Chef Matt Stone wants to you to make a bar out of your own backyard. Really. Melbourne's young gun head chef of Victoria's Oakridge winery, Stone made his industry name as head chef of Joost Bakker's Greenhouse, Silo and Brothl, then as the culinary brains behind IconPark's Sydney pop-up Stanley Street Merchants and a MasterChef regular. At his core, Stone's a stickler for ethical and sustainable cooking, so he's just released his first cookbook The Natural Cook to help fuel some of that philosophy in everyday Aussie kitchens. The (extremely well photographed) cookbook's brimming with recipes meant to make you rethink food, bring you back to basics, try traditional techniques, adopt new sustainable cooking habits and make the best of the bounty of native ingredients Australia's got going on (one of the most sustainable ways Australians can cook). Of course, the book champions Stone's infamous 'zero-waste' philosophy, whether you're making yoghurt, pickling things or making a Bloody Mary. We've taken a couple of recipes out of of Stone's book, to show you how easy it is to incorporate native Australian ingredients into your everyday — well, into your cocktails in particular. Here's a little humdinger of a recipe for a Bloody Mary using native Australian spices — a truly homegrown breakfast of champions. Once you've crafted this gem, try making Stone's ant-rimmed Aussie South Side too (recipe over here). NATIVE SPICED BLOODY MARY "For a fresh kick, you can also add finely chopped veggies such as tomato, cucumber, celery and chilli. Hangover be gone!" INGREDIENTS Serves one ice 3 dried bush tomatoes 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) vodka 15 ml (½ fl oz) lemon juice 6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce 5 dashes of Tabasco sauce (or other hot sauce) 2 large pinches of ground pepperberry, plus extra to garnish 2 large pinches of Australian Seven Spice (recipe below) (see page 211), plus extra to garnish 1 pinch of pink salt, plus extra to garnish 125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) tomato juice celery stalk or cucumber slice, to garnish Fill a serving glass with ice and let it stand. Muddle the bush tomatoes, and any other vegetables you feel like, in your cocktail shaker. Add all the other ingredients except the garnishes to the shaker and fill with ice. Slowly 'roll' your shaker end over end to mix and chill the ingredients without frothing things. Taste-test with a straw and add additional Tabasco if you'd like it spicier. Discard the ice from the serving glass and replace with fresh ice. Single-strain the liquid into the serving glass. Add the celery stalk or cucumber slice and finish with a pinch of salt, pepperberry and Australian seven spice. Note: Online bush food specialists offer a variety of Aussie fruits, herbs and spices, including bush tomatoes and pepperberries. HOW TO MAKE MATT STONE'S AUSTRALIAN SEVEN SPICE This is my version of Chinese five spice and it's perfect on barbecued meats, vegetables and fried bugs. If you don't feel like eating bugs with your beer then perhaps try it rubbed into barbecued chicken wings or slow-cooked beef ribs. The individual spices can vary due to season, availability and personal taste, so think of this as a rough guide. Use double the amount of mountain pepper if you like your spice mixes hot. 1 tablespoon ground bush tomato 1 tablespoon ground lemon myrtle 1 tablespoon ground wattleseed 1 tablespoon ground pepper leaf 1½ tablespoons ground mountain pepperberries 2 teaspoons ground aniseed myrtle 1 tablespoon ground mangrove myrtle Note: While most of the Australian ingredients used in this book can be substituted with something non-native, this is the one recipe I urge you to stick to (otherwise it will become 'mostly Australian seven spice'). Mix all ingredients. Store in an airtight container or jar. Recipe and image from The Natural Cook by Matt Stone (Murdoch Books). Photography by Mark Roper RRP $39.99 available now in all good bookstores and online.
Brisbane cinephiles, prepare for six words you never imagined you'd hear again: it's Brisbane International Film Festival time. The city's major cinema showcase was killed off following its 2013 festival, then replaced by the short-lived model that was the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, and now rises from the dead like a ravenous film-loving zombie. Instead of eating brains, however, the now Palace-run festival wants to fill movie buffs' heads with plenty of ace new international cinema. Indeed, with 60 shorts and features on the agenda between August 17 and September 3, BIFF's returning lineup aims to do just that. Austere Russian dramas, endearing first-time Aussie efforts, national icons taking on more roles than seems humanly possible, slice-and-dice samurai dramas and docos about Brisbane legends are all on the bill, and that's just the beginning. Here are our ten top picks (plus a few other recommendations) to help you fill nearly three weeks worth of movie-going. LOVELESS Dissecting a society infected by oppressive politics, Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev captures modern life in his homeland in bleak slices, whether exploring brothers reunited with their absent father in The Return, a woman forced to do whatever it takes for family in Elena, or a family taking on a corrupt mayor in Leviathan. Stark and stunning from start to finish, Loveless is no different. Here, a squabbling couple on the brink of divorce discover that their largely neglected 12-year-old son has gone missing — and there's no one like Zvyagintsev at taking an already tense and heartbreaking situation into formally composed, emotionally brutal, absolutely astonishing territory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tsu0UaTk0 THAT'S NOT ME Some of the best comedies find their laughs from relatable drama. And, while we all haven't watched our twin sister live out our wildest dreams of becoming a successful actor (and date Jared Leto), we have seen hopes and wishes fall by the wayside, taken leaps of faith that haven't paid out, and had to redefine our idea of a happy ending. That's the tale of low-budget Aussie comedy That's Not Me, the first feature from writer/director Gregory Erdstein and writer/star Alice Foulcher, and an earnest, astute, insightful and thoroughly amusing exploration of making it, faking it and the fact that life usually exists somewhere in between. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hKtgrj7UXo GRADUATION Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu has proven a Cannes Film Festival favourite — if he's not winning the Palme d'Or for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, he's nabbing best screenplay for Beyond the Hills, and best director for Graduation. One of the key talents in the Romanian new wave, his acclaim is justified, as the latter demonstrates. Delving into the consequences of a fateful act and the decisions that follow, he chronicles a hardworking doctor's attempts to ensure that his daughter gets into university, exposing the horrors of real life — the unfairness, the corruption, the compromises and the sacrifices — in the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqIXtTZNnck THE WAY STATION Award-winning Vietnamese actress Pham Thi Hong Anh turns director with The Way Station, making her helming debut with a passion project about an isolated restaurant. Lives intertwine, problems coincide and a love triangle springs as the handy-with-a-knife Phuoc wanders into the eatery, then finds himself both employed and living in the same space as his boss's family. The film won best feature, actor and cinematography at this year's ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards, and is also in the running at the Brisbane-based Asia Pacific Screen Awards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no-aseDD2Z0 MANIFESTO Cate Blanchett was already won two Oscars and a whole host of other acting awards, however she's deserving of many, many more for her work in Manifesto. The formidable Aussie talent plays no fewer than 12 roles for German artist and filmmaker Julian Rosefeldt, with each of her characters spouting a political, social or artistic creed within their ordinary lives. If the fact that this was originally designed as a gallery installation doesn't give it away, then the precise framing and composition will — this is an art film through and through. It might test some viewers' patience, but it's also a unique piece of cinema determinedly endeavouring to provoke and challenge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NRXPSBycy0 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL Long after we're all gone, Takashi Miike will probably still be alive — and still be making movies. The prolific and provocative Japanese director has done everything from unnerving horror to superhero comedy to ultraviolent crime to a film about ninja kids on his resume (and much, much, much more), and he's simply not stopping. With swords flying, samurais fighting and carnage swelling, Blade of the Immortal is his 100th directorial effort, telling of a blade-wielding mercenary who cannot be killed. A word of warning for those new to Miike's inimitable antics: expect a bloodbath and then some. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BncEmI_OXx4 THE GO-BETWEENS: RIGHT HERE They're the Brisbane band so iconic, we've named a bridge after them — and whether you're a lifelong fan going round and round through the streets of your town, or have always wondered what the South Brisbane-to-Milton structure was all about, The Go-Betweens: Right Here has the answers (about the group, not the toll roadway.) Making his third film in less than a year, Red Dog: True Blue and Australia Day director Kriv Stenders weaves the tale of the band that leapt from the University of Queensland to the top of the international music scene, with plenty of archival footage, an ace soundtrack (obviously), and candid interviews from The Go-Betweens' current members. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCgM2IsnwOM FUN MOM DINNER Fun Mom Dinner takes an ace cast (including Toni Collette, Molly Shannon, Adam Scott and Paul Rudd), an Aussie director (first-timer, Jungleboys signing and former Tropfest winner Alethea Jones, who is next set to helm the live-action Barbie flick), a carload of inappropriate gags, a heap of heart and a '99 Luftballoons' karaoke singalong, and turns it into a frank and funny girls-night-out comedy. And if you feel like you've seen this before, and recently, don't worry: the terrible Rough Night, this definitely isn't. Ignore the not-so-ace title and settle in for a spirited, sometimes silly effort filled with great performances, moments and banter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=9xyoKq6_3HY NAMATJIRA PROJECT Australia has long been filled with talented folks. And, at the moment, we're increasingly filled with documentaries celebrating that fact. Hot on the heels of docos about Brett Whitely, Anthony Lister, Dr G Yunupingu and more, Namatjira Project sets its sights on Indigenous art pioneer Albert Namatjira, however this isn't just a life-and-times type run through of his career and impact. Filmmaker Sera Davies directs her focus towards his family's long and ongoing battle to reclaim the copyright behind his pieces, which was sold by the Australian government in the '80s, and therefore get back an important part of their culture and heritage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx5EfTvQc0w RETURNEE It's not every day that you get to see a Kazakh film on a big screen. And no, the Sacha Baron Cohen comedy you're thinking about definitely doesn't count. Far, far removed from Borat's outlandish antics, Returnee takes its title from the term used to describe Kazakhstan residents who have moved back to the country since its 1991 independence. In a measured drama filled with striking imagery, director Sabit Kurmanbekov examines the events that follow when an Afghanistan-raised family is finally able to head home. Eager for a few more picks? We have you covered. As well as being keen for Patti Cakes when it played Sundance, Song to Song at SXSW, Wonderstruck at Cannes and Happy End in general, we saw and loved The Party and On Body and Soul at Berlinale. Plus, we enjoyed Ali's Wedding and The Square at the Sydney Film Festival, and My Life as a Zucchini at the Gold Coast Film Festival as well. And then there's Faces Places and In This Corner of the World, two of our must-see selections from the Melbourne International Film Festival. The 2017 Brisbane International Film Festival runs from August 17 to September 3. To view the complete program and grab tickets, visit the BIFF website.
Sometimes, you need to take a break from your city, to get out and soak up the sun somewhere new. The sun-plenty city of Sydney is the perfect destination, it's bursting with beaches where you can ride the waves, catch some rays and let your worries dissipate. But you don't want to get stuck visiting the same old tourist traps, beaches with screaming kids, expensive eats and way too many people. Instead, an excellent option is to visit one of Sydney's incredible harbour beaches. Usually far more serene and less populated, with excellent views and (sometimes) more parking, these coves are Sydney's hidden havens. To help you out, we've partnered with Qantas and curated a list of the best harbour beaches in Sydney. Perfect for a date, a picnic or even some topless baking. Get away from everything loud and crowded, relax, and make the most of your Sydney escape. [caption id="attachment_598328" align="alignnone" width="1280"] via Flickr.[/caption] CAMP COVE The parking at the easternmost edge of the Eastern Suburbs can be a bit of a drag on a hot day, but if you pray to your parking angel you'll find somewhere eventually. It's worth the frustration, as this laid-back beach is big enough to have a social vibe (there always seems to be a lot of good-looking people here) and the lack of waves means you can bob in the water and still chat to a friend. There's a little kiosk selling snacks and sorbet in coconut shells, too. If you're brave (and skilled) you can do the big jump off the rock on the right like a bona fide Sydneysider. [caption id="attachment_598329" align="alignnone" width="1280"] via Flickr.[/caption] LITTLE CONGWONG BEACH If you want to beach like a real local, head to this pretty place in Botany Bay for a spot of 'clothing-optional' sunbaking. It's usually pretty quiet so you can avoid any potentially awkward encounters. If the thought of getting your togs off makes you blanch, just next door is Congwong Beach, where you won't be the odd one out if you're a strictly clothes-on type of person. [caption id="attachment_598331" align="alignnone" width="1280"] via Flickr.[/caption] BALMORAL BEACH You've probably heard of Manly, given the chance any Sydneysider will proudly talk about the beach. You may not have heard of Manly's little sister, Balmoral. Smaller and more romantic, it has a lovely sleepy vibe despite it's popularity. Have a long lunch at the famed Sydney institution Public Dining Room and float it off in the cooler hours of the afternoon. MILK BEACH This sandy cove is hidden behind Strickland House in Vaucluse — one of Sydney's fanciest suburbs. It's a short, steep walk down the driveway and across the lawn, but the views of Opera House and Harbour Bridge are well worth it. Be sure to snap a few pics and populate your Insta feed to make all your friends back at home super jealous. [caption id="attachment_538469" align="alignnone" width="1280"] via Flickr.[/caption] CURRAWONG BEACH If you've made the trip to Sydney, it's worth that little bit of extra effort to get to Currawong beach. It can only be accessed by boat, so jump on the ferry at Palm Beach ('Summer Bay' for you Home and Away fans) and prepare for a phone and internet-free 48 hours. There are no shops so bring food and water with you and stay at one of the cottages for a full-blown Sydney experience. You'll be able to deal with the worst Bondi Road traffic jam with a blissful smile on your return. LADY MARTIN'S BEACH Lady Martin's is the beachside backyard of Sydney's very, very rich — the surrounding suburb, Point Piper, is one of the most expensive places in the world to live. If you want to pretend one of Sydney's millionaires for the day and rub shoulders with Malcolm Turnball and Frank Lowy, then wear your darkest sunglasses and say "dahhling" at the end of every sentence and you'll fit right in on this quiet strip. Entry is via a narrow lane off Wolseley Road that passes by the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club. [caption id="attachment_598357" align="alignnone" width="1280"] via Flickr.[/caption] STORE BEACH If your keen for an outdoor adventure on your mini-holiday, hire a kayak from Manly Kayaks and paddle around to this little beach (it can only be reached by water) for a picnic. Lay back, let the stresses of back home float away, and enjoy this little slice of paradise. If you're lucky, you'll see some fairy penguins. [caption id="attachment_598333" align="alignnone" width="1280"] via Flickr.[/caption] NIELSEN PARK Sydney beaches need not be compared with their foreign counterparts because it's only a slight exaggeration to say we have the best in the world. However, I can't help thinking that Nielsen Park reminds me of the Mediterranean coast. Maybe it's the amazing aqua colour of the water or the stained glass windows of the restaurant. It can get a little noisy with all the kids that are usually there but there is a large, leafy park surrounding the beach which you can escape into to eat your ice cream in peace. DAROOK PARK BEACH If you feel like a spot of solo fishing, try Darook Park Beach in the Shire — you might just catch yourself a flathead. There are onsite toilets and picnic shelters, making it perfect for a day-long escape. Once you've finished at the beach, drop into the sun-drenched hotspot Henrys Cronulla and enjoy a tipple with the Sydney locals. [caption id="attachment_570643" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Danny Butler.[/caption] LITTLE SIRIUS COVE A small stretch of sand surrounded by bushland, this beach has a unique feature — dogs are allowed. So if you're missing your pupper from back home, head down (after grabbing a coffee at Bacino Bar) and spend the day among some new four-legged friends. Pack some snags to cook on the BBQs provided and bask in Sydney's unparalleled beachside beauty. Ready to get away and experience Sydney? Book with Qantas for great fares to Sydney and NSW until 24 September. Terms and conditions apply. Top image: Eddie Milfort.
Come July, Brisbanites can knock back cocktails at a gin-soaked high tea, taste creations from the city's next breed of culinary wizards, and dine under the stars at Eagle Street Pier, all thanks to one event. That's right, Good Food Month is back from July 9 - August 9. Gird your stomachs, and prepare to go gaga over gastronomy. To help keep you from going wild and eating yourself to death, here are our picks for the ten tastiest Good Food Month events. Tuck in.
When we take that first sip of our barista-brewed coffee on a workday morning, a lot of us can't actually imagine living without coffee. But what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately, this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day, but on Friday, August 7, you can help your fellow Aussies out simply by buying a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its third year running. Last year, 415 cafes and 20 coffee roasters raised $120,000 to fund 91 community projects. Not too shabby. So how does it work? From every coffee purchased on August 7 at a participating cafe around Australia, $1 will be donated towards local projects. So if your go-to local isn't participating, shake things up for a day and head to one that is. Prefer a hot chocolate? You can also donate at the counter. Simply by aiming for a bighearted cafe, you'll be helping some of our country's most in-need humans, so treat yourself to a third or fourth coffee guilt-free. CafeSmart is happening around the country on Friday, August 7. Check the website for participating cafes near you. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Fair is foul and foul is fair, and both words can be applied to the harrowing new film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. Foul in that Australian director Justin Kurzel evokes the pervasive bleakness and epic tragedy of the source material in a manner that few other screen adaptations have ever managed. And fair in that the film's hypnotic aesthetic, along with the incredible work of its cast, ensures that it will be remembered as one of the most awe-inspiring movies of the year. Fans of local cinema may remember Kurzel's name from his debut feature, Snowtown, which hit cinemas back in 2011. Based on a notorious South Australian murder case, the film's immaculate craftsmanship is matched only by its repellent content — it's the kind of movie critics appreciate and admire but find almost impossible to recommend. Either way, it could hardly have been a better audition piece for a director looking to tackle what is arguably one of Shakespeare's grimmest plays. Plenty of talented filmmakers — including Orson Welles, Roman Polanski and Akira Kurosawa — have made adaptations of the Scottish play, but rarely has the dialogue sounded darker or more enthralling. It helps that Kurzel has recruited two of the greatest actors alive in his quest to bring literature's ultimate power couple to life. Michael Fassbender is magnetic as the eponymous Scottish thane, a good man brought low by his own overleaping ambition. His whispered delivery in the film's early scenes brings the audience in on his character's moral misgivings. Yet it is his work in the second half, as Macbeth descends rapidly into cruel, paranoid madness, that will stick with viewers for days. Marion Cotillard, meanwhile, is steely-eyed and silver-tongued as Macbeth's conniving lady wife — and like Fassbender, she saves her best work for the back end. Kurzel shoots Lady Macbeth's famous "Out, damned spot!" scene in a single unbroken close-up, and it proves to be a very smart choice. Think Anne Hathaway in Les Miserables. Minus the singing. But while Macbeth contains no shortage of great acting moments in which the cast get to bear their soul for the camera, there is nothing remotely stagey about Kurzel's adaptation. From the opening frame to the close, his stylistic fingerprints are all over this film, and the results are absolutely magnificent. The selective employment of slow motion and evocative use of colour — along with the imposing images of the Scottish landscape captured by cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, and the haunting score of droning strings by Kurzel's brother Jed — make this unquestionably one of the most cinematic Shakespeare adaptations ever put to screen. It's as compelling in its moments without dialogue as it is when the characters are speaking. So heavy is the atmosphere that the film feels almost like a nightmare; one in which you're slowly being smothered and from which you cannot seem to wake. Now you may not think all this sounds like a particularly pleasant viewing experience, and to be honest you'd be right. Kurzel, to his credit as an artist, never attempts to make the film more palatable for a mainstream audience. Despite the period setting, the grizzly violence and the power plays, this is not Game of Thrones. It's a hard watch. A gruelling watch. But it's also an intensely rewarding one. All hail Macbeth.
Earlier in 2018, a massive change was announced for this year's Brisbane International Film Festival, with the festival heading to the Gallery of Modern Art for the next three years. With its previously revealed October berth fast approaching, further details have been unveiled for this year's fest — namely its specific dates and broader range of venues, as well as its opening night film and a retrospective series. While the South Brisbane gallery's Australian Cinémathèque will present and host the event from October 11–21 (and in 2019 and 2020 as well), BIFF will also take place at a range of cinemas around town. Cinephiles can expect to catch the festival's program of more than 100 films at Event Cinemas Myer Centre, New Farm Cinemas, the Elizabeth Picture Theatre and Reading Cinemas at Newmarket, with events also at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane Powerhouse and the State Library of Queensland. As for what'll be screening, the full lineup won't be announced until mid-September; however the fest will open with the north Queensland-shot Celeste, which was directed by Brisbane-born filmmaker Ben Hackworth, stars Radha Mitchell and is set in the rainforest splendour of the Innisfail region. Across this year's BIFF, it'll be joined by a selection of movies either involving or considered inspiring by festival patrons Bruce Beresford and Sue Milliken — who've worked together on a number of titles, including this year's Ladies in Black, and will also feature in an in-conversation session about their careers. Retrospective screenings will include key films that Beresford has directed, as well features he's specifically enjoyed, such as 1928's The Passion of Joan of Arc, 1947's Odd Man Out and and 1995's Casino. Elsewhere, a curated series will explore current ideas from Iranian, Asian, and African filmmakers, while other sessions will come with live music, conversations, panel discussions. Of course, whatever else ends up on BIFF's screens, 2018's festival marks a landmark year after a period of significant upheaval and uncertainty for Brisbane's major government-supported festival. It was first run from 1992 to 2013, then cancelled in favour of the short-lived Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival between 2014 to 2016, which was also axed after a three-year stint. BIFF was brought back in 2017 via Palace Cinemas, but when that decision received criticism — both for awarding the festival exclusively to one commercial operator, and for doing so without calling for tenders from other interested parties — funding body Screen Queensland opened the event to submissions, with GOMA emerging victorious. The 2018 Brisbane International Film Festival will take place from October 11–21 at the Gallery of Modern Art, Event Cinemas Myer Centre, New Farm Cinemas, the Elizabeth Picture Theatre, Reading Cinemas Newmarket, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane Powerhouse and the State Library of Queensland. The full program and tickets will be released in mid-September — visit the GOMA website for further details.
Vivid Ideas is bringing innovative humans from all over the world to Sydney stages. Championing change-making creative voices, you can hear Troye Sivan explore beauty and fluidity, delve into the experiences of those who were raised in cults with filmmaker Sarah Steel or listen as experts discuss the ethics and potential ramifications of a future reliant on artificial intelligence and QR codes. Joining a lineup that's not lacking a lick in talent is Gretchen Carlson in conversation with Lisa Wilkinson. The prolific journalists and media personalities will dissect power (specifically the fallout when it's out of balance), toxic workplace culture and finding the courage to expose wrongdoing. As well, the pair discuss the intricacies of what's needed to make it easier for people to come forward after experiencing sexual assault. In 2016, Carlson — the highly respected and acclaimed US journalist and ex-Fox News anchor — successfully sued Fox founder and CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. This win, which inspired 2019's Bombshell, saw Carlson receive an unprecedented apology and settlement. The landmark case laid the foundation for the #MeToo movement's catapult to the global consciousness, as well as take down a predator who was in a position of immense power. [caption id="attachment_813274" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vivid Sydney 2019, Destination NSW[/caption] Bound by an NDA, Carlson has tirelessly fought to break the culture of silence and remove protections from perpetrators — working to ban NDAs, enact legislative change and encourage survivors to share their experiences of harassment (which has resulted in the most significant changes to labour laws — passed by Joe Biden in March, 2022 — in over 100 years). The trailblazer was also named in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World (2017). With a social climate that's been immersed in the courage of those sharing their stories of trauma in the quest for justice and a safer existence — the Grace Tames, the Brittany Higgins, the Saxon Mullins — the pair will discuss the shifting media and legal landscapes both here and in the US. They will look at what still needs to change so survivors are encouraged to draw upon reserves of bravery and resilience to keep pushing forward — for the good of others, for safer communities and to upend the status quo. Sydney's Town Hall will host Gretchen Carlson and Lisa Wilkinson on Speaking Out on Sunday, May 29 at 1pm. Head to the website for details. Top image: Destination NSW
Five generations back, the Hamilton family planted some of the first vineyards in South Australia. It was 1837, a mere year after the arrival of European settlers in the state, and to this day they continue to produce top-quality, award-winning wine under the name Hugh Hamilton Wines. Mary Hamilton, Hugh Hamilton’s daughter, has been the CEO for the last seven years and explains that her father has always been considered the black sheep of the Hamilton flock. “He was a very spirited young boy and got up to a fair bit of mischief," she says. "He was never going to be corralled into anything and has always remained an elusive character.” Hugh’s lively sense of humour and his ability to march to the beat of his own drum has never wavered, so it makes sense then that the wines have names such as The Scallywag Chardonnay and The Scoundrel Tempranillo. Quality, flavoursome wine is the number one priority for Hugh Hamilton Wines and they have ensured this by sourcing grapes from their three vineyards. McLaren Vale hosts perfect conditions for ripening grapes and viticulture, as it’s located between the Adelaide Hills and the coast. “Most people are not aware of this, but McLaren Vale has the most diverse geology of any wine region in the world,” explains Hamilton. Each of the three vineyards have very different soil types which greatly influence the flavour of the grapes, from the black clay at their cellar door vineyard, producing darker-style shiraz (think bitter dark chocolate and black olives) to their next vineyard 500 meters down the road that produces more red-fruit flavours due to a different soil type and climate. Hamilton refers to this as their "big comfortable red velvet chair" with a generous and juicy yield. As part of the FreeWines app, Hugh Hamilton Wines have contributed two of their expert drops; 'The Trickster' Pinot Grigio and 'The Rascal' Shiraz. The Trickster is made from grapes sourced from the Adelaide Hills and came about due to Hugh’s love of freshly shucked oysters and his desire to create a wine that would pair with it perfectly. Described as “racy, upbeat and brisk,” Hamilton would recommend pairing this wine with seafood dishes such as salt and pepper squid, prawns and, of course, fresh oysters. The Rascal, described as “the quintessential McLaren Vale Shiraz, with lots of fruit ripeness but also elegance,” goes beautifully with a scotch fillet or beef casserole. When it comes to selecting a wine for herself, Mary is often influenced by her mood first, rather than having a constant go-to drop. At the moment Hamilton is particularly taken with the medium-bodied 'The Mongrel' Sangiovese, “It’s got lots of lovely, juicy cherry-flavoured fruit, and it tends to be a great partner with the food I cook, which is often Mediterranean or Middle Eastern.”
Get the bacon and whisky ready, and prepare your ears for some high-pitched laughter. They're the only things you can do — other than start making your own canoe, and generally squealing with glee — upon hearing the news that Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally are coming to Australia in early 2016. That's right, the dream off-screen duo — aka Parks and Recreation's on-screen Ron and Tammy Swanson — are bringing their latest comedy tour to our sunny shores for the first time ever. Just take a moment to let that sink in. Ron effing Swanson will be in the country. Offerman and Mullally's show, Summer of 69: No Apostrophe, will not only showcase their comic stylings but also delve into the inner workings of their long-term marriage. Given that there may not be a showbiz duo more in love than the pair — who've also featured on Will & Grace, Childrens Hospital, Smashed, Somebody Up There Likes Me, The Kings of Summer and Bob's Burgers together — exposing all the salacious details of their fiery union for the world to enjoy promises to be something special. Mullally describes Summer of 69 as "like comedic sex-ed" and "a variety show comprised of talking, singing and sex acts", in case you needed any more convincing. It also features "songs, funny talking, heavy ribaldry, light petting and an astonishing final act of completion". Consider us excited. SUMMER OF 69: NO APOSTROPHE DATES January 29 — State Theatre, Sydney January 30 — Theatre Royal, Hobart January 31 — Hamer Hall, Melbourne February 2 — Astor Theatre, Perth February 4 — Festival Theatre, Adelaide February 6 — QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday, August 27, via Live Nation. UPDATE DECEMBER 21, 2015: Due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally's Summer of 69: No Apostrophe show will be replaced by Offerman's solo show Full Bush. Mullally is no longer able to tour early next year as she starts a major film production overlapping directly with her Australian dates. There are no changes to the current tour dates, times or venues. Tickets for each show will remain valid for the new performance — Nick Offerman’s Full Bush show — without the need for exchange. For patrons who are no longer able to attend, a refund is available at point of purchase. Refund requests must be submitted prior to 5pm, January 19, 2016.
When it comes to lining Fortitude Valley with new eateries, King Street is the revamped inner-city space that keeps on giving. The stretch of roadway between Gregory Terrace and St Paul's Terrace has already welcomed The George Bar and Bistro, GG Espresso and Fat Dumpling, announced that Italian restaurant Il Verde and Greek-focused The Lamb Shop will be joining them, and unveiled plans for a new creative and dining precinct. Now, they're adding Brisbane's first Sushi & Nori and a Korean fried chicken van to the mix. Both arrive courtesy of restauranteur Sunny Lim, who is expanding an existing venture and debuting a new one with her King Street stores. First up, Sushi & Nori will see executive chef Leo Park running the kitchen. The Kaiseki sushi train will feature simple, natural dishes, including the delicious-sounding truffle tuna tartare, within a restaurant decked out to nod to traditional Japanese architecture and evoke a tea-room feel. The best part: it's now open. In the latter's case, prepare to greet Hello Chicken with an eager smile and a hungry stomach when they start cooking up fried chicken, Korean-style, from a Kombi van. Food-wise, they'll be serving special recipes such soy and garlic, 'snow cheese', carbonara and crazy hot chilli, and cranking out tunes. And, their juicy chook pieces will also be available to takeaway, although hanging around and soaking up Brissie's newest dining destination is definitely recommended. For more information about King Street, visit the precinct's website and Facebook page.
Throw those GoPros, bubble bottles and novelty gumboots in your rucksack, Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands for another year of festival merriment. As usual, speculation has run wild in anticipation of the lineup announce — will Kendrick and the Arctic Monkeys make an appearance? Will there by more than three females on the lineup? — but the details for Splendour 2018 are finally here. And we're happy to report that some of the rumours were true. There will be no Arctic Monkeys, but King Kunta himself, Kendrick Lamar, will be Splendouring. The lineup also doesn't state that Splendour is his only show, so stay tuned for news of a national tour (hopefully). The other huge name is Lorde, who will be doing her only Oz show at the Parklands — better get practising that 'Green Light' hair flip now. She leads a female contingent — that is kick-ass but still nowhere near as big as the pool of male performers — which includes Amy Shark, the Lauren Mayberry-led Chvrches, Sampa The Great, Alex Lahey, Jack River, Anna Lunoe, Stella Donnelly, female four-piece All Our Exes Live in Texas and Wafia. Also doing their only Australian shows at Splendour will be Vampire Weekend, Khalid and Girl Talk. The lineup seems to go on forever, including The Wombats, Gang of Youths, Franz Ferdinand, Superorganism and MGMT. Anyway, we know what you're here for. We'll cut to the chase. SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2018 LINEUP Kendrick Lamar Lorde (only AUS show) Vampire Weekend (only AUS show) Khalid (only AUS show) The Wombats Hilltop Hoods Chvrches Miguel Girl Talk (only AUS show) Angus & Julia Stone Gang of Youths Franz Ferdinand MGMT Ben Howard Dune Rats & Friends James Bay PNAU Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite The Avalanches DJ set Chromeo DMA'S Ball Park Music Henry Rollins (only AUS show) SAFIA The Jungle Giants Lil Xan Methyl Ethel Amy Shark The Bronx Ocean Alley Carmada (L D R U & Yahtzel) DZ Deathrays Lord Huron Middle Kids Hockey Dad Towkio Cub Sport Touch Sensitive Sampa The Great Dean Lewis Skegss Albert Hammond Jr Mallrat Marmozets Alex Lahey Riton & Kah-Lo Jack River Superorganism Anna Lunoe Lewis Capaldi All Our Exes Live In Texas Alex The Astronaut Yungblud Crooked Colours Nina Las Vegas Soccer Mommy (only AUS show) Elderbrook Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Tim Sweeney Stella Donnelly Bully Baker Boy Wafia No Mono Waax Angie McMahon West Thebarton Eves Karydas G Flip The Babe Rainbow Haiku Hands Didirri Alice Ivy Amyl & The Sniffers Ziggy Ramo Fantastic Man Lo'99 Human Movement Manu Crook$ Kasbo Madam X Andras Alta Ara Koufax Two People B Wise Made In Paris Jensen Interceptor Woodes Teischa Antony & Cleopatra Muto Elk Road triple j Unearthed winners (TBA) Mike Gurrieri Love Deluxe Lauren Hansom Poolclvb Godlands Nyxen Emma Stevenson Ebony Boadu Splendour will return to North Byron Parklands on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July. Onsite camping will once again be available from Wednesday, July 18. Image: Justin Ma.
Shopping for wine can be a complicated, overwhelming experience. There are often just too many shelves, labels, varieties and styles to choose from. When you don't know a lot about wine (or even when you do), picking a good bottle is a difficult job. We asked sommelier and wine expert Eddie Schweitzer from online wine store Vinomofo for some advice. How do you find out what style of wine you like? How do you get a decent bottle at a reasonable price? When is a bottle worth more than $100? And most importantly, should I be swirling the glass? Hi Eddie, I know nothing about wine — how do I shop for it? "Taste a few wines until you find a region or variety that you know you like, then take little steps to try new things. If you like a Pinot or a lighter-bodied red, ask the bottle shop what other wines they have in that style. If you can find somebody in a good wine store that you trust, that's fantastic because you can ask them for advice. Don't just go in and say, 'I want a good wine at this price,' or just buy what's on special for the sake of it — work with what you know you like." How do I buy a decent, relatively cheap bottle? "Australian consumers are shy of blends for some reason, we really like having one variety on the label. But often at a lower price point, you can get much better wine that's a blend of different varieties. A GSM — a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre — is a fantastic, crowd-pleasing, easy drinking wine that a lot of people don't pick up because they think winemakers are just putting the cheap bits together, but that's very rarely the case. Steer away from anything that says 'Wine of Australia' or 'Wine of South Eastern Australia' because Southern New South Wales all the way through to South Australia is a big area. It's big, bulk wine that's very commercial. Instead, get a wine that has a specific region. If you like bigger, richer reds, go for a wine from a warmer climate region. Lighter-bodied reds, like a Pinot, should be coming from a cooler climate region." Is bulk wine automatically of poorer quality? "It doesn't mean it's not a good quality wine, but people drink wine because it has personality. That's what makes wine different from a VB or a Carlton, it's talking about a vintage or a specific place. If you buy bulk wine, it could be fine, but it will usually be pretty boring and bland. A $6 bottle might be fruity and drinkable, but it's not going to give you much of an experience. We don't sell anything 'Wine of Australia' because it usually lacks any interesting flavour." What's worth paying a little more for? "Pinots and Chardonnay are only made well in cool climates, are a little harder to grow and are in high demand. If you want a good bottle of either of these types you'll have to spend a little more — probably about $15-25. Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz on the other hand is made in much bigger volume, and has a lower production cost, so you can get a good value wine in a lower price range." When is a bottle of wine worth more than $100? "There are a few things that can make a bottle of wine expensive. The first is the cost of production. Some wines are expensive because the vines only produce a few grapes, and the grapes are really sought after. Other production costs like how long it spends in oak and how long it's aged for can affect the price. Tasmanian wine tends to be a little bit dearer, because they don't produce a lot of grapes, and they're doing great things with food and wine at the moment so they're in demand. You'll spend a little bit more, but whether it's worth it or not is up to you." So if I buy a Pinot Noir in Tasmania that costs $100, and one in South Australia for $30, there's no guarantee that the more expensive option is going to be better? "No. It's about the enjoyment you get out of the bottle, not the price. At Vinomofo we're all about connecting people to really good wine, and good wine is personal. First and foremost, it's about what you find enjoyable to drink." I'm scared of wine tastings — how do I do one properly? "When I taste wine, I'm tasting it so I can describe it to people, so I'm paying attention to acid levels and alcohol percentage and other things. But you should be just smelling and tasting the wine to see if you enjoy it. Most of your perception of flavour comes through smell. Your brain puts the smell and taste of the wine together and decides if you like it or not. Have a smell, and a taste and think 'Hey, do I like this? Or don't I like this?' Then you can ask, 'Why do I like this? What is it about this wine that I'm liking?' Maybe it's a little bit lighter, or fruitier, or maybe it's got this really interesting herbal flavour. Or maybe it has something that you don't like. The more you pay attention to what you're tasting and what you like, the easier it will be to shop for wine." Should I be swirling the glass? "Yes. While the wine is in the bottle think of it like it's in bed, asleep. Giving it a swirl is like throwing it in the shower and waking it up, so then it can really come to the party and let you know what it's all about. On a technical level, by taking the wine out of the bottle and swirling the glass you're exposing the wine to oxygen, which releases the aroma of the wine. Then you can taste the wine properly." Any final advice? "Wine is a very personal thing. Just because someone says a wine is really good, that doesn't mean you're going to like it. Get a mixed case from Vinomofo and sample a bunch of different wines to find out what you like. Don't be scared to ask for advice — ask someone at a boutique bottle shop, or give us a call and tell us what you like and what you don't and we'll help you out." Visit Vinomofo and delve into a world of wine. Use the code 'CONCRETEPLAYGROUND' at checkout to receive $25 off your first order. Images: Chris Middleton.
Heading out to play board games while drinking beer is a fairly common prospect these days, but drinking and enjoying a round of BASEketball — well, that's not quite so usual. If you watched Trey Parker and Matt Stone's movie many moons ago and have always wanted to give it a try, now's your chance. The action all happens at Ploughman, with the Alderley joint serving up the game in question, hip hop and craft beverages for your afternoon pleasure on March 11. Bobbing for pickles is also part of the fun. No, this isn't your same old, same old kind of event. Image: Theresa Grace for Ploughman.
Sydney has Mardi Gras, Melbourne has Midsumma, and now Brisbane finally has its own celebration of queer arts and culture to add a bit of dazzle to the warmer months. Come February 5, the Brisbane Powerhouse will stage the first-ever MELT festival, focusing on LGBTIQ performance, art, music and film. After kicking off with what promises to be a huge — and free — opening night party, MELT will combine comedy, cabaret, circus and more over 11 days of fun. It may be the event’s inaugural year, but there are plenty of things to see — starting with our top picks.
It's the main reason most of Brisbane has made their way to Good Food Month over the last couple of years, and in 2016, the ever-popular Night Noodle Markets are back — and they're bigger and better than ever. Sure, every event says that these days. However, when 25 different food stalls take over the South Bank Cultural Forecourt for 12 days of Asian-inspired eating delights, that claim seems pretty accurate. Among the spoils will be Sydney's Black Star Pastry's famous strawberry watermelon cake, and Harajuku Gyoza will be bring their take on the famous clear raindrop cake to the food free-for-all for the first time. Come for the likes of Pasar Malam's pork belly satay slider on a black bun, and stay for the vibrant, delicious atmosphere.
If you've been searching for a supportive environment to use the phrase, "How very droll," listen up. NPR humorist, bestselling author and creator of uncomfortably real windows into human existence David Sedaris is coming back to Australia. Returning for a national tour in January 2016, the beloved American humour writer will bring his trademark sardonic wit and social critique to the stage for An Evening with David Sedaris, his third tour to Australia. Celebrated for his constant This American Life appearances, must-read pieces in The New Yorker and his unputdownable books Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames and his most recent book, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls, Sedaris is no stranger to telling it like it is — and don't expect our own country to get away unscrutinised. "I love the airports of Australia," says Sedaris. "Security wise, they’re like stepping into a time machine and coming out in 1975. No one yells at you, you get to keep your shoes on. It’s heaven. Coming from the UK, I also appreciate how open the people are, how willing to talk about money. ‘How much did your house cost?’ I ask. ‘How much do you make per year?’ In Europe people pass out when you ask that question, but in Australia, they just jump right in and answer." Sedaris's last Australian tours sold out quicksmart, so you're going to want to lock these down when they're on sale 9am August 14. AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS TOUR DATES: January 17 — Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Tickets via ticketek.com.au. January 18 and 19 — Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall. Tickets via sydneyoperahouse.com. January 20 — Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane. Tickets via ticketek.com.au January 21 and 22 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. Tickets via artscentremelbourne.com.au. January 23 — Theatre Royal, Hobart, Tickets via theatreroyal.com.au. January 24 — Octagon Theatre, Perth. Tickets via ticketswa.com. Tickets on sale 9am Friday, August 14. Image: Anna Fishbein.
To get a sense of Benedict Cumberbatch's Dr Stephen Strange, first picture in your mind Hugh Laurie's character from House. Tall and lanky, with a gravelly voice begging to be coughed into clarity and an unyielding arrogance that offends all who meet him, House is the super surgeon whose primary demon is his crippling fear of failure. To get, then, from House to Strange, just add a pinch of traumatic injury, mix in some eastern healing and meditation, and serve it up with a magical cape and the ability to manipulate space and time. Okay, yes, that's quite a leap, but as a departure from the last thirteen superhero flicks from Marvel Studios, Doctor Strange is as refreshing as it is successful. Strange's transformation from surgeon to sorcerer is an altogether conventional one – a Matrix-style 'forget everything you know' sequence comprised of training, studying and martial arts under the guidance of a mystical Tibetan monk named The Ancient One (a fantastic turn by Tilda Swinton). Driven by a solipsistic determination to heal his wounded hands, Strange's focus slowly shifts to larger matters – chiefly, saving the world – as his psychadellic journey of discovery reveals a multiverse of infinite possibilities and supernatural threats that only sorcerers can repel. As one character explains, the Avengers deal with threats on earth, but threats to the earth? That's where these guys come in. Like Ant-Man before it, Doctor Strange offers a more intimate, individual tale compared to the ensemble juggernauts of The Avengers and Captain America. That's not to say it's a small-scale production, however. Visually, this is Inception dialled up to eleven, a world-bending, shape-shifting and time-distorting Escher painting filled with heroes and villains duelling over the possibility of immortality. As always, there are Marvel's well-timed comic touches, as well as a pair of end-credit scenes (so do stay through to the very end for a hint as to Strange's next villain). A solid supporting cast boasts Rachel McAdams as Strange's love interest, Chiwetel Ejiofor as his sparring partner and Mads Mikkelsen sadly under-utilised as something of a two-dimensional villain. Wordier and more offbeat than the standard Marvel fare, Doctor Strange nonetheless rightly and proudly earns its place in the franchise's extraordinary universe, offering a visual feast unlike anything else seen this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSzx-zryEgM
Fuzzy's national electronic-meets-hip hop festival Listen Out is back for another round and this year's lineup is a humdinger, topped by California's inimitable Anderson .Paak, with his live band The Free Nationals. He's joined by UK beatsmiths Gorgon City, big trap fiend Baauer, AV-happy producer Claptone live, Harlem Trap Lord A$AP Ferg, LA young gun Jauz, grime newcomer Stormzy, Swedish rap phenomenon Yung Lean and more. There's plenty of homegrown love on the bill this year, as always, with festival favourites Rüfüs marking their final Aussie shows of 2016, alongside the likes of Cosmo's Midnight, Ngaiire, L D R U, JOY, Sui Zhen and Willow Beats. Listen Out tours nationally to four of Australia's capitals, kicking off on September 24 and hitting Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane over two weekends. Tickets are on sale from midday on Thursday, June 23 from the Listen Out website. LISTEN OUT 2016 LINEUP: Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals A$AP Ferg Claptone Immortal Live Cosmo's Midnight Gorgon City DJ Set Baauer JAUZ JOY. L D R U Ngaiire Rüfüs Stormzy Sui Zhen DJ Set Tash Sultana Tchami Willow Beats Yung Lean LISTEN OUT 2016 DATES: MELBOURNE — Saturday, September 24 at Catani Gardens, St Kilda PERTH — Sunday, September 25 at Western Parklands, HBF Arena, Joondalup SYDNEY — Saturday, October 1 at Centennial Park BRISBANE — Sunday, October 2 at The Sporting Fields, Victoria Park All shows 1-10pm Image: Listen Out.
There are few places you can turn up for Friday knock-off drinks one night and be back the next morning for breakfast. And it will be there on that Friday, flicking through the leather-bound menu for cocktails or craft beers that your greedy eyes will spy a short but very sharp morning offering. More tempting than the mouth-watering yet simple combinations – such as 12-hour slow-cooked pulled pork – are the prices. Be sure to save your last $20 on Friday night as that's all you'll need to come away with a hangover-curing breakfast and salted caramel milkshake, with change to spare. Tucked away in South Bank next to the train station, but not on busy Grey St, Hoo Ha Bar is a polished but comfortable bar and cafe with an undeniably Australiana feel. The large space is filled with a mish-mash of of solid-wood tables and chairs and a set of brown leather sofas. The owners have sanded back many layer of paint to reveal brickwork behind the bar, one wall is painted a eucalypt green and native fresh flowers adorn each table. It's refreshing to find a bar that is spacious, filled with seating and plays music at just the right level, and great music at that. Hoo Ha boasts a fairly enviable cocktail list and we can tell you, first hand, that the Bison Shake is not to be missed. A mix of vodka, peach schnapps, apple juice, passionfruit puree and grapefruit bitters are shaken until foamy and served martini style. They have their own take on a few classics, and those with a penchant for an espresso martini should get their hands on the Cuban Espresso – rum, espresso shot, coffee liqueur, Angostura bitters and cinnamon syrup. They have a number of taps serving craft beers that rotate regularly, the current selection is updated on their website. Boozy nights call for a hearty breakfast to follow and if a fancy Mac 'n' Cheese won't do the trick, perhaps an eggs on toast stack will. Not to be called ordinary, Hoo Ha stacks rocket, a roasted field mushroom, haloumi, poached egg and homemade pesto on a slab of turkish toast for just $13. If vegetarian ain't your game, the aforementioned 12-hour slow-cooked pulled pork is served as a reuben sandwich on sourdough with house-made sauerkraut, gruyere and dijon, also $13, also out-of-this-world good. They serve Supreme Roasters coffee – a very smooth drop. And you mustn't, I repeat, must not leave Hoo Ha without having tried the salted caramel milkshake. They dust this beauty with cinnamon, it mightn't sound like much but it truly takes it to the next level.
Spotify had best watch its back, because there's a brand new music streaming service in town. Launching this week, BitTorrent Now is an Android and soon to be iOS and Apple TV app that lets users stream ad-supported music and video, with a special focus on curated content that might otherwise fly under the radar. While BitTorrent is probably best known as a way of sneakily pirating TV shows, the company has actually been helping artists distribute their work for years. Since launching their BitTorrent Bundle service in 2013, they've worked with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, comedian David Cross and countless other lesser-known filmmakers, musicians and miscellaneous creatives. Artists who make their work available via BitTorrent Now can choose whether or not they wish to participate in the ad program. If they opt not to, they can instead make their work available for purchase, or upload it for free without any ads whatsoever. According to the company, artists will receive 70 percent of revenue generated by ads on their videos, and 90 percent of revenue if they chose to place their content behind a paywall. BitTorrent will also make a concerted effort to curate content on the app, in order to help artists find an audience and vice versa. The app includes trending and new release sections, and allows users to build a list of favourites. Nothing too revolutionary — perhaps the most interesting thing about it is the focus on smaller artists, who'll hopefully be able to use the platform to make a name for themselves. No word yet on if/when BitTorrent Now will be available in Australia. Via Engadget.
Australians are notoriously picky when it comes to their daily coffee. But how many of us actually know how and why coffees can vary so much from place to place? Sure there's the skill of the barista, but it might be time to learn a bit more about the beans to inform our preferences. Here's a handy guide to coffee tasting, from what aromas to look for to how to drink better coffee in general. You'll be hosting your own coffee cupping sessions at home in no time — something you can even do with the humble coffee pod. [caption id="attachment_578979" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Daniel Ruswick.[/caption] WHY DO A COFFEE TASTING? Coffee cupping sessions are about educating people on the difference in beans. Where they're from, if they're single origin, how they're roasted and ground all contribute to a different product at the end of the line. Sam Gibson co-owner of Back and Forth cafe attends quarterly cupping sessions with his supplier Gabriel coffee. "Coffee tastings are important to identify the profile of the coffee, where it's from and how it's roasted determines the flavours which inform our choices of what to serve." Back and Forth has a house blend then a monthly single origin coffee it grinds freshly and sells to customers. Cupping sessions are also available and gaining popularity at places like Campos in Newtown and Rueben Hills in Surry Hills. DO'S AND DON'TS Don't do anything silly like brush your teeth just before doing a tasting. Cleanse the palate with sparkling water, that's not too cold between tasting. Don't swallow the coffee, but do leave it and swill it around your mouth a bit before spitting it out. Don't add sugar. When you're sipping, Gibson advises to take in a little bit of air with the mouthful, in the same way as when you're tasting wine. "It's really important as it gets the coffee to the back of the mouth and all over the tongue," he says. [caption id="attachment_578982" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Drew Coffman.[/caption] WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR "Aroma is really important and the first thing to be considered," says Gibson. Before tasting the coffee smell each one after the other and notice the difference. Then smell each one again just before you taste it. "Very roughly speaking the darker blends are better for milky coffees as they hold up with their more full bodied, bitter chocolatey characteristics." Lighter blends tend to be a bit more earthy, floral and citrusy which suit black coffee. When tasting the coffee think about characteristics beyond the actual flavour profiles like body, acidity, complexity, mouth feel and finish. Try to think of words that describe the flavours you're tasting, such as grassy, earthy. chocolatey, sharp, delicate, bitter, bold etc. COFFEE TASTING AT HOME With the rise in popularity of portable espresso machines at home, so too are people developing tastes for their favourite beans and blends in the pods. Australian startup company Tripod Coffee sources single origin and blended regional beans, then roasts and vacuum sealed locally to retain freshness. It might be an idea to get one of their sample packs, which has all five varieties from their spicy, savoury, cedar style 'Grey Gaucho' to their raisiny, citrusy and coco bean-esque 'Blue Beret'. Otherwise getting a small pack of a few different beans from a cafe, having them freshly ground and serving them French press style side by side, is a surprisingly good way to compare the characteristics of the beans. TIPS FOR DRINKING BETTER COFFEE Adding sugar is a real no-no for coffee purists. But knowing what kind of bean suits the way you drink your coffee (black, espresso or flat white, for instance) can help you make an educated choice to bring out the best in your coffee. Never keep coffee in the freezer at home, but tightly sealed somewhere dry. The best thing you can do is invest in a grinder and grind small quantities of beans as you make your coffee. And try as much coffee as you can — shake it up.
For decades, television screens have been filled with renovation shows. Every type of house has been transformed. However, no one on TV has ever tried to transform an East Brisbane basement into a work of art, without being able to paint anything, for only $500, and while making a political statement against Queensland's Homosexual Advance Defense at the same time. No, of course they haven't, but Ashgrove designer Kaylee Gannaway is going to try. At The Boy with the Rainbow Umbrella, expect astroturf, milk crates and a show that speaks out against injustice. Now that's a combination you don't see every day.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Brisbane is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to celebrate the landmark 40th anniversary of their iconic small cars, and in turn, help you celebrate the little things that bring that sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Brisbane. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, tee off at the Victoria Park Driving Range, step into the action-packed world of Marvel and do the time warp again with Dr. Frank N. Furter and the gang. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
Ever think about Brisbane's many, many pubs, bars and clubs, and realise that something's missing? No matter where you are in the city — and in most suburbs, too — there's no shortage of places for a pint. What you won't find among the array of watering holes, however, is a three-storey German-themed brewhouse. Well, you won't at the moment — but you will soon. Munich Brauhaus is bringing this exact kind of establishment to the Brissie drinking scene, with their first venture north of Sydney. And given that it'll feature five bars, 750 seats, a beer garden and a rooftop hangout space all in South Bank's heritage-listed Allgas Building, it's set to be massive. For those who haven't experienced Munich Brauhaus at The Rocks in Sydney or South Wharf in Melbourne, let us enlighten you with a few more details. As the name suggests, Munich-style shenanigans are the name of the game here, including a bier hall for knocking back one-litre steins of Crafty Bavarian (their own brew) and other beverages. They'll also have a very German menu that boasts everything from chicken schnitzel burgers to sauerkraut hot dogs to all sorts of roasted pork offerings, plus live Bavarian bands taking care of the tunes. It looks like everyone in Brisbane will be able to pretend it's Oktoberfest all year round (or try to make Februaryfest, Julyfest and Decemberfest a thing as well). Munich Brauhaus will also add another stop to the city's unofficial German pub crawl after Woolloongabba's beloved German Club and Eagle Street's Bavarian Bier Café. For more information and an opening date, keep an eye on the Munich Brauhaus website. Via The Courier Mail.
At Mac From Way Back, one thing monopolises the menu: creamy, gooey macaroni and cheese. And at Sabotage Social, it's about to take over their kitchen as well, with the food truck and the Valley bar teaming up to create Brisbane's first dedicated mac 'n' cheese eatery. From mid-to-late October, Mac From Way Back will make 143 Wickham Street its permanent base, serving up its 100 percent indulgent creations from within Sabotage Social. That means loaded bowls, fries and burgers will be permanently on offer to complement the venue's whiskey, beer and cocktail range. Operating from Wednesday to Sunday, there'll be meal deals too. For those who haven't experienced the food truck's existing mac dishes, think overflowing containers filled with the good stuff, such as the old favourite that is the five-cheese original — plus m'n'c drizzled over chips and smashed onto burgs. Their new digs will offer all of the above, with more mouthwatering varieties, and in monster-sized servings that might just feed two. Truffle mushroom and parmesan and chilli chorizo bowls are just two of the fresh flavours to look forward to, with fried haloumi and mozzarella sticks as sides, as well as onion rings. Coming just over a year after first hitting the road, it's a big move for Mac From Way Back, as well as indication of just how popular they've proven. Their actual opening date is still being determined, but we'll let you know when you can expect a mac attack. Mac From Way Back will open at Sabotage Social, 143 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley from mid-to-late October. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for further details.
UPDATE: JUNE 3, 2020 — Nimble has postponed its sale for a week, until Thursday, June 11. The below article has been updated to reflect this. There's nothing like a fresh haul of shiny new workout gear to inspire a little fitness kick. Especially when that workout gear takes the form of some high-performance threads from sustainability focused label Nimble Activewear. Well, this June, you're in for a treat, as the local brand pulls together a swag of great pieces for its huge permanent markdown sale. Running online and in-stores from 10am on Thursday, June 11 until stock sells out, the sale will be packed full of bargains, offering a hefty range of outerwear, tights, sports bras, sweats, shorts and more, with discounts of up to 40 percent. You might even be able to catch discounted pieces from the label's core CompressLite line, which is cleverly crafted from recycled plastic bottles. Nab one of these and you'll really have something to feel good about — Nimble's saved over 900,000 plastic bottles from heading to landfill since 2015. Nimble's permanent markdown sale kicks off at 10am on Thursday, June 11 and runs until stock sells out.
When Stuart and Lucy Martin started their own brewery back in 2017, they took inspiration from an easy source: Stuart's experience as a former commercial pilot. In fact, the idea for Archer Brewing popped into Stuart's brain during a flight from Melbourne to Sydney, and their beer-making outfit takes its name from Archer planes, the first type of aircraft he ever piloted. So, setting up a new brewpub in an old World War II hangar is the natural next step. Back when Archer first took off, it made Archer's Bunker in Spring Hill its home base, nestling into the space beneath The International Hotel in Spring Hill — and even requiring beer lovers to enter via the Archer Brewing fridge, which doubled as a door. But with that spot in Archer's past itineraries since 2019, the brewery has touched down in Wilston instead. On Newmarket Road, Brisbanites will now find a 200-person beer bar in the abode that Lifeline used to call home. Archer Brewing's new location isn't the first watering hole in an old WWII-era hangar in Brisbane, but it's obviously a case of the perfect business settling into the perfect surroundings. To keep the aviation theme going, the bar itself is made from the last-ever Ansett 727 plane to be flown. If you're fond of aviation yourself, that's definitely something to say cheers to — and over. Stuart and Lucy have brought over their portrait of their border collie to oversee the brewpub, and the space's design highlights its original use. But, as well as the focus on flying, it's the range of easy-drinking beers made using Australian ingredients that'll tempt patrons through the door. Archer Brewing pumps out yeasty beverages of the mid-strength lager, pilsner, pale ale, IPA and rice lager variety, as overseen by head brewer Chris Fletcher (ex-2 Brothers Brewing). Plus, cider fans can sip a new apple number made from Stanthorpe produce. The full booze lineup also spans rotating guest taps as well as an all-Aussie wine, spirit and cocktail range. In addition to drinking your way through Archer's tipples, Brisbanites making the trip to Wilston will soon be able to snack on a food lineup that's still being finalised. At present, an array of food trucks are popping by to fill the gap.
The Flaming Lips are the very definition of a band that has too much creativity to quit. Their unique psychedelic rock has been around since 1983, but they're not the type of band who'd sign, seal and deliver the same hits over and over. Having said that, you (or someone in close proximity) probably have their greatest tunes perpetually on high rotation, from ‘Do You Realise??’, ‘The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song’, to ‘Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Part 1’ and ‘She Don’t Use Jelly’. Listening to these psychedelic ditties is a joyous trip of an experience in itself, but seeing them live is something else entirely. The Flaming Lips' undeniably brilliant album, Clouds Taste Metallic, is currently enjoying its 20th anniversary and to celebrate, The Flaming Lips are off on tour yet again. Ahead of their Sydney Festival and Palais Theatre shows, we managed to catch up with the very chatty Wayne Coyne and asked him about giving new life to a 20-year-old record, his next-level live shows, and of course, his work with Miley. [caption id="attachment_554895" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: George Salisbury.[/caption] WHERE CLOUDS TASTE METALLIC AND HEADY NUGGS ROAM The Flaming Lips have released a whopping 16 studio albums since 1983, with the beloved seventh album Clouds Taste Metallic hitting shelves in 1995. Over a decade later, how does Coyne feel about the album now? "Some of those songs are just really great, dynamic, freaky songs to play. It’s one of those records that is never that far away from us.” The reissued vinyl, titled Heady Nuggs: Clouds Taste Metallic 20 Years Later, comes with quite a few extra goodies, including a live Seattle set from 1996. “We’re a very lucky group that virtually everything that we’ve ever recorded, we really do have absolute say over what we can reissue.” At first, the live vinyl was not going to cut it. “We never liked the quality. Even though we liked the show, it never sounded very good.” After a little playing around with plug-ins, the band was able to recreate the “crazy, freaky, exciting show" they knew they had on their hands. “I think when people listen to that they get a sense of that very amped-up punk-rock meets psychedelic rock, meets prog-rock weirdo group that we were," says Coyne. With track names such as ‘Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles’, it's hard not to ask for the story behind the album title Clouds Taste Metallic. Turns out Sydney had a hand in it. About 20-odd years ago The Flaming Lips were hanging out with Tool in Sydney. Tool’s then bassist, Paul D’Amour was taking a ride in a four-seater airplane (as you do) and asked the pilot to fly through a cloud (because Paul D'Amour). “He opened his mouth because he thought, 'How often do you get to go through a cloud?' I asked him, what did it taste like? And he said, 'You know, it tasted kind of metallic.' That’s an absolutely true story." ON FINDING A KINDRED SPIRIT IN MILEY The Flaming Lips are no strangers to collaboration; just check out their 15th studio album With a Little Help From My Fwends; a star-studded cover album of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. One creative partnership stands out amongst them: Coyne and Miley Cyrus. “The way that we live our lives is very similar,” Coyne explains, “She’s so on it. She has so much shit to say and songs to sing. I think that’s why we like each other. I’m always going and she’s always going, and so we meet up and we’ve got 20 things we want to do.” According to Coyne, the writing and recording process is more impulsive and natural rather than scheduled and labored. Coyne may start working on something at his studio in Oklahoma, then brings it to Cyrus, where sometimes all they’ll need is one take. “Usually even though we would say we’d start recording at noon, we usually wouldn’t start until 2am,” says Coyne, “She always has a lot of stuff going on. She can be in her house with 50 people and there can be a crazy party going on, and I’ll go in and say ‘Let’s go out and we’ll do some stuff for 20 minutes’. There’s five to six tracks we did together where it’s literally one take and I went into the house, got her, she came out, sang, and that will be the song.” [caption id="attachment_545696" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Todd Spoth.[/caption] LIVE SHOWS AND THE VIEW FROM INSIDE A HUMAN-SIZED BUBBLE There's a good reason why The Flaming Lips have been declared by Q Magazine as one of the 'Top 50 Bands to See Before You Die'. If you're fortunate enough to have witnessed them live already you’ll be familiar with confetti guns, crazy light shows, costumes, and of course, Wayne Coyne rolling over the crowd in a human-sized bubble. So what’s it like to literally walk on your audience? “I’ve done it so much now that it’s not an utter freak-out surprise,” he says. “I have a certain control over where it’s going to go, I can get a sense of how freaky and exciting it is for the audience. It’s one of those cool moments that we embrace, we’re glad we get to do something like that, and that the audience gets to play along with it.” The only thing that Coyne worries about in the bubble is potentially breaking a nose or a pair of glasses. Bless. For Coyne, the live show experience is a chance to bring everybody into their colourful world. “The things that we do with the lights and the volume, it includes everybody. Even if they don’t know the songs, it brings everybody together. That’s why we want it to be so dynamic. You want everyone to get the most out of it.” The Flaming Lips are most at home in a festival atmosphere, as Coyne explains, “I think it works well with our type of optimistic message. The things we really love to sing, those really do communicate at festivals pretty well.” Coyne believes there could be a new Flaming Lips record ready by April or May this year, but depending on their future work with Cyrus, no plans have been set in stone. “But that’s the great thing about always creating, sometimes by shear accident you stumble across this great song that you didn’t even know that you were going to do. That’s what we want to happen, that’s the reason to always be doing stuff. Some special moment may accidentally happen.” See The Flaming Lips perform live at Melbourne's Palais Theatre on Friday, January 8 and at Sydney Festival on Saturday, January 9 for free in the Domain. More details on The Flaming Lips' website. Top image: George Salisbury (WB).
It's a match made in heaven: Brisbane's often sunny, just-as-often sweltering climate, and a smorgasbord of succulent seafood. More than a few places deliver when it comes to feasting on the ocean's bounty, though one type of crustacean has been woefully underrepresented. We're talking about crabs. Enter St. James Crabhouse & Kitchen, aka the city's first place to really champion everyone's favourite clawed sea critters. No prizes for guessing what this upcoming addition to Kangaroo Point's Baildon Street will serve when they open for lunch, dinner and drinks at the end of February. Whether you like crabs of the blue swimmer, spanner or Alaskan king variety, you'll find them here. You'll also find them slathered in Singapore chilli, covered in Cajun spices and butter, and bagged in lemon and champagne reduction. Yum. Those heading to a crab shack in search of something other than seafood won't be disappointed either. Keeping with the American trend that has overtaken the city, St. James will also be offering up 12-hour sous vide pork ribs and beef short ribs among its extended menu. Oh, and burgers too, because when it comes to slapping a piece of meat between two pieces of bread, Brisbane really can't get enough. Our advice: it's time to get cracking. Find St. James Crabhouse & Kitchen at Shop 5/22 Baildon Street, Kangaroo Point, from the end of February. Check out their Facebook page for more information. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Been thinking about grabbing a few drinks at Uncle Bia Hoi? Think again. Instead, you'd best head to Aunty Oh Bia Hoi. That's right, the Brisbane Vietnamese bar everyone has been talking about this week has yet another new moniker. Here's hoping that the third time proves the charm for the Fortitude Valley establishment as it comes to the end of a tumultuous first month of trading. Since welcoming its first patrons in late March, the Hanoi-style beer cafe has weathered peaceful protests from the city's Vietnamese community, alleged death threats, and been forced to close its doors for a day, all over its name. While the hotspot's blend of Vietnamese eating and drinking has been a hit (think authentic street food and fresh beer), its title has been more than a little controversial. Anger focused on the cafe's initial moniker, Uncle Ho, which referenced communist North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh. This nod to the former dictator brought up memories of his punishing, violent regime for protestors, as did the restaurant's online advertisements: [caption id="attachment_567340" align="alignnone" width="700"] @unclehonewfarm via ABC.[/caption] Taking the backlash seriously, restaurant director Anna Demirbek announced a different title last week — and then another popped up on their Facebook page over the weekend. Say goodbye Uncle Ho and Uncle Bia Hoi, and hello Aunty Oh Bia Hoi. The new name links to the style of place — aka a beer hall — and to a particular brand of foamy beverage as well, while dropping any questionable terms such as "uncle" too. Now, when you stop by for a few rice paper rolls, an evening tipple and a couple of hours of hip hop-scored hangouts while sitting under twinkling lanterns, you'll do so in a place that doesn't make everyone think about a dark chapter of Vietnam's past. Find Aunty Oh Bia Hoi at 826 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley. For more info, visit their website.
First, they drove around Brisbane serving up American-style barbecued delights to the hungry masses. Now, they're moving from one motoring home to another — or rather, from a food truck to a pimped-out bus. We're talking about Bella BBQ, the source of some of Brisbane's favourite slow-cooked meals. Maybe you've built your own burger from their menu? Perhaps you tried their burger-doughnut hybrid? Or just enjoyed their usual array of pulled pork nachos, smoked ribs, brisket and buffalo wings? Either way, if you've munched on Bella BBQ's array of tender, juicy meat-centric products, then we know you're a fan (and you probably have the loyalty card to prove it). So, that makes the news that they've just unleashed their bigger, better vehicle — an old Mercedes school bus decked out two deep fryers, a cook top and grill, and a state of the art smoker — onto the city's streets even more exciting. Expect not only more of all the dishes you already know and love, but a few new offerings too. An ice cream machine is the latest addition to the fold, meaning their bus is now a one-stop shop when it comes to dinner and dessert. So is a 10,000 watt stereo system; eating at Bella BBQ always felt like a party anyway, but now they're making it official. Stay up-to-date with Bella BBQ by downloading their app or keeping an eye on their Facebook page.
If the owners of Paddington's new Club Sosay were playing The Game of Life, they'd be winning. Or, at the very least, they'd be advancing their plastic car to all of the best squares on the board — like the one that says "open up your own board game bar and cafe". Encouraging people to have some good old-fashioned fun, and enjoy everything from Uno to Monopoly (plus Hungry Hungry Hippos, Risk, Scrabble and Chess, too), is the new addition to Latrobe Terrace's aim. And if you don't like those particular games, don't worry. More than 500 will be available when the inner west's new hangout spot opens its doors on May 21. It's yet another one of those ideas that everyone wishes they'd thought of — and while the Greenslopes-based Go Lounge already has, as have plenty of other places around the globe, Club Sosay is giving the concept their own twist. Craft beer, wine and tapas will be on offer at the 70-seat establishment, getting paired up with new pals is an option, learning new games is as simple as asking an in-house guru, and playing whatever you'd like will only set you back a fiver. Plus, after graduating from a regular games night to its own permanent digs, the Paddington venue is just the beginning for Club Sosay. Negotiations are underway to add another location in St Lucia, with further future expansion plans covering the rest of the city, the Sunshine Coast and even interstate. Find Club Sosay at 2 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington from May 21. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for more information.
Brisbane's cultural ecosystem is booming. Cafes and bars are opening (almost) weekly, restaurants and pubs are more forward-thinking and imaginative than ever and you can find innovative cultural events and pop-up spaces to visit every day of the week. At Concrete Playground we encourage exploration and showcase innovation in our city every day, so we thought it fitting to reward those most talented vanguards pushing Brisbane to be a better, braver city. And so, we are very pleased to announce Concrete Playground's Best of 2017 Awards. As we continue to attempt to define Australian cuisine, chefs continue to push the boundaries. We've seen (and tasted) emu tartare and black ants, eaten bao topped with dumplings and sampled whole kimchi-glazed fish in a cocktail bar. Bars continue to offer immersive, imaginative experiences that take you beyond their drinks lists — you can drink cocktails at a bar hidden in a bottle-o, climb the stairs of a two-level gin oasis and sip house-made sodas while playing arcade games. The cafe culture is stronger than ever, too, with new cafes not only guaranteeing a stellar cup of Joe, but also innovative lunch snacks and sleek interiors that'll really make you reconsider that desk sandwich. Pubs are popping up riverside and brewing their beer in-house, while continuing to champion other local brands, artists and events. The bringing together of the art and food scene has expanded beyond pubs, with venues spending more time on their appearances, collaborating with local designers, architects and street artists to create stunning spaces. Event organisers have created smart and clever new events, celebrating the city's cultural ecosystem and bringing people together to run away from zombies in museums, look at innovative art and discuss the future of health, wealth and technology. This year, we will be awarding a People's Choice and Overall award in each of the following five categories: Best New Restaurant Best New Bar Best New Cafe Best New Pub Best New Event These 30 outstanding Brisbane ventures have been handpicked by Concrete Playground for their combination of originality, innovation, creativity, approachability and sustainability. We straight-up love them. And the winners are... BEST NEW RESTAURANT OVERALL WINNER:DETOUR You don't have to veer off the beaten path to find Woolloongabba's Detour — physically, at least. Diving into its menu? That's another thing entirely. When was the last time you ate emu tartare, gunpowder-cured salmon with black ants, octopus in miso butter or a Hawaiian curry? Or Kentucky Fried Duck with cornbread, the restaurant's signature dish? They're just some of the highlights offered by ex-Public chef Damon Amos's kitchen. When we say serve up, we mean it — and, not just because Detour's plating game is visually stellar. Here, you'll see everything happen while you relax under the former tyre factory's lofty ceilings. The open kitchen sits in full view of patrons, adding some glistening chrome to the space, and making watching your meal get made all part of the experience. PEOPLE'S CHOICE: JUNK At Junk, a hawker-style eatery from the due behind Donut Boyz and Hello Harry, you'll find a menu filled with Korean fried chicken wings, crisp Peking duck spring rolls, and four varieties of steamed bao (soft-shell crab, pork, pork gyoza and chicken katsu). Yes, one of those options really does include dumplings on bao. Dumplings. On. Bao. Crispy fried gunpowder chicken ribs and Vietnamese noodle salads will also be cooked up in executive chef Mitch Smith's kitchen, as will Gangnam fries (covered in house-made kimchi, nacho cheese sauce, nori and spring onion, and certain to get a K-pop song stuck in your head). The restaurant is always buzzing. It's a place you can take your friends, your parents, your overseas visitors and know you'll have a great time. BEST NEW BAR OVERALL WINNER: ELECTRIC AVENUE Electric Avenue is the kind of place you could kick-start your evening, drop by late or hang around all night. Brought to Brissie by Canvas owners Daniel Rodriguez and Bodie Schofield, their former head bartender Nick Royds and carpenter Adam Pykett. They also have ex-Sourced Grocer chef Will Quartel in the kitchen, whipping up more than just your usual bar food. Whole grilled kimchi-glazed fish, blackened duck breast and black garlic crepes — yes, that's a dessert — are just some of the menu standouts. You can wash all of that down with their choice of more than 70 wines, or a range of cocktails. We recommend moving this bar to the top of your list. PEOPLE'S CHOICE: NETHERWORLD Shelves of board games. Rows of arcade games. A wall of old-school consoles with retro televisions to match. Daytona given pride of place. The sound of The Simpsons' theme filtering through the playing space. Welcome to Netherworld, Brisbane's first arcade game bar. If you like hitting flippers, smashing buttons and passing go, all while drinking brews and eating burgers, you'll like it here. Trust us. For a place named after somewhere hellish or hidden, it's all rather inviting, which also fits the food and drink lineup. At the Hellmouth Diner, American and Japanese influences infiltrate a selection of bar fare that aims higher than the greasy usual bites to eat. All standard items such as burgers, burritos and bowls are also vegan-friendly, though meat and dairy can be added. And if you're keen on something other than the range of beers on tap, wine, spirits, cocktails and house-made sodas are also on offer, with the latter available as boozy 'loaded' versions as well. BEST NEW CAFE OVERALL WINNER AND PEOPLE'S CHOICE: GROWN West End has been a hive of activity lately, with new venues springing up all over the place. One such venue is Grown, a vegan dining venue offering breakfast and lunch six days a week. The plant-based, seasonal menu uses produce from FoodConnect, a company who source from local farmers within a 400km radius of Brisbane. The ethos behind Grown is pretty simple: good food, sourced from local farmers, beautifully presented. Plus, scraps and waste aren't going into the bin — they're being composted at Jane Street Community Garden (check them out — it's a must-do and just a stroll around the corner from Grown), a volunteer-run community space where permaculture reigns supreme. BEST NEW PUB OVERALL WINNER: LITTLE BIG HOUSE LBH comes courtesy of the Matt Moran-led hospitality group Solotel. Raised above Grey Street next to the train station, the two-level heritage-listed building stands out from the crowd with its city views, cruisy vibe, and creative food and beverage menu. From the open front and side balconies, that benefit from the cooling river breeze, to the downstairs karaoke room, where groups can belt out a tune (and slap on a brightly coloured hat) for free — the venue impresses. A pink pool table with an adjacent big screen for sports also takes up one room, while DJ booths are found on both floors. When it comes to booze, two bars — one upstairs, one downstairs — have plenty to offer, including a limited-time-only beer collaboration with Sydney's Young Henrys. PEOPLE'S CHOICE: NEWSTEAD BREWING CO A slightly larger and somewhat more polished version of their original Newstead location, the Newstead Brewing Co. Milton is a bustling brewery and craft beer bar right across the road from the Suncorp Stadium. Opened in early 2017, the venue quickly established itself as a popular pre-State of Origin beer spot. With plenty of outdoor terrace space, a large main bar and a function area that is open to the public on event days, the space is prime for big groups and bigger nights. Head brewer Kerry Claydon is in charge of all things small batch, craft beer and seasonal brews. There are a total of 32 taps across three bars, offering the Newstead's core beer range and a cider, as well as Claydon and her team's latest ale experimentations. BEST NEW EVENT OVERALL WINNER: SUPERCELL: CONTEMPORARY DANCE FESTIVAL This innovative new festival celebrates Queensland's place in the dance world by bringing together local and international artists, performances, workshops and conversations. Highlights included a five-woman piece from Switzerland's Simone Truong; a triple bill by Australia's Bridget Fiske and the UK's Joseph Lau; dancers from China, Indonesia and around Australia; and a three-day workshop with Gold Coast outfit The Farm. During February this year, the dance festival, co-founded and curated by Kate Usher and Glyn Roberts, took over the the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. PEOPLE'S CHOICE: ESPRESSO MARTINI FESTIVAL As far as boozy beverages go, nothing beats the espresso martini. It gives you a buzz, it's a crowd-pleaser and most venues have one on their menu. In fact, they're so beloved, Brisbane had a whole festival dedicated to them. They've appeared previously in Sydney and Melbourne, but Brisbane's inaugural (highly caffeinated) festival took over Fish Lane in August this year. Of course, there's no prizes for guessing what was on offer — but it wasn't just the usual 'tinis combos of coffee and alcohol. With the team from Brooklyn Standard on drinks duty, they whipped up at least five different varieties.
Feel a hankering for some chortles at this year's Brisbane Comedy Festival, but don't have the funds to fork out for any of the event's international acts? Trying to squeeze in as many laughs as possible into your life in general? Keen to finish your working week with some laughs? All of the above situations are catered for at BCF's Knockoff. It's similar to Brisbane Powerhouse's old free comedy nights, but happening during the comedy fest — and it's perfect for kicking off the weekend in the funniest way possible. [caption id="attachment_850754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atmosphere Photography[/caption] This free Friday night comedy show runs from 6pm each week between May 2–23, and will play host to some of the biggest up-and-comers in comedy (so, down the line, you can say you saw them when they were starting out). Exactly who you'll be laughing at hasn't yet been revealed, but you will be laughing. Just head on down to the New Farm spot and prepare to get your funny bone tickled for an hour.
Ever driven across the Story Bridge and thought, "Wouldn't it be great to go to a market here?" We know, that might not have crossed your mind exactly. But it must've popped into the heads of the folks behind Hamilton's Eat Street Markets, because that's exactly what they're about to do. On July 5, the Brisbane landmark will be doing more than just linking Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley. In fact, cars will have to find an alternate route across the river, because a food market is taking over the entire bridge. Around 50 vendors have been invited to sell their delicious, delicious wares, so there'll be plenty of tasty treats on offer. A whopping 20,000 people are allowed on the bridge at a time, which sounds like a lot — but what Brisbanite would miss out on checking out this historic, ultra-novelty event? Indeed, given that everyone in Brisbane has already seen the bridge covered in fireworks many, many times, there's probably no better way to celebrate the 75th birthday of the heritage-listed icon. The bridge officially opened for business back on July 6, 1940 after five years of construction, and now sees an average of 97,000 cars zoom across it each day. While gathering for a bite to eat on the bridge might be something new, spending money there isn't. It was originally a toll road, with charges removed in 1947. Since 2005, people have been paying to scale its heights as part of the Story Bridge Adventure Climb experience. Now, for one night only, you can snack, browse and devour delicious local food with the best view in town. Brisbane's Story Bridge will closed to traffic for the food market for one night on July 5. Via Brisbane Times. Image: andzzz, judyvannorman and Tim Williams — Flickr via Wikimedia Commons and Eat Street Markets. View all Brisbane Events.
Maybe you're old enough that you can remember where you were when you heard the news of his death 21 years ago. Maybe you grew up only ever knowing of his loss and his legend. Either way, Nirvana fan or not, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck is essential viewing. This isn't your usual music documentary, or the standard package of talking heads, childhood photos and backstage pics — though they're all there in some shape and form. As the name suggests, this is a mosaic of his tumultuous life as it happened, drawn from the most intimate resources and largely spoken in his voice. Filmmaker Brett Morgen uses art, music, journals, home videos and audio montages provided by Cobain's family to journey, step by step, from the birth to the death of the rock icon. First he's a bright child, then a disaffected teen, a creative genius, a reluctant star, a drug-addicted celebrity and a doting father. What he rarely seems, though, is happy. Indeed, think of Montage of Heck less like a portrait of Cobain and more like his thoughts and emotions being allowed to roam free. Biographical information is included, but this is about who he really was, rather than interesting trivia. Things get dark, clearly; however, the fleshed-out image the film composes of the troubled musician is probably the most complex audiences have ever seen. Examinations of tortured artists rarely come across as quite so honest, or so genuine in peeking behind the veil of their public personas, or so willing to embrace the complications of their subjects. Morgen's style has much to do with the movie's air of authenticity, the writer, director and co-editor piecing everything together with a lived-in mood and a stitched-together look unlike the bulk of similar offerings. From animation that brings Cobain's drawings to life and scrawls his handwritten lyrics, lists and love letters onto the screen, to footage of his brand of wedded bliss with Courtney Love, to revealing chats with those who knew him best (Love, Cobain's parents and sister, his ex-girlfriend Tracey Marander and Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic), it never feels anything less than hand- and home-made. The wealth of content the feature has at its disposal is certainly astonishing, both in providing much more than a glimpse Cobain's most personal moments, and in allowing fans a few opportunities to really geek-out — such as spying his sketches for Nevermind's album cover and his suggestions for 'Smells Like Teen Spirit''s music video. That Montage of Heck is the first effort made with the support of his loved ones shows, though this is as far from a glossy tribute as you can get. It might be light on performances, but the film also has an amazing soundtrack, obviously — and the way Morgen weaves Nirvana's music into the mix is so well done, it causes goosebumps. That's the kind of reaction Montage of Heck inspires. By the time it makes it to the MTV Unplugged clips from what turned out to be one of the band's last major performances, expect your eyes to get misty. With so much said about Cobain for the past two decades, it feels fitting that a compilation of his own words actually says the most. Never basking in the cult of his fame, nor wallowing in his demise, this is Cobain being Cobain. It's not just a montage: it's a haunting, heartbreaking cinematic poem about a lost icon — and perhaps the finest music documentary of its generation.
Parts of a Lady, Gronk, Day Planner and Ali G Goes to Chicago aren't going to win any shiny trophies this year, because none of them exist. But, after getting a shoutout in Amy Poehler and Tina Fey's very amusing opening monologue at the 2021 Golden Globes, you'll wish these fictional flicks were either showing at a cinema near you or streaming on your platform of choice. They might be an improvement on some of the movies and TV shows that were nominated this year, after all. Poehler and Fey noted that "a lot of flashy garbage" was vying for a gong and, well, they're not wrong. It's always best to remember two things whenever entertainment awards roll around. Firstly, great movies and television shows, and the talents behind them, always remain that way whether they have the silverware to go with it or not. Secondly, finally valuing the exceptional work of women and people of colour in the entertainment industry after so long spent focusing on white men will always remain important. And, while the Golden Globes ceremony this year looked a little different to usual — it was held across both Los Angeles and New York, with Poehler and Fey split across the two cities; nominees called in via video from home in all their finery, rather than attending in person; and winners didn't physically put their hands on a statuette — it did give a heap of recognition to some very deserving folks. Seeing three women contending for Best Director, with Chloe Zhao emerging victorious for Nomadland, really was something special. So was the fact that the first two gongs of the night went to Daniel Kaluuya and John Boyega, two of the best actors working today. Chadwick Boseman's posthumous award was always going to be an emotional moment and, winning special accolades, both Norman Lear and Jane Fonda made moving speeches about their careers and the current state of the industry. Plenty of top-notch talents missed out as well, though, because that's the way these congratulatory proceedings always go — but from everything that emerged victorious, we've picked 12 films and TV shows for you to feast your eyes on as soon as possible. MOVIE MUST-SEES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSFpK34lfv0&feature=youtu.be NOMADLAND Frances McDormand is a gift of an actor. Point a camera her way, and a performance so rich that it feels not just believable but tangible floats across the screen. That's the case in Nomadland, which will earn her another Oscar nomination and could even see her win a third shiny statuette just three years after she nabbed her last for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Here, leading a cast that also includes real people experiencing the existence that's fictionalised within the narrative, she plays the widowed, van-dwelling Fern — a woman who takes to the road, and to the nomad life, after the small middle-America spot she spent her married life in turns into a ghost town when the local mine is shuttered due to the global financial crisis. Following her travels over the course of more than a year, this humanist drama serves up an observational portrait of those that society happily overlooks. It's both deeply intimate and almost disarmingly empathetic in the process, as every movie made by Chloe Zhao is. This is only the writer/director's third, slotting in after 2015's Songs My Brothers Taught Me and 2017's The Rider but before 2021's Marvel flick Eternals, but it's a feature of contemplative and authentic insights into the concepts of home, identity and community. Meticulously crafted, shot and performed, it's also Zhao's best work yet, and the best film of 2020 as well. GLOBES Won: Best Motion Picture — Drama, Best Director — Motion Picture (Chloe Zhao) Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama (Frances McDormand), Best Screenplay — Motion Picture (Chloe Zhao) Nomadland returns to cinemas from March 4, after a sneak preview season in late December and early January. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbE96sCJEjo MINARI Remember the name Lee Isaac Chung. Minari isn't the writer/director's first feature — with 2007's Munyurangabo, 2010's Lucky Life and 2012's Abigail Harm already on his resume — but it's the kind of intimate, heartfelt and resonant movie that cements its filmmaker as a top cinematic talent to watch. Remember the name Alan S Kim, too. The child actor makes his film debut here, but he steals every scene he's in. Considering that he's acting opposite Steven Yeun (Burning), who turns in his latest excellent performance and will hopefully nab an Oscar nomination for his efforts, that's no minor feat. Remembering Minari in general is a given, actually. It's so detailed, vivid and honest, and yet also so universal at the same time. Based on Chung's own upbringing, this tender drama follows the Yi family (which also includes My Unfamiliar Family's Yeri Han and first-timer Noel Cho) as they move to Arkansas to start their own farm. It's a movie about chasing the American Dream, but don't go thinking that you've seen this tale before, or seen any similar story told with such feeling either. The film's overall story can be summarised neatly, but Minari's many deep and thoughtful charms and triumphs aren't ever simplistic. Indeed, as features influenced by personal real-life tales can be at their best, this is a gorgeously and thoughtfully detailed picture, with Chung realising that trading in specific minutiae is far more compelling and relatable than opting for sweeping generalisations. GLOBES Won: Best Motion Picture — Foreign Language Minari is currently screening in cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSjtGqRXQ9Y JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH The last time that Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield appeared in the same film, Get Out was the end result. Their shared scene in Jordan Peele's Oscar-winning horror movie isn't easily forgotten — if you've seen the feature, it will have instantly popped into your head while you're reading this — and neither is Judas and the Black Messiah, their next collaboration. With Kaluuya starring as the Black Panther Party's Illinois Chairman Fred Hampton and Stanfield playing William O'Neal, the man who infiltrated his inner circle as an informer for the FBI, the pair is still tackling race relations. Here, though, the duo does so in a ferocious historical drama set in the late 60s. The fact that O'Neal betrays Hampton definitely isn't a spoiler here; it's a matter of fact, and the lens through which writer/director Shaka King (Newlyweeds) and his co-scribes Kenneth Lucas, Keith Lucas (actors on Lady Dynamite) and Will Berson (Scrubs) view the last period of Hampton's life. Anchored by two fierce performances that stand out in their own ways — with Kaluuya commanding the screen during every single one of his real-life character's speeches, and Stanfield playing conflicted with a raw, nervy air — Judas and the Black Messiah does what only the best movies that look back at the past and its many problems manage. It roves its eyes over events gone by, shines a spotlight the rampant oppression and the struggle against it, and condenses a wealth of information into a gripping feature. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Daniel Kaluuya) Nominated: Best Original Song — Motion Picture (Tiara Thomas, HER and D'Mile, 'Fight for You') Judas and the Black Messiah opens in cinemas on March 11 — check back for our full review then. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ord7gP151vk MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Chadwick Boseman, Oscar-winner. That combination of words is very likely to become a posthumous reality for the late, great actor, thanks to his last screen role. Boseman is just that phenomenal in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. He has earned that term before in Get on Up, Black Panther and Da 5 Bloods, but his performance in this stage-to-screen production is such a powerhouse effort that it's like watching a cascading waterfall drown out almost everything around it. He plays trumpeter Levee Green, who is part of the eponymous Ma Rainey's (Viola Davis, Widows) band. On a 1920s day, the always-nattering, big-dreaming musician joins Ma — who isn't just a fictional character, and was known as the Mother of Blues — and the rest of his colleagues for a recording session. Temperatures and tempers rise in tandem in the Chicago studio, with Levee and Ma rarely seeing eye to eye on any topic. Davis is in thundering, hot-blooded form, while Colman Domingo (If Beale Street Could Talk) and Glynn Turman (Fargo) also leave a firm impression. It's impossible take your eyes off of the slinkily magnetic Boseman though, as would prove the case even if he was still alive to see the film's release. Adapting the play of the same name by August Wilson (Fences), director George C Wolfe (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) lets Boseman farewell the screen with one helluva bang. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama (Chadwick Boseman) Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama (Viola Davis) Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs--6c7Hn_A SOUL Released early in 2020, Onward definitely wasn't Pixar's best film — but Soul, its straight-to-streaming latest movie that capped off the past year, instantly contends for the title. The beloved animation studio has always excelled when it takes big leaps. Especially now, a quarter-century into its filmmaking tenure, its features prove particularly enchanting when they're filled with surprises (viewers have become accustomed to seeing toys, fish, rats and robots have feelings, after all). On paper, Soul initially seems similar to Inside Out, but switching in souls for emotions. It swaps in voice work by Tina Fey for Amy Poehler, too, and both movies are helmed by director Peter Docter, so there's more than one reason for the comparison. But to the delight of viewers of all ages, Soul is a smart, tender and contemplative piece of stunning filmmaking all on its own terms. It's Pixar at its most existential, and with a strikingly percussive score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to further help it stand out. At its centre sits aspiring jazz musician-turned-music teacher Joe (Jamie Foxx, Just Mercy). Just as he's about to get his big break, he falls down a manhole, his soul leaves his body, and he's desperate to get back to chase his dreams. Alas, that's not how things work, and he's saddled with mentoring apathetic and cynical soul 22 (the always hilarious Fey) in his quest to reclaim his life. GLOBES Won: Best Motion Picture — Animated, Best Original Score — Motion Picture (Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste) Soul is available to stream via Disney+. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lkCCo63nhM I CARE A LOT Last month, we said that Rosamund Pike may not end up with many shiny statuettes for her efforts in I Care a Lot. We also said that her Golden Globe nomination was thoroughly well-deserved. The Radioactive and Gone Girl star is stellar in a tricky part in a thorny film — because this dark comic-thriller isn't here to play nice. Pike plays Marla Grayson, a legal guardian to as many elderly Americans as she can convince the courts to send her way. She's more interested in the cash that comes with the job, however, rather than actually looking after her charges. Indeed, with her girlfriend and business partner Fran (Eiza González, Bloodshot), plus an unscrupulous doctor on her payroll, she specifically targets wealthy senior citizens with no family, gets them committed to her care, packs them off to retirement facilities and plunders their bank accounts. Then one such ploy catches the attention of gangster Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones), who dispatches his minions to nudge Marla in a different direction. She isn't willing to acquiesce, though, sparking both a game of cat and mouse and a showdown. Dinklage makes the most of his role, too, but I Care a Lot is always the icy Pike's movie. Well, hers and writer/director J Blakeson's (The Disappearance of Alice Creed), with the latter crafting a takedown of capitalism that's savagely blunt but also viciously entertaining. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy (Rosamund Pike) I Care a Lot is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rsa4U8mqkw BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM Of all the twists and turns that 2020 delivered, the arrival of a new Borat movie ranked among the most unexpected. Watching Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, however, it's obvious why the famed fictional Kazakh journalist made a comeback at that very moment — that is, just before the US election. Once again, Borat travels to America. Once again, he traverses the country, interviewing everyday people and exposing the abhorrent views that have become engrained in US society. Where its 2006 predecessor had everyone laughing along with it, though, there's also an uneasy and even angry undercurrent to Borat Subsequent Moviefilm that's reflective of these especially polarised times. It's worth noting that Sacha Baron Cohen's last project, 2018 TV series Who Is America?, also used the comedian's usual interview technique to paint a picture of the US today, and the results were as astute as they were horrifying. There are plenty of jokes in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which bases its narrative around Borat's attempt to gift his 15-year-old daughter (instant scene-stealer Maria Bakalova) to Vice President Mike Pence and then ex-New York mayor Rudy Giuliani to help get Kazakhstan's own leader into President Donald Trump's good graces, but this is the unflinching work of a star passionate about making a statement. GLOBES Won: Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy (Sacha Baron Cohen) Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy (Maria Bakalova) Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is available to stream now via Amazon Prime Video. SMALL SCREEN BINGES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcqItifbNUA SMALL AXE British filmmaker Steve McQueen hasn't directed a bad movie — and, even after dropping five new features as part of the Small Axe anthology, that hasn't changed. The director of Hunger, Shame, 12 Years a Slave and Widows gifts viewers a quintet of films that are as exceptional as anything he's ever made, with every entry in this new series taking place in England, in the 60s, 70s and 80s, with London's West Indian community at its centre. The first, Mangrove, tells an infuriating true tale about a police campaign to target a Caribbean restaurant in Notting Hill. From there, Lovers Rock spends time at a house party as two attendees dance into each other's orbits, and Red, White and Blue follows a young forensic scientist who decides to join the force to change from the inside. Next, Alex Wheatle explores the life of the award-winning writer of the same name, while Education unpacks unofficial moves to segregate children of colour in schools. There's no weak link here — only stunning, stirring, standout cinema that tells blistering tales about Black London residents doing everything it takes to resist their racist treatment. Every film is sumptuously shot, too, thanks to cinematographer Shabier Kirchner (Bull), and the cast spans everyone from Lost in Space's Shaun Parkes and Black Panther's Letitia Wright to Star Wars' John Boyega. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Supporting Role (John Boyega) Nominated: Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television All five Small Axe films are available to stream via Binge. It's streaming soon in NZ. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u7EIiohs6U TED LASSO What do Parks and Recreation, Wellington Paranormal and Ted Lasso all have in common? They're all stellar examples of kind-hearted TV sitcoms that are an absolute delight to watch. By now, the first two aforementioned shows have already established a legion of fans, but the third series listed above — a 2020 newcomer — definitely belongs in the same company even just based on its ten episodes so far. Starring a gloriously optimistic Jason Sudeikis as the titular character, the comedy follows its main figure during a period of transition. A college-level American football coach, he's just been hired by struggling English Premier League team AFC Richmond, despite having zero knowledge of soccer. He's actually been recruited for the role by the club's new owner, Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham, Game of Thrones), who received the organisation as part of her divorce settlement and is determined to tank it to spite her slimy ex (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Anthony Stewart Head). For much of his career, Sudeikis has excelled at playing thorny, jerkish characters (see: the terrific Colossal) who initially seem likeable. And yet, he's pitch-perfect here, and Ted Lasso as a whole proves just as spot-on. Also featuring excellent work from Brett Goldstein (Doctor Who) and Juno Temple (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) as an ageing player and a young hotshot's girlfriend, this is a smart, funny and warm gem. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy (Jason Sudeikis) Nominated: Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy Ted Lasso is available to stream via Apple TV+. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0uWS6CnC2o SCHITT'S CREEK The idea behind Schitt's Creek is immensely straightforward, and also incredibly obvious. If one of the obscenely wealthy families that monopolises all those trashy reality TV shows was suddenly forced to live without their money, like the rest of us, how would they cope? If you're thinking "not well", you're right. If you're certain that seeing the results would be amusing, you're on the money again. As envisaged by father-son duo — and the program's stars — Eugene and Daniel Levy, that's the scenario the Rose crew finds itself in, including moving to the titular town that it happens to own as a last resort. Yes, as the name gives away, they're in a sticky situation. The adjustment process isn't easy, but it is very, very funny, and remained that way for the show's entire six-season run before wrapping up in 2020. And, although plenty of other credits on her resume have made this plain (such as Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, Waiting for Guffman and For Your Consideration, all also with Eugene Levy), the great Catherine O'Hara is an absolute comedy powerhouse as the Rose family matriarch. She now has both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance here, too. GLOBES Won: Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy (Catherine O'Hara) Nominated: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy (Eugene Levy), Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Supporting Role (Dan Levy), Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role (Annie Murphy) Schitt's Creek is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiXEpminPms THE CROWN When we say that fans of The Crown had been particularly looking forward to the show's fourth season, that isn't meant as a criticism of anything that preceded it. No disrespect is directed towards the regal drama's previous episodes, or to the past cast that took on the program's main roles before an age-appropriate switch was made at the beginning of season three. But, now more than halfway through the program's planned six-season run, this latest chapter focuses on two big showdowns that changed the shape of the royal family in the 80s. Firstly, Queen Elizabeth II (Oscar-winner Olivia Colman) and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (The X-Files icon Gillian Anderson) don't quite see eye to eye, to put it mildly. Also, with Prince Charles' (God's Own Country's Josh O'Connor) marriage to Lady Diana Spencer (Pennyworth's Emma Corrin) a big plot point, the latter clashes with the entire royal establishment. Among a cast that also includes Helena Bonham Carter (Enola Holmes) and Tobias Menzies (Outlander), Colman, Anderson, O'Connor and Corrin are all exceptional — and in a show that's always been buoyed by its performances, that's saying something. GLOBES Won: Best Television Series — Drama, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama (Emma Corrin), Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama (Josh O'Connor), Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role (Gillian Anderson) Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama (Olivia Colman), Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role (Helena Bonham Carter) The Crown is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDrieqwSdgI THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT In much of The Queen's Gambit, Beth Harmon sits at a chessboard. As a child (Isla Johnston), she demands that orphanage janitor Mr Shaibel (Bill Camp, The Outsider) teach her the game. As a teenager (Anya Taylor-Joy, Radioactive), she earns a reputation as a chess prodigy. As her confidence and fame grows, she demonstrates her prowess at tournaments around America and the globe, while also spending her spare time hunched over knights, rooks, bishops and pawns studying moves and tactics. None of the above sounds like innately thrilling television unless you're a chess grandmaster, but this seven-part miniseries proves that you should never judge a show by its brief description. Based on the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis, written and directed by Oscar-nominee Scott Frank (Out of Sight, Logan), and dripping with lavish 50s and 60s decor and costuming to reflect its period setting, The Queen's Gambit doesn't expect that all its viewers will be chess aficionados; however, it's made with a canny awareness that anything can be tense, suspenseful and involving — and that every different type of game there is says much about its players and devotees. The series doesn't lack in creative and inventive ways to depict chess on-screen. It knows when to hang on every single move of a pivotal game, and when to focus on the bigger story surrounding a particular match or Beth path through the chess world in general. And it's especially astute at illustrating how a pastime based on precision and strategy offers an orphaned girl a way to control one lone aspect of her tumultuous and constantly changing life. GLOBES Won: Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television (Anya Taylor-Joy) The Queen's Gambit is available to stream via Netflix. Read our full review.
For years, the Gold Coast has been known for its combination of sun and fun, whether lazing about on the beach or grabbing a drink with an ocean view takes your fancy. Soon, it might also be known for something else: amassing more than its fair share of breweries. Black Hops Brewing is the latest to join the fold, setting up shop in Burleigh Heads. If the name sounds familiar, that's because Eddie Oldfield, Dan Norris and Michael McGovern have been churning out their own brews since late 2014. If you've had a pint at one of south-east Queensland's craft beer bars over the past few years — including The Scratch, Brewski and Woolly Mammoth Alehouse in Brissie, plus House of Brews, Institution Ale House and Glenelg Public House on the coast — then you've probably already introduced their Gold Coast Pale Ale, Eggnog Stout or Code Red ale to your tastebuds. Now, you can head straight to the source for the complete Black Hops experience. You'll see how their tasty tipples are made, indulge in more than a couple of beverages in their eight-tap tasting room, and even get to sample a few exclusive batches that you won't find anywhere. Yep, it's a beer lover's paradise just a stone's throw away from Surfer's Paradise, as well as the second new brewery to open its doors on the Gold Coast in the last few months. The partially Mick Fanning-owned Balter Brewing Company only welcomed its first customers back in April, so if you haven't tried them out yet, we have three words for you: beer-tasting road trip. Find Black Hops at 15 Gardenia Grove, Burleigh Heads, and check out their website and Facebook page for more information.
UPDATE, December 11, 2020: The Lobster is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies and Prime Video. Imagine living in a world where the pursuit of love provided only two choices. You can find a spouse and live happily ever after in coupledom, or you can earn the scorn of others for failing to pair up. In this scenario, society champions the intertwined and persecutes the single. Does it feel familiar? It should. That such a situation doesn't seem too far from reality is the point of The Lobster, despite the clear exaggerations if gleefully plays with. In an unnamed time, those like the mournful David (Colin Farrell) who prove unlucky when it comes to affection — even through the death of their spouse or via infidelity — are shipped away to a matchmaking-focused hotel as a last resort, literally. If they don't connect with another person in 45 days, they'll be transformed into the animal of their choice. Their only other option is to run away and live in the nearby woods with a group of loners, who shun relationships, dig their own graves in a mournful bit of forward thinking, and seek solace by dancing alone to electronic music. If that sounds cynical as well as comedic in an absurdist, deadpan manner, that's because it is — and writer/director Yorgos Lanthimos is certainly known for raising his eyebrows and donning a wry smile in the face of many of the behaviours and preferences that define our lives and interactions. In his first English-language film after the equally heightened Dogtooth and Alps, he does the same with modern romance, skewering and dissecting the fact that finding monogamy and matrimony are championed by most as the be all and end all of human existence, no questions asked. That's not all he does, though, as he follows David's interactions with others looking for their similar other halves, such as Lisping Man (John C. Reilly), Limping Man (Ben Whishaw) and Biscuit Woman (Ashley Jensen). Nor is scepticism his only attitude when David meets Loner Leader (Léa Seydoux) and Short Sighted Woman (Rachel Weisz), finding a kindred spirit in the latter, even if he's not supposed to. Mixing suspicion with sweetness — not of the sappy rom-com kind, but bursting from a genuine appreciation of the joy that can result when two people really do find something special in each other beyond having superficial things in common, and are willing to sacrifice to keep it — is the key to The Lobster's brilliance. Lanthimos finds the overwhelming beauty that can lurk in the stark reality he depicts, perhaps surprisingly so given how stylised and precise everything else proves: the dialogue, setting, recurrent use of music and tightly shot visuals, for example. The impact is as astounding as it is intriguing. Consequently, prepare for a smart, sensitive and surreal movie that both looks on in horror and inspires hope as far as matters of the heart are concerned. And prepare to pay attention too, because the details mean everything. When the excellent international cast all speak in their native accents, aptly mirroring the film's conflict of structure and chaos in the process, or the soothing tones of Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue's ballad 'Where the Wild Roses Grow' contrasts with the overt tones heard otherwise, that's when The Lobster's wondrous, winning, witty take on love and life starts to truly shine.
If you're looking for a slice of Britain in Brisbane, the city's newest watering hole has you covered. Think English-style food and booze, just like you'd find across the seas. Think Old Blighty's public houses of yesteryear combined with the epitome of the modern London bar scene. Think gastropub. Celebrating the location that provided its inspiration in its moniker, London Fields champions British fare of the eating and drinking variety. And where better to set up shop than the inner-city spot with its own UK connotations: West End. Don't go looking for the pub in the heart of the suburb, though, with London Fields calling the corner of Montague Road and Raven Street home. While the area might not be as happening as the rest of West End at present, a quick glimpse at the surrounding development sites indicates that that's all about to change. On the food side of things, expect nose to tail offerings that span roasted morsels of your favourite meats, as well as burgers and chips-style bar food, all served up for lunch and dinner every day of the week. When it comes to booze, the usual craft brews and some not-so-usual cocktails are planned, though currently it's a BYO affair while the proprietors wait for their liquor license to come through. London Fields is the latest venture from Bonnie Shearston and Tom Sanceau, who already have Public, Red Hook and Coppa Spuntino in their stable of Brisbane eateries. Combine the gastropub's theme with its pedigree, and it looks set to be another winner. Find London Fields on the corner of Montague Road and Raven Street, West End, or visit their website for more information.
We reckon you're never too old for Easter. Let's be honest — when an occasion involves copious amounts of chocolate, that's something that you never outgrow (and if you claim you have, we call fibs). Sure, egg hunts and bunny ears seem better suited for kids; however there's still plenty of tasty concoctions that'll make even the most mature among us start salivating. You just need to know what to look for — from OTT chocolate eggs and hot cross cruffins to cocktails served in Easter bunnies. HOT CROSS CRUFFINS AT LUNE CROISSANTERIE When Lune Croissanterie opened its first interstate store in Brisbane in 2021, pastry lovers across the city understandably got excited. Indeed, the baked goods haven serves up delicious bites that'll tempt your tastebuds all year round — but this is officially our first Lune Easter. On the menu: hot cross cruffins. Yes, they're exactly what they sound like, and they're only available for a super-limited time. These croissant-muffin-hot cross bun hybrids come filled with a spicy and fruity creme, topped with a cross (obviously) and brushed in a sweet glaze. If you're keen, you'll find them in-store from Monday, April 11–Monday, April 1, and online on Easter weekend only. HONEYCOMB AND ROCKY ROAD EGGS AT NEW FARM CONFECTIONERY Not content with handcrafting some of the best chocolate Brisbane gets to eat all year round, New Farm Confectionery dials the deliciousness up at Easter. More than a few delicacies grace its menu, so prepare to be spoiled for choice. The honeycomb and rocky road eggs ($35 each) take treatin' yo'self to the next level. Available in milk, dark and white coverture chocolate varieties, and worlds away from the kind of choccies you'll find wrapped in foil, they're equal parts yum and fun. Also on offer: caramel-filled eggs ($30 each), including both salted caramel and coconut caramel varieties. You'd best get in quick though — these melt-in-your-mouth beauties usually sell out. EASTER BUNNY COOKIES AND HOT CROSS SCONES AT BELLE EPOQUE There's never a bad time to treat yo'self to high tea, but Easter is one of the best. Plenty of spots around town celebrate the occasion with exactly that kind of spread — and this list includes more than one. So, what makes Belle Epoque's high tea stand out? Only being dished up across Saturday, April 16–Monday, April 18, this one includes hot cross scones, Easter bunny cookies and an edible garden. It also comes just with tea or coffee ($60), sparkling ($70) or champagne ($80). If those dates don't suit, Belle Epoque is also slinging a takeaway range. There, you'll find both fruit and chocolate hot cross buns ($4 each), truffle-filled Easter eggs ($25) and egg nests ($25) made out of wafer, then filled with white, milk and dark chocolate eggs. HOT CROSS BUNNY COCKTAILS AT EMPORIUM Stop by the Emporium Hotel in South Bank before Tuesday, April 19 and you'll find multiple ways to celebrate Easter — not only spanning Belle Epoque's options above, but also including a couple of boozy choices. Over at the venue's glittering Piano Bar, you can hop on in for Hot Cross Bunny cocktails. They combine vanilla vodka, applejack brandy, hot chocolate, cinnamon syrup and dark chocolate liqueur, and they're the $20 Easter treat that you didn't know you needed until now. And if that's not enough Easter-themed sipping for you, upstairs at The Terrace — yes, 21 floors up, and with striking views over Brisbane to prove it — you'll have two more choices. The Cold Cross Bun cocktail mixes spiced rum, cold butter and saffron syrup, while the Holiday Hopper goes with white cacao and Mount Tamborine Crème de Menthe. HOT CROSS BROWNIES AND BUNS FROM DELLO MANO It might be best known for its indulgent chocolate brownies, but Dello Mano also likes to have a crack at some hot cross buns as well. And, to combine the two, it also does hot cross brownies. So, you've got options — because, when it's this time of year, isn't that exactly what we all want? For brownie fiends, the long-time seasonal favourites take Dello Mano's always-rich brownies, hand dip them in Belgian chocolate and finish them up with a white chocolate cross. Even better — you can get them in a box of 16 for $69. Or, for buns, buns and more buns, you've got regular (aka spiced dough studded with loads of fruit) and chocolate to pick from for $30 for six. BOOZY HIGH TEA AT W BRISBANE If you're fond of tiny bites to eat — and also drinking cocktails — then add a trip to W Brisbane's Living Room to your list. It's hosting Hopping Good Easter High Tea feasts from Friday–Sunday each week until Sunday, April 24, paint your own' Valrhona white chocolate easter eggs, hot cross scones, raspberry chocolate squares and mocha crème brulee tarts, as well as confit duck pie, lobster tarts and creamy truffle eggs with blue scampi caviar all on offer. But, you'll probably get most excited about the boozy side of things — including bottomless Chandon Garden Spritzes. If you're keen, you have two price options. Pay $65 each, and you'll feast your way through the food, accompanied as much tea and coffee as you can drink. Opt for the $109 option, however, you can add those aforementioned free-flowing spritzes. DIY COCKTAILS IN EASTER EGGS FROM COCKTAIL PORTER Like Gelato Messina? Love Easter eggs? Then Cocktail Porter's DIY kits are your kind of treat. The make-at-home packs let you whip up your own boozy beverages — and you can choose between a Messina dulce de leche and coffee cocktail set and espresso martinis served out Lindt milk chocolate bunnies. The former comes with Messina's popular topping, Baileys, cold-drip coffee and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, plus chocolate Easter eggs to pour your mixed liquids into (and drink them out of). The latter pairs vodka, cold-filter coffee, sugar syrup and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, and you can pick between two different-sized packs of both. Go small, and you'll pay $80 to make five drinks. The large costs $145, and makes 12.
Move over South Bank — Brisbane is about to get a brand new riverside drinking, dining and leisure go-to. First announced a couple of years back, the Howard Smith Wharves Development looks set to become the city's new water-adjacent hangout. And while it doesn't open until late 2018, the 3.4-hectare precinct has revealed the first restaurants and bars that'll be enticing locals when it launches. Four spots have been announced for the revamped area beneath the Story Bridge, spanning everything from Greek eats and Hong Kong-inspired Chinese cuisine to a Japanese-style haunt and an octagonal bar. As well as securing the hottest new address in town, they all stem from a list of well-known names in the Australian culinary and hospitality game, including The Apollo and Cho Cho San's Jonathan Barthelmess, The Gresham's Andrew Baturo and Bare Bones Society's Kym Machin, and Toko's Matt Yazbek. Sydney chef and restaurateur Barthelmess will oversee the Greek offering, of course, promising "something really special, and with a local twist as always". As for locals Baturo and Machin, they're joining forces on a two-level, 180-seat venture serving up its own kind of Asian fusion, with interior design by Anna Spiro. She'll also be lending a hand at the eight-sided, 200-metre-square joint that is the Overwater Bar. As the name suggests, it'll have quite the view — plus Champagne all day round and a decked garden lounge. Boasting waterside outdoor dining as well, Yazbek's Toko will make the leap from Sydney and Melbourne to Brisbane as a combined restaurant, bar and event space. They'll all join the previously revealed new 164 room, five-star Art Series Hotel, the city's second, plus four other restaurants, a craft brewery, a 1500-square metre exhibition area and entertainment stages. The heritage-listed site — which was originally constructed in the 30s and has lain largely abandoned since the 60s — will also devote more than 80 percent of its area to public space, while hosting food and culture festivals from 2019. For more information about the Howard Smith Wharves Development, visit the website.
It has been almost a decade since Petrie Terrace's former gaol-turned-barracks was transformed into a retail, restaurant and cinema complex — and it just keeps evolving. There's always seems to be somewhere new to eat here, with Nativo Kitchen and Wine Bar the latest addition to the precinct, bringing Tuscan-style food and dining to Paddington. With NKB Group running the show, Nativo joins their alliterative stable of culinary haunts, which also includes Nickel Kitchen and Bar in Fortitude Valley and NKB Express in Indooroopilly. It's a case of one door closing and another one opening for the company, however. Their other Indro joint, Nantucket Kitchen and Bar, is set to shut on May 14. But back to all things new, shiny and delicious. Nativo plays up the rustic-style atmosphere the Barracks has in spades, turning the former French Twist site into a little Italy, complete with exposed brick, a cosy courtyard and a mural of the Italian countryside. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, the menu keeps the same vibe flowing, favouring classic, regional dishes. Start the day with a Nativo breakfast board, which features Parma ham, dried tomatoes, basil pesto, smashed avocado, sourdough and marinated eggplant, or get fresh and fruity with fresh strawberry and basil salad, whipped ricotta, fresh honeycomb and vincotto. The lunch and dinner selection ranges from crisp fried baby calamari with squid ink aioli and house-made rabbit and pistachio terrine for starters, a choice of ten pizzas and five pastas, plus mains such as osso bucco, pan-roasted duck breast and three types of scallopini. For dessert, opt for more old favourites, with gelato, affogatos and tiramisu on offer. And as for the drinks list, Italian wines — including nine rather pricey varieties labelled 'collector wines' — lead the charge, as well as a hefty array of grappa (of course), and trusty tipples such as Bellinis, Americanos, Negronis and Milano martinis among the cocktail choices. Nativo Kitchen & Wine Bar is now open at 61 Petrie Terrace, Paddington. For more information, check out their website and Facebook page.
Courtney Coombs is no stranger on the Brisbane arts scene. In fact, as a curator, artist and co-director of local arts initiative LEVEL, she’s probably one of the first names that pops into mind at its mention. This year already she’s exhibited in Dirty Laundry at Hardgrave Park, In Pursuit of Magic at Melbourne-based Bus Projects, A Rose Is a Rose Is a Daisy at Cathedral Square, and Highflying at Highgate Hill Park. Now she brings to West End’s Boxcopy her latest project: It’s Complicated. Utilising photography, moving image, installation, performance and found objects, It’s Complicated is the closing chapter of Coombs’ extended body of work investigating gendered engagements with the modernist canon. It uses humour, offers a scope into modern relationships, and gets down to the nitty-gritty of her fervent relationship with the history of Western modernism. Courtney Coombs: It’s Complicated runs for a single weekend this Saturday and Sunday, with opening night Friday 12 at 6pm. Image: Lifesaver (2014) by Courtney Coombs.
You might fancy yourself a bit of a dancefloor master in the safe, dark confines of a nightclub (or you know, lounge room) — but how fancy is your footwork when it's on display in a more public, open air environment? That's the question this year's Brisbane Festival is asking the city's residents. All you have to do is jump on over to Queen's Park and strut your stuff to find out. In fact, You Should Be Dancing is more of an order than anything. If you're heading along to the free event, moving and grooving is pretty much mandatory. Different styles will be showcased over the popup dance party's nine nights — and yes, that really is just the beginning of Bris Fest's onslaught of music, performance, arts, culture and participatory fun for 2016. In his second year as the festival's artistic director, David Berthold isn't holding back when it comes to the big, busy program that will brighten up Brisbane from September 3 to 24. A whopping 70 productions and 540 performances will feature across the five key venues of QPAC, Brisbane Powerhouse, South Bank Piazza, QUT's theatre precinct, and the two-Spiegeltent setup that comprises Arcadia at South Bank's cultural forecourt. Highlights include Rules of the Game, a multidisciplinary dance work from renowned choreographer Jonah Bokaer, visual artist Daniel Arsham and none other than Pharrell Williams that comes direct to Brisbane after its Dallas premiere — and before it even shows in New York. And, for seasoned Bris Fest attendees accustomed to indulging in Strut & Fret's latest food-and-entertainment combo, Blanc de Blanc brings a champagne celebration to the festival is several senses of the word. Elsewhere, expect everything from an interactive take on the act of buying sex and Circa going Troppo to queer feminist sci-fi and a feast of music docos, plus — for fans of fresh takes on old classics — theatre, ballet and film versions of Snow White and a new, superhero-centric staging of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream as well. Next, prepare to have all your pre-existing memories of the Little Mermaid completely shattered after seeing Meow Meow's interpretation of the tale, complete with an underwater themed stage and new music by Amanda Palmer, Kate Miller-Heidke and Megan Washington. Music-wise, there'll be plenty of killer sounds to get your ears buzzing courtesy of a lineup international acts and local legends that features Montaigne, Kim Gordon, Pink Martini, Robert Forster, Custard, a reunion show by george and more. And yes, for those that like watching bright explosions light up the sky, Riverfire is back for its 19th year. So, that's your September well and truly sorted — if you don't have anything to do for the first three weeks of the month, you're just not looking hard enough. Brisbane Festival runs from September 3 – 24 across Brisbane. For more the full 2015 program, or to book tickets, visit the festival website.
It's been 11 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005. Heading back to their collection of unconventional venues for another year, Laneway Festival have announced their dates and venues for 2016's Australasian run. Returning to the five established Australian Laneway go-to cities as well as the Singapore and Auckland legs, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with an undoubtedly killer lineup and unique, random locations. Kicking off in Singapore on Saturday, January 30 at Gardens by the Bay, Laneway will then head over to Auckland’s Silo Park on Monday, February 1. Then it’s off to Adelaide on Friday, February 5 to kick off the Australian leg for the first time at Harts Mill, Port Adelaide, before heading to Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday, February 6, Sydney College of the Arts on Sunday, February 7, Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC) on Saturday, February 13 and finishing up at Fremantle’s Esplanade on Valentine’s Day. The full festival lineup for all three countries will be announced at 9am AEST on Tuesday, September 22. ST JEROME'S LANEWAY FESTIVAL DATES AND VENUES FOR 2016: Saturday, January 30 — SINGAPORE (THE MEADOW, GARDENS BY THE BAY) Monday, February 1 — AUCKLAND (SILO PARK) Friday, February 5 — ADELAIDE (HARTS MILL, PORT ADELAIDE, 16+) Saturday, February 6 — BRISBANE (BRISBANE SHOWGROUNDS, BOWEN HILLS, 16+) Sunday, February 7 — SYDNEY (SYDNEY COLLEGE OF THE ARTS, ROZELLE) Saturday, February 13 — MELBOURNE (FOOTSCRAY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE (FCAC) + THE RIVER’S EDGE) Sunday, February 14 — FREMANTLE (ESPLANADE RESERVE AND WEST END) Image: Andy Fraser.
Movie buffs of Brisbane, prepare to spend a good chunk of July in a darkened room. After its successful debut in 2015, Queensland Film Festival returns for another year of championing the best in international cinema — and its second annual program is even bigger. In fact, the boutique, curated festival has doubled in size in 2016, with 40 films — aka 20 features and 20 shorts — due to light up the silver screens at New Farm Cinemas from July 15 to 24, and at the Institute of Modern Art at a pre-festival teaser on July 9. Expect everything from gems of the global festival circuit to restored greats, with 19 titles in the lineup screening in Australia for the very first time. QFF 2016 kicks off with a slice of colourful melodrama courtesy of Pedro Almodovar's Julieta, and that's just the start of the festival's ten-day movie frenzy. A collaboration with Studio Ghibli, the dialogue-free animation The Red Turtle comes to Brisbane after premiering in Cannes, as does Morocco-based mountain travelogue Mimosas. Elsewhere, QFF will get loud and terrifying with heavy metal horror film The Devil's Candy by Australian director Sean Byrne, delve into competitive masculinity via absurdist Greek New Wave comedy Chevalier, explore a personal essay of love, loss and a pet pooch called Lolabelle in Laurie Anderson's Heart of a Dog, and take a different look at combat via Guy Maddin's Bring Me the Head of Tim Horton. And then there's the unsettling fable of Lucile Hadžihalilovic's Evolution, the pulpy magic of Anna Biller's The Love Witch, the Guillermo del Toro-championed mystical poetry of Chinese effort Kaili Blues, and Dead Slow Ahead's sci-fi like examination of cargo ships. If some of these titles sound familiar, that's because we've been excited about them for a while now. Plus, because 2016 marks two very important milestones in Brisbane film history, QFF is casting its eyes back to the past as well. First, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the initial Brisbane Film Festival — which actually took place at the movie theatre that eventually became the current New Farm Cinemas — with a screening of Agnes Varda's Cleo From 5 to 7, a selection of shorts and a free discussion panel on fifty years of film fests in the Queensland capital. Then, commemorate the 25th anniversary of the now-lost Brisbane International Film Festival by watching David Cronenberg's Naked Lunch from BIFF's 1999 program. Queensland Film Festival runs from July 15 to 24 at New Farm Cinemas, with a pre-festival screening taking place at the Institute of Modern Art on July 9. To view the full program or buy tickets, head to the festival website from 1.30pm on June 14.
It's not just a case of the show needing to go on for the folks at the Moulin Rouge. It must, and it is. 17 years after the big-screen release of Baz Luhrmann's smash-hit movie musical, the story of doomed lovers Christian and Satine has made its way to the stage in an expectedly spectacular fashion — and now it's headed to Broadway. The lavish adaptation premiered in Boston in July, and will bow on Broadway bow from June 28, 2019. If you're planning a New York visit next year, the official opening night will take place on July 25, 2019. Moulin Rouge! the Musical follows the tale film fans fell in love with, as well as the music, with the addition of new pop tracks that have hit the airwaves in the nearly two decades since the movie's original release. It's directed by two-time Tony nominee Alex Timbers — who also has a Golden Globe to his name for co-created TV series Mozart in the Jungle — with music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by his frequent collaborator Justin Levine. Aaron Tveit (TV's Gossip Girl; stage productions of Wicked, Rent and Catch Me If You Can) will continue in the role of Christian, as played by Ewan McGregor in the movie, while Tony-winner Karen Olivo (the revival of West Side Story, In the Heights, Hamilton) keeps stepping into Nicole Kidman's shoes as Satine. "I first encountered Alex Timbers through the remarkable and inventive production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and the brilliance of Here Lies Love," said Luhrmann in a statement when the state adaptation was first announced in 2016. "I immediately recognised the young director's creative spirit and felt we shared similar sensibilities and instincts." Continuing the show's list of talent, writing duties fell upon acclaimed playwright and screenwriter John Logan, whose resume includes Skyfall, Spectre and Alien: Covenant as well as the Tony Award-winning play Red. "It's immensely gratifying to know that a new wave of artists will be leading Moulin Rouge! into its rightful theatrical realm," said Luhrmann. Tickets for the Broadway run go on sale at 10am on Monday, December 3 (US time), and you can sign up for updates now. If a trip to NY isn't on your agenda any time soon, fingers crossed that the production will make its way down under. Come what may, and all that. Image: Moulin Rouge the Musical/Matthew Murphy.
