It's bright, lively, neon-lit, and wholly unapologetic about blending colour, cocktails and Tex-Mex cuisine — and soon, the fast-growing El Camino Cantina will double its Brisbane footprint. After setting up shop in Bowen Hills last year, the chain will launch a second joint in Westfield Chermside on Friday, October 11. It's the latest expansion for the brand, which also operates in Sydney and Melbourne, all under the guidance of Rockpool Dining Group (Sake, Burger Project and, of course, Rockpool Bar & Grill). For its first venue in Brissie's north, El Camino's new site will seat 220, taking over the space formerly inhabited by Hermosa. If you've already been to the existing local eatery, then you'll know this casual dining venue takes its vibe seriously. Think loud and over-the-top, complete with giant margaritas, rock 'n' roll jukeboxes, fluorescent signage and a heap of Tex-Mex staples. Menu-wise, all of the chain's favourites will make the jump to the new spot. Slushie machines will serve up brain freezes in margarita form, with El Camino's coming in multiple sizes and many renditions, including a tropical Red Bull flavour. Other options span a host of beers from near and far, and a sizeable collection of mezcals and tequilas. The food lineup remains fun and casual, like the drinks. Think fiery buffalo wings, sizzling fajitas, plump burritos, soft shell tacos loaded with punchy flavour combinations, and unlimited complimentary corn chips and salsas. The brand's Bowen Hills specials will be available at Chermside, too — including $2 tacos on Tuesdays, ten-cent wings on Wednesdays and half-price fajitas on Thursdays. El Camino Cantina will open at Westfield Chermside, Gympie Road, Chermside, on Friday, October 11. Top images: El Camino Cantino Manly, Tom Ferguson/El Camino Cantino The Rocks, Kei Leishman/El Camino Cantino Fitzroy. Updated October 9.
Loving skivvies, winning Triple J's Hottest 100, performing at the 2022 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade: all three of these yummy yummy things now apply to Australian national treasures The Wiggles. And yes, as fans young and old have seen for more than three decades now, the children's music group clearly already has the outfits for it. The Wiggles' rainbow-hued threads will grace the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) when Mardi Gras' famed signature event returns on Saturday, March 5. The parade is being held at the stadium due to the pandemic, as it was in 2021, too — so, sorry, you won't see a big red car drive down Oxford Street. This year's Hottest 100 victors have promised to bring "their Wiggly friends" to the SCG with them, however — all to take part in Sydney's huge LGBTQIA+ celebration for the very first time. On the parade's lineup, they'll be joined by Savage Garden's Darren Hayes, who'll headline and do his first Australian performance in a decade; Vanessa Amorosi, for some more late 90s/early 00s nostalgia; plus Mo'Ju, Timothy Springs and Prinnie Stevens, as well as local DJs KILIMI, Charlie Villas and Division 4. And, the parade will host 40,000 spectators to watch 5800 marchers across 161 parade entries as well, celebrating the 2022 theme 'united we shine'. [caption id="attachment_828658" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] This year's fest is ticketed, and there are still some available; however, if you can't head along for some fruit salad, hot potatoes and cold spaghetti in person — and perhaps the Hottest 100-winning 'Elephant' cover — in person, you'll be able to tune into the parade in a number of ways. So, whether you're a Sydneysider who'll be at home or you live elsewhere around the nation, you can watch on ABC iview from 6.30pm AEDT, ABC TV from 7.30pm AEDT, and listen via Triple J (including the Triple J and ABC listen apps) and ABC Local Radio Evenings from 7pm AEDT. The 2022 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade takes place at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, March 5. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Mardi Gras website.
Nineties kids, Disney fans and everyone who's ever cried over a lion cub that just couldn't wait to be king, it's time to climb onto a rock and yell your lungs out. The circle of life has struck again, and The Lion King is back. It's in live-action form this time around, and the first teaser trailer for the new movie has just dropped. Releasing in mid-2019, the film will once again tell the tale of Simba, who's set to take over the pride from his father Mufasa, only for his malicious uncle Scar to get in the way. You know where it goes from there — and while you're watching extremely life-like lions prowl around Africa, you'll be hearing the voices of Donald Glover as Simba, none other than Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as his childhood pal Nala, and James Earl Jones as his dad. Yes, the latter is reprising his role from the original film. Other big names attached include Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, John Oliver as Zazu, and Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa. Elton John is back working on the soundtrack with Tim Rice, as they both did on the first film. They'll reportedly have some help from Beyoncé, naturally, while The Jungle Book's Jon Favreau is in the director's chair for the entire production. If you're anxious about how it might turn out, it's worth taking Timon and Pumbaa's advice at this early stage — although this initial look should help get rid of your worries for the rest of your days. The Lion King hits Australian cinemas on July 18, 2019. Feel the love for the first trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJbI5f3z3Po&feature=youtu.be
Since the first-ever Valley Fiesta back in 1997, one of Brisbane's favourite events has popped up in all shapes and sizes. Its suburb remains the same, obviously, but how many days it runs for, exactly where in Fortitude Valley that it sets up its stages, who is on the bill and whether there's more than just tunes involved can change from year to year. Accordingly, whenever the program drops, Valley Fiesta's surprises span more than just the lineup. In 2024, this massive street party is returning as a one-day affair — and heading along is free. From 1.30–10pm on Saturday, October 26, the all-ages event will take over Brunswick Street, Winn Lane and Bakery Lane, setting up four stages featuring 20 local and national acts. On headlining duties: Meg Mac, May-a and The Buoys. Attendees will find the QMusic-produced roster of talent's key trio on the main stage in the Brunswick Street Mall, joined by Daste, Velvet Trip, Porpoise Spit, Deafcult and 01 Thurman. Valley Fiesta's primary location will also feature a DJ stage, with Zed Mero, Danyon, Eve and Eljae on the decks. Or, Brisbanites can hit the laneways to enjoy tracks spun by a QUIVR lineup of Patricia, DJ EmGem, Kodos, First Beige DJs, Sophie McAlister and Andras in Winn Lane. Bakery Lane isn't missing out on the action, either, thanks to a DJ stage with Luke Brazier and Jimmy Ellis. Valley Fiesta 2024 Lineup Brunswick Street Main Stage: Meg Mac May-A The Buoys Daste Velvet Trip Porpoise Spit Deafcult 01 Thurman Brunswick Street DJ Stage: Zed Mero Danyon Eve Eljae Winn Lane QUIVR Stage: Patricia DJ EmGem Kodos First Beige DJs Sophie McAlister Andras Bakery Lane DJ Stage: Luke Brazier Jimmy Ellis Select images: Dave Kan, Tom Sue Yek.
Is there anything Sam Simmons hasn’t done? He used to routinely perplex Triple J listeners with his shitty trivia, he got married in an Elvis Chapel in Vegas and invited everyone to go along or watch online, and he’s appeared on Conan O’Brien’s talk show. Simmons is also known for delivering show after show of crazy comedy gold centred around all the things that annoy him, and his new stand-up set is unlikely to be any different. Returning to Australia from LA, where he is now based, he’s certain to have a fresh batch of comic grievances to air, songs to sing and strangeness to share.
UPDATE, MARCH 18: Due to concerns around COVID-19, Spiral: From the Book of Saw will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, May 14, 2020. At present, a new release date has not been announced — we'll update you when one has been revealed. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. In 2003, James Wan and Leigh Whannell made a short film that completely changed the Australian duo's careers. These days Wan is known for directing everything from Fast and Furious 7 to Aquaman, while Whannell has jumped behind the lens on Upgrade and the upcoming The Invisible Man — but none of that might have happened if it wasn't for the Saw franchise. Running for just under ten minutes, the original Saw short was designed to help the Aussie filmmakers secure funding to make a feature — a horror flick of the same name, in fact. Not only did it achieve that aim, but it sparked a long-running big-screen series about the twisted Jigsaw Killer. And this unnerving saga just keeps spawning sequels. Spiral: From the Book of Saw is the latest Saw instalment, marking the franchise's ninth outing. Whenever a horror movie series starts approaching double digits, it can prove a case of diminishing returns; however Spiral has a few aces up its sleeves. Wan and Whannell have long since stepped back from leading the charge, instead taking on roles as executive producers — but the newest flick to spring from their gruesome short film stars Chris Rock and Samuel L Jackson. As the just-dropped first Spiral trailer shows, Rock plays Detective Ezekiel 'Zeke' Banks. With his rookie partner William Schenk (Max Minghella), he's soon investigating a spate of gory murders. For seasoned Saw fans, these killings should look more than a little familiar. Naturally, because that's how this series works, it doesn't take long for Banks to get caught up in a game with the perpetrator. The fact that Spiral is directed by Saw II, Saw III and Saw IV's Darren Lynn Bousman might temper your curiosity a little. Indeed, the last few Saw films mightn't inspire much confidence either — including 2017's Jigsaw, as directed by fellow Aussies Michael and Peter Spierig (Winchester). But seeing Rock and Jackson step into this franchise is intriguing at the very least. In case you were wondering, Jackson plays another police veteran with ties to the case, busting out his usual swaggering, swearing on-screen persona in the process. Check out the Spiral trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gaWj_c0-wM&feature=youtu.be Spiral was due to open in Australian cinemas on May 14, 2020; however it'll now release on a yet-to-be-revealed date — we'll update you when one is announced.
Trust Black Bear Lodge to come up with a Christmas event that recognises what the majority of Australians would rather be doing on December 25. Most of us can't head to the beach for a spot of surfing and splashing about — no matter how much we'd like to — but we can do our best to pretend otherwise at Surfmas. Yes, the Brunswick Street venue is throwing everyone's favourite end-of-year party again, much to the delight of anyone of anyone who wants to get tropical. Los Huevos, Teen Sensations, The Plastic Fangs and The Wet Fish will help set the mood, and cocktails with pineapple in them will as well. We're sure they'll all do the job.
Last year saw warmer and drier weather conditions than normal, kicking off with a record-breaking summer, followed by a hotter-than-standard autumn, a warmer-than-usual winter and a sweltering spring. 2019 was also a year severe water restrictions, then the summer of soaring temperatures — and devastating bushfires only a few months ago. We're currently in drought, with particular concerns in regional NSW and subsequent water restrictions enforced in Sydney. To say Australia needs some rain is a gross understatement. And this winter the country may get it, with the Bureau of Meteorology reporting a wetter than average few months to come. As it does every quarter, the Bureau of Meteorology has released its climate outlook for the May to July period, and the forecast favours one word we're all too familiar with: warm. But it also predicts rain, with this winter looking likely to break our dry spell. Finally, some good news in 2020. For the first time in years, the Darling River has met the Murray, meaning some encouraging signs for drought-stricken areas in Australia's southeast. And, recently, we've seen above average soil moisture conditions, which are a good primer for runoff and catchment when further rain comes. That said, it will take a lot of heavy rain fall to replenish many of the catchment stores to how they were a few years ago, which is unlikely to be achieved in one (albeit wet) season. The predicted heavier rainfall is due to warmer than average eastern Indian Ocean — which is currently the main influence on Australia's climate — increasing the moisture that feeds into weather systems as they move across the country. Overall, there's mostly a 60–75-percent chance for more rain in Australia over the next few months, with a greater than 75-percent chance for central Australia and WA. But, for much of northern Australia and the east coast, including Tasmania, the likelihood of a wetter or drier period from May through July is roughly equal at this stage. There's also a very good chance that you'll experience winter temperatures that are warmer than average. Of course, the period in BOM's new outlook does cover winter, so weather across the country won't be balmy — but it's likely to be hotter than the median. Nights are expected to be toastier than average, with a more than 80-percent chance for most regions and a slightly lower one (70–89-percent) for southwest and southeast Australia. In Sydney, that means the mercury will be above a 11.6- degree minimum in May, higher than 9.3 in June and 8.1 in July, while Melbourne can expect temps above 8.7, 6.9 and 6 in the same months. In Brisbane, the standard minimums range between 9.5–13.3 and in Perth it spans 7.9–10.5. Above average daytime temperatures are expected along the east coast and extending to northeast Tasmania, as well as across northern parts of Australia, too. Elsewhere, average daytime temperatures are just as likely to be warmer or cooler than average. While rising temperatures are becoming a familiar story, the prospect of rain is something we haven't heard in a while. So, let's hope the weatherman is right.
For the second year in a row — and only the second time in the more than three decades that the country's professional Aussie Rules competition has called itself the Australian Football League — the AFL grand final might be hosted outside of Melbourne. AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has announced that the code will shift the biggest game of the 2021 season to Perth's Optus Stadium if the Victorian capital is still under lockdown, or if the Melbourne Cricket Ground is unable to welcome in spectators. In 2020, the AFL made the move to the Brisbane Cricket Ground, aka the Gabba, due to Melbourne's lengthy stint of stay-at-home conditions. Now, a year later, the city is currently under lockdown for the sixth time during the pandemic, which is set to remain in place at this stage until Thursday, September 2. Whether the stay-at-home rules will ease then as planned is yet to be seen, with Victoria's new locally acquired COVID-19 case numbers hovering between 40–71 since Thursday, August 19. And, if lockdown does end before the scheduled grand final date on Saturday, September 25, whether Melbourne's stadiums will be permitted to host crowds under post-lockdown restrictions is similarly unknown. Announcing the news on Wednesday, August 25, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said that "if we're unable to play at the MCG, the Grand Final will be at Optus Stadium... The capacity available at Optus Stadium is 100 percent and that's pretty compelling to have as many people as we can see the biggest and best sporting event in the country," he continued. Optus Stadium can 60,000 people, and the AFL is expected to make a final decision sometime during the week beginning Monday, August 30. That's the same week that the lockdown not just in Melbourne but also in all of Victoria is currently set to end — and that the city's and state's residents will learn if it's being extended. Perth will host the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final, if the MCG cannot hold the event in front of crowds. — AFL (@AFL) August 25, 2021 In 2020, the AFL also nominated a backup stadium in the event that cases surged in Brisbane. If the game is held in Perth, it's likely either Adelaide Oval or the Gabba could be named as backups. Moving the game to Perth also means that 2020's night grand final won't be repeated due to the time difference between Australia's west and east coasts. McLachlan said that the AFL would be looking at an afternoon or twilight time slot. A Perth grand final won't feature any Western Australian AFL teams, however, with both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers failing to make the code's finals season. Just like last year, it really shouldn't have taken three decades for a competition that's not only named after the entire country, but that changed its moniker in 1990 to reflect the fact that it was no longer just about Victoria, to host its deciders in other cities. Before 2020, the grand final had actually been played at venues other than the MCG before — but still in Melbourne. The MCG remains contracted to host the grand final for a significant period moving forward, however, with its contact originally running through until 2057, then extended until 2058 as part of the agreement to allow the game to be played at the Gabba in 2020. If the move to Perth happens this year, it wouldn't be surprising if the arrangement with the MCG will be extended again. If you're a Victorian — whether you've been missing the footy over the past month, or you're not fussed about the sport at all — you might be wondering about the usual pre-grand final public holiday. Last year, even with the game being played in Brisbane, the holiday still went ahead. What'll happen this year hasn't been revealed as yet. The 2021 AFL Grand Final will take place on Saturday, September 25 — at the MCG if it is able to host a crowd, or at Optus Stadium in Perth otherwise. A final decision is expected during the week beginning Monday, August 30, and you can read more about the current details on the AFL website. Top image: Optus Stadium, Government of Western Australia.
Anyone with even a passing interest in gaming will be familiar with the concept of the ‘boss arena’. Be it Mario or Mass Effect, there’s an intuitive moment experienced by every player when their character suddenly strolls into a vast open space surrounded by high, insurmountable walls and they're gripped by an immediate, unnerving sense that things are about to get a whole lot worse. Whether or not this idea directly informed the production team of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II, the same unsettling sensation rears its head throughout the franchise’s final installment and will leave audiences scrambling for their invisible 'save buttons' time and time again. An abandoned city square, a deserted mall and a sewer system all play host to these phenomenally tense and terrifying sequences (so much so in that last sequence that parents were taking their children out of the screening). Indeed, this is a fittingly bleak and violent conclusion to a franchise where anything less would have represented a disappointing commercial concession. To end on a positive note would have offered an incompatibly upbeat finale to this tale of dystopian bloodsport in which children are forced to kill for entertainment and political intimidation. Even the satirical pomp of characters like Elizabeth Banks’s Effie and Stanley Tucci’s Caesar has been stripped bare, so much so that you could almost be forgiven for thinking Mockingjay II was filmed in greyscale. Gone, too (thankfully) is the teenage angst that mired much of the previous film in near unceasing dullness. In fact, everything here is kept mercifully simple: Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) intends to kill President Snow (Donald Sutherland), but to do so she and her team must first navigate the perils of the Capital minefield. That’s it. That’s all that’s going on here. And the film is much stronger for it. The problem, of course, with such a dark and joyless approach is that portrayals of gritty, hardened soldiers can easily be mistaken for bored or lacklustre performances, and Mockingjay II is no exception. Sutherland, in fact, appears to be the only one enjoying himself, both as a character and a performer. His wry smile and pointed barbs earn almost every one of the sparse laughs throughout, leaving everyone else to move from scene to scene as if in a communal drunken daze. On the rare occasions where emotion does surface, it’s invariably from one of the supporting roles. To its credit, Mockingjay II doesn’t hold back in its depiction of war crimes, and its final stages boast a moment that is genuinely shocking, both narratively and visually. None of the films that have followed the original have been able to match it – either in terms of story or performance – but the finale is not far behind. A fittingly bleak and violent conclusion to a compelling if overlong young adult franchise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-7K_OjsDCQ
Stones Corner and shopping go hand in hand; however come April 24, shopaholics will have an extra reason to head to the area. Yep, it's market time again, complete with all the arts, crafts, homewares and food stalls you can dream of. Plus, a very special occasion is on the agenda. ANZAC Day might be the main thing on everyone's minds this weekend, but another event is just around the corner. If you're fond of the lovely lady who brought you into this world, then you'll want to get browsing and buying at the Stones Corner Mother's Day Street Market. Nothing says 'I love you mum' like grabbing a gift early.
Ginuwine's 90s banger 'Pony' is about to get another workout — because Magic Mike, the Channing Tatum-starring franchise about male strippers chasing the American dream one shirtless dance at a time, is heading back to screens. That's great news for Ginuwine's royalties, and even better news for fans of the savvy — and sweaty, and scantily-clad — movie saga, which has also spawned its own Tatum-produced live show. And, yes, Tatum will be returning in Magic Mike's Last Dance as the eponymous Mike Lane. Well world, looks like Mike Lane's tapping back in. @hbomax pic.twitter.com/V9Ce62n710 — Channing Tatum (@channingtatum) November 29, 2021 If you somehow missed the 2012 hit, it saw Tatum turn his own background as a stripper in Tampa, Florida into one of that year's most perceptive flicks. The Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello and Alex Pettyfer-starring film unsurprisingly became a box-office hit, too, with its combination of blue collar struggles and gyrating on-stage antics striking a chord to the tune of $167.2 million in takings. It was then followed by 2015's Magic Mike XXL, which did indeed manage to live up to its name — not merely by doubling down on what made the first movie such a success, but by also shrewdly recognising the power of the female gaze. Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh (Logan Lucky, Unsane) directed, shot and edited the initial movie, then just shot and edited the second; however, he's sitting back in the helmer's chair for Magic Mike's Last Dance. Also returning is screenwriter Reid Carolin, who has done the honours all the entire franchise so far. As for what it's about, Tatum's tweet announcing the movie didn't provide any details other than the fact that Mike is tapping back in — and, thanks to the film's title, that this is his final outing. Exactly when you'll be able to see the feature hasn't yet been revealed either, but it's heading to HBO Max, the cable network's streaming platform, in the US when it does surface. There's no word yet on where and when the bumping and grinding will appear Down Under. Also, there's clearly no sneak peek for Magic Mike's Last Dance so far, either, but here's the original film's trailer to get you in the mood: Exactly when Magic Mike's Last Dance will release — and where it'll be available Down Under — hasn't yet been revealed. We'll update you with more details when they come to hand.
In response to Melbourne's growing Holiday Inn COVID-19 cluster, the entire state of Victoria will enter a five-day lockdown from 11.59pm on Friday, February 12 until the same time on Wednesday, February 17. That means that stage four restrictions will be back in effect, and you'll only be able to leave your house for the now-familiar four reasons. The lockdown is happening in the middle of one of Melbourne's biggest annual sporting events, too: the Australian Open. It's running from Monday, February 8–Sunday, February 21, with big-name stars including Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal flying in (and quarantining) for the event. The good news is that the Australian Open will go ahead during the five-day lockdown. The bad: no spectators will be allowed to attend. https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1360069954800807938 Under the new stage four restriction rules, professional athletes are considered 'essential workers', so they are allowed to leave their homes and their five-kilometre radius to go to work. This means, not only can the Australian Open games go ahead — but so can the AFLW games that are scheduled for this weekend. Once again, without crowds. It does mean, however, that you can't head out in person to cheer on Ashleigh Barty, Carlton or North Melbourne, but you can order in a feast for you and your housemates (or intimate partner) and yell as loud as you want from the comfort of your house. In regards to tonight's matches, in particular the much-hyped 7pm game between Nick Kyrgios and Dominic Thiem, the AO has said "sessions today and tonight will continue as planned with COVIDSafe protocols in place". But, do remember that stage four restrictions begin at 11.59pm. All of Victoria will revert back to stage four restrictions from 11.59pm on Friday, February 12 to 11.59pm on Wednesday, February 17. For more information about the rules, head to the Victorian Department of Health website. Top image: Australian Open 2020 by Rob Keating via Wikimedia Commons
UPDATE, March 7, 2022: World Science Festival Brisbane has cancelled its in-person program due to Brisbane's floods, and will now host a virtual program instead. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Brisbane isn't quite the centre of the universe, but it was supposed to feel that way this March. For five days from Wednesday, March 9–Sunday, March 13, all things science and technology were set to take over the city as part of the only Asia-Pacific offshoot of New York's World Science Festival, which Brissie has hosted since 2016. Think: talks, panels, workshops and films, all about science and technology, as well as both science and art installations. But, then the weather intervened. Accordingly, this year's in-person festival has been cancelled — including everything from its movie program at the Gallery of Modern Art to its stargazing night and sustainability market. Installation-focused art, science and technology offshoot Curiocity Brisbane has been postponed, too, with new dates for later in the year set to be announced. That's the bad news. In better news, World Science Festival Brisbane has pivoted to an online-only program, which'll run across the same festival dates. The smaller lineup of livestreamed events and talks includes chats about Einstein and quantum entanglement, a step into the space race and an exploration of humanity's fascination with Mars. Also, there's a session on a very apt topic: the weather. The digital lineup still features an impressive range of talent, spanning leading scientists, musicians, journalists and academics from around Australia and the world — such as World Science Festival co-founder Professor Brian Green, space archaeologist Dr Alice Gorman, Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Hugh Possingham and Torres Strait Islander human rights lawyer Sasha Purcell. Also streaming: a selection of pre-recorded past conversations on the scientific search for a fountain of youth, cybercrime, the darkness of the universe, the rights of nature and coral.
While the live music patrons in Sydney and Melbourne are a bit down in the dumps, with many long standing music venues closing due to economic downturns, up here in Brisbane we prefer to look on the bright side of life. This is particularly funny when you find out that our latest music venue to open is actually called The Brightside. Taking over the Electric Playground premesis, The Brightside is being touted as a new hub of live music in Fortitude Valley. A joint venture by Destroy All Lines and The Fans Group, The Brightside will be a multipurpose venue for alternative music. One of the first big nights on The Brightside's calendar is the Bedroom Suck Showcase which features some amazing Brisbane and interstate talent, all of which feature on the BSR roster. Melbourne’s Full Ugly (pictured) and South Australia’s Rites Wild will be playing alongside Brisbane-ites Thigh Master and Martyr Privates, which in my opinion, is a killer line-up. Entry is $15 but is well worth double that just to be a part of the next chapter in Brisbane music, one where the future is bright.
Think you can't go on an Easter egg hunt in a bar? Think again. Think you can't go on an Easter egg hunt in a bar while drinking chocolate cocktails and listening to surf rock? Think again, again. When Los Huevos take to the Junk Bar stage from 8pm on April 13, they'll be leading the charge when it comes to tunes and chocolate — and making you feel like you should really be at the beach. If all that isn't enough, apparently the evening's special boozy beverage will taste like hot cross buns. Yum.
There ain't no party like a backyard party — and, when the backyard in question is attached to an iconic Brisbane venue, things get a little more epic. Think of A Night at the Old Museum as the kind of home shindig you've always wanted to throw, but with Stone & Wood doing the work for you. A free-entry, outdoor party, A Night at the Old Museum will have beers and more beers on offer, including a special Brewsvegas tipple. S&W will be donating all the proceeds to OzHarvest, so consider having a brew a good deed. Ze Pickle, King of Wings, Cone Queen and Luigi Italian will also be on hand to fill your stomach, Sonic Sherpa will help stock your record collection, and yard games, live art from DRAPL and Your Mates DJs on the decks will cap off the fun. Come 9pm, step inside for a gig by The Belligerents, with the $20 ticket price once again going to OzHarvest.
If The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust wasn't already MELT's number one must-see event, it certainly is now. What was first conceived as a celebration has become a tribute to the dearly departed icon, attempting to honour the man known as David Robert Jones, David Bowie, Aladdin Sane, the Thin White Duke and, of course, Ziggy Stardust. It's the latter that's in the spotlight here, with a who's who of Brisbane musicians performing in full the album that brought Bowie's glam-rock persona to the world. Yes, there'll be tears — but there'll also be the joy of timeless tracks such as 'Starman', 'Moonage Daydream', 'Suffragette City', 'Five Years' and 'Rock 'n' Roll Suicide'. Plus, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
Among the many things we've all been missing over the past year or so, big events and venturing far and wide both rank high on the list. Large-scale music festivals have only just started making a comeback around the country, and being allowed to leave the country to holiday in New Zealand is still a relatively new development. But if you'd like to an excuse to explore Queensland — and to enjoy a heap of live tunes while you're doing so — Queensland Music Trails is here to take you on a statewide road trip. A new event from the team at QMF (formerly Queensland Music Festival), Queensland Music Trails is hosting an array of gigs and shows across the state, all as part of set trails. Kicking off on Friday, June 25, it's heading to the state's southern outback region first up. Until Thursday, July 8, everywhere from Jimbour to Charleville — and Quilpie, Windorah and Birdsville, too — will host different parts of the program, spanning opera shows in a homestead, chamber music under the stars, a blend of puppetry and tunes against a scenic backdrop, and more. If Opera at Jimbour sounds familiar, that's because it has happened before. This time, Jimbour House in the Western Downs will host two galas — and camping over four nights, if you want to turn your visit into a proper getaway. Or, for those keen on a stint of peering at the sky, you'll be able to do just that at Music for Stargazing at the Charleville Cosmos Centre — with Kate Miller-Heidke and William Barton leading the lineup. At Baldy Top in Quilpie the southwest, Topology and Dead Puppet Society are joining forces to pair the former's sounds and the latter's visual theatre — and in Rabig Park in Windorah, blues, roots and acoustic artists such as Karl S Williams, Emily Wurramara and Hussy Hicks will treat your ears. Also on the bill is Birdsville's Big Red Bash; however, it has already sold out. Images: Tourism and Events Queensland
Across MELT's 11-day program, the festival blends a whole heap of different art forms into one ace event. At Turbine, one performance combines music and dance styles into a queer fusion of ballet, classical music and electronic tunes, in what promises to be an intimate yet epic piece. Running from May 23 to 26, it's the work of Collusion, a music and dance ensemble that's getting personal with its latest effort. At the heart of the performance is a probing of freedoms and their price, as set to a score by composer Thomas Green, plus original music directed and performed by Collusion's Camille Barry and Benjamin Greaves.
Forget about tech-heavy toys and gizmos: kids can still have hours of fun bouncing up and down in a jumping castle. But this landmark pop-up is no ordinary experience, with The Big Bounce Australia featuring the world's largest jumping castle. Spanning a mind-boggling 1500 square metres, this sprawling inflatable contains slides, climbing walls, ball pits, basketball hoops and a central performance area with music and hosted activities. Plus, this huge blow-up runs alongside a 300-metre obstacle course, complete with over 50 challenges that'll test kids of all ages (not to mention adults). Leap into the galaxy-themed airSPACE zone, home to a five-lane slide, multiple elevated platforms and moon craters filled with balls. Meanwhile, the Sport Slam zone is jam-packed with goals, nets, hoops and balls so that everyone can bounce and compete at the same time. Touring nationally, The Big Bounce Australia is now at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne until Sunday, January 11, before travelling to Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth over the next three months. With tickets starting from $40, three-hour sessions are held for toddlers, juniors and bigger kids. And for those aged 16 and older, adult-only sessions give you the chance to tackle this bouncy wonderland. "We are pleased to begin the tour in Melbourne, where there is strong demand for active, outdoor entertainment throughout summer," says Noa Overby, Tour Manager for Big Bounce Australia, "The Big Bounce offers a broad mix of activities that appeal to a wide range of ages and encourages people to get involved in something that is both social and physical."
Fish Lane's Town Square is putting its patch of pavement to good use, with markets now popping up in the South Brisbane spot. While bars and eateries line the laneway, and festivals have taken it over as well, Fish Lane only started hosting its own stalls back in 2021 — and in 2023, it's again giving you a chance to browse and buy locally made art, ceramics and other goods. Kicking off for the year on Sunday, April 16, the markets close down the road between Hope and Grey streets, and go big on showcasing local independent makers and designers. On offer: wares spanning everything from fashion, plants and jewellery to natural skincare and accessories for your dog as well. Obviously, you can also bring your four-legged friend with you as you browse the stalls. Food-wise, Fish Lane's existing cafes and eateries will keep you feed and caffeinated, so you can add a visit to Cups on Melbourne or Lune Croissanterie to your itinerary. For lunch, the likes of Julius, Southside, La Lune Wine Co, Chu The Phat, Big Roddy's and Grassfed will all be tempting your tastebuds The Fish Lane Markets run from 9am–1pm. If you haven't been to the precinct's Town Square yet, head for the rail bridge — you'll find it underneath.
If spotting a meal deal is as exciting to you as finding a twenty in last winter's coat pocket, then this list is for you. We've scoured Brisbane's bars, restaurants, breweries and pubs to find five great food and beverage pairing deals that you don't want to miss. Whether it's a schooey and a pizza, or tacos and bottomless margaritas, it's all here. Round up your tightest friends, crack open the piggy bank (or check those coat pockets) and get down to these local venues for some cheap thrills.
If walking and looking rather than sitting and watching is more your thing, don’t worry, there’s still something at MELT festival for you. As part of the accompanying visual art exhibition, three artists will transform the interior walls of the venue in the MELT group show. Hillary Green’s Black by Popular Demand examines where the performance ends and the 'real' person starts via a selection of hyperreal portrait photographs; Dan Webb’s Boys of Summer draws upon beach iconography and the beauty of boys in (and out of) Speedos; and Jennifer Leonforte’s Middle Sex explores the grey area of the gender spectrum. In more good news, it’s free, and keeps running for a week after the rest of the festival comes to a close. This exhibition is one of our top six picks of MELT Festival. See the other five here.
Community sport, outdoor boot camps, and leisure activities such as bushwalking, fishing, golf and swimming might soon be back on the agenda nationwide, with the Australian Government releasing its National Principles for Sport and Recreational Activities. As referenced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, May 1 in his press conference after the latest national cabinet meeting, the 15-point set of principles outline the pathway for resuming physical pastimes — focusing on a staged approach. Using the Australian Institute of Sport's Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment as a guide, the principles recommend that small-group, non-contact activities involving less than ten people be allowed to recommence first, with social distancing required for participants. Then, at the next stage, large group and full-contact pastimes could recommence, covering sports and activities with more than ten people involved. That means that anyone eager to go for a stroll, hit a few balls or do some laps in the pool will be able to do so in the first stage, with large team sports returning in the second stage. The government hasn't provided an exhaustive list of activities that fall into each category, or of the steps required at each stage — but for those eager to get outside and get active as soon as possible, it's still a positive sign. Guided by health concerns first and foremost, and noting that outdoor activities likely possess a lower risk for COVID-19 transmission than indoor activities, the principles also touch upon professional sport — aka football codes such as AFL and NRL. "For the foreseeable future, elite sports, if recommenced, should do so in a spectator-free environment with the minimum support staff available to support the competition," the principles state. And at the community level, "sport and recreation activities should limit those present to the minimum required to support the participants". Crucially, the principles don't include a timeline or timeframe for implementation. But with the Prime Minister announcing that the national cabinet will meet on Friday, May 8 to decide on how to relax some of Australia's social distancing and public gatherings restrictions — bringing the date forward from Monday, May 11, because "Australians have earned an early mark" — it's safe to assume that progressing with the National Principles for Sport and Recreational Activities will be on the agenda. Once actioned at a national level, it'll be up to the individual states and territories to implement in their own jurisdictions. As the nation's new daily cases of COVID-19 continue to drop — remaining below 20 per day nationwide since Wednesday, April 22 — governments at both the federal and state levels have been looking to relax limitations on daily life. Queensland and New South Wales eased some restrictions this week, while the Northern Territory outlined its roadmap to "the new normal". Learn more about the National Principles for Sport and Recreational Activities and the Australian Institute of Sport's Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Brisbane's busy market scene loves an occasion. Mother's Day markets, winter markets, Christmas in July markets, spring markets, festive markets — this city has seen them all, including in 2024, and will continue to do so. Accordingly, it should come as zero surprise that Halloween markets are also on the list. Redcliffe Markets Festival of Frights is one of them. Only this spooky event will take you trick-or-treating by the Redcliffe jetty. Fancy an eerie theme and a killer waterside location? That's on offer from 4–9pm on Saturday, October 26. Also on the bill: fireworks, a scavenger hunts, Halloween-appropriate decorations all over the place, and music and live entertainment to fit the mood — including roving pirate entertainers. And, a heap of food stalls serving up bites to eat, and drinks, also likely with a theme. Entry is free, but you'll want your wallet for all that browsing and buying — there'll be more than 200 stalls to peruse. And yes, dressing up is welcome for this wander along Redcliffe Parade till 9pm.
Nightclub toilets aren't just a place where people head when nature calls between drinks and dancefloor stints. Amid the women's bathroom cubicles, sinks and queues — there's always a queue — conversations erupt, heart-to-hearts spring and friendships are forged. So knows everyone who has ever needed to use a club's facilities, and also UK-born theatre show Overflow, which is one of the highlights of the just-announced 2023 MELT Festival program. Hitting Brisbane thanks to Darlinghurst Theatre Company, but hailing from British playwright and prominent trans voice Travis Alabanza, Overflow doesn't only dive into the camaraderie that can arise in its distinctive setting — it's also about someone trapped in a flooding stall. As it spends time with protagonist Rosie, it confronts the debate circling about who is and isn't allowed in these public spaces, in a powerful piece about trans and gender diverse experiences. Overflow sits on MELT Festival's lineup alongside an array of music, theatre and visual art, as Brisbane Powerhouse's annual celebration of queer culture always puts on. Since 2015, the event has celebrated all things LGBTQIA+, with 2023's fest from Saturday, November 11–Sunday, November 26 marking its eighth edition. Also leading the bill: Kah-Lo, Djanaba, Aluna and KUČKA. Kah-Lo hits MELT ready to bust out 'Rinse & Repeat', 'Fast', 'Fake' and 'Drag Me Out', with First Nations artist Djanaba with her. Aluna, formerly half of AlunaGeorge, has songs from her solo record MYCELiUM to play, with Flume, SOPHIE and Kendrick Lamar collaborator KUČKA sharing her stage. MELT's 2023 lineup also includes TOPS and Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra on the music roster — the former getting Jane Penny's vocals echoing through Brisbane Powerhouse, and the latter featuring more than 20 BIPOC, First Nations, disabled, non-binary and trans artists. Plus, Alter Boy, June Jones, Keiynan Lonsdale and Keelan Mak are also help round out the bill. Theatre fans can check out Bunny, too, the rope-focused work by Luke George and Daniel that explores trust, consent and desire. And, Rhys Nicholson is on the roster on a book tour for Dish. Also, MELT will feature three free visual art exhibitions: Paul Yore's BECOME WHAT YOU ARE, The Huxleys' Places of Worship and Multitudes by Tin Nguyen & Edward. Contemplating consumerism, sexuality, pop culture, neo-liberalism and more, the first is textiles-heavy, including pieces from a collaboration with Romance Was Born. For the second, performance artists Will and Garrett Huxley play outsiders in their latest photographic series. And, with the third, Tin & Ed are setting up a series of outdoor installations about borderless spaces. MELT Festival 2023 runs from Saturday, November 11–Sunday, November 26 at Brisbane Powerhouse. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the fest's website now.
There are plenty of places to get merry around Brisbane, including at a month-long CBD festival that's all about Christmas. But this festive season, you can also spend a day feeling jolly in one of the city's newest waterside spots — including at a margarita bar and an oyster bar. Gone are the days when South Bank was Brisbane's only food-, drink- and entertainment-filled riverside precinct, with Portside, Northshore Hamilton and Howard Smith Wharves all popping up over the past decade or so. Here's another: Rivermakers Heritage Quarter, which has turned a patch of Colmslie Road in Morningside into a new must-visit destination, and is now marking December in the appropriate way. If you haven't had the chance to stop by the heritage-listed spot yet, here's your excuse: Christmas at HQ from 2pm on Saturday, December 3. That's when the eastside precinct wants you to head along to check out its sights — and everything you can eat, drink and do, from sipping brews at Revel's second site through to taking a Mas & Miek pottery workshop and playing lawn games on the grass. Also on the agenda at the riverfront spot in Morningside across the day: drinking gin at Bavay Distillery, tucking into barbecued meats thanks to Low n Slow Meat Co, Christmas markets ('tis the season), carols, food trucks and music. There'll also be live mural drawing, and just festive cheer all-round at this pet-friendly event. Entry is free, except for the pottery workshop, which costs $110 per person — and if you're keen on the latter from 10am–12pm, you'll need to book.
After three years without sugar, Damon Gameau has come off the wagon in a big, bad way. Intent on uncovering amount of processed sugar in an average Australian diet, the actor-turned-documentary filmmaker puts his own health on the line, consuming the equivalent of roughly 40 teaspoons of sugar a day. The result is a lively and eye-opening documentary on a subject that needs as much attention as it can get. Gameau’s most obvious compatriot is Morgan Spurlock, who likewise put his own health on the line back in 2004 with the Oscar nominated Supersize Me. The comparison is an obvious one, and you’d be right in thinking that That Sugar Film seems suspiciously similar. But where Gameau has an edge is that his focus is on so-called health food. When a man dines on McDonalds for a month, of course he packs on the pounds. But when you get the same results with vitamin water and low-fat yogurt, the story is suddenly very different. Behind the camera, Gameau does everything he can to keep his viewers entertained. Music and colourful graphics are in plentiful supply, giving the film an at times hyperactive quality that fits the subject matter to a tee. Information often comes delivered with the aid of unexpected celebrity cameos, including appearances by Hugh Jackman, Isabel Lucas and Stephen Fry. There’s an initial temptation to dismiss the movie out of hand; after all, Gameau’s diet doesn’t exactly constitute sound scientific method. Yet despite the film’s gloss and gimmickry, Gameau could never be accused of sugar coating the facts. That Sugar Film attacks its subject from every conceivable angle, including sugar’s effect on children’s learning habits, the correlation between high sugar diets and poverty, and perhaps most unsettling of all, the lobbying efforts of billion-dollar food corporations, whose strategies seem frighteningly similar to those of big tobacco. Still, the scariest thing about this doco is the way in which it confronts us with just how much sugar we all consume. In one of the movie's most memorable sequences, rather than eating a day’s worth of sugary food, Gameau simply eats the equivalent amount in white sugar crystals, providing viewers with a visual reference point that’s both funny and revolting. While its message can seem obvious at times, That Sugar Film has the potential to change the way people think and behave. What higher compliment can a documentary film be given?
It's time to get festive beneath one of Newstead's most striking features: the Gasometer. For one night in December, The Market Folk is taking over the eye-catching Gasworks space, bring a heap of stalls with it and helping you finish your Christmas shopping — because, let's face it, no one ever gets 100-percent of their gift buying done too far in advance. From 5–9pm on Friday, December 10, the Gasworks Plaza precinct will be home to plenty of market stalls as the sun goes down, all brimming with items that'd make perfect presents (for your loved ones, and for yourself). If you're wondering just what kinds of things you can expect to pick up, think fashion, art, homewares, ceramics and vintage goods — and plants as well. There'll be a particular focus on Brisbane creatives, too. So, you'll also be gifting them some Christmas cheer by supporting their hard work. [caption id="attachment_758933" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Market Folk[/caption] Top image: Andrew S via Flickr.
Roll up, roll up, it's show time — and not just in the obvious spot. The Ekka is finally back in 2022 for its first go-around since 2019, but it isn't the only place for games and fun in August. Indeed, it's not even the only place in and around Fortitude Valley, with Netherworld arcade game bar upping the ante for nearly two weeks of the month. From Saturday, August 6–Sunday, August 14, the St Paul's Terrace hangout is hosting its very own Netherworld Sideshow, combining the usual offerings with a few extra special inclusions. Expect their existing array of tables, machines and consoles, plus added carnival games, guest machines, fairy floss — and even creepy clowns. We'll let you decide if that last one is a good or a bad thing. [caption id="attachment_605033" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sarah Ward[/caption] The onsite cafe, aka the Hellmouth Diner, will also be cranking out carnival-style fare, so your stomach can get in on the action as well. And, you'll also be able to buy Netherworld showbags filled with merchandise and goodies. Obviously, the bar will be pouring its usual brews, too — with a few Ekka-themed specials. [caption id="attachment_622335" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Ward[/caption] Top image: Cole Bennetts.
It has been a couple of years since Brisbane's Metre Market transformed into The Market Folk, and since the latter started holding regular markets at Coorparoo Square, too. It still knows how to celebrate Christmas, though — or to help you get ready for the most festive day of the year, to be specific. Head along from 9am–1pm on Sunday, December 12 to get your last-minute shopping done, and even find yourself a few nifty gifts. More than 45 stalls will be showcasing everything from fashion and food to arts, homewares and design items. There'll also be skincare, accessories and eco products as well. Yes, even if you're looking for a present for a particularly hard-to-buy-for friend, you're likely to find something. This is a Christmas market, so expect a few seasonal activities as well. That usually includes carolling, naturally — because if you're shopping at this time of year, you know you want the appropriate soundtrack.
Just as hearts will go on, so will everyone's fascination with the Titanic: the ill-fated vessel and the film of the same name. Where the latter is concerned, it has been two decades since Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet stepped onboard James Cameron's Oscar-winning behemoth, danced, flirted, fell in love and fell afoul of an iceberg, but cinemas aren't done with the box-office hit yet. To be fair, however, the movie's latest outing isn't exactly in your usual picture palace. In November, Beyond Cinema will screen Titanic in the way you never thought you'd see it: on a ship in Sydney Harbour as part of a live event that not only lets you pretend you're on the real thing, but re-enacts the feature. They're calling it a unique cinema experience designed to take you into the movie, aka Titanic cosplay. If you're a fan, you'd best hold onto your necklaces and maybe bring your own door to use as a raft. The Titanic Experience is the maiden voyage in a planned series of similar events, with screening The Shawshank Redemption in a jail one of the next on the agenda according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Of course, they're not the first to jump into the immersive, interactive cinema space — Underground Cinema and World Movies Secret Cinema are just some of the organisations that have done the same thing, and Brisbane has had its own pop-up prison cinema as well. Still, Titanic on a boat sounds like a watery treat. Information regarding specific dates and prices is also yet to be announced; however anyone interested in pretending they're the king of the world can sign up for pre-release details on the Beyond Cinema website. Beyond Cinema's Titanic screening will take place in November. For more details, keep an eye on their website and Facebook page. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
They're back. Killer Sprocket and Kaiju just keep teaming up — first to make the malty science experiment that was KaKS Cotmari, then to hold a monster movie night at Brewsvegas 2016, and now to step back into film territory. Killer Sprocket & Kaiju Go to the Movies 2: A Buddy Comedy is the sequel Brewsvegas had to have, aka a movie night where you don't just watch. Knocking back a beverage by both companies is a must here as you settle in for their film of choice. So too is listening in as The End pops on a classic flick and lets Killer Sprocket's brewer-slash-comedian Sean and Kaiju's resident funny guy Nate provide their own commentary. The ticket price includes the film and two schooners, with food also available.
Disney has its own. Apple has one too. And so does Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn. If you're fond of documentaries, you have not one but two local choices. The same applies if you're eager to get viewing for free, especially if you can handle retro flicks and titles that you've never heard of before. And if you're eager to support Australian content, there's one for that as well. We're talking about streaming platforms, of course. Throw in Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, SBS On Demand and ABC iView, and Aussies can't say there isn't anything to watch. That's not an exhaustive list either, because this space just keeps growing — with a new service dedicated to British television shows about to join the fold this year. Already operational in the USA, Canada and, of course, the United Kingdom, Britbox is a joint collaboration between two English TV networks: the BBC and ITV. They both have a hefty stable of programs up their sleeves — and while exactly what'll be available on the Aussie version of the service hasn't been announced, you can expect retro and recent series such as Absolutely Fabulous, The Office, Blackadder, Harlots and A Confession, based on the titles showcased on the current local website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2DCExerOsA Britbox will focus on box sets of UK shows, which means full seasons all there at once ready for audiences to stream. You'll be able to do so via mobile devices, tablets, connected TVs and Chromecast — and via the online site. Just when Britbox will start streaming in Australia is yet to be revealed, other than than sometime in 2020. Nor has a price as yet, if you're eager to add another platform to your subscriptions. Britbox is set to launch in Australia sometime in 2020. Visit the streaming service's website to sign up for further updates.
Responsible for over seven studio albums, five Billboard Chart top-10 singles and countless record sales worldwide, Pitbull is currently on top of the popular music world. After selling out arenas in the United States, the Miami, Florida native is on his way to Brisbane for perform at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Hits such as ‘I know You Want Me’, ‘Give Me Everything’ and ‘Hotel Room Service’ have energized fans worldwide, along with numerous collaborations with the likes of Usher, Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez. Performing with Pitbull on this tour are award winning songwriter Taio Cruz, sensational Aussie export Havana Brown and Australia’s Got Talent star, Timomatic.
There are two ways that you can add some extra flavour to your next boozy beverage. Mix your drink of choice with a heap of other ingredients and you've got yourself a cocktail, of course — or, you can opt for one of the many varieties of spirits that don't just stick to the usual recipe. Australia's newest vodka falls into the second category. And if you like lamingtons, which everyone should, then you're going to want to add a bottle to your liquor cabinet. Made by Gold Coast-based distillery Wildflower Gin, the limited-edition lamington-flavoured tipple appears as crystal clear as every other vodka. But it's made using local strawberries, cocoa and coconut, so you'll taste all of the above while you're sipping. Obviously, if you'd like to pair it with an actual lamington as well, that's encouraged. And if you're just keen on knocking back drinks that taste like dessert, that's fine as well. The strawberries, cocoa and coconut are all distilled with water from Tamborine Mountain, to help create a smooth beverage — which you can then drink neat by itself, pair with some soda water or add to a cocktail. If you're keen, you'll need to get in fast, because only 200 bottles are available online and at the distillery's Varsity Lakes home. Wildflower Gin's lamington vodka is available to order online for $75 — or, if you're near the Gold Coast, you can pick up a bottle at the distillery at 2/486 Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes.
Who doesn't love First Dog on the Moon? As the Guardian's much-loved cartoonist, he's canny with political comedy and clever with a pencil. In the flesh, he's just as smart and satirical, as two of his Brisbane Writers Festival 2015 events will prove. We'd tell you to see his live show and his panel discussion on sarcasm, but they've already sold out, so it appears you're way ahead of us. Thankfully, the astronaut pooch is also fond of the soothing elixir that is whisky, and he wants to share his experiences. In what's likely to be BWF's most liquor-fuelled event, Malt Lovers sees everyone's favourite creative canine and fellow cartoonist Jon Kudelka hop through the highlights of their 600km tour of every whisky distillery and whisky bottler on the Tasmanian Whisky Trail.
Think jewellery is purely decorative? Think again. Sure, it brightens up your neck, wrists, fingers and more, but there's much, much more to bling than looking shiny. In fact, jewellery is a form of sculpture, as the latest exhibition by the Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Queensland makes plain. Presenting a curated selection of their members' work, Worn & Weathered demonstrates the artistry, intricacy, textures and concepts at the heart of everything from a ring to a brooch — and their interaction with issues and ideas of landscape. Yes, their pieces don't just please the eye, or add colour and shape to an outfit — they also connect with bigger themes and topics. In fact, next time you look at a piece of jewellery, it could be responding to Queensland's unique climate, or questioning the ethics of a society burning through the earth's resources. Image: Jandy Pannell , Dark Blooms (Neck Piece), 2016, recycled grocery checkout bags, reused and dyed fishing line and flax thread. Image by Jandy Pannell.
Whether you like them filled with jam and cream, or prefer plain cake all the way, the lamington is a perfect dessert. It's a piece of sponge cake covered in chocolate sauce and desiccated coconut — what's not to love? And, as excellent as it is on its own, it also fares exceptionally well when it's combined with other foods. Everything from lamington gelato to lamington milkshakes have already proven this fact, as has lamington-flavoured vodka, too. The latest creative take on this Australian favourite? A lamington-cruffin hybrid — which turns one food mashup into a bigger food mashup like the baked goods version of Inception. Sorry, lamington purists, it definitely isn't cube-shaped. But it now exists thanks to Lune Croissanterie. The bakery fills its Frankenstein's monster of a lamington-croissant-muffin with raspberry jam and whipped cream, then dips it in chocolate ganache and desiccated coconut. Without the latter, it just wouldn't be a lamington. And if that description has got your tastebuds in a tizzy, you can nab one — or several — in South Brisbane until Monday, January 31. The lamington cruffins lead Lune's January specials menu, which also includes coffee hazelnut twice-baked croissants, cinnamon buns, white nectarine and honey danishes, tomato tarts and the 'cherry ripe twice-baked' — which gives a pain au chocolat a cherry ripe-inspired twist. You'll find all those limited-edition treats at South Brisbane, too, and they can be pre-ordered online. That said, if you head to either the QAG Cafe and GOMA Bistro, Lune's Japanese cheesecake and lychee jelly croissants — inspired by the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery's 10th Asia Pacific Triennial — is also available until the end of January. Lune's lamington cruffins are available from 15 Manning Street, South Brisbane, until Monday, January 31 — with pre-orders taken online.
If ever an event summarised just how we feel on pretty much any given day, it's John Mills Himself's So Much Gin, So Little Time... In fact, during July's Good Food Month, the Charlotte Street bar is almost daring you to prove otherwise. For the affordable price of $40, you'll taste six of the country's best craft gins, and learn the stories behind each — as well as some facts about the fast-growing Aussie industry in general. You'll also receive a gin cocktail too, should you need any more convincing.
A high tea at the Sofitel is the height of luxury, but a high tea inspired by the French, the queens of cake and cheese? Step aside. For a reasonable $55 you can indulge in a kir royale on arrival and then chomp (elegantly) through a spread of sweet and savoury treats in the Sofitel’s 30th floor Club Lounge. This year's tea was inspired by the 2015 Pantone Colour of the Year, marsala, and will feature scones, French pastries, ribbon sandwiches, raspberry choux a la creme, cherry cone mousse and pistachio sacher torte. Zut alors. Do make sure you sing 'Non, je ne regrette rien' loudly as you waddle home, full of French treats.
20,000 Days on Earth is a documentary that's fiction. Though it's by no means the only documentary to question the form and take things meta, it is one of the most boldly experimental ones out there. It's a work that's highly constructed from start to finish — and since it's constructed with and about Nick Cave, there's plenty of fun to be had. The film imagines the 20,000th day on earth of the Australian-born, UK-based singer and raconteur. It's a day that includes him talking to his shrink, recording an album, helping archivists make sense of his historical record, lunching with his pals, driving Kylie Minogue around Brighton, and playing at the Sydney Opera House. A pretty great day, really, particularly for its impossibilities. Running throughout is, naturally, Cave's own music, rumbling out of the studio and guiding his path through the world. Instead of clarity and chronology, what you get in 20,000 Days on Earth is a fragmented sense of biography that is sometimes deeply insightful, sometimes electrifying and sometimes frustrating. Major characters in the life of Nick Cave, such as collaborator Warren Ellis and The Proposition star Ray Winstone, appear without context or label, meaning that to really follow this winding ride, you have to be au fait with the life of Cave. If you're not, just let it go; there are plenty of moments here that are plain entertaining regardless, while a live performance montage set to a frenzied, ever building version of 'Jubilee Street' is near rapturous to witness. The conversation between Cave and Minogue feels painfully intimate and revealing, despite all the scripting that frames it. Artists-turned-directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard have basically conjured a new format here, one that's wondrously poetic and imaginative. There's a sense that it could be applied to tell nearly anybody's fragmented, personal tale, though having the flair and flamboyance of Cave certainly helps. Eavesdropping on a conversation with Cave is right up there with the high points of cultural consumption. 20,000 Days on Earth gets points for pure brio. It's not like anyone would want every documentary to be made this way, but it sure is an interesting divergence. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ap0_y5EGttk
Sit in a chair. Embrace the otherworldly. Whether you're ready for it or not — physically and emotionally alike — bear witness to the dead being summoned. Speak to those who are no longer in the land of the living. Perhaps, while you're chatting, get caught in a dialogue with something nefarious as well. Talk to Me used this setup to audience-wowing and award-winning effect. Now comes Baghead, which stems from a short film that pre-dates 2023's big Australian-made horror hit, and was shot before Michael and Danny Philippou's A24-distributed flick played cinemas, but still brings it to mind instantly. Audiences can be haunted by what they've seen before, especially in a busy, ever-growing genre where almost everything is haunted anyway and few pictures feel genuinely new. Here, there's no shaking how Talk to Me gnaws at Baghead. First-time feature filmmaker Alberto Corredor adapts his own applauded short, which picked up gongs at film festivals around the globe. Both of his movies — abridged and full-length — possess the same moniker as a mumblecore effort starring Greta Gerwig before she was directing Lady Bird, Little Women and Barbie. That's where the similarities between 2008's Baghead and 2024's end, but the new Baghead doesn't stop conjuring up thoughts of other flicks. The director and screenwriters Christina Pamies (another debutant) and Bryce McGuire (Night Swim) make grief their theme, and with commitment; the pain of loss colours the movie as much as its shadowy imagery. But, despite boasting two dedicated performances, Corredor's Baghead is routine again and again. At The Queen's Head in Berlin, Owen Lark (Peter Mullan, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) oversees a ramshackle four-centuries-old pub where customers aren't there for the drinks. The basement is the big drawcard for those in the know, with the being that resides in it, in a hole in a brick wall, luring punters in the door. Everyone who arrives with cash and a plea for help is in mourning. When Neil (Jeremy Irvine, Benediction) makes an entrance, he knows exactly what he wants. Baghead begins not with Owen letting his latest patron meet the entity that shares the movie's title, though, but with him endeavouring to vanquish it. If he was successful, there'd be no film from there. Because he isn't, his estranged daughter Iris (Freya Allan, The Witcher) is summoned to the German city by a solicitor (Ned Dennehy, The Peripheral), becoming the watering hole's next owner. It's thanks to Neil that Iris discovers Baghead's namesake. In addition to being determined to talk to his deceased wife, he's persistent. And yes, the witchy being does sport a sack, which is removed when it is spends 120 seconds transforming into another soul. Also, the $2000 that Neil is offering is more than a little helpful for the twentysomething who grew up in the foster system after her mother's (Saffron Burrows, White Widow) death, just had her landlord change the locks on her and only can only lean on her best friend Katie (Ruby Barker, Bridgerton). Potential financial benefits, plus a roof over her head, are why she agrees to sign up for taking over the bar to start with. No amount of money could compensate for becoming saddled with a necromancer that doesn't want to be holed up underground and has a bag of tricks to mess with anyone willing to use its eerie skills, however. A VHS tape from Iris' dad detailing instructions can't stop Baghead, either. As Scream satirised three decades back in the slasher realm but horror loves in general, there are rules. There's also consequences for not abiding by them. Exceed the time limit with Baghead and the malevolent creature could spirit up anyone. Going into the cavern beneath the tavern is also forbidden — and so is Iris trying to snatch time with her own lost loved ones now that she's the entity's guardian. With the basics laid out, and viewers knowing that all of the above will happen, the predictable plot's expected beats become a matter of if rather than when. There's no subtlety to the storytelling, nor to the tension-courting score or gloomy visuals. Luckily, Baghead does have both Allan and Mullan, even if the latter isn't around for long (but longer than getting bumped off in the introduction would mean if this wasn't a flick about conversing with the fallen). In her first lead film role, as well as just her ninth screen credit — The Third Day and Gunpowder Milkshake are among the others; Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the fourth flick in the current Planet of the Apes franchise, will become the tenth within months — Allan takes convincingly to being a horror heroine. Iris is also a horror-movie character who has clearly never seen a horror movie in her life given her choices, but emotion anchors Allan's performance. The star best-known as Crown Princess Cirilla of Cintra to-date tries to help the film overcome its many cliches; that it can't is never on her shoulders. Mullan, one of Scotland's great acting talents since the 90s, is also crucial, particularly for getting audiences paying attention at the outset. Baghead doesn't match his intensity, but it's better for having him brooding within its Cale Finot (Leopard Skin)-lensed frames. If viewers only had two minutes to choose a recent back-from-the-dead feature to watch, Baghead isn't the pick. That said, although it hardly dives deep or does much with it, it understands grief. That the picture's protagonist is another of Baghead's characters with unresolved emotions tied to losing someone might sound too neat, yet thankfully it isn't. Setting up a sequel proves clunky. Attempting to add a feminist spin plays too conveniently. Facing loss: that resonates. Corredor, Pamies and McGuire know how pervasive that mourning is, and how universal that grappling with mortality is, too. In fact, if Iris didn't have her own brush with loss, as everyone has, that'd stand out. If only Baghead's creative forces knew how to build a film that wasn't so by the numbers around its premise — and for 94 minutes.
Welcome to Rekall, where dreams become memories. Eager to escape his fine but not quite good enough life with wife Lori (Kate Beckinsale) factory worker Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) decides to take a bit of a limbic vacation, swapping real memories for the adventure-filled world of a super spy. But, when fates collide, and the procedure goes horribly wrong, he finds himself a wanted man - on the run from a particularly trigger happy police force under the control of Chancellor Cohaagen, and must join up with rebel fighter Melina (Jessica Biel) in a last ditch shot at survival. Worth watching? Len Wiseman’s remake of the Arnie led original has a lot to live up to, but with up-dated special effects and some tasty looking cinematography it might just come out on top, and will surely look incredible on the big screen.
If there's one constant in Brisbane's live music and party scene, it's this: the good folks at the Brightside have never met an occasion they didn't like. Whatever the date, there's a Brighty celebration to mark it. Take their Easter Blowout, for example. Yes, the Valley venue is getting biblical, and giving everyone's Easter Sunday another purpose — other than consuming copious amounts of chocolate, of course. That just means they're throwing an epic shindig. Expect themed cocktails, free chocolate eggs and live sets by She Cries Wolf, Stepson, Vitals and Ratking.
You there, yes you. Put down that ale, it’s stale. Wait what? Join Brewcult’s Steve ‘Hendo’ Henderson on a fun, experiential session of hops evaluation. Covering hot hop topics such as hops usage techniques in the brewery, hops varieties and hops faults, he’ll change the way you drink beer, making you ask, are you getting the freshest, hoppiest beer you can? Arrive unsure. Leave enlightened.
David Attenborough may have turned 94 in 2020; however the acclaimed broadcaster and natural historian isn't slowing down anytime soon. Fresh from narrating and presenting two new TV series last year — Our Planet and Seven Worlds, One Planet — and even appearing at Glastonbury to promote the latter, he's now bringing his latest movie-length documentary to cinemas. Called David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet, the film sees Attenborough look back on his more than nine decades on earth, the sights he has seen and the changes he has witnessed. Specifically, he reflects upon humanity's enormous and damaging impact on the natural world. Produced by wildlife filmmakers Silverback Films and global environmental organisation WWF, the resulting doco us described as "a powerful message of hope for future generations". In the film's trailer, Attenborough doesn't hold back. "The living world is a unique and spectacular marvel, yet the way we humans live on earth is sending it into a decline," he comments — before further noting that "human beings have overrun the world". He calls the film his "witness statement" and his "vision for the future", exploring humankind's actions over its existence and how moves can be made to address the planet's current environmental state. Naturally, Attenborough's wise words are combined with striking footage — as you'd expect of anything that the broadcaster is involved in. Originally due to hit the silver screen for one night only, A Life On Our Planet was slated to show in cinemas Down Under in April — but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its release was postponed. It'll now premiere on Monday, September 28 and stick around for a longer cinema season, with the film paired with an exclusive cinema-only conversation between Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin. There's nothing quite like seeing stunning nature footage on a big screen; however if you miss out or can't make it along, the documentary will also head to Netflix before spring is out. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLVkqjHrAzw&feature=youtu.be David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet will screen in Australian and New Zealand cinemas from Monday, September 28, before hitting Netflix before spring is out. Top image: WWF; Joe Fereday, Silverback Films.
Between Saturday, November 24, 2018 and Sunday, April 28, 2019, the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery are bringing the Asia Pacific to Brisbane for the ninth time. Every three years since 1993, the city's major art institutions celebrate the vast creativity brightening up the region as part of the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. At the 2018 event — the fifth since GOMA opened, and one that's free as usual — more than 80 individuals, collectives and group projects will grace the walls of the two galleries, representing over 30 countries. Understandably, the highlights are many. View a major site-specific work by leading Chinese artist Qiu Zhijie, see Singapore-based artists Donna Ong andRobert Zhao Renhui turn QAG's Watermall into a new landscape filled with artificial plants, or dive into the water with separate video works by Martha Atienza and Monira Al Qadiri — with the latter not only making the gallery feel like an aquarium, but also being projected onto the William Jolly Bridge for five days. When you enter the exhibition, you'll walk beneath towering sculptures created from nassa shells from Papua New Guinea, while APT9 also features the largest contingent of First Nation artists in its history, including Australian Indigenous art. The massive showcase kicks off with a weekend filled with events across Friday, November 23 and Sunday, November 25, complete with an opening party, talks and performances, with plenty more events scheduled for the exhibition's entire run. Accompanying cinema programs will look at film from the region, and there's also a secret jacaranda garden-like piece called Purple Reign. Sure, the burst of brightness is designed for children, but bigger kids are welcome. Image: Martha Atienza. The Philippines b.1981. Our Islands 11°16'58.4"N 123°45'07.0"E (still). 2017. Single channel HD video (01:12:00 min. loop), no audio. Image courtesy: The artist and Silverlens Galleries, The Philippines.
Not quite certain what to get your loved ones for Christmas this year? Then you clearly haven't spent enough time at a festive market. It's virtually impossible to browse your way through hundreds of stalls and come up empty-handed — in fact, that'd take more effort than picking gifts for your nearest and dearest. Your next place to put the above theory to the test: the Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets, which take place from 4–10pm on Saturday, December 3. Yes, there really will be quite the lineup of places to grab handmade presents, including clothes, jewellery, art, homewares, soap, candles and all things edible. You'll find both gourmet foods and festive treats on offer as well (including bites to eat while you're there). For your $2 entry fee, you can enjoy a stint of shopping under the site's fairy lights at Nundah Markets' usual spot on Station Street. And, you can stop in at the North Pole-themed bar, too. Decorations will be decking the walls with more than boughs of holly, and live music is also on the agenda.
