Brisbane, we may still be recovering from the Ekka public holiday but that’s no reason to remain idle once Friday hits. Haven’t you ever heard of backing it up? Regardless of your vibe, we’ve got your back – from strawberry festivals to 90s parties, here’s the best of what is happening in Brisbane on the August 16–19 weekend. more
There are two types of people in the world – those who love Twin Peaks and those who just don’t get it. Jokes aside, David Lynch’s bizarre mystery-horror series was a seriously iconic staple of 1990s television. The story of special agent Dale Cooper investigating the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer gripped an entire generation, and went on to retain its status as a cult hit that still holds relevance today. Good news for fans – Brisbane is about to get a true taste of Twin Peaks when a selection of the stars land at Eatons Hill Hotel on Sunday August 26 for a scintillating conversation session. more
Folks, spring has almost sprung and it’s bringing a little something special with it – we’re talking Brisbane Festival, baby! Come September 8, our fine city will be overflowing with a selection of local and international entertainment that will make your head spin. From circus and cabaret to top live bands and immersive theatre, the festival brings together the best of the arts scene for your enjoyment – so you’d better get out there and lap it up. Mark September 8–29 in your diary and start planning your hit-list, because this one’s going to be a doozy. more
Have you ever watched a movie that gripped you so much that you felt like you were almost right there in it? 3D films have long given us a taste of the more interactive movie experience, but we’ve found something that takes this immersion to the next level. The Australian Virtual Reality Film Festival is coming to the Brisbane Powerhouse from August 22–26 to bring fantasies to life, giving viewers the chance to totally engage themselves in another world like never before. more
After a hiatus in 2016, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane returned last year in finer form than ever before and you guys were here for it. The 2018 edition has upped the ante even further, giving us all a sneak peek at what’s to come from some of our country’s hottest designers. Clear August 26–30 in your diary, because this one’s going to be a doozy. more
There are so many things to love about the Ekka – the food, the animals and the rides are right up there, but it’s the public holiday that we’re most grateful for. If you’re not up for braving the crowds at the showgrounds on Wednesday August 10, we’ve whipped up a little list of things that are happening around town on the public holiday and the night before – you get a sleep-in, after all … more
Look, it’s absolutely no secret that Fortitude Valley is one of Queensland’s premier party hubs – the place was literally built for fun. Since 1997, there has been one particular event dedicated to shining a light on the Valley’s reputation as a hub of arts, culture, food and entertainment – the weekend-long celebrations of Valley Fiesta. Well folks, we can confirm that Brisbane’s biggest street party just got a heck of a lot bigger – clear August 29 to September 2 in your diary because the Fiesta is coming in hot with five days of revelry. more
A decade ago, if you said the creators of South Park would be responsible for one of the most beloved Broadway musicals of all time, you’d have been laughed at. It seems truth is stranger than fiction, but no one can deny the rapturous response The Book of Mormon received upon its debut. The charming and cheeky tale of Mormon missionaries travelling to Uganda has resonated around the world, and it seems like it might soon be time for Brisbane to experience the comedic musical firsthand. more
The incredible array of music from that period, from uplifting and spiritual music to some foreboding pieces of music as well, I think is the main thing audiences will be enraptured by ...~ David Wenham more
The great state of Queensland quite simply has loads of things to be proud of. XXXX Beer, Savage Garden, the Story Bridge and Yatala Pies have all earned us some serious bragging rights, but there is one thing that makes our hearts swell with pride for the rich culture we have cultivated – the Royal Queensland Show (or the Ekka, as its more affectionately known as). This year the show celebrates an impressive 141 years (seriously, the only thing that’s stopped it since its inception have been the Spanish influenza and World War II), returning to its home turf of the Brisbane Showgrounds to celebrate the best of Queensland. more
It’s no secret that vintage and second-hand shopping has had something of a boom lately. When you break it down, it’s not hard to see why it’s taken off – it’s way better for the environment, it’s friendly on the wallet and you can nab some totally unique pieces that nobody else has! Whether you’re a thrifting veteran or new to the pre-loved fashion game, the Revive Pop-Up Second-Hand Fashion Festival has got your back. Taking over South Bank’s Cultural Forecourt on Friday August 17, this event is here to give you the inside scoop on making your fashion game more sustainable. more
Every year when the Met Gala rolls around, it’s hard not to get at least a teensy bit of FOMO. The combination of stunning frocks, priceless art and a pure party atmosphere is impossible to resist – after all, there are very few occasions in the calendar year where we get to dust off our finery and indulge in pure revelry. If you’re a fan of fabulous soirees and fine art, your time has come – GOMA is hosting its annual Future Collective Revel and you’re going to want to be there. more
Whether you’re in it for the taste or you rely on it to get you up in the morning, the lure of a good coffee is incredibly strong. Luckily for all of us, Brisbane’s coffee scene is absolutely stellar – our local roasters, cafes and baristas all work extremely hard to keep us caffeinated with delicious brews all year long. If you’re a fan of the world’s favourite bean-based beverage, we have some news that is set to get you buzzing – we’re getting a festival dedicated to the best in the business! Clear your diary for Saturday August 4 because the inaugural Bakery Lane Craft Coffee Festival is coming for you. more
When you live in a city as naturally beautiful as Brisbane, it can become commonplace to take it for granted. As one of our city’s brightest gems, the Roma Street Parkland is one such place that you’ve probably enjoyed without putting much thought into how much work goes into keeping it so darn lush. Well, folks, if you’ve ever picnicked, relaxed, napped or strolled through the grounds, this is your chance to get a peek behind the curtain and uncover some of the park’s coolest secrets. Running for two jam-packed days on August 4–5, Parks Alive returns for its fifth year to turn Roma Street Parkland into a hive of activity celebrating all things green. more
Folks, that magical time of the year is upon us again – hordes of foodies will be flocking to South Bank for Regional Flavours, eager to sample the best of our state’s fine fresh produce. We’re all over the fact that Queensland is home to some of the country’s greatest natural fare, but there are actually a whole heap of exciting products popping up that you might not have even heard of before. We’ve done some digging to find five must-try items from Regional Flavours that are a little outside the box – go on, we double-dare you. more
Folks, we are living in a time when often the truth seems stranger than fiction. With the rise of social media, information gets bounced around faster than you can say, “Fact check, please!”. A whole storm of factors means that it is getting increasingly difficult to know what’s real, what’s been twisted for clicks and what is an outright lie – but all hope is not lost. There are still a whole heap of legends out there dedicated to delivering the truth in its most raw and engaging forms, and you can catch them at this year’s Storyology when it hits the Palace Barracks Cinemas from July 27–28. more
Cast your mind back to your early high-school years and the glorious stretch of summer holidays, before the internet was around to keep you occupied. Most of us had to rely on our imagination and the other kids in the neighbourhood to make our own fun – but oftentimes we would crave a bigger adventure. What do you think you would have done if your town’s resident bad boy came tapping at your window one night asking for your help when they were placed at the scene of a grisly crime? Coming to QPAC from July 28 to August 18, the beloved Australian novel Jasper Jones is getting the stage treatment and is here to answer some questions about morality, guilt, race and growing up – all with impeccable flare. more
Certain pairings are just meant to be – peas and carrots, Ben and Jerry, horse racing and … rock’n’roll? Hear us out here – while it may not seem like the most orthodox combination, the union of Tattersall’s Racing Club and Triple M has come about to treat us punters to a race day that is set to shake things up. Taking over Doomben Racecourse on Saturday July 21, the Triple M Rocks Tattersall’s Race Day comes with all of the ingredients of a rad race day event combined with some seriously rockin’ additions. more
He may not be a household name, but William of Rubruck sure did leave something beautiful behind. During his life, he embarked on an epic quest to convert the Great Khan to Christianity in the Mongol capital of Karakorum. During this time he kept a thrilling manuscript and itinerarium detailing his adventures, which have been given a special new life thanks to the Brandenburg Choir and La Camera delle Lacrime. Coming to QPAC’s Concert Hall for one night only on Tueday August 7, Karakorum: A Medieval Musical Journey is a truly stunning sonic ride that will make you feel like you’re trekking the Silk Road circa the 13th century … with David Wenham as your personal tour guide. more
In the age of #MeToo, #TimesUp and nasty women, it’s hard not to be inspired by the fierce females standing up and speaking out against gender inequality. Although it may not have been on our home turf, one of the turning points in the conversation around feminism and equal rights was the election of one Donald Trump. Heck, it’s not hard to see why – the dude’s a straight-up monster. If we have anything to thank him for, it’s that his presidency seems to have sparked a fire in the belly of many creative individuals all around the world – including that of Claire Christian. The world premiere of her brand-new play Lysa and the Freeborn Dames is about to hit the La Boite Theatre stage, bringing with it a whole heap of grit and girl power. more
From humble beginnings in 1962, the Warana Writers Convention, as it was then known, featured just six sessions over one day. Nowadays, the Brisbane Writers Festival has flourished to become a seminal literary event that brings together over 200 internationally renowned writers, thinkers and opinion makers to entertain, enlighten and inspire. This year, the line-up is stronger than ever with science guru Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, human rights barrister, activist and author Geoffrey Robertson Q.C. and New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth all gracing the program. more