By now, every Brisbanite should've heard of the Urban Wine Walk, aka your excuse to mosey around town and drink vino at various bars across a mighty fine afternoon. It's coming back in May — but it isn't alone. Meet the Urban Cocktail Trail, which is exactly what it sounds like. This time, from 2–6pm on Saturday, May 29, you'll make your way around the CBD to sip cocktails. John Mills Himself, Coppa Sputino, The Gresham, Red Hook and Dawn are some of the places involved, with the list topping out at nine bars. They'll each be making their own special cocktail for the occasion, so you'll basically be venturing to them all and catching those different drinks like Pokémon. Tickets start from $69.77 and are on sale now, with places limited. You can choose where you kick off, and you'll get a prosecco and something to eat at your initial port of call. After that, you'll be able to redeem six vouchers for six mini cocktails at whichever participating places you feel like visiting. Top image: The Gresham, Millie Tang.
Dessert can follow every meal, and don't anyone tell you otherwise. Breakfast, brunch, dinner — they can all be improved with a sweet treat after the main course. So can lunch, too, especially in Fortitude Valley between Monday, April 19–Friday, April 23. For five days this week, if you're grabbing a bite in the middle of the day in the Valley, you can also nab a free ice cream as well. An ice cream van will be set up in the Brunswick Street Mall, and it'll be handing out 200 free desserts between 12–2pm each day. Obviously, there are a few caveats, though. Firstly, you'll have to buy something for lunch from an eatery in the Valley — so in the aforementioned Brunswick Street Mall, Bakery Lane, Winn Lane, California Lane, Chinatown Mall and surrounding streets within the Valley precinct. You'll also have to spend at least $8.50 on your meal, and then take your receipt over to the ice cream van on the same day. And, you can only get one ice cream per day. If you're wondering what you'll be licking, you'll have a choice. Get ready to chase down your lunch with a plain waffle soft serve, waffle rainbow sprinkle or waffle sherbet. [caption id="attachment_758021" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tanya Dedyukhina via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]
If you dote over your vinyl collection with obsessive passion — or even if you just casually collect whichever albums you happen to come across whenever you're in your local record store — then you probably have one Saturday in April permanently marked on your calendar. That'd be Record Store Day, the annual celebration of ace music, a beloved format and the shops that trade in both. As happened last year, RSD has been postponed in 2021. Instead of its usual timeslot, the huge vinyl event will now take place in June. But that doesn't mean that your record pile has to remain static for the next couple of months, with record companies banding together for a huge vinyl sell-off: The Great Australian Warehouse Sale. Across the weekend of Saturday, April 17–Sunday, April 18, music aficionados will be able to snap up vinyl galore via indie record stores. Record companies such as Universal, Sony, MGM, Warner and more will be diving into their vaults, clearing out their warehouses and making as much stock available as possible, while individual shops will also be adding their own spin to the fun. Different stores will have different items on offer, so going crate-digging at your favourite shops is highly recommended. For further details — including which places are taking part — head to The Great Australian Warehouse Sale website.
It's a shopper's dream: walk into a store, browse the racks, and then nab a half-price bargain. Trust those vintage fiends at Vinnies to put the idea into practice, and to keep raising money for charity in the process. Vinnies 50 Percent Off Sale is exactly what it sounds like. Expect the usual array of clothing, accessories and other items to grace their racks, not that there's anything usual about trawling for secondhand treasure. Not knowing what you'll find is all part of the experience — but, this time, you're paying half of what you'd normally pay. The sale runs from Friday, April 16–Saturday, April 17 at Vinnies stores across Queensland, with the full list of sites — which includes the Brisbane CBD, Fortitude Valley, Newstead, Paddington, Coorparoo, West End and Stones Corner shops — available on the organisation's website. In the Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast areas, the discount doesn't apply to furniture. But, if you spend $20, you'll get a $5 voucher to use before June 30. Image: Onur Bahcivancilar.
Sometimes, your tastebuds just want what they want, and there's absolutely no swaying them otherwise. Sometimes, though, simply mentioning a particular dish — and the fact that it's available far cheaper than usual for a very short period — is enough to have your stomach grumbling in a completely different direction. Karaage curry lovers, rejoice — whether that's what you're already hankering for, or the mere mention of it has instantly kicked your appetite into gear, Motto Motto has you covered on Tuesday, March 23. To celebrate reaching a 500,000-curry milestone (yep, that's how many the Japanese chain has now dished up across the country since opening in 2014), it's selling bowls of both karaage chicken curry and tofu and vegetable curry for $1. The offer runs all day, but while stocks last — so having an early lunch could be a smart plan. Brisbanites, you'll be heading to Motto Motto's four local stores at Carindale, Chermside, Garden City and Indooroopilly to get your cheap curry fix. Either side of the city, you can also mosey into Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Plaza on the Sunshine Coast.
Whenever you head to a bar, drink a range of different brews and spend plenty of time chatting about top-notch tipples, you're basically giving yourself your own festival experience. But there's still nothing like the real thing — which is what The Sound Garden is serving up from 12–6pm on Saturday, May 8. Sighted: Beer Fest will be pouring amber-hued beverages from Stone and Wood, Balter, Black Hops, Ballistic Beer Co, Young Henrys, Noosa Heads and more. So, if you were wondering what you'll be sipping, now you know. Entry is free, but you can purchase a $30 ticket bundle in advance, which'll nab you five brews on the day. If you know that all that beer will make your stomach rumble, there's also a $55 option that includes four drinks and a platter to munch your way through. Prizes are on the agenda as well, as is sitting around the Valley with your mates and saying cheers to a heap of brews. Top image: Stone and Wood.
Thanks to our sunny, warm weather almost all year round, Brisbanites are always willing and ready for a pool party. The event happening at Musgrave Park swimming pool on Saturday, March 27 isn't any old splashfest, though. Returning again for another year, it's all about celebrating several good causes. Here's what's on the agenda at Reclaim the Night's Body Positive Pool Party: having a dip, having some fun, and reclaiming a space and a pastime in that have traditionally caused plenty of stress about beauty standards and gender norms. So, grab your togs and cannonball into action. On second thoughts, maybe scrap the last part. No one wants to be that person. There'll be swimming, obviously. There'll also be DJs, a vegetarian sausage sizzle and market stalls features feminist artists. As for where the other worthy causes come in, that's thanks to the beneficiaries of your entry fee. Prices vary depending on whether you're on a wage or not — $5 for the former, $12.50 for the latter — and you can add an extra donation, too, when you buy a ticket.
Those looking to get some insight into the winner of this year's Archibald Prize can tune into a free online talk with the artist Peter Wegner and his subject Guy Warren on Tuesday, August 24. The pair will be discussing the prize-winning artwork for In the Frame with beloved TV and radio presenter Yumi Stynes. After the 2020 award was delayed due to COVID-19, this year's gong was handed out as normal — but now the Art Gallery of NSW exhibition that always follows has been impacted by Greater Sydney's current lockdown. So, the folks at AGNSW have released a virtual version of the popular showcase, which means both at-home Sydneysiders and folks around the rest of the country can view 2021's top portraits from their couch, as well as attend special online programming like In the Frame. Every year for the past century, the Archibald Prize has recognised exceptional works of portraiture by Australian artists. In 2021, from a field of 52 finalists, the coveted award has gone to Melbourne-based artist Peter Wegner for Portrait of Guy Warren at 100. A unanimous decision by this year's judges, Wegner's portrait of the centenarian and fellow artist obviously won the gong in a fitting year. "Guy Warren turned 100 in April — he was born the same year the Archibald Prize was first awarded in 1921," Wegner said. "This is not why I painted Guy, but the coincidence is nicely timed." Wegner's win came after an equal number of works from both male and female artists made the finalists list for the first time in Archibald history — all of which you can now scope out from home, alongside entries and winners for the Wynne and Sir John Sulman prizes, too. Across the three prizes, 2144 entries were received this year, which is the second-highest number ever after 2020. And, the three prizes received the highest-ever number of entries from Indigenous artists. The discussion between Wegner, Warren and Stynes will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook from 7.30pm and will run for 30 minutes, and will be available to watch after it streams on the Art Gallery of NSW's YouTube channel. [caption id="attachment_814784" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2021. Peter Wegner, 'Portrait of Guy Warren at 100'. Oil on canvas, 120.5 x 151.5 cm. © the artist. Photo: AGNSW, Felicity Jenkins. Sitter: Guy Warren.[/caption] Top image: Archibald Prize 2021 finalist. Kirsty Neilson, 'Making noise'. Oil on linen, 50.1 x 60.1 cm, © the artist. Photo: AGNSW, Felicity Jenkins.
Does your Friday afternoon ritual involve enjoying a few hard-earned drinks to welcome in the weekend? Are you desperately yearning for a holiday somewhere much further away than this sprawling country of ours? And, one more question for you: are you happy to sip a few tequila cocktails and trick your tastebuds into thinking they've really gone on a getaway? That's what Cloudland's Take Flight Friday sessions are all about. The destination: Mexico. Each Friday night from Friday, August 20–Friday, September 27, it's whisking cocktail lovers away with its range of tequila concoctions, with tickets costing $30 per person. You have two options — because even a faux vacation should come with choices. Head along on August 20, September 3 or September 10, and you'll score a guided tour experience. That just means you'll start with a guided tasting of four tequilas, and then you'll be treated to two mini beverages that go heavy on blue agave spirit. Or, make a night of it on August 27, September 17 or September 24 and you'll be on the self-discovery tour. You'll get four mini cocktails this time around, and it's up to you when you sip them.
When Friday, August 27 rolls around, it won't just be another day on the calendar. If you like oysters, it'll be a day full of them. There's no actual special occasion — it isn't Oyster Day, which is a real thing that does actually exist — but you can still spend your lunchtime slurping down more than a few molluscs. From 12–4pm, Alchemy will be serving up plenty of oysters in its riverside Eagle Street digs. Even better: it'll be offering up $1.50 oysters. There's no missing numeral in the price, either, so gather your spare change for a feast of Australia's finest. What you decide to pair them with, drinks-wise, is up to you, although there will be spiced mai tais, Toblerone martinis and Alchemy's signature London mules on offer. The special's timing means that you can pop by for lunch or a mid-afternoon snack; however, this deal will only last until sold out.
From the city's big stars to its everyday faces, everyone earns at place at the Brisbane Portrait Prize. The initiative kicked off in 2019, showcasing the folks that make this town of ours great — and the talented Brisbane artists who've committed their likeness to canvas. Indeed, subject-wise, these pieces always read like a who's who of Brissie each year. And if you're keen to see 2021's crop, select pieces are on display at Metro Arts from Friday, November 5–Sunday, November 14. With a big focus on emerging artists, this free exhibition includes works by Martin Edge, Monica Rohan, Kailum Graves, Elliot Brown, Liam Nunan and Tammy Law — spanning subjects such as Steven Oliver, Benjamin Law and artist Numpty (aka Gabriel Denham). Think of a trip to the exhibition as the people-watching you do when you're not actually staring at flesh-and-blood people. You'll it on display each Friday–Sunday from 11am–4pm.
Yeerongpilly's Plant Empire sells greenery every day of the week, helping folks with green thumbs — and those who wish they had them, too — fill their homes with leafy babies. But on Sunday, December 5, it's doing something more than that. You can still browse the store's shelves for plants, of course; however you can also head round back to check out the pop-up Christmas market. As well as plants, you'll be able to peruse a range of pots. If you're going to buy one of your loved ones some greenery, you'll want something to put it in, obviously. Also on offer: ceramics, jewellery and other handmade crafts. And if you happen to arrive hungry — Sunday mornings can do that to even the most satisfied stomach — there'll be food and coffee available as well, all while you listen to live tunes. Just drop by the Station Road spot between 9am–1pm, when the morning-long market and its 60-plus stalls will be in full swing. The usual advice applies here, as it does to all plant markets: yes, more greenery is always a good thing. Images: Plant Empire.
This spring and summer, the Regatta is using the balmy weather as an excuse to give its courtyard a makeover. That's what In Full Bloom is all about — hanging out in the Toowong pub's openair space, eating, drinking and making the most of this time of year, all while surrounded by flowers aplenty (and while drinking plenty of spritzes, too). Every day right up until the end of summer, kicking off at 11.30am daily, the Toowong pub is serving up mushroom sliders, peking duck shanks, fried cauliflower popcorn, loaded mini hotdogs and fried prawn tacos — all in its new floral-heavy setup. Drinks-wise, it's pouring spritzes, including from a pop-up spritz cart. It'll be on the premises between 12–5pm on Sundays each week, and you'll be able to not only pick your beverages, but also your garnishes. Live music will soundtrack your Sunday sessions, too — if you need another excuse to head along.
BIGSOUND, the huge music industry conference and festival that usually takes over Brisbane each year, isn't happening in 2021. Newcomer BLAKSOUND is definitely forging ahead, however. And, due to the pandemic, the 100-percent First Nations youth-led music conference is rolling out virtually — so you can watch a heap of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talents share their thoughts about the music and arts industries all from the comfort of your couch. This three-day fest not only celebrates First Nations artists, but champions their voices and viewpoints about all things creative. The online conference a bit like a series of TEDx talks crossed with Sydney Opera House's Antidote Festival, and it's jam-packed with engaging folks. You'll hear veterans and up-and-comers alike dive into issues that affect First Nations communities, and also chat about how to push the next generation of Indigenous talents to the fore. Between Monday, September 6–Wednesday, September 8, BLAKSOUND is streaming speeches and workshops featuring everyone from Christine Anu and Ziggy Ramo to Baker Boy and both Troy and Jem Cassar-Daley. Also on the bill: GLVES, Kobie Dee, Alice Skye and Marlene Cummins, as well as journalist Rachael Hocking and broadcaster Rhianna Patrick. Broadcast from Meeanjin (Brisbane), BLAKSOUND is free to watch, too — or you can make a donation if you're able.
Every Brisbanite has caught a CityCat at some point. Since picnic boats started motoring up and down the river, you might've eaten lunch while sailing through the city with your mates, too. And, you could've also pedalled a floating bike along the waterway — because, when it comes to making the most of this River City, there's no shortage of options. The next way to cruise down the Brown Snake comes courtesy of Museum of Brisbane, with the CBD venue launching its own boat tours. Obviously, you won't be hopping onboard at its usual address. Instead, you'll mosey down to the City Botanic Gardens, then spend three hours floating past historic landmarks. Kicking off on Wednesday, November 3, and running every Wednesday and Sunday through till Sunday, December 19, the Tides of Brisbane boat tours will dive deep into Brissie history — verbally, not literally, of course. So, you'll hear about important sites, convict-built structures and more, all while soaking in quite the view. The latter is one of the reasons that new ways to hop on the river keep popping up, after all. This is Museum of Brisbane's first-ever series of boat tours, following its popular walking options — such as its new public art tour that launched earlier in 2021. Twenty people can hop onboard at once, and each $120 tour includes a stop at Sea Legs Brewing Co in Kangaroo Point; however, you will need to pay extra for food and drink.
Sometimes, the name says it all. That's certainly the case with Series Mania. This television festival's moniker sounds like humanity's reaction each and every time a new season of a TV show arrives on a streaming platform — and also aptly describes how we've all been spending the 18 months or so. After first hitting Melbourne back in 2017 and making two repeat visits before the pandemic, Series Mania is returning again in 2021 from Thursday, October 14–Sunday, October 17. This time, like many things at the moment, it's jumping online. You've been streaming your way through much of your life lately, and now you can do the same with the only Australian leg of the world's biggest TV festival. On the bill this year: four days of free sessions all dedicated to new and exciting television shows, including returning favourites and upcoming must-sees. Eleven series will have episodes available to stream via ACMI's digital platform Cinema 3, including the second season of Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths-starring drama Total Control; Netflix's Hellbound, the first live-action series from South Korean Train to Busan and Peninsula director Yeon Sang-ho; L'Opera, which is set in a Parisian ballet company and stars The Lobster's Ariane Labed; and Aussie doomsday prepper comedy Preppers, as starring and co-written by Nakkiah Lui. Watching along won't cost you a cent, but you do need to book in for each session in advance.
UPDATE, October 5, 2021: The Espresso Martini Festival will no longer take place on Friday, October 8, and has been moved to Saturday, November 13. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Fancy giving your weekend a buzz? Prefer your cocktails caffeinated? Never say no to an espresso martini? Then you'll want to get sipping at Brisbane's latest boozy festival. This city has welcomed espresso martini fests before, and it no doubt will again — but this one comes not only with the OG concoction, but also with a double choc chip variety and a Golden Gaytime version. Clearly, this event has a motto: why just drink one liquor-fuelled mashup when you can keep layering in other faves? So, you'll be able to knock back all three flavours from 9pm on Saturday, November 13, all at The Triffid. You'll pay $20 for a ticket, then $12 for each cocktail — and you'll be pairing them with 90s and early 00s bangers. Yes, this festival is a bit of a hybrid itself, combining a boozy celebration of espresso martinis in creative flavours with an old school club night. The No Scrubs DJs will be on the deck, so expect to be dancing to everything from TLC (obviously) and Britney Spears to Backstreet Boys and Outkast.
Much about the past couple of years has felt dystopian, but that isn't stopping one West End spot from indulging in an annual tradition. That'd be Archive Beer Boutique's signature event, Armakeggon, which returns on Saturday, November 6. Obviously, the bar will still be around long after the shindig is over. It isn't the end times on Boundary Street. Head along, though, and you'll find 45 extra-special beverages being poured through the establishment's taps until your beer-loving heart is content. Expect both new and rare brews, plus old favourites, too. For those after more than an out-of-the-ordinary drop of the yeasty good stuff, there'll also be games throughout the day, live music and masterclasses — the latter taking place in Archive's sibling venue Loft. Entry is free from 11.30am, or you can nab a $25 VIP ticket to head in early at 10am and get sipping before the event opens to the general public. The paid option also includes a tasting paddle with four brews, plus a bacon and egg roll to line your stomach. Images: Archive Beer Boutique.
Not content with terrifying southeast Queenslanders with just one unsettling shipping container installation at a time, the folks at Realscape Productions have brought two of their disquieting Darkfield experiences to Movie World in the lead up to Halloween. The first, Séance, spells out how and why it gets eerie in its name. As for the second? The fact that it's called Flight also says plenty. Like its sibling, this immersive favourite involves stepping inside a 40-foot steel box, sitting in pitch darkness and listening to a particularly immersive soundscape while the production plays with your sense of reality. If you're not fond of flying or don't cope well with the possibility of things going awry in the air, you might want to stay away. If your nerves and stomach can handle all of the above, step onboard. You won't actually be jetting anywhere, of course; however you will be strapping yourself into a section of a real commercial airliner, then pondering the many possible outcomes if the cabin suddenly happened to lose pressure. Created by Glen Neath and David Rosenberg, Flight draws upon the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics while taking attendees on a multi-sensory journey. If you're keen, Flight forms part of the theme park's October Fright Nights on Friday and Saturday evenings. That means that you do need to buy a ticket to the whole shindig, then nab a ticket to this on top; however, you will get to enjoy this particular experience, plus everything else that's on the Fright Nights agenda. On that list: spooky entertainment, creepy precincts, themed mazes (some of which also cost extra) and, of course, Movie World's rides. Buckle up, and prepare to have your head completely messed with — unless you're claustrophobic, pregnant, or suffer heart or back conditions, in which case you'll have to firmly stay on the ground. [caption id="attachment_852676" align="alignnone" width="1920"] by Alex Purcell[/caption] Image: Mihaela Bodlovic.
Francisco López is bringing his sweet Spanish sounds to Brisbane for one night at the Powerhouse. Known across the globe for pushing the limits in the areas of sound art and experimental music, Francisco is a pro at creating unique soundscapes. He invites you to embark on a journey, blindfolded, within his surprising world with his impressive tracks which leave you questioning all that you have heard. Francisco has played at hundreds of concerts and venues such as London Institute of Contemporary Arts, All Tomorrow Parties Festival and Olympia Festival. The Spanish artist has created sound installations in over sixty countries and collaborated with over 150 international artists. His incredible contributions to the music world have been recognised at the Arts Electronica Festival as the winner of the Qwartz Award 2010. Whet your appetite for Francisco López's magical world with his epic track 'Köllt'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YDF8NzCZ-Xs
Sofia Coppola has made her career by highlighting that being young or famous (and often both) does not protect anyone from existential crisis, no matter how blessed their life may outwardly seem. While previously Coppola has mocked this up in stylised versions of other times and places, her newest feature, The Bling Ring, picks at the designer threads of youth and celebrity in a city very close to her heart: Los Angeles. As the film opens, a circle of Hollywood teenagers are charged with breaking and entering the homes of TMZ royalty, including Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, and sashaying away with millions of dollars worth of luxury goods, clothing and cash. The seeds of their downfall are found one year earlier, when Marc (Israel Broussard) arrives at his new school with adolescent awkwardness slung over his otherwise fashionable shoulders. It is here that he casually befriends Rebecca (Katie Chang) and her posse of light-fingered, self-absorbed pals (including Emma Watson and Taissa Farmiga). Though based on actual events (Coppola has changed the names), The Bling Ring does not feel like a true crime film. It is dream-like, with Rebecca and Marc skipping through empty mansions in the hills, tossing diamonds and shoes at one another in an hour-long montage. Details of the characters' lives — and of the real identities behind these characters — are lost in the glitter, and as a result the plot unspools to hit certain moral milestones before the end credits roll. There are no twists and, ultimately, if you want a good story, you should seek out details of the real teenagers (and the Vanity Fair article that inspired the film) online. The Bling Ring then is a film essay on the experience of desire and lack of privacy in the fame economy. It is hard not to want everything that appears within the 90 minutes of the film, as clothing, money, drugs, young bodies and modernist mansions are showcased beneath a heaving soundtrack of Azealia Banks, Phoenix, M.I.A and Kanye West. By the end, when the teens' spree is brought to a halt, their only unforgivable mistake is the hubris of being so boastful about their crimes in a world of security cameras and social media. Most people otherwise would happily take a punt were they to know that Paris Hilton kept her keys under the doormat. https://youtube.com/watch?v=r4c6hmrwba0
In his live performances, Kirin J Callinan does not hold back. This guitarist and singer-songwriter is a confronting and charismatic frontman who always delivers a stellar performance and captivates his audience. Callinan will play at The Zoo to celebrate the release of his latest single, 'Embracism'. The film clip was directed by Cara Stricker and has already received rave reviews from across the world. During 'Embracism', the cameras follow Callinan in his daily morning routine, but when these visuals are paired with provocative lyrics and driving guitar riffs, the final product is a little intense, to say the very least. Callinan is a true showman and his onstage presence and musical abilities have earned him positions alongside bands such as The Pixies, The Pet Shop Boys, Midnight Juggernaughts, The Strokes, Jarvis Cocker and Ariel Pink. Callinan is taking 'Embracism' on the road over June and July. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Q_gtwhDklaQ
Although the use of asbestos was banned in 1967, its side-effects have reared their ugly head within Australian families for years. Dust is a play that sheds light on the heartache and repercussions that surround asbestos in all of their forms. Written by Donna Jackson, this captivating roving theatre performance will take the audience on a rollercoaster as it explores the ripple effect caused by this material. Dust was inspired by those who have battled James Hardie Industries and won compensation. It puts on stage the treasured Aussie value of giving the underdog a fair go. The performance exists within an average Australian household and portrays just how close this dangerous substance was to the day-to-day lives of typical Australians. The story flitters between the home, legal context and the media to present a well-rounded representation of the issue. Featuring a rock n’ roll soundtrack and a choir of 50, Dust is a fascinating production that will ring true with many viewers and is not to be missed.
Head along to the brand new EDM night, Melody Beat, the evening of electronic tunes and artists who will open your mind (and ears) to new realms of sound. The line up is intriguing, the sounds reverberating, and the Melody Beat name is sure to be impressive on its first showcase evening. Andrew Tuttle, Hether, White Palms, Pale Earth and Cedie Janson will be putting together a night of evolving sound, with masterful tunes each adding their own flavour to the grand scope of electronic music. Andrew Tuttle (formerly going by the moniker, Anonymeye) is best known for interplaying acoustics with a largely electro set – computers to banjos are fair game. Duo act Hether will envelop you with ambiance and spectral sound. Matthew Cook, aka White Palms, creates smooth beats with seamless ease. Pale Earth is as stimulating with visuals as with sound, layers of fuzz and reverb creating unmissable atmospheres. Plus the ominous delicacies from Cedie Janson will leave you amorous. Don’t forget – this is a BYO evening, with a $10 entry fee, so be sure to plan ahead.
The uncanny is defined as something familiar being made unfamiliar. Cast your mind back to the star of the '80s horror film series Child's Play, as Chucky is a perfect example of the uncanny at work. The uncanny doesn't have to always be frightening (or hilarious), but it is definitely always intriguing! If you're fascinated by this state of unsettlement, step into an eerily familiar world where nothing is as it seems at the the Judith Wright Centre's latest artistic offering, Uncanny. Presented by the centre and Flying Arts, this interesting exhibition is designed to highlight and celebrate the weird and wacky in our everyday lives. The exhibition was created by seven emerging curators and seven Queensland artists who represent the uncanny in their artwork. Various mediums such as video, sculpture and photography will be exhibited. The featured artists include Rachael Bartram, Kate Bernauer, Gerwyn Davies, Dan Elborne, Pirrin Francis, Jason Haggerty and Sarah Oxenham.
Practise your Cockney accent, rehearse your favourite drunken London tale and prepare for high tea: the British Film Festival has arrived in Australia for the first time ever. There'll be a dozen contemporary features, five 20th-century classics (The Third Man and Lawrence of Arabia among them) and a chance to quiz Eric Bana during a live Q&A session, and a simply smashing opening night party. Here are five of our must-sees: Jump A massive hit at the Toronto International Film Festival and winner of the Palm Springs Festival's Bridging the Borders Award, Jump is a comic thriller set on New Year's Eve in Derry, Northern Ireland. A witty, fast-paced script captures the stories of three troubled individuals, who find themselves entangled by doomed romance, theft and revenge. Good Vibrations This eccentric, unstoppable rock movie comes to the British Film Festival following sold-out sessions at the 2013 Melbourne International Film Festival. Set against Ireland's Troubles of the 1970s, it follows the story of rebellious, maverick music lover Terri Hooley, Belfast's 'godfather of punk', and his determination to show the world the power of the seven-inch single. Dom Hemingway A gangster film in the style of Sexy Beast, Dom Hemingway stars Jude Law as the outrageous, volatile Dom, and Richard E. Grant as his best friend, Dickie. Following Dom's release after twelve years of imprisonment, the two travel from London to the south of France, encountering all number of misadventures along the way, from a car accident to an inevitable femme fatale. Mission to Lars How far would you go to meet your favourite rockstar? In this quirky documentary, siblings Kate and Will Spicer find out when they take their autistic brother, Tom, to Los Angeles to pursue Metallica's Lars Ulrich. Still Life The latest offering from Uberto Pasolini (producer of The Full Monty), Still Life is a drama in the British humanist tradition. A calm, meticulous ex-councillor, John May (Eddie Marsan) enters the lives of a mischievous adventurer, Billy Stoke, and his abandoned daughter, Kelly (Joanne Froggatt).
The third and final instalment of Rinse & Repeat brings together elements of the past two, to clincher and question, provoke and conclude. The first focused on boredom of the younger generations; the second looked at ways to fill the void, with a preoccupation with things outside ourselves. This exhibition is riskier and risqué – the fetish of materials and obsessions, the idea that perhaps the darker sides of life reside no deeper than on the surface. For one night only, see the works of artists Clark Beaumont, Athena Thebus, Louise Bennett, Courtney Coombs, Hannah Bronte and Alice Lang. See your questions answered or, as is the true nature of art, be inspired to question further.
Come down to Fish Lane Studios to experience the temporary artist residencies, exhibitions, workshops and launches, with an array of talents and notable figures sharing their works and knowledge. The program runs until the end of October. The outstanding events include a drawing workshop with Ghostpatrol and Sean Morris on October 29, and the ‘Short Stay’ exhibition opening and after party on October 31. Each event is individually priced, and requires an RSVP to be sent to rsvp@iamprojects.net. Recent events held as part of Short Stay include a poster and risograph workshop with Charlie Hillhouse of Small House Books, as well as the official Short Stay launch party, which saw the publication launch of ‘Sex Waves’, presented by Small House Books. This program was brought about by the Mild Manners exhibition space organisers, and supported by iAM Projects.
Meet Shep and his two best mates, Dirty Gordo and Dirty Pat. They’re known as The Dirty Brothers. Stunts meet modern comedic theatre in an entirely original production known as The Dark Party. These macabre lads spin their own talents into what they call “Sideshow Noir”: art-house cinema with punk rock intentions, swords, staple guns, singing saws, power tools and car batteries share the spotlight on a stage of the deranged. The Dark Party first kicked off five years ago in Melbourne, and have since spiralled out of control. From Australia and New Zealand, to Edinburgh, Holland, Belgium and beyond, packed houses have greeted the trio every step of the way. Come along and see what the fuss is about. These “kamikaze clown princes of sideshow” will leave you breathless, be it by shock or side-splitting laughter. Be warned: they will do their worst.
An old man, who strangely resembles the gramps in Up wanders through a forest on the run from a mysterious tracker hell bent on hunting him down. Swept into a surreal world, lost yet learning, he wanders, possibly in search of Xanax, but probably in hope of light. From the team behind multi-award winning production The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer comes another heartfelt adventure that explores the emotions, burdens and brilliance that come with age, It’s Dark Outside. Through puppetry, animation, masks, and beautiful live performance, this grand stage exploration delivers an epic western-style tale about dementia and redemption, through sincere theatrical tones. Whether you’re curious of the capability’s of this generation of theatre, or have a soft spot for pure ingenuity and human compassion, It’s Dark Outside shouldn’t be missed. It’s a gentle reminder that while it might be nice to run away from the life you once had, it’s not so easy to hide from it.
Each year Ryan Renshaw handpicks the best up and coming Queensland artists to be involved in a group show at his gallery located in Spring Hill. This year, the new artists involved in this exciting exhibition include Zoe Knight, Kate McKay and Jarrod Van der Ryken. Each artist has their own style and they combine to create a spectacular showcase which, this year, is entitled Test Pattern. Zoe Knight studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Queensland University of Technology. Her artwork is focused on three-dimensional sculptures often featuring self-involved knots and is described as a “productive form of fidgeting”. Kate McKay is concerned greatly with the fluid concept of self and identity. Whereas Jarrod Van Der Ryken's main theme is the materialisation of the emotional reality. Make the trek to the Ryan Renshaw Gallery to view this trio's art pieces. The opening night will be held on Friday 7 February from 6-8pm.
Record stores aren’t just retail outlets. They’re alternative schools for the musically challenged, sites of identification and rebellion, and burning hot crucibles for new bands — if not entire movements. For a while, however, we feared that the digital revolution would turn all of that into a relic of the past — a thing relegated to nostalgic, drunken reruns of Empire Records, High Fidelity and Good Vibrations. To an extent, the fear was justified. We’ve seen quite a few legendary institutions kick the bucket. But as the old adage goes, you can’t keep a good man, woman or album collection down, so record stores have been making a serious comeback. And to keep the punters off downloads and onto discs, they’ve been doing things in even quirkier, bigger ways than ever before. One of these is annual international Record Store Day, now in its sixth year. On Saturday, April 19, music shops all over the world will host live gigs, interviews, special sales and much-anticipated new releases. In Brisbane, Westfield Carindale will be teaming up with Rockaway Records to sell more than 300 limited edition vinyl items, including The Beatles’ Butcher LP. “Its controversial artwork was believed (wrongly) to represent political protest over the US presence in Vietnam,” Rockaway Managing Director Scott Johnson explains. “The LP was banned shortly after release in 1966, and the last mint copy sold for $80,000.” What’s more, a DJ will spin vinyl all day and a “wall of shame” will display some of history’s worst ever cover art. Meanwhile, Rocking Horse will be hosting a bunch of live gigs, headlined by Ed Kuepper, who came to punk prominence after founding The Saints and, more recently, has been writing music for film when he’s not tossing around ideas with Nick Cave. He’ll be supported by indie pop outfit The Cairos and Brisbane synth obsessive Laura Hill. Tym Guitars will follow suit, with appearances from punky Tasmanians The Captives, emo poppers Columbia Buffet and the Hard Ons, amongst others. Then at Jet Black Cat, you’ll be able to catch Holy Holy in solo mode at 4pm and My Warning from 5.30pm.
Brisbane’s own Barek is back with a new show at The Bearded Lady. A street artist at heart, Barek is known for dabbling with various media, drawing and sculpture, branching out to stickers, aerosols and lino prints that pop up in the most conspicuous of places. The trademark is cartoon faces, the expressionless to the costumed; sometimes with a message to share, Barek aims for the understated and the unusual, meticulous in construction, interweaving with the viewer’s imagination. And what better venue for the unusual and the conspicuous than The Bearded Lady. A hidden gem in Brisbane’s cultural mecca, West End, this is a bar where the beers are cold and boutique by the barrel, the bar staff awaiting you with a smile, and the music is so on trend, you’ve probably never heard it before. So many delights in the once place, you’re set for spoiling once you set foot in the quaint bar with its pulse on vintage eclecticism.
Meet Tessa and Brendon. They’re a super-cute married couple, whose love of music not only brought them together in a romantic sense, but lead to the formation of the bee-bopping, folksy pop, life-affirming duo we’ve come to know as Microwave Jenny. It seems as though they’ve done it all. Well… almost. From large-scale festivals such as Byron Bay Bluesfest, Peats Ridge and Festival of the Sun, to what was known as a house tour - where they stormed fans’ backyards for a performance. They’ve appeared on movie soundtracks, and they’ve won awards. So, naturally, the next step is to take on the world - the DIY, self-managed, independent group is going to base itself in the UK, which will see them write, tour and record throughout Europe for the next twelve months. This exciting venture calls for a grand farewell, and they would love to see you before they go. One-off shows in each capital city will give fans the opportunity to get their MJ live fix while they still can, and for newbies to be introduced to the fun-loving music they practically glow in.
Situated smack bang in the middle of our city in a beautiful heritage listed building is Bleeding Heart Gallery. With a gorgeous sprawling verandah and an interior that is jam-packed with art, this special gallery is more than just a pretty face. Bleeding Heart Gallery contributes all of its profits from the event space, art gallery, cafe and local artisan gift store to charity and supporting those in need in the community proving that beauty and brains is possible. The team have developed a new weekly event that will add some variety to your routine Friday knock-off plans. Head to Bleeding Heart from 4pm to sip on a much-needed drink and enjoy a BBQ at Friday Slow Down. Each week the money raised from the bar and BBQ will go to a chosen charity. DJs will be keeping the tunes rolling with both new and old favourites. To book a table with work mates, email info@bleedingheart.com.au or call 3229 0395. Make Bleeding Heart your regular Friday knock-off hang. Drinks, snags, local art? It's a no brainer.
Here we have The John Steel Singers, whose latest album is full of zingers. Then there’s Jeremy Neale, who’s a pretty big deal. They’re joining forces to tackle Australia’s east coast for their super tour, Boys Gone Wild, where the tunes are big and their behaviour anything but mild. But seriously, this really is the show you’ve been waiting for. It is somewhat of a local tradition to combine musical powers for the sake of one big blow-out of a show, and you know these crazy lads will bring their all, their big bold indie-rock sounds bouncing off one another, your boogie shoes allowed no reprieve between sets. We’re lucky enough to be spoiled for choice this time around - two back-to-back shows are available, though they’re sure to sell out. Tickets for their Black Bear show are not to be missed; don’t leave it too long, lest you be left wanting.
One thing is for sure… Avenue Q is not your average puppet show. It follows the story of recent college graduate Princeton, who moves to a drab apartment on the colourful street of Avenue Q in New York to follow his dreams. As they say, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere! Along the way, Princeton meets the girl next door, Kate, the neighbourhood Republican named Rod, an internet sexpert called Trekkie and Lucy, who has a bit of a street corner reputation. They help him along the way, teaching him the ways of the Big Apple, as well as discovering what Princeton was meant to do with his life. This Tony Award-winning act has circled the globe, and finally returns to Australian stages after sell-out shows of the past. While this may appear to be playful puppetry, there are some spicy themes throughout the show and so parents should use discretion when bringing younger audience members along.
Take the life-affirming charms of Feist, the powerful self-assertion of Beth Ditto, add a French twist, and you have the more-than-dynamic duo of Lily Wood & the Prick. They’ve been described as playful, intelligent, vibrant and 'like sunshine'. Nili Hadida and Benjamin Cotto use their unique strand of electro pop to engage and enamour audiences, which have stretched near the millions across French music festivals and the far reaches of Olympia. They’ve won the prize of Best New Act at the French Grammys, which is an award that only reinforces their position as an influential and vibrant figure in the French and electro pop music scenes. They are slowly but surely making strides on the international stage so don’t miss the opportunity to see this very exciting act while they grace Australian shores, in a setting that promises to bring the most out of their performance. So Frenchy. So chic.
Head along to the Friends Clubhouse this Friday night for the treat that comes in threes. Courtney Barnett is bringing along pals Jarrod M. McMahon and Eves for her Alhambra show; as if her performance wasn't exciting enough, you'll be able to catch the talents of the newer kids on the block. 2013 was a particularly exciting year for Courtney. Between touring a-plenty, she released the second of her two EPs to stellar reviews (locally and internationally), likening her to the classic sounds of Bob Dylan and The Byrds. On this particular night, she will be launching the combined double EP on vinyl, The Sea Of Split Peas. Those who have been to a Friends Clubhouse night will know the drill. Those who are currently pencilling this night in their diaries (good move, first of all) will have free cheeseburgers overflowing from their hungry eyes come midnight, plus a smattering of DJ sets and party times to look forward to after the live music. There are officially no reasons good enough to miss this dish of an evening, so get in early.
The last exhibition for 2013 at The Hold Artspace is one worth celebrating. Art from the talents of Rachael Archibald, Ali Bezer, Anna Carluccio, Sid Coombes, Carolyn Craig, David Chatfield, Simon Degroot, Mitchell Donaldson, Katelyn-Jane Dunn (plus many, MANY more) will be on display, plus some very attractive prices affixed to selected works on sale for the evening. The Hold Artspace in West End is not only a place that houses some of the most impressive young creatives in the local area, it also aims to foster critical practices amongst artists in their early careers. These emerging artists can grow and develop their own talents in a professional exhibition space, with the aid of working artists as well as the wider community. To support one or many of their events is to perpetuate the success of the space and its inhabiting program; if you are yet to attend an event at The Hold Artspace, this will be one you cannot miss.
Head along to Substation Gallery & Studio from 6pm for the first Annual WinWin Charity Art Auction. This event aims to raise funds to provide continuing support to Hands On Art, an artist-run organisation that works on community-based projects that help to stimulate creative growth. It is a not-for-profit organisation, and therefore runs by the hands of volunteers, and so any profits made through the auction will benefit this cause. The art that will be available for auction are many and varied, and represent not only the highly talented artists who submitted the works, but those who aim to continue this initiative. You will have the chance to bid over Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of December, between 10am and 4pm; interested individuals are welcome to ring up during this time to maintain their bidding throughout the event. Not only is this your chance to help support such an important cause, you might also walk away with a one-of-a-kind piece of art. At this time of year, both pursuits have never been so important.
The merry folks at Cheated Hearts are putting on a Christmas bash to get you in the yuletide spirit. Head along to Coniston Lane for the CH Christmas party. Don your finest wreath and jingle bells and indulge in the spirit of the season. You’ll receive a present on arrival, plus the latest mix from Jane Doe. Entertainment for the evening will include the Trap, Hip Hop, Indie remix stylings and Electro/Dubstep/Mashup skills of Sydney’s Ruby Slippers, Dimestore Diamonds, The Gatling Gun, Cvlt Teens and Virtual Illusion. Cheated Hearts is a young, queer, creative collective. Their mission is to offer alternatives and audience-driven events and celebrations and providing chances to experience a nightlife that might be otherwise hard to come by. They’ve got a mass following and a string of hugely successful events to their name, so you’ll want to get in early before the masses make a line around the corner. Party into the weekend and welcome the silly season in style with friends and killer tunes.
The classic Holden Kingswood was the must have automobile in the 1970s for doing laps around the 'hood in, and showing off to all the ladies at the milk bar. It’s no surprise then, that the Melbourne band of the same name collects just as many glinted eyes, impressed nods and make fathers fear for their daughters’ innocence. Kingswood is Australian rock at it’s finest. They have toured the country with legends of the same genre - The Living End, Grinspoon, Aerosmith British India and The Saints are just a few who’ve shared a tour bus with Kingswood, and instilled them with a bustling amount of influence and talent. Now, with a long list of festivals, a collection of highly acclaimed singles and a Like a Version under their belt, Kingwood are bringing in 2014 with hopes of a new album and a bundle of gigs. You can catch Kingswood at The Tempo Hotel this Saturday for only $23.50 – roll up for some real rock. Check out Kingswood’s ‘Ohio’
There are a lot of similarities between Wild Nothing and fellow chillwave pioneers Toro Y Moi and Washed Out. All three are bedroom recordings by one-man bands, and all three men are from the southern US. Freaky! All make dreamy, lo-fi music with breathy vocals and steady beats that you can (a) dance to at an underground disco, or (b) listen to alone in your room while you stare at your posters of '80s indie bands. In the case of Wild Nothing's Virginia-born Jack Tatum, the posters he's staring at belong to The Cure, The Smiths and Simple Minds. Tatum puts a sunny disposition on their '80s gloom pop with chiming guitars and soothing vocals. You can chillax to his latest LP Nocturne in your room alone, or join some other shoegazers for a little boogie when Wild Nothing visits Australia for the first time in March. I hope he plays 'Chinatown'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=zm636VSQXUU
The clash of the prose, the jostling of imagery and emotive rhyme. Whatever their weapon of choice, the finest poets and wordsmiths of Queensland are ready to engage in their most crucial battle yet: the State Final of the Australian Poetry Slam 2013. They have engaged in wars of words for some months, and many have boiled down to few; 18 contestants are readying their syntactical swords in the name of prizes, honour and the opportunity to compete for the national title in Sydney. If the viewing stakes weren’t already high enough, Go Violets and Luka Lesson will provide musical accompaniment as the evening’s special guests. To the best slammer goes the spoils.
Some people will tell you their Instagram feed is art. Those people are wrong. Most photography isn’t art - it's just annoying. Luckily the work from Sid Coombes, Charlie Donaldson and Sarah Poulgrain is. From the 18-28 September at the Hold Artspace, West End, you can see the embodiment of the difference between your Instagram, and the professionals. Surface Tension is an exhibit on the specific spacial elements that make up photography and the relationships between objects and imagery. What does that even mean? Let these photographers show you! Between Coombes's signature, skin-bearing style, Donaldson's raw expressions and Poulgrains organic shots, there's no telling what you can take away from this wholegrain exhibit. It’s not exactly like photos get better with time, so if you’re interested in seeing what real photography is, check out Surface Tension - in a world where images are everywhere, this is an eye opener to what proper photography is.
Hong Kong is a supreme heavyweight when it comes to action flicks, and so it is only fitting to honour such a popular and longstanding genre of film by way of a retrospective. You can see cult classics and heroes such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat, all the way through to the not-quite-as-recognisable films that you are yet to love and their stars. ‘Action, Hong Kong Style’ is a celebration of the global reach this timeless phenomenon has achieved, from the blockbusting success to the minute details of action choreography, digitally restored alongside original archived film prints, sourced worldwide. The spotlight will shine on Wong Fei-hung, a hero of the martial arts, whose life has been portrayed on screen more than any other figure. For more informing approach to your exhibition experience, head along to the ‘Action, Hong Kong Style’ discussion, including film aficionados Sam Ho, Professor Mary Farquhar, alongside curator Kathryn Weir. Learn how to view your favourite action flicks through a critical eye, and perhaps learn something about the art which you may not have otherwise known.
Before heading along to Belvoir St Theatre, I usually say to people, "Oh, I'm going to see one of those edgy plays downstairs at Belvoir, you know, the kind with some nebulous storyline, butt cheeks right up in your face and someone smoking weed on stage." But Food is different. Writer and co-director Steve Rodgers has still included all that wonderful Belvoir-esque wackiness, swearing and gritty arthouse Australiana, but there was a depth and meaning in this work that I had never experienced in this theatre before. At the crack of dawn, Elma (Kate Box) is kneading and slamming dough on the counter in a takeaway joint somewhere in the backwaters of middle Australia while her sister, Nancy (Emma Jackson) pulses and jerks the night away in a South-East Asian nightclub. For two years, Nancy went missing, but unlike in a 'normal' family, her absence was never reported. Time skips forward and now that Nancy has returned, the sisters are left to their own devices in a family of two where they work hard to supply the local town with a staple supply of spring rolls, dim sims and Chiko Rolls. Between the shouting and banter of kitchen orders, sisterly squabbles and head-gripping wrestling, their teen-hood pains and complications begin to rise up like leavened bread. To add a little spice to the mix, a foreigner arrives in response to their kitchen-hand job advertisement. Hakan Leventelou (Fayssal Bazzi), from Olympus, Georgia explains nervously that his first name means 'Emperor' or 'King' and his family name means 'Son of Handsome'. With natural exuberance, he seasons their day-to-day grind with delectable anecdotes, incessant singing and adorable jokes about mice and dogs. He is also a man who loves "to watch and admire the women all the day", he explains in his thick, rhythmic accent. Tension builds between Hakan's overarching romantic universal perspective versus the sisters' static obsession with "who once stole whose Uggies". Wary as ever, Elma warns Hakan, "Mind your manners and don't fuck us around or I'll cut off your button." "Button?" he asks. Co-director Kate Champion, with her strong dance theatre background, has cleverly planned the choreography to the point of seamlessness. Although the stage barely changed, scene changes took place through movement and short interludes of carefully thought-out lapses, thus entering new situations or moments through the make-believe of your mind. Hakan may have been baffled by Elma’s button reference, but his intuition told him to tread carefully with these women. This review was written during the Sydney 2012 run of this show.
Brisbane’s own We All Want To are continuing to ride their high of success, and you can catch the crescendo at the Judith Wright Centre. They will be performing their acclaimed album Come Up Invisible in its entirety, but with a twist: a different guest will perform every song as the lead singer. The newly updated list of guests includes Velociraptor’s Jeremy Neale, Dom Miller, Ed Gugliemino and Sabrina Lawrie. This show will kick off a string of headline shows for We All Want To, though this promises to be unlike the others. After an exciting past year of shows and rave reviews, find out what makes this band one of Brisbane’s favourite on stage. “Words like epic and sprawling don't do justice to We All Want To’s beautifully written and recorded second album.” - Andrew Stafford, Pig City, July 2012
Since the reopening of City Hall, everything has been coming up Brisbane. And what better way to celebrate than with Brisbane's three-week-long City Centre Master Plans Ideas Fiesta. This exciting string of free public events is aimed at generating new ideas, showcasing design concepts and bringing together our vibrant community. From films to food, there's plenty to enjoy for every age, interest and family group with events that will be held in a variety of outdoor spaces, streets and venues. Be immersed in Spencer Lane's Arabian Night evening of colour, spice and entertainment; work your creative side with Sketchcrawl; join in the fun at the Albert Street Picnics; get in touch with Brisbane's cultural heritage with a guided walk; and enjoy plenty more in this creative series of activities. You'd be a fool not to take full advantage of this hip-hop-happy celebration, so get involved, share ideas and lend a helping hand in shaping Brisbane's bright future.
