courtesy of Pedro Almodovar's Julieta, and that's just the start of the festival's ten-day movie frenzy. A collaboration with Studio Ghibli, the dialogue-free animation The Red Turtle comes to Brisbane after premiering in Cannes, as does Morocco-based mountain travelogue Mimosas. Elsewhere, QFF will get loud and terrifying with heavy metal horror film The Devil's Candy by Australian director Sean Byrne, delve into competitive masculinity via absurdist Greek New Wave comedy Chevalier, explore a personal essay of love, loss and a pet pooch called Lolabelle in Laurie Anderson's Heart of a Dog, and take a different look at combat via Guy Maddin's Bring Me the Head of Tim Horton. And then there's the unsettling fable of Lucile Hadžihalilovic's Evolution, the pulpy magic of Anna Biller's The Love Witch, the Guillermo del Toro-championed mystical poetry of Chinese effort Kaili Blues, and Dead Slow Ahead's sci-fi like examination of cargo ships. If some of these titles sound familiar, that's because we've been excited about them for a while now. Plus, because 2016 marks two very important milestones in Brisbane film history, QFF is casting its eyes back to the past as well. First, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the initial Brisbane Film Festival — which actually took place at the movie theatre that eventually became the current New Farm Cinemas — with a screening of Agnes Varda's Cleo From 5 to 7, a selection of shorts and a free discussion panel on fifty years of film fests in the Queensland capital. Then, commemorate the 25th anniversary of the now-lost Brisbane International Film Festival by watching David Cronenberg's Naked Lunch from BIFF's 1999 program. Queensland Film Festival runs from July 15 to 24 at New Farm Cinemas, with a pre-festival screening taking place at the Institute of Modern Art on July 9. To view the full program or buy tickets, head to the festival website from 1.30pm on June 14.
UPDATE, August 19, 2021: After Bluesfest was originally cancelled just days out from its usual Easter slot, and then later postponed to October, the long-running fest has now announced that it's abandoning plans to go ahead this year — and will return for Easter 2022 instead. For more information head to the Bluesfest website. Mid last year, after its 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic, Bluesfest announced the first 50 acts for its 2021 festival. That lineup has changed in the months since, with an all-Aussie roster now set to hit the fest's stages — headlined by Aussie icon and the human scream Jimmy Barnes, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, Ziggy Alberts and The Teskey Brothers. Also on the bill: John Butler, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers, The Church, The Waifs, Jon Stevens and John Williamson, plus Ian Moss, The Angels, The Living End and Tex Perkins. The list goes on, and includes new additions Pete Murray, Kate Ceberano, Electrik Lemonade and Palm Valley. In good news after a year lacking in large-scale music festivals, the event has been given a provisional green light, with organisers announcing that they've received NSW Government approval to run the festival at 50 percent capacity this April — as long as no outbreaks occur beforehand. The festival is set to return to Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm — just outside Byron Bay — for its usual Easter time slot, from Thursday, April 1 to Monday, April 5. When the festival was cancelled last year, it was the first time in 30 years it had not run, but the second year in a row it had come under threat. In 2019, the Festival Director threatened to move the festival to a spot outside of NSW because of the State Government's strict music festival licensing regime. Here's hoping that it does go ahead as planned in 2021 — with tickets on sale now. BLUESFEST 2021 LINEUP Pete Murray Mark Seymour and The Undertow Kate Ceberano Fiona Boyes and The Fortune Tellers Lambros The Regime Round Mountain Girls Electrik Lemonade Palm Valley Ocean Alley John Williamson Tex Perkins The Man in Black Jon Stevens Ash Grunwald and Josh Teskey Vika and Linda Garrett Kato Mia Dyson The Church Kate Miller-Heidke The Living End The Angels Ross Wilson and The Peaceniks Blue King Brown Jeff Lang Kara Grainger Tash Sultana Ziggy Alberts Kev Carmody Ian Moss Hiatus Kaiyote Russell Morris Briggs Kim Churchill Mama Kin Spender All Our Exes Live In Texas Jimmy Barnes The Teskey Brothers John Butler Xavier Rudd The Cat Empire Kasey Chambers The Waifs Troy Cassar-Daley The Black Sorrows Melbourne Ska Orchestra Chain Backsliders Harts Plays Hendrix Ash Grunwald The Bamboos Mick Thomas' Roving Commission Dami Im Pierce Brothers Emily Wurramara Roshani Ray Beadle Henry Wagons Hussy Hicks Pacey, King and Doley Daniel Champagne Nathan Cavaleri Little Georgia Bluesfest Busking Competition and Winners The Australian Americana Music Honours Bluesfest 2021 will run Thursday, April 1–Monday, April 5 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. Tickets are on sale now via Moshtix. Image: Joseph Mayers.
Called it. When more and more breweries started popping up in Milton, we were pretty sure that a brewery crawl was going to be in order. Trust Brewsvegas to make the idea a reality, and to keep it coming back year after year. There's no prizes for guessing what happens on The Milton Good Beer Trail, but there is plenty of beer. Yes indeed. Take a 1.4 kilometre stroll between The Scratch, Aether, Newstead Brewing, Brewski and Mongrel, snaffle a different Brewsvegas schooner at each venue, and just generally be merry. Who's thirsty? Even better — your $30 ticket also gets you a stubby cooler to commemorate your trek. And, you can make the stroll whenever you feel like between Friday, March 15 and Sunday, March 24 from 12–11pm.
Summer is officially over. We know that not just because it's March, but because, as has become custom at this time of year, Vivid Sydney has this morning announced its program for 2018. Get ready to be ensconced in projections once again — the festival of light, music and ideas is returning for 23 days from May 25 to June 16. The first tidbit from this year's program was handed to us a few weeks ago, with the announcement that Solange will do four shows at the Sydney Opera House from June 1–4 — her only Australian shows this time round. Tickets have already been allocated via ballot, so we hope you jumped on that already. The most overt (and unavoidable) aspect of the program is the lights, and this year their glow will extend across the bridge to light up Luna Park for the first time. A new precinct for 2017, it will extend the reach of the CBD's Light Walk from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo with a collection of large-scale projections and a new light fit-out for the Ferris wheel. Should make good viewing from the ferry. The Sydney Opera House's sails will this year be lit up with hyperreal images of Australian flora, fauna and natural elements from artist (and former Flume collaborator) Jonathan Zawada, and Customs House will be home to an adorable projection of May Gibbs' Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Fans of Sir David Attenborough will be able to head down to the Maritime Museum to watch scenes from Blue Planet II projected onto the building's roof, and interactive light installation Aqueous will head to the Royal Botanic Garden via Burning Man. Vivid light hotspots, Circular Quay, the MCA, Chatswood, Taronga Zoo and Martin Place will all be lit up as well. Vivid Music is once again in fine form. Joining Solange for the Vivid Live component of the program at the Opera House will be hip hop legend Ice Cube, 90s favourite Cat Power and Mazzy Star, who will come to Australia for the very first time since forming in 1989 (if you don't know the band by name, you probably know the song 'Fade Into You'). Dreams — a new project from Silverchair's Daniel Johns and Empire of the Sun's Luke Steele — and performances from Iron and Wine, Neil Finn and Middle Kids around also on the Opera House's 20-night Vivid lineup. Another big one is a one-off performance from St Vincent at Carriageworks, and the City Recital Hall has a solid program this year, including a musical comedy show from Orange Is the New Black's Lea Delaria. Vivid Ideas is, of course, back for those keen to delve into creativity, science and technology — and this year it's scored James Cameron as its big-ticket speaker. Cameron will be in town to open his new exhibition at the Maritime Museum and do an in conversation with comedian Adam Spencer. There's plenty more where that came from, check the Vivid Sydney website for more details.
It's news that'll make you melt. Actually, it's news about the monarch of melted foods, to be precise. Everyone loves a good cheese toastie, however the folks behind Brisbane's next must-visit eatery really love them. In fact, it's their main menu item. Of course, with a name like Melt Brothers, the CBD spot's fondness for gooey cheddar between two pieces of warmed bread is front and centre. And really, why not open Brissie's first joint dedicated to slinging the ultimate in comfort food? Details such as an exact location, opening date and menu are currently under wraps, but it's probably prudent to expect cheese on everything. What we do know is that it'll be licensed, which means toasties-and-beer combos, people. Okay, okay, so now that you know about Melt Brothers, waiting for it to start making your cheese toastie dreams come true is going to be tough. In the interim, Ronny's in Carseldine serves up quite the variety of jaffles, while Milton fromagerie Fromage [The Cow] has a cheese toastie window. Yep, it's a good time to be a melted dairy lover in this city. Find Melt Brothers at a soon-to-be-disclosed Brisbane CBD location in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on their website, Facebook page and Instagram feed for more information. Image: Asnim Asnim.
You can walk to the shops. You can walk to work. But no walk will feed your soul like a walk by the water. And if you're travelling to Sydney soon, your soul should be pizza-party-level full with the number of walks around town featuring stellar water views. These ten coastal walks have it all — wild scrub, picturesque paths, yacht clubs and war ruins. Bar stops right where you need them. Parts of the Bondi to Coogee you can blitz in an hour, while the Bundeena to Otford track is an overnighter. Here's your next ten weekends' worth of active leisure. BEST HARBOUR VIEWS: BRADLEY'S HEAD TO CHOWDER BAY WALK For the yoga-posing enthusiast, this leisurely five-kilometre walk begins over the bridge from the CBD at Taronga Zoo and extends to the deliciously charming Chowder Bay. The trail hugs the coast tightly and its proximity to Sydney Harbour allows for completely unobstructed views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and city skyline. Once you work up an appetite, plan to have a well-deserved lunch at one of the bay's many seafood restaurants. BEST FOR YACHT-WATCHING: CHINAMANS BEACH TO BALMORAL BEACH While this trek can be walked in either direction, the best course is down through the overgrown Parriwi Lighthouse Walking Track. The steep steps lead to sudden views of Middle Harbour, and the trek becomes an unexpectedly rocky adventure as the path to Chinamans Beach is only available at low tide. Once arriving at the tiny and peaceful Chinamans, the short one-kilometre walk to Balmoral includes exquisite beachfront properties that line the shores and views of the yachts that often dock along the way. MOST CHALLENGING TREK: BUNDEENA TO OTFORD COASTAL TRACK If you're looking for more than a day trip, this 26-kilometre track around the Royal National Park boasts a combination of rugged bushwalks with Cliffs of Moher-type views across the Tasman Sea. For those who are not incredibly fit, it is best to spend a night camping at North Era campground, but make sure to wake up in time for the stunning sunrise over the ocean. BEST COASTAL BUSHWALK: NORTH HEAD While this historical, 9.5-kilometre walk does contain a driving path, the true beauty of this trail is seen through the dirt road bushwalk. Take the ferry from Circular Quay towards Manly and begin this trek at North Head Sanctuary. Walk through the former North Head Army Barracks before heading out to the bush to potentially spot an echidna or bandicoot lurking in the burnt orange and yellow brush. The wild path then opens suddenly to a mix of coastal views; the best are located at the Third Quarantine Station Cemetery, which looks across to Middle Head and Manly, and the Fairfax Walk, which looks far out over the Tasman Sea. From here, it's easy to end your afternoon at Manly Beach, stopping at the petite Collins and Little Manly beaches along the way. BEST TREK TO THE CBD: ANZAC BRIDGE TO PYRMONT BRIDGE This seafood frenzy of a walk is the most scenic way to head into the CBD from the city's inner west. Begin by crossing the austere-looking Anzac Bridge over to Blackwattle Bay, where you should settle in for a bayside lunch at the iconic Sydney Fish Market. Continue on through Darling Harbour and cross into the CBD over the Pyrmont Bridge, which offers the best views of Cockle Bay. This four-kilometre bridge hike merits a cocktail and some nibbles at one of the restaurants and bars at nearby Barangaroo. MOST ICONIC STROLL: MANLY TO SPIT BRIDGE SCENIC WALK This ten-kilometre walk, combined with the ferry ride to Manly Beach, is one of the best and most easily accessible treks in Sydney — and comes highly endorsed for a reason. This varying coastal walk of bush, ocean views and even rock engravings by the Gai-mariagal people make the entire trip compelling and a true Sydney experience that shouldn't be missed by even the most seasoned veterans. BEST PANORAMIC VIEWS: MIDDLE HEAD While the multiple WWII batteries located at Middle Head certainly set this walk apart, it is the expansive views of the eastern suburbs, Middle Harbour and Manly that really make this trek worthwhile. Still, climbing through underground tunnels and gun pits on the edge of the coast is a big part of the thrill. Don't miss the Vietnamese 'Tiger Cages', where trained military men simulated prisoner of war conditions. You'll find these ruins throughout the Middle Head Fortifications, but the surrounding sheer cliffs are what give the remnants their eerie and significant effect. BEST HISTORIC SIGHTS: COCKATOO ISLAND A UNESCO world heritage site, Cockatoo Island has an illustrious history. Once a convict colony and industrial island, it has 360-degree views of the water, including the surrounding bays and the Parramatta River. Tours, events and daily talks focus on environmental and historical issues related to the island, and regular art exhibitions run throughout the year. Spend a leisurely afternoon playing tennis on some of Sydney's most scenic courts then hire a barbecue and show off your grill-skills. If you still want more, Cockatoo can easily be turned into a getaway for your getaway with campgrounds and holiday houses available. BEST FOR PICNICKING: BALLS HEAD RESERVE The reserve affords exceptional views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the north and is a great place to have a short walk and picnic on the rocks overlooking the CBD. The bushwalk tracks open up to a secluded park where barbecues stand at the ready. Once you finish grilling up your sausages, head back over to the rocky area to have your picnic while watching the harbour boats mosey by. This is a proper lazy man's trek and should be enjoyed at a slow pace. MOST QUINTESSENTIALLY SYDNEY: BONDI TO COOGEE No list is complete without including this six-kilometre trail, which gives visitors and locals alike a true sense of Sydney's coastal beauty. The trek's steep gradients are well spaced between the city's most loved beaches, making this trip part-workout, part-beach bum afternoon. While the walk could be completed in as little as two hours, it's best enjoyed with long breaks by the ocean. Come in the spring and parts of the trail become extra majestic (and extra crowded) for iconic art event Sculpture by the Sea. Ready to get away and experience Sydney? Book with Qantas for great fares to Sydney and NSW until 24 September. Terms and conditions apply. Images: Marissa Ciampi and Grant Bates.
