The eighth HLB Mann Judd Brisbane Cabaret Festival has exploded out of its skin serving up a sumptuous array of dazzling performers in Brisbane’s best venues and running from 1st October to 11th October 2008.

The 2008 power-packed program celebrates contemporary cabaret and all that it encompasses with music exotic and eclectic, cracking comedy, the dark, the mysterious, a bit of burlesque and a bit of kitsch….. Brisbane Cabaret Festival style.

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre will be Cabaret Central with the Playhouse transforming into The Crystal Room and Studio 1 morphing into the glamorous and intimate Gem Saloon – where all the shiny beautiful local gems are right on stage in front of you.

The full program is available at www.brisbanecabaretfestival.com

The Brisbane Writers Festival has held the place of Queensland’s premier literary event for twelve years.

It brings the world of writing and ideas to Brisbane, and showcases the best of local, national and international writing to Brisbane, and to the world. For five days in September each year the festival takes over the spectacularly re-developed State Library of Queensland (next to the iconic Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery) in the South Bank cultural precinct alongside the Brisbane River.

The Brisbane Writers Festival is more than a Festival for writers, it’s for everyone who reads. From the world’s headlines, climate change, China or the US Elections, BWF is an event that has meaning and relevance to every single one of us, in every aspect of our lives. This year, there are strong personal voices emanating from the pages of the Festival’s books.

The 2008 festival will bring together approximately 220 writers from around the world including some of the world’s leading authors including the winners of some of the world’s most prestigious literary awards including the Man Booker Prize, the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction, the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize as well as the winners of the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award and the Miles Franklin Literary Award.

The festival runs from the 17th to 21st September 2008. Don’t miss it…

The Three Monkeys is a trendy and atmospheric café in the heart of Brisbane’s West End. Popular for its cheap, tasty cuisine and chilled out ambience, The Three Monkeys is somewhat of an institution with the local student population.

The café’s interior has a shabby relaxed vibe and a distinctly eastern style decor. A chess set sits in one corner, oriental rugs adorn the floor and the lighting is dim. An outdoor area boasts more tables set in the middle of a bamboo surrounded courtyard.

Meal prices are reasonable, tending to stay below the $20 mark, allowing for a relatively inexpensive but enjoyable meal.

The food served includes Panini’s, enchiladas, gourmet sandwiches and fresh salads. A glass case holds a wide variety of desserts, including a particularly delicious mango cheesecake. Drinks wise, The Three Monkeys is notable for offering customers the unique option of having their coffee served in a bowl.

Expect at least a small queue if you go… word of mouth has ensured that the café is never empty.

THREE MONKEY’S COFFEE & TEA HOUSE
58 Mollison St
South Brisbane 4101

- Review written by Victoria Nugent

If you’re finding it difficult to see the funny side of Brisbane, look no further than Brisbane comedy festival In Stitches for a little inspiration. Some of the funniest people in the country head to Brisvegas for 12 side-splitting nights of stand-up comedy, live music, theatrics and general buffoonery from June 17th to 29th June 2008.

In Stitches takes place at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and includes the antics of Jimeoin, Anh Do, The Umbilical Brothers, Fiona O’Loughlin, Julia Morris, Cal Wilson, Carita Farrer, Akmal Saleh, Scared Weird Little Guys, Puppetry of the Penis and the Chaser’s Age of Terror Variety Hour. Though events are ticketed, free performances take place late each night in the Cascade Court.

Two Flat Whites has been on the hunt to find our best restaurants. We have been licking our lips & over the coming months, we will rate Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane’s best restaurants not only by quality & service, but also by location & price. If you have a suggestion, let us know.

The following restaurants are little gems. All are hidden wonders in Sydney’s west. All have demonstrated great service, tasty food & all of this at a great price. There is something here for every taste.

Let them know that Two Flat Whites sent you.

Ani – American Restaurant
86 Blaxland Rd
Ryde NSW 2112
Phone

Fortune8 – Yum Cha Restaurant
Shop 1, 44 Park Rd,
Cabramatta NSW 2166
Phone

El Jannah Lebanese Charcoal Chicken
4-6 South St
Granville NSW 2142
Phone

Pendle Hill 888 Asian Food Restaurant
146 Pendle Way
Pendle Hill NSW 2145
Phone

Bai Bua – Thai Restaurant
20 Woodriffe St
Penrith NSW 2750
Phone