Heading to Given Terrace staple Darling & Co is firmly about hangs in the venue's breezy space, but we all know that a weekend party isn't complete without a little (or a lot of) bubbly. Happy to oblige, the Paddington spot does bottomless brunches complete with bubbles — and they're now hosting them every Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant isn't simply offering the standard two hours of bottomless booze, however. Instead, those tipples come via a fountain. In fact, your R!ot Fizz and rosé spritzes will come from its taps throughout the two hours, all while you enjoy an extensive spread. Find a comfy spot while tucking into a Spanish frittata made with capsicum, spring onion, potato and a side of chorizo — plus onion bhajis with mushroom, garlic chives, minted yoghurt and fresh herbs. You'll also get your pick of focaccia, including prosciutto and rocket, pumpkin and caramelised onion, and sun-dried tomato and olive. Although your $69 ticket gets you all of the above food and all the drinks for the fountain you like for two hours, the weekly event runs from 12–4pm. So, you've got some options in terms of time slots, with sittings at 12pm and 2pm.
Thanks to Keith Courtney, Brisbanites have already been able to walk through a huge house of mirrors in the past few years. And, with his help, moseying through an eerie and endless labyrinth of doors became a reality, too. The Melbourne installation artist isn't done setting up massive mazes just yet, however — and his latest is designed to resemble a huge, human-sized kaleidoscope. Called Kaleidoscope, fittingly, this installation isn't small. It's a 700-square-metre expanse of glass, steel, mirrors and moving prisms that features a labyrinth of corridors decked out in a revolving showcase of lights and colours. Originally debuting in Melbourne for the city's Rising Festival, and still on display there now until mid-July, it'll start shimmering and luring Brisbanites on Brisbane Powerhouse's Performance Lawn for two months between Friday, August 12–Monday, October 3. Like both House of Mirrors and 1000 Doors, Kaleidoscope has been crafted to be immersive as possible. Expect to have your senses disoriented while you're strolling through, including both motion and gravity. Expect to see plenty of shifting illusions among the ever-changing array of light and colour as well, and to be drawn in by the installation's soundscape in the process. "No one will have the same experience in Kaleidoscope – this is a multi-sensory and at times physical experience where the visitor is completely submerged in sound and light – a vortex of serenity to somewhere or nowhere," explains Courtney. In bringing the massive piece to life, the artist has teamed up with visual artist Ash Keating, composer Tamil Rogeon and artist Samantha Slicer, plus a team of highly skilled technicians. Tickets to Kaleidoscope will cost $16.50, and will go on sale on Tuesday, June 28. It'll head to Brisbane in association with Brisbane Festival and, although only making its home there temporarily, it marks one of four big new additions to Brisbane Powerhouse in the coming months. The New Farm venue is also set to launch a permanent outdoor cinema and a glow-in-the-dark performance venue this spring, plus a twice-yearly night food market from March 2023. After hitting Brisbane, Kaleidoscope will then take an international tour. House of Mirrors premiered at MONA's Dark Mofo in 2016, then headed to 12 cities across the globe, while 1000 Doors debuted at the Melbourne International Arts Festival, then went on a 10-city tour of Australia and New Zealand. Find Kaleidoscope at Brisbane Powerhouse's Performance Lawn from Friday, August 12–Monday, October 3 — open from 2–9pm from Wednesday–Thursday, 2–10pm on Fridays, 10am–10pm on Saturdays and 12–2pm Sundays. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, June 28.
If spending all this time at home has made you realise you're a pretty poor bartender, don't despair. Just turn to the big wide web and you'll be shaking and stirring some tasty tipples in no time. Want a martini, negroni or a giant cosmopolitan? Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Ina Garten have you covered. But what about a real party starter, like the espresso martini? Well, now top-quality spirit labels Mr Black (coffee liqueur) and Belvedere (vodka) are bringing you an online class, so you can shake up an espresso martini good enough for a caffeine-craving James Bond. Kicking off at 7pm on Thursday, June 11, the Espresso Martini Masterclass will be led by some of the best in the biz. Belvedere's Australian brand ambassador, Garth Foster, and Mr Black's Martin Hudak will be teaching you how to make a mean coffee-fuelled martini in just one hour. The live-stream class will be available via Facebook or Zoom (link provided closer to the event). Don't have any Belvedere or Mr Black in your liquor cabinet? Both Shorty's Liquor and Wine.com are delivering pre-bundled kits so you don't have to subject yourself to subpar booze. Belvedere's x Mr Black's Espresso Martini Masterclass is taking place from 7–8pm on Thursday, June 11. To order the necessary booze, head to Shorty's Liquor or Wine.com.
Like karaoke? Fond of singing in public in general, whether you're solo or in a group? Then it's time to up your crooning game. Pub Choir is exactly what it sounds like — aka a gathering of folks belting out a tune, together, in a bar. It's basically what happens whenever someone puts 'Wonderwall' or 'Weather With You' on the jukebox, but in a more organised fashion. The event happens monthly; however, for Anzac Day, they're throwing an extra special shindig. On April 25, Pub Choir will be returning to The Triffid for what's certain to be a spirited celebration— and yes, that means Newstead will be alive with the sound of 800 Brisbanites making music. Just like the usual get-togethers, participation costs $10, plus whatever you'd like to drink — and yes, singing and sipping go hand-in-hand. And if you're not usually the type of person to unleash their inner Beyonce in front of the masses, don't worry. The great thing about choirs is that everyone is singing, so you are literally a voice in the crowd. In fact, you might just find joining in the fun cathartic. If you can't feel free when you're crooning along with hundreds of others, when can you? Image: Pub Choir.
When the director and lead of one of 2021's best Norwegian films — and best movies from anywhere that year — joined forces again, of course the Scandinavian Film Festival needed to get the resulting picture on its program. Accordingly, Sentimental Value from The Worst Person in the World filmmaker Joachim Trier, once more starring Renate Reinsve (Presumed Innocent), is one of the big highlights at 2025's Australian showcase of cinema from the Nordic region. Stellan Skarsgård (Andor) and Elle Fanning (A Complete Unknown) also feature, and the results won this year's Cannes Grand Prix (the award below the Palme d'Or). At the Scandinavian Film Festival, Sentimental Value is getting the centrepiece treatment. Movies from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland are always in the drawcard at this Aussie fest — so a Norwegian spy drama to kick things off in 2025, then an Icelandic black comedy to wrap things up, are both on the itinerary. This year's national tour will hit Brisbane across Wednesday, July 23–Thursday, August 14 at Palace James St and Palace Barracks. Launching the fest: Number 24, the latest from The Burning Sea and The Quake director John Andreas Andersen, recounting a true espionage tale from World War II. The aptly named Grand Finale comes in at the other end, spinning a Reykjavik-set story about a struggling chamber orchestra's efforts to endure. Alongside Sentimental Value, Quisling: The Final Days is another of the festival's big-name titles, this time from The King's Choice and Utoya: July 22's Erik Poppe, with the trial of its controversial namesake head of state the film's focus. Cannes favourites, blasts from the past, laughter-inducing fare: they're all on the lineup, then. Add watching Björk's daughter in her first feature role, multiple dates with Danish actor Trine Dyrholm (The Girl with the Needle) and celebrating the 25th anniversary of a Swedish romantic-comedy to the list, too. The first comes courtesy of The Mountain, a coming-of-age and road-trip flick starring Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney. Dyrholm pops up in both the healthcare-centric Second Victims and the David Dencik (Other People's Money)-co-starring Beginnings. And Jalla! Jalla! is marking its quarter-century milestone. Audiences keen to spend Australia's winter feasting their eyes on colder climes from the other side of the world can also look forward to the Faroe Islands-set The Last Paradise on Earth and heading into an Icelandic seafood restaurant with Odd Fish. Nikolaj Lie Kaas (Riders of Justice) leads Way Home, about a Danish father endeavouring to save his loved ones. With heist effort The Quiet Ones, Denmark's biggest-ever robbery makes its way to the screen. Finnish relationship dramedy Sudden Bursts of Emotions, the nation's great Heikki Kinnunen playing 'The Grump' in Long Good Thursday, three siblings returning to the house they grew up in in Everything Must Go, the couch-surfing antics of Live a Little, the beer-brewing sisters of 100 Litres of Gold, My Father's Daughter's focus on a Sámi teenager: add them to your Scandinavian Film Festival list as well.
Maybe you loved the smell of hops wafting over Milton. Maybe you just wanted to see how your favourite beverage was made. Either way, going on a tour of the XXXX brewery used to be a Brisbane rite of passage. Now, the brand is no longer synonymous with Queensland beers, and their headquarters isn't the only source of foamy, yeasty goodness in town. Yep, when it comes to local breweries, the more the merrier is the current status. Who wants to trek through one place when you can visit a couple? And who wants to try to work out the best way to get between venues when Hop On Brewery Tours can do all that for you — and not only take care of the transport, but lunch and beer tastings too? It's the service we wish we'd thought of ourselves, though that honour goes to Matt Farrelly and Joslyn Erickson. The duo doesn't just love drinking craft bevvys — they're keen on showcasing the great brewers helping Queenslanders wet their whistles courtesy of all-inclusive, region-specific day trips. Three options are currently available, hopping between All Inn Brewing, Green Beacon and Newstead in Brisbane; Bacchus, Catchment and Hipwood on the bayside; and Beard & Brau and Fortitude and Noisy Minor on Mount Tambourine, with a Gold Coast run — featuring Black Hops, Burleigh and the just-opened Balter — in the works as well. And while each tour costs $160 per person, that's a pretty good deal for six hours of drinking, eating and being driven around. Half-day options, running up to four hours for $120 per person, are also coming soon. For more information about Hop On Brewery Tours, check out their website.
You like burgers. We like burgers. And we're never going to get tired of telling you where Brisbanites can eat more burgers more often. 5 Boroughs joined the list in March 2015, however they're not content with simply slinging meat and bread combos from their Stones Corner store. Say hello to 5 Boroughs Ascot. Come March 5, the American-style eatery will be trading on both sides of the river, bringing their New York-influenced street food to a whole new part of the city. Burgers of the classic, cheese, bacon-filled and vegan variety might be their main attraction, but there's plenty more on offer. Baby back ribs in Bulldog Bourbon sauce, ginger pepper caramel chicken wings or a Reuben on rye, anyone? You'll find all that in Ascot, plus a few new additions. All things Brooklyn might reign at their initial digs, but their new hangout will be channeling the spirit of Manhattan. That means a new line of slow-cooked BBQ meats will also join the menu, much to the delight of our stomachs. It also means a boutique Boroughs experience in a roomier space, complete with a beer garden and a bigger drinks list. So, whether you're a northsider who doesn't want to trek across town, or a burger lover willing to go wherever your tastebuds take you, mark your diaries for the beginning of March. We recommend heading along on opening day to take advantage of 5 Boroughs' two-for-one deal — which is supposed to encourage you to bring a friend, but could just give you a second serving of greasy goodness. We won't judge you. Find 5 Boroughs Ascot at 120 Racecourse Road, Ascot from March 5. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page. Want more burgs? Check out our feature on Brisbane's best burger joints.
Brisbane is getting a new, day-long celebration of seafood — and you'll be able to feast your way through the fruit of the sea without leaving the CBD. If oysters and Moreton Bay bugs are your idea of heaven in food-form, you're in luck, as Sea to the City — Brisbane's Bug and Oyster Trail promises to focus on these two succulent morsels. Fourteen eateries will serve up their best takes on these two main ingredients at the event, which will take over Eagle Street Pier from 11am–6pm on Sunday, October 7. Restaurants getting in on the action include Customs House, Cha Cha Char, Il Centro and Pony, plus Sake, Kingsleys Brisbane, Madame Wu and Friday's Riverside. You'll also be able to tuck into a feast at Riverbar & Kitchen, Riverland, Blackbird, Jellyfish Restaurant, Navala Churrascaria and the Pig 'n' Whistle Riverside, either trying specially curated menus in-house or stopping at pop-up stalls along the riverside. Attendees will also find live music and markets on offer, plenty of wine and the gorgeous river views that this stretch of the city is known for. Entry is free, although you'll need cash so that you can devour as much seafood as possible.
Come April, the eyes of the sporting world will turn towards the Gold Coast, with the Queensland city hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games. That's great news if you're a fan of athletes and nations vying for glory — and, while it might not initially seem like it, it's great news for arts and culture lovers too. As well as the expected competitive endeavours, the event will also feature a huge multi-arts festival, called Festival 2018. Festival 2018 mightn't boast the most exciting name, but it does promise a plethora of exciting programming across 12 days. Taking place from April 4 to 15, the fest will join forces with the existing Bleach* Festival to deliver a lineup of art, music, theatre, dance and more spanning from from Coomera to Coolangatta. Satellite events will also be held across the state. The first artists announced include Kate Miller-Heidke, The Jungle Giants and Mau Power, who'll all feature on the Queensland Music Stage. It'll feature free concerts held in Broadbeach, while Miller-Heidke and Power will also play in Cairns, and Power in Brisbane. The rest of the bill will be announced with the full program in February. As for what else is in store across the festival, given Bleach*'s annual array of shows, gigs, exhibitions, experiences and more, expect plenty of just that. More than 20 new works will feature, including a number of world premieres. That means audiences will have another reason to head to the Goldie — or, something else to do between watching the Games. "Bleach* at Festival 2018 is our most ambitious, thought-provoking program to date," explains artistic director Louise Bezzina. It will pay "tribute to local legends past and present in a spectacular showcase of what, and who, makes the Gold Coast such a special part of the world," she continues. Festival 2018 takes place from April 4 to 15 across the Gold Coast and other parts of Queensland. Keep an eye on the festival website for further details. Image: Bleach* Festival
In the past in Brisbane, when the time came to celebrate Lunar New Year, The Treasury got in on the action. Now that Queen's Wharf is here, it's The Star's turn instead for the Year of the Snake. The venue is spending a month marking the occasion with special feasts, performances and more between Sunday, January 12–Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Fat Noodle has banquets for couples covered, including braised pork belly with quail eggs, chargrilled turmeric spatchcock and mango trifle, all for $168. Fancy a culinary trip to Japan instead — and feeling flush with cash? Sokyo is doing a Lunar New Year upgrade on its opulent sashimi platter, so you can enjoy lobster and premium sashimi for the splurge price of $600. For the far-more-budget-friendly price of $26, opt for a crispy chicken cashew nut stir-fry in the Food Quarter. As for the entertainment, you can place your hopes for the year ahead on the wishing tree or watch roving lion dances. The latter are taking place from 7pm from Tuesday, January 28–Friday, January 31 and again on Wednesday, February 12.
Brisbanites, get ready to sit in the room where it happens — because Lin-Manuel Miranda's game-changing, award-winning, rightly raved-about Hamilton is finally coming to town. After stints in Sydney and Melbourne, the hit musical has booked a 2023 date with the Sunshine State. So, mark Friday, January 27 in your diary, and don't throw away your shot to see the biggest thing in musical theatre this century. The Broadway blockbuster finally made its way to Australia in 2021, launching in Sydney with a cast that includes Jason Arrow as Alexander Hamilton, Chloé Zuel as Eliza Hamilton, Lyndon Watts as Aaron Burr, Akina Edmonds as Angelica Schuyler, Matu Ngaropo as George Washington, and Victory Ndukwe as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. Thankfully, as The Book of Mormon did as well, it's touring its way along the east coast. Next stop: QPAC's Lyric Theatre. Accordingly, before next January ends, Arrow, Zuel and company — including Shaka Cook as Hercules Mulligan and James Madison, Marty Alix as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton, Elandrah Eramiha as Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds, and Brent Hill as King George III — will all be exploring 18th-century American politics through song in Brisbane. Haven't become a Hamilton obsessive yet? Not quite sure why it has been the most-talked about theatre show of the past six years? The critically acclaimed hip hop musical, for which Miranda wrote the music, lyrics and the book, is about the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, as well as inclusion and politics in current-day America. In addition to its swag of Tony Awards — 11 in fact, which includes Best Musical — it has nabbed a Grammy Award and even a Pulitzer Prize. Until now, Brisbanites eager to see the show had to be content with trips south or watching the filmed version of its Broadway production, which started streaming via Disney+ in 2020 (and yes, it's as phenomenal as you've heard).
There's an intrinsic connection between emerging bands and pubs. The neighbourhood pub is a testing ground; the crucible where garage bands find out whether they've got what it takes to make it in front of a crowd. Who better to help these local legends get their start in the live performing world than Rolling Stone? A household name in music. Rolling Stone AU/NZ has teamed up with Keno for Local Legends, a multi-state gig series that pairs up-and-coming bands with great pubs. There are two gigs going down in May: the first at the Stock Exchange Hotel in Brisbane on Saturday, May 24, and the second at Hotel Steyne in Sydney on Saturday, May 31. Both events are free, with doors opening at 4pm before you wrap your ears around of a lineup of tunes from bands from all over Australia. So who's on the lineup at the Stockie? Once the crowds have filled the space, the first act to take the stage at 5pm is a local Brisbane group: The Steele Syndicate. This funk-rock octet may be new to the scene, but they're pinned for shows at Bluesfest and Peaks Festival later in 2025, so they're one to watch. Following that, enjoy an acoustic-style set at 6pm from Sydney-based indie pop star Charli Lucas and Central Coast-born pop artist Molly Millington. Then at 7.15, New Zealand pop rock trio BORDERLINE bring the noise ahead of Perth indie rock headliners Great Gable — who are fresh off an Australia/New Zealand album tour for their 2024 release Small Fry. The best news? Entry to the gig is completely free. Come for the music, bring your mates and enjoy a great night out checking out Australia's emerging musical talent in an intimate space. Rolling Stone Local Legends will take place at the Stock Exchange Hotel on Saturday, May 24, from 4pm. For more information, visit the Rolling Stone website. Gamble Responsibly. Think! About your choices. Help is close at hand. Call Gambler's Help, ACT Gambling Counselling and Support Service or GambleAware 1800 858 858 gambleaware.nsw.gov.au or www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.
For nearly eight decades, Brisbanites have driven over the Story Bridge. Since late 2018, the city's residents have been able to drink, eat and hang out underneath it, too. Now, anyone eager to spend a night at a hotel beneath the towering structure can do just that, thanks to the opening of The Fantauzzo. First announced in 2015, Brisbane's second Art Series Hotel is now welcoming patrons — and paying tribute to world-renowned Australian painter and photographer Vincent Fantauzzo. Each of the brand's hotels takes inspiration from a different artistic great, and Fantauzzo is in the spotlight at the new Howard Smith Wharves spot. A winner of plenty of weighty prizes — the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, the Archibald Packing Room Prize, and the Archibald People's Choice Award a whopping four times — Fantauzzo has committed everyone from Heath Ledger and Matt Moran to Brandon Walters and Julia Gillard to his canvas. Prepare to feast your eyes on six new original artworks, plus 500 of his most recognised pieces, with reproductions gracing The Fantauzzo's walls. Of course, given the location, that's not the hotel's only stunning sight. Built into the cliff bordering the CBD and Fortitude Valley, the $100 million site boasts one mighty fine view of the city and the Brisbane river, plus custom furniture and dark-toned interior decor that heroes concrete finishes, black glass, natural rock and timber. Across six levels, there's 166 guest rooms to slumber in, a ground-floor Italian eatery, a hotel bar, a gym and three conference rooms. Like Brisbane's only other Art Series Hotel, The Johnson in Spring Hill, the pool is a definite highlight. Here, guests can splash around on the rooftop while gazing out over the CBD. The Fantauzzo marks the eighth Art Series Hotel across the country, with five in Melbourne and one in South Australia. As at the chain's other sites, its new digs offers art tours, in-room art channels and libraries all about its titular creative. And, of course, given the Howard Smith Wharves location, guests will be right on the doorstep of Brisbane's newest precinct. It already has its own riverside brewery, overwater bar and Greek taverna, as well as indoor entertainment spaces, outdoor multi-use areas and entertainment stages, and a whole heap more. Find The Fantauzzo at Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane. Visit the hotel website for further details and to make a booking.
Singer, songwriter and all round rock demigod J Mascis is one of the most crucial figures in the international rock scene. He's also the definition of hair envy, the lead guitarist of Dinosaur Jr and pretty rad skater. Now, as one of the most in-demand musicians of our time, he’s heading to our neck of the woods to show off some crazy good guitar and swish his hair around like it’s nobody’s business. J Mascis is to Dinosaur Jr what Sting is to The Police, The Slash is to Guns N' Roses and George Michael is to Wham (yep, Wham comparison, right there). As a separate entity, he rocks a unique sound that ranges from the loud and riff-heavy, to something far more fine-lined and docile. This 2015 tour comes off the back of his second and latest solo album, Tied to a Star. He'll be fittingly supported by longtime Aussie rocker Adalita for the Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sydney legs of his Australian tour.
After shutting up shop in February, Copenhagen's Noma is still making preparations for its move to a new location. As anyone who has shifted houses will understand, that means not only packing up the existing site, but sorting through everything within in — and saying goodbye to all of the bits and pieces that won't be needed in the restaurant's new home. When René Redzepi's eatery decides it doesn't need its existing wares, however, it doesn't just give them away to friends and family. Instead, the place considered one of the best culinary haunts in the world is auctioning off their unwanted furnishings, décor, tableware and art, letting fans own a piece of their distinctive aesthetic. The range of items on offer is considerable, and includes chairs, lounges, dining tables, coffee tables, cabinets, sculptural installations, stuffed birds, vases, a map of Scandinavia and even the wine list. From the serving, dining, stone and glassware, you could fill your kitchen cupboards with everything you need, with the crockery sold in sets. And, for anyone who visited the Australian Noma pop-up and wanted a souvenir, vases from their Aussie visit are also on offer. Prices range from $150 to $30,000, so turning your house into your very own Noma won't come cheap. The auction will be held on November 2 by Chicago auction house Wright, and accepts bids online, by phone and via their app. As for what Noma's new digs will look like now they're getting rid of their current furniture, fans will have to wait until 2018 to find out — but bookings will open on November 16. Via Eater. Image: Wright.
We're calling it: 2021 will be the year of road trips. After all, there's never been a more perfect time to scratch that travel itch by hitting the road. The best thing about road trips? You can take your time and truly explore. The best part about road tripping around New South Wales is, when it comes to eating, we're not stuck with servo snack foods and truck-stop drive-thrus anymore. The Brisbane-to-Sydney route is a foodie paradise for those in the know. Whether you're taking the coastal route or heading inland, if you're exploring NSW by car, you can eat very well indeed. Start planning your pit stops and overnight stays around these one-of-a-kind establishments. Please stay up to date with the latest NSW Government health advice regarding COVID-19. [caption id="attachment_794824" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sabine Bannard[/caption] PIPIT, POTTSVILLE There's a good reason Pipit has scooped up multiple awards since it opened 18 months ago. Its constantly changing set menu showcases the best of the Northern Rivers with a focus on ethical, local produce. You're unlikely to find red meat on either the short menu (five servings) or the long menu (nine servings), but Pipit creates bold flavours with experimentation instead, via woodfired cooking techniques, smoking, fermentation and wild foraging for native ingredients, including bunya nuts and lemon myrtle. It aims to surprise and delight with every new seasonal dish, but some favourites tend to stick around, like a tasty waste paste (fermented greens) and kelp madeleines with grouper fat caramel. [caption id="attachment_794820" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] THE WORKSHOP KITCHEN, TAMWORTH If you're heading inland instead of following the coastal route, stop to take a photo with The Big Golden Guitar and treat yourself to a memorable lunch at The Workshop Kitchen in Tamworth. The forerunner of regional fine-dining since 1986, it has an impressive, globe-spanning list of 201 wines. The dining menu is also broadly international: you'll find arancini alongside pork bao, curries and the specialty Filipino-style leche flan. The common thread is an emphasis on championing fresh, local produce and the techniques of its open, wood-grill kitchen. With ingredients this good, the dishes needn't be overcomplicated. Take, for example, the Jack's Creek Beef wagyu rump cap, aged for six months and cooked perfectly over charcoal, served with seasonal vegetables, truffle potato mash and spiced slaw. BIRDIE NOSHERY, ORANGE Birdie Noshery is a new venture from the team behind Orange's renowned Lolli Redini. Here, it's less fine dining and more fun posh nosh. Birdie Noshery is an all-day, community-focused hangout, which means more grazing and share plates, plus some fancy brunch dishes. Have a spritz or house cocktail at the bar, enjoy south coast oysters with live music, sip a sherry with your croquetas and antipasto, or fuel up before the day's drive with the world's fanciest breakfast cheese toastie of truffle gruyere, smoked ham and dijon bechamel. There's a changing daily specials board for larger dishes, and a wine list of the finest local and international drops. If you're missing the urban wine bar vibe, Birdie Noshery is the perfect pit stop. [caption id="attachment_794821" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MJK Creative[/caption] BISTRO MOLINES, POKOLBIN When you're heading into the Hunter Valley for a wine pilgrimage, you owe it to yourself to make a quick stop in Provence. Robert Molines, the chef at Bistro Molines, brings the essence of southern French cuisine to the heart of NSW wine country. That means seasonal fare with locally sourced ingredients, including some from his own kitchen garden. Think classic French dishes, such as duck à l'orange and filet mignon with gratin dauphinoise. The rural chic ambiance of the bistro is matched with an incomparable view of rolling vineyards. A premium wine list makes this spot a long-time favourite of foodies and wine-enthusiasts alike. BERT'S, NEWPORT Before you reach the big city, take a detour to the northern beaches. Bert's Bar and Brasserie offers coastal European-style dining in the waterside town of Newport. Sit at the bar or in the lounge and enjoy a Bert's Marteeny while you graze on snacks from the Larder Table menu — think sourdough with cultured butter, steak tartare and anchovies in lemon thyme oil. Being this close to the water means fresh seafood is prominent across the entire menu, from the luxurious tidbits of oysters, crab, crudo and caviar to main dishes of pipis with vermouth or slow-grilled rock lobster. If you'd prefer to lean into the old-world elegance of the main dining room, opt for a multi-course sharing menu ($120–180 per person). Hot tip: you'll want to leave room for Bert's desserts. [caption id="attachment_773848" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An artist's impression of Nobu in Crown Sydney[/caption] NOBU, SYDNEY Celebrate the journey's end in style. Nobu almost needs no introduction: this high-class Japanese fusion restaurant has outposts across the globe with its newest location opening in Crown Sydney. Here, Nobu Matsuhisa brings Nobu's signature dishes, such as black cod with miso, as well as new items fusing native and seasonal Australian ingredients with Japanese flavours. Key to Japanese tradition is the element of visual ceremony in multi-course cuisine. Simply put, this dining experience is not merely delicious, it's also beautiful to look at. It's the perfect way to finish your road trip — splashing out on Sydney's best. Start planning your great escape to New South Wales this season by visiting the Visit NSW website. Top image: Bistro Molines, MJK Creative
This spring, you won't be jetting over to the Italian riviera. You can still eat and drink like you are, though. Fortitude Valley's La Costa Restaurant and Bar takes its cues from that sunny and scenic part of the globe all year round, and it's carrying that vibe over to its new Sunday Seafood and Spritz specials. Kicking off just before the flowers start blooming again for this year — on Sunday, August 29, with a second session planned for Sunday, September 18, too — these two-hour sessions pair bottomless spritzes with a tower of seafood. You'll sip orange-hued cocktails, or wine and beer if you'd prefer. Food-wise, you'll feast your way through scallops, oysters and prawns, as well as calamari, ceviche and the grilled catch of the day. Two sittings are being held each day, from 12–2pm and 2.30–4.30pm. So, you just need to decide how early you want to get out of bed — and whether you'll be paying $59 per person for a midday seafood feast or a late-afternoon session.
This Christmas, all you need is love — plus a festive little cabaret that showcases all of the hit tunes from Love Actually. It's the way to celebrate the season when you're not just leaving the seasonal favourite flick on repeat at home. Yep, that's Christmas Actually. Created by the folks behind Rumour Has It and Lady Beatle, and starring Naomi Price (Ladies in Black, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Christmas Actually features all of the tracks that've become synonymous with this merry time of year — including Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You', naturally. Songs by Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Eva Cassidy, The Beach Boys and The Beatles are all on the bill as well — and, to help belt them out, Price will be joined by Luke Kennedy, Irena Lysiuk, Doron Chester, Scott French, Mik Easterman, OJ Newcomb and Luke Volker. There'll even be more than one nativity lobster, plus a jolly mood and a whole room full of festive cheer. That room is Brisbane Powerhouse, where Christmas Actually plays its 2023 season from Wednesday, December 13–Sunday, December 17. Get excited by revisiting Love Actually's trailer below. 'Tis the season, after all. Top image: Katy Bedford.
Named one of the best places in the world to visit in 2022, southeast Queensland's Scenic Rim region isn't short on highlights, whether it's gorgeous scenery or farm-fresh produce you're after. Keen on the latter but can't make the trip south from Brisbane on Saturday, December 3? Don't worry — Scenic Rim Brewery, Towri Sheep Cheeses, Tommerup's Dairy Farm, Valley Pride Produce, Bee All Natural, Tamborine Mountain Distillery, The Overflow Estate 1895 and more are coming to you. Save the road trip for another weekend — instead, head to the Farm Gate to City Door Christmas Market at the Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct. It'll operate from 8am–12pm, serving up everything from fruit and vegetables, salted cultured butter and cheese through to craft beer, boutique spirits and honey straight from the hive. You can also nab handmade bath and body products, as well as some seedlings to help start your own garden. It's the second time that the Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct has hosted this country-meets-city event, after an earlier event back in September — and, if it gets you thinking about holidaying in the Scenic Rim, there's a stall for planning that as well. Live music will provide a soundtrack, plus Mica Brasserie will be doing coffees. Feel like hitting the river afterwards, and tucking into some of the produce you've just bought? GoBoat and its picnic boats is also right there. Also, because it's the season for it, Santa will make an appearance. [caption id="attachment_874978" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption]
There's never a bad time for a food truck meal — whether you just can't face another brown bag sandwich come midday, or you're in the need for something to soak up last night's fun. Or, maybe you've just finished work and want something more exciting to eat on a Tuesday evening, or you're looking for a Sunday afternoon meal with a couple of beverages. Enter Truckin' Hungry. Brisbane's newest food truck hub, they're setting up shop on the corner of O'Keefe Street and Ipswich Road in Woolloongabba — opposite the Princess Alexandra Hospital — and they're not just dropping by for a short stay. Seven days a week, from 7am to 10pm, you'll find between five and eight of the city's finest meals-on-wheels purveyors cooking up a storm. And, if you'd like a couple of brews while you're there, it's BYO so you can bring your own. The foodie fun begins from midday on December 9 — and the first 100 customers will score themselves a free gluten-free doughnut from the folks at Bad Boys Doughnuts. Opening night will feature Dan's Dim Sim Kitchen and Shanks A Lots, while the first week will see the likes of Hello Yummi Fruit Icecream, Mad Coffee, King of the Wings, Brat Haus, CheeseLane, Curry in a Cone, I Heart Calamari and more make themselves comfortable. Find Truckin' Hungry on the corner of O'Keefe Street and Ipswich Road in Woolloongabba. Visit their website for further information.
Christmas means many things: chaos in the shops, carols invading your brain, and a focus on all things red and green. In Brisbane, it also means Queensland Ballet's final production for the season, with The Nutcracker brightening up the QPAC stage every year. It really wouldn't be the festive season without it. Whether you've experienced the Tchaikovsky-scored two-act performance about sentient toys, dancing snowflakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy before, or you're joining little Clara on her Christmas Eve journey for the first time, you're certain to get swept up in the show's magic. And if you don't already have a ticket for 2024, don't delay — selling out is also an annual tradition. Queensland Ballet's The Nutcracker dances across the Lyric Theatre stage from Friday, December 12–Saturday, December 21 — and, depending on the day, you can either hit up an evening session or a matinee. The company has been bringing the show to the stage since 2013, but the ballet itself dates back more than 130 years because this kind of Christmas magic never gets old. Top image: David Kelly.
There's more than one countdown that's worth paying attention to at the end of January in Australia. Music lovers have triple j's version, which ranks the 100 best songs of the past year — and fans of a brew have the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beer poll. Run by the folks at the Great Australasian Beer Spectapular, the huge beer fests that tour the country each year, this list rounds up the top homegrown craft brews as voted by you. And the best way to celebrate, of course, is sipping along. For the latest countdown, which is held in 2024 but focuses on 2023's beers, Revel Brewing Co's Rivermakers' venue in Morningside is getting in on the action by hosting a party from 11am on Saturday, January 27. There'll be drinks, the poll's results, prizes and more, all at a riverside brewery. Fancy a parmigiana with your brews? Tuck into a $25 parma and drink special. If you have little ones in tow, kids get a free meal as long as an adult is buying something to eat that costs over $15. Entry is free, you'll pay for what you eat and drink, and you'll be hanging out in a brewpub that was once the Commonwealth Acetate of Lime Factory, which dates back to the 1920s.
When the Queensland Symphony Orchestra turned 75 in 2022, it put on a huge free concert to celebrate, taking over QPAC's Concert Hall for an evening. It doesn't have a milestone birthday to mark in 2023, but it is hosting another free gig anyway — this time outdoors as part of a new annual tradition. Taking place at Roma Street Parklands, Queensland Symphony Orchestra's Symphony Under the Stars will enjoy its debut hour-long outing on Saturday, March 25, in what's set to launch a yearly show. Attendees will hear 'Fanfare for the Common Man' by Copland to begin, followed by Tower's 'Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman'. Also on the list Dvořák's 'Carnival Overture', Delius' 'Summer Evening', Dohnányi's 'Symphonic Minutes', Tchaikovsky's 'Capriccio Italien' and Glinka's 'Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila'. Given how popular last year's 75th-birthday show was, expect the maiden Symphony Under the Stars to prove the same. Although attendance is free, registration from 9am on Sunday, February 26 via the QSO website is recommended. Bringing picnic baskets is encouraged, too, and there'll be food options available onsite. If you're wondering about the history of the QSO, it made its debut on March 26, 1947, with 45 members playing to a crowd of 2500 people at Brisbane City Hall. It now boasts 74 musicians, and is the state's largest performing arts organisation. Images: Peter Wallis.
Art doesn’t need to be sad, sooky, made at the hands of a tortured artists, or ride reminiscent feelings of depression and gloom to be art. It just needs to provoke feeling. And to be honest, the fresher and more fun the feeling the better! Nancy Stilianos', Anthotopia, couldn’t be more fresh and fun – making for some top notch art and even topper notched feelings. Using raw cotton, dyed with vegetable juices and food colouring, her handmade gentle giants of sculpture are a site of beauty. Cloud-like, these organic pieces steal the room, like a gentle breeze of relief, calm surprise and wonder – that’s real art for you. Stilianos makes her cotton clouds from locally grown and sources materials, encapsulating the belief that beauty is so easy to find in the natural resources around us. Her art is a stance against the mass produced and convenient – there’s something special about a piece that’s grown from loving hands in an act of self-determination. Experience this rather unique, art-provoked feeling at Metro Arts from October 16 to November 2. You can even catch Nancy Stilianos in the flesh on October 23 as she explains her investment in Anthotopia.
If you make your way to Crystal Cascades, it's worth checking out its little sister swimming spot located close by, too. Tucked away in the dense rainforest next door to the cascades, you'll soon realise what's so magical about Fairy Falls. Take the track to the left of the carpark at Crystal Cascades to make your way to the mystical falls a 15-minute walk away. The narrow waterfall shoots into a clear blue swimming hole and the log wedged in the centre of its stream makes it easy to imagine fairies frolicking in this picture-perfect rainforest pool. Just make sure you follow the path along the creek when you're trying to find this veiled treasure — the alternative track at the fork won't lead you to the magical place you're seeking.
In their stories and themes, Pixar often play in the same territory over and over. Generally, they take an object, animal or concept – say a toy, a fish or a car – and instill it with consciousness and emotion. And yet when it comes to visuals, they rarely do the same thing twice. Each new Pixar movie might feel somewhat similar, but they always look different. The Good Dinosaur, the animation studio's latest effort, demonstrates both extremes. "What if lumbering prehistoric creatures had feelings?" is the question the feature asks, then attempts to answer in heart-warming, lesson-learning fashion. A green, long-necked apatosaurus by the name of Arlo certainly has plenty, mostly of the melancholy variety. As a child (voiced by Jack McGraw), he's worried about his lack of size, strength and skill around the family farm, particularly in comparison to his bigger siblings. A few years later (now voiced by Raymond Ochoa), those self-doubts are put to the test when he wanders far from home and has to find his way back again. Director Peter Sohn (short film Partly Cloudy) and writer Meg LeFauve (Inside Out) take Arlo through well-worn territory — and not just for Pixar, but for many other animated movies about talking animals. Arlo is forced to face his fears, come of age and survive in the wild, with only a scampering, growling, primitive human boy, who he names Spot (Jack Bright), for company. They forge a connection despite having some initial troubles, and help each other through episodic encounters with other dinosaurs and creatures. Yes, it's a routine narrative, and it's mostly told as such, hitting all the expected beats. In fact, The Good Dinosaur is the kind of film that will cause your eyes to wander away from the main action — although given the artistry on display around the primary characters, that's a good thing. It's not often that the background proves more engaging than the figures at the centre of the frame, or that the direction makes sure you're noticing that peripheral beauty. Yet that's frequently the case here. The photorealistic details evident in images of fields, mountains, waterfalls, trees and other natural features are the real stars of the show, and provide the picture with a distinctive, eye-catching appearance. Of course, the film isn't without its other modest pleasures. For starters, there's its alternate timeline, one that sees dinosaurs not only roaming the planet long after an asteroid should've hit, but living an agrarian lifestyle. There are nods to the western genre, a brief but inventive hallucinatory sequence, and enjoyable voice-acting by Frances McDormand, Sam Elliott and Steve Zahn in smaller parts. Like the familiar story though, they simply pale in comparison to the splendour that surrounds them. Sure, the movie might be about a good dinosaur, but what it best serves up is great, gorgeous visuals.
If you and your mates are looking for something blokey yet informative, reasonably priced and delicious, then we have just the thing for you. The Bavarian Bier Café at Eagle St Pier is offering Bier Akademies where you can sit at the bar and be taught about the brewing process for five of the Pure German biers that are on offer. You will also learn trivial but awesome conversation-making facts like this: back in ancient times, Monks who abstained from food during Lent lived solely on bier. Also, bier is best served between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius. For $35 per person, you and your mates sit at the bar with Sam, the resident bier expert who will take you through the brewing process and discuss aromas, taste, colour and all things bier-related with you. You get to sample five of the biers on tap – three lagers and two ales, learning about their origin and how they get to taste so damn good. After your lesson you are brought tasting platters of some of the BBC’s best Bavarian food including a freshly baked pretzel, chicken schnitzel, pork belly, three types of sausage, mash and sauerkraut. The Bier Akademy would be the perfect precursor for a Buck’s night, a great ice-breaker with your future father-in-law, or an opportune way to win over your clients. Girls – if you love beer, then by all means, you will also love this night out. It would also be the perfect way to treat your boyfriend on his birthday with something unexpected. Bookings can be made by email: reservations@bavarianbiercafe.com Level 1, 45 Eagle Street, Eagle Street Pire; 07 3015 0555; http://www.bavarianbiercafe.com
Feeling uncertain about your identity isn't unique, but Waiata Telfer's retelling of her troubles and struggles just might be. A Narrunga-Kaurna woman of mixed heritage from South Australia, she grew up in the thick of 1970s social-political issues, then turned her search for her sense of self into a witty and moving piece of original theatre. Accordingly, SONG the story of a girl, a bird and a teapot charts the efforts of Aboriginal girl who feels disconnected from her past and becomes inspired to challenge the notion of tradition and community. With a treasured family relic in her hands and the song of an unseen bird in her ears, she goes looking for a new way forward. A poetic, personal one-woman play is the end result of Telfer's efforts, as conveyed with raw honesty and grit, coupled with ample humour, and accompanied by the sounds of musician Jay Kleinschmidt. SONG doesn't just tap into the need to belong in a different way, but invites audiences to share in the experience. Attendees aren't relegated to just watching — they're also asked to bring a small stone to the performance.
Just another Grill’d in the city, you might think. You're wrong. Grill’d located in the CBD's fresh faced Wintergarden offers more than its suburban counterparts. This Grill'd combines the two joys of burger eating and post-work drinking with both an extensive burger menu and drinks list. Upon entrance you are confronted with an interesting chandelier made out of shiny silver spatulas - an homage to burger flipping. The atmosphere is fun and bustling, and the perfect place for Friday afternoon drinks. You have the choice of sitting in a booth, outdoors or at the bar at the back. The bar serves local beers such as Burleigh Brewing and Little Creatures, Stone & Wood and Matilda Bay Dirty Granny cider (all around $8 for a stubby). For wine lovers we recommend the Innocent Bystander Pinot Gris ($ 9 glass or $38 bottle) or the St Hallett Shiraz ($7 glass or $32 bottle). If you're just after some nibbles, this Grill'd serves delicious bites such as the Moroccan Lamb Meatballs and Chicken Satay Meatballs ($3 each).
Flowers aren't the only things that'll be blooming when spring comes around — at Newstead House on Saturday, September 7, botanical-based spirits will be as well. The juniper juice will be flowing as Brisbane celebrates its second Jacaranda Gin Festival, this time in a new location. The event will also take over the historic spot for a day of gin-fuelled boozing, with more than 25 Australian and international distillers serving up their beverages for your tasting pleasure. One of the great aspects of the setting ties into the fest's name, so prepare not just to down botanical drinks, but to be surrounded by jacarandas. Entertainment-wise, expect DJs, demonstrations and discussions, so that you can dance, learn more about gin and chat about it — or all three, of course. Expect food trucks as well, because you can dedicate a day to this delicious spirit without lining your stomach. A number of ticketing options are available, starting at $35 for early birds and $45 afterwards, with ten tastings included. If you'd like to hang out in a dedicated lounge area and receive a welcome cocktail, nab a $88 ticket — or if you're feeling flush and really love your gin, $220 lets you sample until your heart's content.
If you're the type of staycationer who chooses their hotels for the perks and extra inclusions, then you'll be particularly excited about an upcoming new addition to Brisbane's accommodation offerings. Mövenpick Hotel Brisbane Spring Hill is set to launch in 2024, marking the Swiss brand's third site in Australia — after Mövenpick Hotel Hobart and Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne both opened earlier in 2021. If either the chain's name or its country of origin have you thinking of sweet treats, yes, they're part of the hotel's menu. For starters, Mövenpick Hotel Brisbane will celebrate chocolate hour every afternoon. Going on the Hobart setup, that's when you'll receive a free dessert — such as an eclair, brownie or truffle — when you purchase a chocolate-flavoured cocktail, mocktail or affogato. Mövenpick's hotels all serve the brand's line of food and beverages as well, which means that Mövenpick ice cream will also be available. Because Brisbane's own Mövenpick site is still a few years off, exactly what'll be on the menu hasn't been revealed quite yet. But the 15-storey, 96-room site will include restaurants and bars — as well as a 25-metre swimming pool, a fitness centre and conference facilities. [caption id="attachment_818960" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria Park[/caption] Setting up shop at 447 Gregory Terrace, bordering Victoria Park — which has just closed its golf course and reopened as a huge 65-hectare public park — Mövenpick Hotel Brisbane will also sport an art deco look to suit its location. Spring Hill is one of Brisbane's oldest suburbs, after all. With MAS Architecture Studio working on the art deco-inspired design, international design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates doing interiors, and the project — and a neighbouring residential tower — being delivered by development group Keylin, the hotel will include a two-storey foyer featuring eight-metre ceilings, marble columns and terrazzo flooring and intricate details, too. Plus, there'll be elevated gardens across its façade to create a cascading greenery effect. And, each room will have city views as well — because chocolate hour won't be the only luxe feature here. Find Mövenpick Hotel Brisbane Spring Hill at 447 Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill from sometime in 2024. Head to the Accor website to keep an eye out for further information.
What do the Star Wars theme song and its Jurassic Park, Jaws, Superman and Harry Potter equivalents all have in common? Two things. Firstly, when you hear each and every one, they instantly transport you into the world of their respective films. That's what a good piece of movie music does — whether or not the accompanying images are playing in front of you. Secondly, they're all the product of one man: five-time Oscar-winner and 52-time nominee John Williams. On Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30, all of the above pieces will also echo through QPAC's Concert Hall. Similarly set to get a spin: Williams' tunes from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Hook, Memoirs of a Geisha, Schindler's List, JFK, The Terminal and more. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra will be playing them, putting on a show dedicated to the iconic composer. You won't be watching the relevant flicks, but rather soaking in their sounds as they're all played live. The reason: Williams turned 90 this year, although no one ever needs an excuse to send copious amounts of love his way. As part of its Cinematic series, QSO will be performing three concerts, at 7.30pm on both nights, and also at 1.30pm on the Saturday. And to get you in the mood, here's an excerpt from the always-enchanting Jurassic Park soundtrack:
Thanks to multiple lockdowns and ongoing restrictions, we've all spent more time eating at home over the past 18 months than we probably would've otherwise. We've all tried to cook sourdough, too, and also put our culinary skills to the test attempting to whip up plenty of other dishes. Sometimes, though, the urge to hop into the kitchen just isn't there. Also a pandemic mainstay: takeaways and food deliveries. They help us all escape a stint of cooking for a night, and also support local hospitality businesses doing it tough when they can't welcome in dine-in customers. And, to the delight of tastebuds across Brisbane, some places around town have been hatching inventive ideas to keep us all fed — and help us avoid playing chef ourselves. Mac in the Box is one such new arrival. Obviously, mac 'n' cheese is its dish of choice — and it takes the pasta-and-dairy combination seriously. A drive-thru run by Fortitude Valley's City Winery and set up at its Wandoo Street base, it'll have you forgetting all about packet-mix versions of its cuisine of choice. Serving up mac 'n' cheese made with three cheeses, truffles, smoked ocean trout and Italian pork will do that. Fancy all the cheese? The three-cheese version is Mac in the Box's bestseller, and also comes in bundles with some of City Winery's 2020 Gerler sav blanc and shiraz. That's the benefit of picking up some pasta from a winery, clearly. Or, you can opt for the gooey version with truffles; the ocean trout, herbs and spring onion variety; or the Italian pork, fennel and tomatoes dish. Prices range from $13–24 just for a mac 'n' cheese, and from $32–40 with a bottle of vino. Customers can also add some wine to their orders anyway, with ten varieties available. And, house-baked sourdough is also on the menu as a side dish. With Brisbane back in lockdown until at least 4pm on Sunday, August 8, Mac in the Box is operating daily during the stay-at-home conditions — so that could be your dinner sorted for a few nights this week. Orders can be collected from 4.30pm each afternoon. Mac in the Box is operating daily during Brisbane's current lockdown, which is presently due to run until 4pm on Sunday, August 8. To place an order for collection from 4.30pm each afternoon, head to the Mac in the Box website.
How do you take something great and make it even better? Add goats. That probably doesn't apply in every situation, but it certainly seems to with HBO comedy Barry and its long-awaited third season — at least if the just-dropped new trailer is anything to go by. All killer, no filler: when it comes to this Bill Hader-starring gem, that notion firmly applies. The premise is pure TV gold, following an assassin who'd rather be an actor, but finds it hard to cut ties with his murderous gig. Making it even better is the pitch-perfect casting of former Saturday Night Live great Hader, of course, who has never been better than he is playing the eponymous hitman here. The setup: when Hader's Barry Berkman heads from Cleveland to Los Angeles for his job, he discovers a previously unknown passion for acting after he stumbles into a class held by veteran thespian Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, The French Dispatch). The catch? Barry kills people for money, and that isn't a line of work that you can leave easily, especially when you become caught in the Chechen mafia's violent and deadly dramas. As SNL fans will already know, Hader is an on-screen treasure. He's truly something else in this part-comedy, part-tragedy series. Barry's struggle mightn't seem that relatable on paper, but it proves exactly that with Hader in the role. Also excellent is Winkler, expectedly. And, similarly great is Bill & Ted Face the Music's Anthony Carrigan as Chechen gangster Noho Hank — who befriends Barry, isn't that skilled at the whole crime business and quickly becomes one of the most memorable characters to ever grace a TV series. It's no wonder that fans have been hanging out for the third season of this Emmy-winner, which finally arrives in April — on Monday, April 25 in Australia via Binge, in fact — after a three-year gap since season two. Based on both the initial teaser trailer and this new sneak peek, Barry's quest to go on the straight and narrow — and pursue acting — is still as chaotic as ever. In fact, this season will focus on the other factors, including his own psyche, that saw Barry become a killer to begin with. Another big part of the new episodes, according to HBO: fellow characters trying to make the right choices. Also returning are Stephen Root (The Tragedy of Macbeth) as Barry's former handler Monroe, who is in hiding; Sarah Goldberg (The Night House) as Barry's girlfriend Sarah, who is also an actor; D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place) as a fellow acting student; and Sarah Burns (Werewolves Within) as Detective Mae Dunn. And Hader isn't just phenomenally excellent on-screen in Barry — he also co-created it, has directed a heap of episodes, and also co-wrote others. Check out the full trailer for Barry season three below: Barry's third season will start streaming via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Monday, April 25. Images: Peter Iovino and Merrick Morton/HBO.
A trip to HOTA, Home of the Arts' Wonder arts festival is one of the best ways to spend a spring day on the Gold Coast, especially if you like being surrounded by glowing art. From Friday, October 6–Sunday, October 15, the precinct's returning fest is filling nights with light and colour — and sound. The big highlight: Dan Acher's stunning outdoor artwork Borealis, which will make you feel like you're wandering around beneath either the southern or northern lights from 6–9pm. His take is gleaming in the night sky above HOTA's outdoor stage, in a big return after the artwork first featured back in 2019. And on soundtrack duties: Guillaume Desbois. Also on the Wonder lineup: music by the MZAZA ensemble during Fridays on the Lawn, and Sunny Coast Rude Boys as well; activities for kids; and bites to eat at Night Bites Under Lights on Saturday, October 14. The event runs daily except for Saturday, October 7 and Friday, October 13, when other ticketed events are happening at HOTA.
The humble parmigiana is a pub staple, and for a very good reason. When you're cooking up crumbed schnitzel, slathering it in a tomato-heavy sauce and topping it with cheese, it's very hard to go wrong. So, as part of its new menu, Bald Hills' Bonny View Hotel serves up classic, Mexican-style (with jalapeños, guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream) and Aussie (with bacon, beetroot relish and slaw) varieties. Relaunching after a $1.3 million renovation, the northside site also boasts something else on its food lineup. Parmigiana fans, meet your new must-try mashup: the parmi hot dog. Which is exactly the Frankenstein's monster of a dish that it sounds like. You'll tuck into a crumbed chicken sausage on a hotdog bun, with said banger topped with napoli sauce, bacon and liquid cheese. Cheeseburger spring rolls, wagyu brisket croquettes, fish pies, chicken kievs, steaks, baked half-shell scallops, pulled chicken tacos and salmon fillets are also on the gastropub-esque menu; however, let's face it, those parmi hot dogs are the main attraction. Australian Venue Co, the hospitality outfit behind Bonny View Hotel, clearly recognise this — with 150 freebies being given away over the pub's relaunch weekend from Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23. If you're just keen to check out the venue's new look, it'll all be unveiled on Thursday, August 20, with the 85-year-old location undergoing quite the facelift. As overseen by Brisbane architects Push, every space inside and out has had a revamp, from the front bar and indoor dining area to the outside bistro and covered deck. And, while parmi hot dogs are the big ticket item, they're not the only kind of dogs that Bonny View Hotel is interested in. Bring your pooch along and you'll be able to sit in the woofer-friendly outdoor area and nab them some puppy snacks, too. Find the Bonny View Hotel at 2077 Gympie Road, Bald Hills, open Monday–Saturday from 10am–4am and Sunday from 10am– 1.30am — and head by from Thursday, August 20 to see its new look and tuck into its new menu. Images: Cat Thuemling.
Looking for something to fill your time (that's not live streaming koalas or re-watching Tiger King over and over again)? TAFE Queensland is offering free online short courses that you can home complete at home — without spending a cent. The fee-free courses are to help people diversify their skills during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are broken into two categories: micro-credentials and skill sets. The former are open to anyone, take about an hour to complete and, once finished, come with a 'digital badge', which can be shared with future or current employees. There are six micro-credentials courses available, including one on cyber security, another on data analysis and a course all about using software and technology to increase productivity (which could be extra-helpful if you're currently WFH). You can complete one or more of these, if you like. The skill sets are open to Queensland residents whose work has been impacted by COVID-19 and/or are on Jobseeker, with an aim of helping them upskill or retrain while unemployed (or working less). If you tick these boxes, you can enrol in one of nine skill sets, with courses running for between 2–12 weeks. There are currently courses focused on the medical industry — including ones about community care, health support and mental health — administration, transport, hospitality and agriculture. While you can only enrol in one of these at a time, you can complete multiple. TAFE Queensland has adapted how it offers its courses during COVID-19, with many of them now mostly (or completely) online. You can find out more here. To find out more about and enrol in one of TAFE Queensland's fee-free online short courses, head to the TAFE Queensland website.
Another day, another burger, another $2. Yes, you read that correctly. Brisbane has a new burg-slinging joint, with Burger Face not only ferrying its greasy spoon favourites direct to your door, but also offering up cheap cheeseburgers to celebrate. A delivery-only outfit that takes orders exclusively through UberEATS and Deliveroo, Burger Face is kicking off its first days of business with burgers that genuinely cost less than their chips. On July 26 and 27, the smallest gold coin in Australia's currency gets you a beef patty, American cheese, ketchup, mustard and pickles between a burger bun. And in case you thought we were joking, if you really do want fries with that, expect to pay an $6 for regular and $7 for sweet potato. When they're not tempting your tastebuds with an American-style burger bargain, Burger Face's full menu also boasts both spicy and crispy chicken options, plus lamb, breakfast-happy bacon and egg, maple bacon cheeseburgers and burgers turned into salad bowls — all priced between $12 and $14. As well as the aforementioned fries, there's also six types of sauce (including truffle mayo and beetroot relish), plus chocolate brownies for dessert. And, ready-made for seedy mornings, their hangover pack features a brekkie burg, hash brown and Berocca. The fresh addition to the city's bustling burger scene aims to cater for the CBD lunch crowd, and anyone who's hankering for a burger but can't be bothered leaving home after hours. And as for their name, we're assuming they're called Burger Face because you'll be shovelling heaps of the former into the latter. Fair call, really. Order Burger Face via UberEATS and Deliveroo, or check out their Facebook page for further info. Image: Natalie Hoo.
The cinemas that it plays in have changed over the years, and the organisations that run the event as well. If you love movies and you live in Queensland's capital, however, the Brisbane International Film Festival has been the must-attend big-screen date of the year for more than three decades. Now settled into a spring timeslot and in its third year under Film Fantastic, who also organise the Gold Coast Film Festival, BIFF is fast approaching for 2023 — and it has just dropped six first titles from its program to get cinephiles excited. One huge must-see from Thursday, October 26–Sunday, November 5: Anatomy of a Fall, a drama about an author (Sandra Hüller, Toni Erdmann) accused of her husband's murder, which won French director Justine Triet (Sibyl) the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or winner back in May. Triet became just the third female filmmaker to earn the coveted prize after Jane Campion for The Piano in 1993, plus Julia Ducournau for Titane in 2021. Also a big drawcard is 2023 opening-night pick Uproar, which comes to Brisbane fresh from premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival. Set to launch this year's BIFF at Reading Newmarket, one of this year's venues alongside other Reading, Dendy and Five Star locations, the New Zealand film stars Hunt for the Wilderpeople's Julian Dennison, Our Flag Means Death's Rhys Darby and Starstruck's Minnie Driver. They feature in a movie that's set in Dunedin in 1981 and focuses on a boy exploring his Māori heritage as the South African Springboks team arrive in Aotearoa amid protests. Ahead of the full BIFF program on Wednesday, September 20, BIFF's first announcement also spans Hirokazu Kore-eda's Monster, the prolific helmer's latest on a lengthy resume that also includes Shoplifters and Broker; body-horror film Tiger Stripes, which is set in the Malaysian jungle and won the 2023 Cannes Critics' Week Grand Prize; and the talk show-set horror Late Night with the Devil — all of which have been doing the rounds of the international festival circuit, with Brisbane their next stop. And, when The Ending Goes Forever: The Screamfeeder Story makes its world premiere at the fest, it'll clearly do so with a big homegrown angle, focusing on of Brisbane's 90s indie-music favourites. "The first six films represent a sneak peek of the diverse and entertaining broader program," said BIFF Head of Programming Sasha Close. "BIFF is proud to be presenting award-winning and highly anticipated feature films in this first release." While Brisbane's major film fest initially launched in 1992, the 2023 festival marks BIFF's 29th thanks to a chaotic few years — after the event was unceremoniously cancelled after its 2013 fest in favour of the short-lived Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, then revived by Palace Cinemas in 2017, and then run by the Gallery of Modern Art from 2018–20 before falling under Film Fantastic's remit. The 2023 Brisbane International Film Festival runs between Thursday, October 26–Sunday, November 5 at selected Dendy, Reading and Five Star cinemas around Brisbane. For further information, or to buy tickets, head to the festival website — and check back here on Wednesday, September 20 for the full program.
Christmas is a time for coming together and appreciating the good things in life. However, in a year that saw way too many creative icons pass away, it's also a time to celebrate the great things that have been and gone. Enter Santa Barbara, the excellently named yuletide gathering hosted by Fortitude Valley bar Barbara. Yes, there will be Prince and Bowie. To be specific, there'll be DJ sets paying tribute to two of the greatest musicians that ever lived when Barbara gets festive from 7pm on December 22. And as always, the two legends have already said it best. Let's go crazy and let's dance, indeed. Teen Sensations will also be doing their thing live, and Barbara's bartenders will be making their finest boozy concoctions. All that's left is for you to spend your Thursday night enjoying the Christmas party trifecta of an ace venue, excellent music and stellar vibes aplenty.
Take a group of A-grade acrobats, add some bells, horns and sepia stage lighting, dowse it all in whiskey and you have Scotch and Soda. They’re a group of Australia’s finest performers and music-makers, who’ve graced stages as Cantina, Smoke and Mirrors, La Clique, Circa and Tom Tom Crew. But you’ll be forgiven if you can’t pick a familiar face under their swanky new beards, budgies and blazers as part of this new, exciting ensemble. Scotch and Soda are bringing their gypsy infused stylings and unruly showcase to The Judith Wright Centre as part of Brisbane Festival. Their riveting talents, paired with their raucous behaviours makes for a show that will viewers laughing as often as they cover their eyes in fear. With the driving beats of Ben Walsh setting a musical backdrop to unsuspected activity, dangerous acts and a little nudity, brace yourself for the extreme. Tickets range between $33 and $39, and you can catch Scoth and Soda till September 27.
It sounds like somewhere James Bond might hide away between missions — or, during a job, where he'd hunt down his latest nemesis. But inside the summit of Sölden's Gaislachkogl Mountain in Austria, visitors will soon find a museum dedicated to 007, particularly focusing on the character's most recent movie outing. If you're wondering why — why Sölden and why Spectre, specifically — it's because the latter flick shot scenes at the former location. It seems that's enough reason to bring 007 Elements to town, with the project being called "a new James Bond cinematic installation." From its description, however, it sounds rather like a series of galleries. When the space opens on July 12, it'll walk audiences through the various signature elements that go into making a Bond flick, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look in a new and inventive way. With Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre art director Neal Callow acting as the project's creative director, expect the museum to boast some serious insider know-how — all in a bespoke 1300-square-metre building that has been constructed within the mountain, spans two levels and is situated 3050 metres above sea level. "We want to use this incredible location to place our guests into Bond's environment, and bring the stories to life in a unique and unforgettable way," explains Callow. The franchise's other 24 movies to date will also feature, as will spectacular views over the Ötztal Alps.
When Joost Bakker helped pile 3000 kilograms of clothing waste in Melbourne's Federation Square in April 2022, all to draw attention to fast fashion, he viewed the project with his usual optimism. "Even if it's just one person who walks through that structure and gets inspired and comes up with a solution — that's what's so exciting," the renowned zero-waste campaigner noted. Those exact words could've been uttered about the venture at the centre of Greenhouse by Joost, too. A three-storey home made entirely out of recyclable materials that don't generate waste, and designed to operate as a closed food system with everything catered for onsite and not a scrap spared, it predates his spotlight on the textile industry. Clearly, it boasts the same sustainability focus. In fact, Bakker could've said the same thing about past pop-ups in the same spot over more than a decade, including fellow waste-free eateries also called Greenhouse since 2008. Scratch that — it isn't merely likely that the Dutch-born floral designer and activist could've expressed the same sentiments; it's certain he must've. Eliminating waste is Bakker's passion. Not wasting any time trying to put that aim into action is just as much of an obsession. His work doesn't merely talk the talk but walks the walk, and attempts to help the world see how crucial it is to reduce humanity's impact upon the earth. The habitable Greenhouse is quite the undertaking, though, given its purpose: building an abode that two people can get shelter, food, water and energy from, all in one cosy and clever self-sustaining ecosystem. Chefs Jo Barrett and Matt Stone (ex-Oakridge Wines) agreed to do the residing, and to put Bakker's Future Food System to the test. They were named among the world's 50 best next-generation hospitality leaders in 2021 for their efforts, for what's a vital, pioneering and fascinating enterprise. It's no wonder that filmmakers Rhian Skirving (Matilda & Me) and Bruce Permezel (The Obesity Myth) — both directing, the former writing and the latter lensing — were driven to document it. Shot since the conception and building stage, then chronicling the COVID-19 setbacks, the logistical and setup woes, and the daily reality of living in the structure, it's also no wonder that the resulting Melbourne International Film Festival Audience Award-winner makes such compelling viewing. Greenhouse by Joost is both a record and an aspirational tool: it shows what can and has been done and, as Bakker always hopes, it wants to get everyone watching following in his, Barrett and Stone's footsteps. Of course, for most, money will be a very real and practical obstacle. There's no doubting that Greenhouse stems from considerable resources, both in finances and time. But that's the thing with ambitions: they have us shooting for the stars, breaking our goals down into everyday pieces and finding ways to make even small parts of them happen. Evoking that exact response when it comes to making life's basics sustainable — what we eat and drink, where we stay and sleep, and how we power it all — is Bakker's aim, too. With Bakker as the film's on-screen guide, Greenhouse by Joost does just that itself as well, stepping through the idea and the execution like it's laying out a roadmap for its audience to chart. Viewers won't walk out of the doco ready to move into their own such dwelling, but learning plenty about the ingenious design, the bits and pieces that go into it, and the work required — to get it up, ready and operating smoothly, and also to have it function as a small-scale restaurant — comes with simply watching. Although the cooking, serving, welcoming in eager diners and sharing the titular building comes later in the movie, obviously, it's a crucial piece of the project overall and of Skirving and Permezel's feature. How much more doable does just living in the Greenhouse and taking care of yourself seem compared to running it as a mini eatery? Oh-so-much. How much easier does putting some of its principles to use in your own home seem, too? The answer remains the same. For anyone who isn't as immersed the ins and outs of sustainable possibilities, practices and technologies as Greenhouse by Joost's namesake — aka almost everyone except the film's namesake — the details behind the abode are illuminating as well as inspiring. During the construction phase, for instance, the documentary gets informative about different building materials, including panels made from compacted hay that help put farming offcuts to use. Moving beyond concrete slabs as a base, and therefore avoiding the emissions spat out by cement production methods, involves weighing down the Greenhouse from the roof rather than anchoring it from below. The solution? Soil and plants atop the home, which is also where the bulk of the food comes in. Planters blossom with fruit, vegetables and herbs. A beehive provides honey. Fish and yabbies live in an aquaponics system. With each component, the film offers pivotal data — again, not exactly a how-to, but enough to firmly pique interest. Skirving and Permezel, plus Bakker as their chief talking head, complement the behind-the-scenes insights with a front-loaded array of facts and figures, instantly placing the need for an innovative solution like Greenhouse into context. While none of it should be new news given how widely the message about humanity's destruction of the planet is known — as it needs to be — it still leaves an imprint. (One such tidbit: that 27,000 trees a day are cut down just to make toilet paper.) In the process, there's little that's creative about the movie's structure, crisp imagery and overall approach, letting the project at its centre draw the audience in on its merits (well, with assistance from the over-emphasised score). Still, pairing such sobering data with ways to make a difference — and, in the case of the Greenhouse itself, a game-changing dream solution — is a smart and powerful move. Online during its 18-month stint in Fed Square, Bakker's creation attracted ample attention, unsurprisingly. Although Skirving and Permezel include a glimpse at the reaction on social media, Greenhouse by Joost is far more potent when it's showing what people are responding to — when it's doing rather than basking. Again, there's no mystery why that's the case. From the first Greenhouses through to zero-waste cafe Silo by Joost, later soup bar Brothl, this Greenhouse and those aforementioned clothes, that's always been Bakker's modus operandi. He's a natural showman and spokesman, but he knows that making his zero-waste crusade tangible is his most important task — and his best tool for inspiring even just one person.
It's Halloween, 1968, in the fictional town of Mill Valley. With an opening montage reminiscent of many a movie, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark shows viewers just what that means. Locals prepare to celebrate the spookiest day of the year, with decorations littering the town. Pumpkins are a common sight, naturally. Horror-obsessed aspiring writer Stella (Zoe Margaret Colletti) and her fellow teen outcast pals, Auggie (Gabriel Rush) and Chuck (Austin Zajur) are getting ready to go trick-or-treating, too; however it's the bully they're afraid of that initially proves pivotal. At his family farm, Tommy (Austin Abrams) and his offsiders attack a scarecrow. Under the autumn sky, surrounded by towering crops stretching far and wide, they smash and bash the figure mercilessly. Each blow knocks the straw man around, but it doesn't fight back. It can't — it's inanimate. But that doesn't mean that there won't be repercussions. Based on the 80s and 90s children's book series of the same name, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark doesn't trade in a 'what goes around, comes around' mentality — although Tommy isn't destined for a hero's journey. Rather, director André Øvredal (The Autopsy of Jane Doe) and his screenwriters (The Lego Ninjago Movie's Dan Hageman and Kevin Hageman, plus Oscar-winning The Shape of Water filmmaker Guillermo del Toro) explore the idea that pain is part of a cycle. Whether you're inflicting, receiving or helping to relieve it, trauma isn't a one-way event or a one-off occurrence. In the film's intermittent narration, Stella explains this in a different way, more befitting the movie's literary origins: "Stories hurt. Stories heal". After a trip to a supposedly haunted local house leaves Stella in possession of a spooky collection of stories, her words start ringing true. Decades earlier, the book belonged to Sarah Bellows, who was brutalised by her wealthy family, locked in the basement and — as the legend goes — lured in kids with eerie tales, then killed them. Stella doesn't necessarily believe the myths, until fresh tales begin writing themselves into the dusty tome in a bloody scrawl. Each new story mentions someone that Stella knows, such as Tommy, Auggie, Chuck and the mysterious drifter, Ramon (Michael Garza), that she meets at a drive-in screening of Night of the Living Dead. As foretold on the page, scarecrows soon seek revenge, monsters shuffle through creepy asylums and stews come seasoned with body parts, among other unnerving incidents. Tasked with adapting short stories, the filmmakers find an effective solution to what could've been the movie's big struggle: moulding standalone tales into a cohesive whole. Working through a selection of the printed collection's chapters, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark still feels episodic. Indeed, each segment could work on its own as a short film. That said, this isn't a cobbled-together anthology linked by loose connective tissue (or, if they've sprung to mind, a Stranger Things or IT rip-off). Delving deep into what each spooky tale means to Stella and her friends, Øvredal gives his framing narrative as much weight as the movie's individual parts. These stories reflect events, emotions, fears and worries in the characters' lives, and tie into the picture's setting and time period. The Vietnam War rages on, Richard Nixon is about to be elected to America's highest office and racism makes its presence known — and, via all of the above, a generation just coming of age begins to realise that horror really exists. When it comes to the tangible frights — the bumps, jumps, creaks and the like — Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark also finds an apt approach. As he demonstrated in both The Autopsy of Jane Doe and Troll Hunter, Øvredal knows that less is often more. When needed, though, he's not afraid to throw severed heads around, unleash a stream of spiders or watch dissembled limbs combine into a demon. He's not averse to pushing his fresh-faced cast to their limits, either, or deploying Breaking Bad's Dean Norris (as Stella's dad) as the fount of all gravitas. But, whether in subtle or overt mode, the film always sticks to its point, showing how frightful sights, and the underlying forces and troubles they represent, can manifest in many forms. Still, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark does tussle with one tricky spot. While vastly darker than Goosebumps, this is an adolescent-friendly affair, sparking an all-too-generic ending and sequel setup. When it takes the easy route in wrapping things up, the movie is at its worst. Thankfully for horror buffs of all ages, that's doesn't spoil the preceding fun. For most of its running time, this is a suitably creepy and thoughtful film, taking familiar parts, twisting them in unnerving ways, and layering its stories with both scares and meaning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYPRyBN3Kz8
When this year's Dark MOFO program dropped, House of Mirrors immediately rocketed to the top of everyone's must-do list. Created by Australian installation artists Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney, it's exactly what it sounds like: a walkthrough space filled with reflective surfaces that will not only strands you in a maze of your own image, but turns your likeness into a kaleidoscope. Is it fun, creepy or both? You be the judge. No, we're not taunting everyone that couldn't make the trip down to Tassie. In fact, eager Brisbanites will soon get the chance to wander through the disorienting, perception-altering, panic-inducing, optical illusion-based labyrinth for themselves. Trust Brisbane Powerhouse's carnival-like end-of-year fest Wonderland to bring the attraction to Queensland. From November 18 to December 11, the installation will take over the area outside of their Stores building for weeks of reflective roaming pleasure, with the modern, minimalist twist on the fairground classic featuring 40 tonnes of steel and 15 tonnes of mirrors — and no added gimmicks, no special effects, no special lighting, no soundtrack or soundscape. It'll be the first time House of Mirrors has popped up since its Hobart debut, and comes to Brisbane before slated seasons in Sydney and Melbourne. Just imagine what all those shiny panes will look like in the brilliant Queensland sun. Our tip: wear sunglasses.
Dread doesn't get enough credit. It's the emotion of worried anticipation and, as unpleasant and unsettling as it may be, it's the backbone of any truly unnerving horror movie. While startling bumps might elicit momentary jumps, spending an entire film in a state of distress is another experience entirely. Unravelling the struggles of a family wrestling with loss, trauma and unexplained events, Hereditary serves up more than a few well-executed shocks — but it's the picture's unrelenting mood of apprehension and anxiety that marks Ari Aster's debut feature as a disturbing, discomforting masterpiece. Hereditary begins with a piece of text that no one likes to read: a funeral notice for the Graham family matriarch. Yet as the deceased's relatives prepare for the service, only 13-year-old Charlie (Milly Shapiro) appears visibly upset. If her mum Annie (Toni Collette) bears any sorrow about the passing of her own mother, it's channelled into the miniature dioramas she's busy handcrafting — recreations of her sprawling forest-adjacent house and events from her everyday life, including the dearly departed's final days. Still, all isn't particularly well in the slowly disintegrating Graham household. There's distance between Annie and her psychiatrist husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne), while teenage son Peter (Alex Wolff) is happier smoking joints between his high school classes than interacting with his family. If the story so far sounds like a routine drama, that's Aster's wheelhouse in a way. In acclaimed short films Munchausen and The Strange Thing About the Johnsons, the writer-director probed the problems that reside behind blood ties — only to take seemingly commonplace scenarios, and then up the ante in a provocative and unexpected manner. In Hereditary, he plagues the movie's protagonists with weird occurrences, including strange words etched into walls, odd flashes of light, upsetting strangers and alarming seances. He is making a horror film, after all. But more than that, Aster doubles down on tragedy, stretches the characters' emotional limits and heightens their psychological strain, trapping the Grahams in a situation devoid of hope, escape or choice. There's a reason that one of the movie's most pivotal scenes, involving Annie unburdening her pain to a support group, expands upon the family's history of mental stress. As we've already mentioned, all of the above mightn't sound overly revolutionary, especially if you've seen Rosemary's Baby, The Shining or The Babadook, three films Hereditary recalls in the best possible fashion. In the same vein as many supernatural spookfests, the involvement of a mysterious woman (Ann Dowd) who tries to help Annie with her grief mightn't sound unusual either. But in a movie that embraces the bleakness of life, and the way that grimness can feel like an unshakeable curse, it's how Hereditary tells its sinister tale that lifts the picture well beyond standard scary territory. If Annie's tiny creations appear painstaking and precise, they've got nothing on Aster's level of meticulousness. Thanks to roaming, grey-hued cinematography, every frame of the film bristles with unease. Courtesy of a score heavy on saxophone and percussion, every sound rattles the nerves. And, with the movie taking the slow-burning approach to an intense and insidious extreme, dwelling in the Grahams' unhappy existence is a fist-clenching, teeth-grinding exercise in deep-seeded tension. One of the year's best flicks — frightening or otherwise —Hereditary has another trick up its sleeve. It's not a huge twist or an especially terrifying moment, although the film contains both. Simply put, the movie wouldn't and couldn't be the powerhouse factory of dread that it is without Collette. The Australian actor played with all things unnerving back in The Sixth Sense, but now haunts this picture like a woman possessed with a lifetime's worth of worry, fear and anger. While Shapiro and Wolff also play their parts to perfection, Collette's expressive face couldn't encapsulate Hereditary's horrors better. When she reacts with fright, pain, anxiety and terror, so does the audience. Keen to know more about this terrifying flick? We went behind the scenes with Hereditary director Ari Aster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3__y-uPwbe8
Ever been on a bushwalk or beach stroll and and wondered if you can eat that shrub or flower? Maybe it was a pepperberry or some type of edible beach succulent — but who really knows. Well, now you can now go foraging for wild food more easily than ever, thanks to a new app developed by René Redzepi, chef and co-owner of Noma. He made the announcement yesterday at World's 50 Restaurants 15th anniversary talks event in Barcelona. The app, which is called VILD MAD (meaning 'wild food' in Danish), shows you what edibles are nearby according to landscape. There are also instructions (in both Danish and English) on how to eat and cook them, including a few recipes. Plus, you can record your foraging adventures and keep notes on what you find. Redzepi is perhaps the most famous champion of native foods, and, as well as cooking with them at his Copenhagen restaurant, he made the most of Australia's native ingredients when Noma popped up in Sydney in 2016. "Knowing your ABCs in nature, the flora and the fauna, the patterns in the landscape, and the rhythms in the seasons is as important, we believe, as learning math, learning to read, learning to write — especially today when people think cacao milk comes from brown cows," Redzepi said at the 50 Best Talk, as reported by Eater. The app is just one part of a bigger initiative led by the Danish chef. Along with lots of useful resources on his MAD website, Redzepi is also leading some serious foraging education opportunities, including workshops to be delivered all over Denmark by park rangers and a curriculum for Danish school kids. His aim? To get people to pick food from nature like they do from supermarket shelves. While a lot of the content is specific to Denmark, anyone can download VILD MAD for free at the App Store or Google Play and identify some ingredients. While we'd love an Australian and New Zealand app like this to be developed, in the meantime, you can get acquainted with Australian native foods and which restaurants use them over here. Via Eater.
If you're all about thinking green, living in a more eco-conscious way and doing your utmost for the planet — as we all should be — then you likely already know about Brisbane's Green Heart Fair. This event regularly takes over a leafy public space to celebrate sustainability, all by giving away plants, teaching attendees about relevant topics, serving up plant-based food truck dishes and hosting artisan markets selling locally made wares. And, when it returns for autumn 2023, it's hosting its 15th event. Mark 9am–3pm on Sunday, May 28 in your diary, with all of the above is on the agenda once again. Also part of the fair, which'll be settling into the 64-hectare expanse that is Victoria Park / Barrambin in Herston: an art installation that celebrates the site; learning about the park's Indigenous history; an educational walking tour; and workshops on sustainability, gardening and other related subjects. If adding some greenery to your yard has particularly piqued your interest, there'll be native plants on offer — all for free. They're available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended. And, the fair also spans live tunes, plus activities for kids. This time around, the latter includes a Bluey show — for real life.
Into every generation, a slayer is born — and into What We Do in the Shadows, too. The TV series based on Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's 2014 vampire sharehouse mockumentary of the same name has spent two seasons so far pondering the dynamics of its Staten Island household; however, it has also slowly started to explore an existential threat to its bloodsucking protagonists: a vampire killer in their midst. That's where the US television show's third season promises to pick up, all while still mining its concept for as many laughs as possible. So, Nandor (Kayvan Novak, Four Lions), Laszlo (Matt Berry, Toast of London) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga) once again navigate the usual undead housemate tussles, including with energy vampire Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch, The Office). And, they endeavour to live with the knowledge that Nandor's familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillen, Werewolves Within) has a very particular family history. Also part of this upcoming season: power struggles within the key group of vampires, after they've ascended to the head of the Vampiric Council. Another promising batch of episodes in a fantastically funny horror-comedy sitcom will hopefully be the result — based on the just-dropped full trailer for the third season and an earlier teaser trailer, at least. When the original film hit cinemas, viewers instantly yearned for more, which this American spinoff has been delivering in just as smart, silly and hilarious a fashion as its big-screen predecessor. Thankfully, spending time in this supernatural realm isn't going to end any time soon, either — with US network FX, which screens the show in America, announcing that What We Do in the Shadows has been renewed for a fourth season before its third even airs. What We Do in the Shadows is the second TV series in this specific on-screen universe, after the New Zealand-made Wellington Paranormal — which follows the movie's cops (Mike Minogue and Karen O'Leary) as they keep investigating the supernatural. It proved a hit as well, and has already returned for both a second and third season. Back with the vamps, What We Do in the Shadows' new episodes are due to start streaming in Australia via Binge from Friday, September 3 — which is at the same time as the US. Check out the full season three trailer below: It's a game of...throne. Watch the official Season 3 trailer for #ShadowsFX, returning Thursday, Sept. 2nd on FX. Next Day #FXonHulu pic.twitter.com/cRRJLEXaLq — What We Do In The Shadows (@theshadowsfx) August 13, 2021 What We Do in the Shadows' third season starts streaming in Australia via Binge from Friday, September 3.
