Without even realising it, the bookshop plays an important role in the literature lover's life. From your first copy of The Hungry Caterpillar to many a Penguin classic, the bookshop opens up a world of fantasy and adventure for readers, truly embodying the words of celebrated author C. S. Lewis: "Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it." more
Remember the good old days of the drive-in theatre, where you could wear pyjamas in public, eat popcorn and burgers for dinner, lie on a mattress in the boot of your parent’s station wagon and watch a few movies, quite often involving Lassie? Putting a modern twist on the classic drive-in are two American folk Jason Anello and Anna Boyarsky. more
Set in Montreal, the award-winning film Monsieur Lazhar is an unforgettable and universal tale of compassion, empathy and eloquence. When 55-year-old Algerian immigrant Bachir Lazhar learns that the beloved teacher of a year 6 class has passed away, he offers his services as a substitute teacher. Little by little, the cultural chasm between the teacher and his class is conquered and Monsieur Lazhar helps them to get through the tragedy, while his own place in the world remains in jeopardy. Adapted from a play by Évelyne de la Chenelière, acclaimed Quebecois writer-director Philippe Falardeau has crafted a moving film capturing life’s extraordinary moments. The Weekend Edition is presenting a special preview screening of Monsieur Lazhar at Palace Barracks Cinemas on Wednesday August 22 at 6:30 pm. Enter for your chance to win one of 100 double passes. View the trailer here. Monsieur… more
Back for its third year, 4 Walls Festival will showcase the creme de la creme of Australia's emerging musical talent. For eight hours this Saturday August 4, a few locals (and a few non-locals) will entertain you with their range of melodies, with genres spanning from indie to heavy metal. more
From Goya to da Vinci, some of the world's greatest artists have dabbled in the power of the pencil as an artistic tool. The Marie Ellis OAM Prize for Drawing is one competition that celebrates the medium, and encourages Australian art folks to get scribbling. more
Graphic design trivia game DESIGNerd is a creativity enthusiast’s dream. Each volume features more than 100 questions carefully selected and crafted by the design elite. more
Fans of aboriginal art will be enthralled with the arrival of the colourful Desert Country to UQ's Art Museum. The collection is a part of the Art Gallery of South Australia's permanent collection of indigenous artwork that is currently touring the country. more
Seminal Australian video art will feature alongside works from the UK, USA and Japan in the latest exhibition to grace The Block at QUT. Parallel Universes will exhibit a selection of significant video art from between 1970 and 1985, exploring the conceptual and stylistic experimentation that emerged at the time. more
Experience Spanish history and contemporary design, food and culture in La Sala del Prado. A large-scale lounge environment to complement the Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery, La Sala del Prado includes a tapas bar, still life installation and new media portraiture. Try your hand at sketching the fruits, vegetables and produce of Spain or have your portrait transformed into a Spanish monarch-like sketch. The Sala Cafe serves healthy and simple tapas, wine and coffee, with miniature temptations for the kids as well. Stop by for a lunch of Poached Pickled Mackerel and a glass of Verdejo and listen to the rich sounds of live Spanish guitar. Check out La Sala del Prado on The Street Photographer. more
A retrospective of the works of Spanish film director, screenwriter and producer Pedro Almodóvar is showing at Australian Cinémathèque. Coinciding with the Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado exhibition, this reflective program will run until September 2, showing all 18 of his films. more
Returning to its original beachside glory, annual winter music festival Splendour in the Grass takes over Byron Bay this weekend. more
Throughout La Boite’s Indie season, the rehearsal room has been transformed into a secret cave of socialising. The transformation is named the Indie Bar and features enough drinks and dancing to entertain you for hours – the only things you need to bring are yourself and some companions. more
Showing works by some of history’s most revered painters, Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado opens at the Queensland Art Gallery this weekend. Unfolding the story of how painting evolved in Spain over three and a half centuries, this new exhibition delves into the progression of the modern Spanish identity through painting's development on the Iberian Peninsula. more
Brisbane’s first food book store Scrumptious Reads is set to reopen its design-savvy doors this Friday in the new James Street lane precinct. Originally situated at South Bank, Scrumptious Reads stunned word nerd and foodie visitors with its original coffee cup installation. more
In 1941 Brisbane was home to fewer than 350,000 people. But as American troops flooded the city, passing through or stationed here, strains on transport, hotels and food supplies constricted freedom for residents. It wasn’t all dampened moods and wartime woes – the 1940s brought the Swing era of Big Band music and jitterbug dancing. more
From meditation to beards, Judith Lucy applies her quick wit and dry humour to the art of classic gags in her latest on-stage offering, Nothing Fancy. A stand-up comedian for more than two decades, Judith has humour nailed on the head. more
From humble beginnings singing at the West End Markets on weekends to the stage at South By South West earlier this year, local songstress Emma Louise has stormed the musical circuit with her fearless lyrics and longing melodies. more
Evoking images of a swarm of honey bees, a butterfly fluttering around a delicate flower and a scuttling army of foraging ants, Cirque du Soleil's OVO is a headlong rush into a colourful ecosystem teeming with life. more
Coming to Brisbane this weekend is the worldwide success that is the musical story of pop group Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The Italian-American foursome rose from an otherwise average life toiling away in New Jersey to dizzying international success, leaving countless hit songs in their wake. more
Francophiles all over town are preparing their Breton-striped tops and red berets for the Brisbane French Festival at South Bank Parklands this Saturday. Held in conjunction with France’s National Day, known as Bastille Day, the calendars have aligned for this year’s event to be held on July 14. more
