The carnies have come and gone, the ferris wheel has been taken down and the scent of dagwood dogs is a distant memory – Ekka season is over and we’re coming down from that sugar high. To ease the pain, we’ve put together some choice ways to spend your days off – from Armakeggon to dog shows, here are the best things happening in Brisbane on the August 22–25 weekend. more
It's the 1980s in a housing estate on the outskirts of Brisbane. A young boy and his mute brother are soon to be erroneously inducted into a complicated world of drugs, crime and domestic violence. Their mum is about to end up in Brisbane's infamous Boggo Road Gaol, and they will be sent to live with their estranged alcoholic father thereafter. This is the story described by award-winning journalist-turned-novelist Trent Dalton in his debut book, Boy Swallows Universe. It is also the story that is about to have its own stage adaptation, having just been announced as the theatrical event of the coming Queensland Theatre 2020 Season. more
For some people, Easter is all about chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. For others, the April long weekend heralds one of our country’s greatest musical gatherings – we’re talking Byron Bay Bluesfest, baby! Good news for those who have been hanging out to see who will be gracing the stage in 2020 – the first announcement for the five-day affair has just dropped, and you’d best believe it’s worth saving the date for. more
For Brisbane locals, the cultural feats of our humble riverside city have always been aplenty, and we have spent decades dedicated to establishing ourselves as a capital with just as much cultural sway as the nation’s other heavyweights. This is especially true of Brisbane’s burgeoning music scene, which has kicked, screamed and shouted its way into popularity - from the local scene we know and love - through to national and international hearts and stages. There are many musical sons and daughters birthed from the shores and streets of Brisbane to be proud of - and thanks to the Museum of Brisbane, we now have the chance to celebrate them. more
Cinephiles, one of the most exciting events on our calendar is almost upon us once more – the annual Brisbane International Film Festival is back in town, baby! Our city’s flagship film festival is returning to its (very apt) home QAGOMA, setting up shop from October 3–13 and bringing a huge roster of inspiring entertainment our way. more
Folks, we weren’t joking when we told you that this year’s Brisbane Festival is an absolute showstopper. The annual outing brings an extra explosion of colour and life to our city, spreading a program of world-class entertainment through the streets for three glorious weeks. Whether it’s visionary installations, racy cabaret or international musical superstars you’re after, this year’s Brisbane Festival has got you covered – we’ve had a look through the program and sorted it into handy sections depending on what you love. Block out September 5–28 in your diary because you’re going to be very busy. 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 14, 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
We've all been victims of the fast fashion cycle - that dangerous ritual of constant consumption, whereby we think we need to buy the latest item on the retail rack every other week. And it's not just our finances that feel the sting from this - when we get sick of those over-worn threads, they tend to get discarded and, eventually, end up in landfill. Thankfully, those interested in breaking the cycle and finding redemption for their fast-fashion crimes are invited to atone at the fourth-annual pop-up Revive Second-Hand Fashion Festival. more
I've been brought up with the ideology of finding a way to function, even if you have to hack out some new path ...~ Vivien Goldman more
If you've been staring longingly at your mud-caked festival boots wondering when you'll have a chance to whip them out again, the wait is finally over – the first announcement of the Falls Festival 2019 line-up has just been announced. more
A few short months back, Brisbane's dining scene was put under the spotlight as a panel of our city's culinary best dissected everything from review aggregators to the future of fine dining. June saw a collection of Brisbane-based designers gather to go into detail about how they built a sustainable business on their terms. Last month, several forward-thinkers dug deep into the world of slow fashion and sustainable style. On Wednesday August 28, The Locals Panel Series returns for the fourth and final event of 2019. This time, we're double dipping back into the realm of food, pivoting our point of focus to shine a light on the environmental impact of our food choices and how we can eat healthier, smarter and more sustainably. more
The great state of Queensland quite simply has loads of things to be proud of. XXXX Beer, Savage Garden, the Story Bridge and Bundaberg Rum 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). This year the show steamrolls ahead into its 142nd year (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
Whether you're a hop head who knows your pale ales from your pilsners, or if you just enjoy blowing the top off a few frothies with your pals, you'd best block out Saturday September 7 in your diary. The Gold Coast's beloved Craft Beer & Cider Festival is returning to crack the kegs in Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach for its third year, bringing with it more than 200 different beers and ciders from 44 breweries, alongside a healthy dose of street eats, a roof-raising seaside concert, beer yoga, hotdog-eating competitions, live comedy and more. more
There’s an old saying about comparison being the thief of joy, and it seems that expression has never been more accurate than in our current age of social media. Even the most confident amongst us would struggle to be immune to the jealousy pangs that occur when you come across someone so achingly cool/smart/successful that they make you feel like a total dud in comparison – it’s just how we’re wired. Joanna Murray-Smith has turned this age-old predicament into a razor-sharp comedy for Queensland Theatre, debuting L’Appartement at QPAC from August 3. more
“Two households, both alike in dignity …” It’s one of the oldest and most tragic love stories of all time, and has been privy to countless interpretations across all artistic mediums – we’re talking, of course, about Shakespeare’s ever-enduring Romeo & Juliet. The beauty, drama and sheer theatricality of The Bard’s most popular tale still resonate with audiences the world over, particularly in the realm of dance. Returning from a sold-out 2014 season and in feverish demand, Queensland Ballet is treating audiences once more to the true treat that is Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet, coming to QPAC from August 28. more
What do eye-watering shiny glazes, the crisp sound of crackling , the heady aroma of smoke filling the air and the feeling of juice dripping down your fingers have in common? You can find them all in the same place – The Brisbane BBQ Festival. Returning to the sporting fields at Victoria Park on the July 27–28 weekend for two days of all-out carnivorous feasting, this annual affair is set to get people drooling. more
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (we hope it’s cosy down there), you’re probably aware that GOMA has been overtaken by a number of absolutely jaw-dropping exhibitions and installations. As well as the dual efforts of national treasures Margaret Olley and Ben Quilty adorning the gallery walls at the moment, the building’s façade is permanently bathed in the evening light of James Turrell’s epic Night Life installation. To celebrate this trio of talent, GOMA has curated a killer Winter Up Late line-up for every Friday night in August – so if you like your music loud and your art after hours, you’ll want to read on … more
Somewhere along the line, coffee went from being a humble (albeit tasty) bean juice and evolved into a full-blown subculture. Brisbane has taken a firm grasp on the coffee-as-a-hobby phenomenon, fostering a caffeine culture that rivals its southern brethren. If you take your java seriously – or even if you just appreciate a good brew – there is a rad festival coming our way to celebrate all things to do with the good bean. The Lanes Coffee Festival is taking over Fortitude Valley’s three famous laneways on Saturday July 27, bringing a swag of experts together to enjoy, educate and discover. more
In May, some of Brisbane’s finest culinary minds dispensed their foodie wisdom. In June, a panel of awe-inspiring artisans delved into the inner-workings of the design world. This month, some of our city’s sharpest sartorial figures will gather to talk about the current state of style – from giving fast fashion the flick to making a sustainable statement. On Wednesday July 24, The Locals Panel Series gets suited and booted for a forum on fashion, featuring conversation between beloved designers, stylists and members of the fashion media. more
There’s a damn good reason that people love James Street – from the amazing sartorial selection to the unbeatable atmosphere, the designer precinct offers a range of luxury unlike anywhere else. As much as we love swanning around enjoying the amazing shopping on offer, the dining scene on James Street holds just as much of a place in our hearts – which is why every year we eagerly await the James Street Food and Wine Trail. Running from July 25–28, the annual event is back bigger and better than ever – so we thought we’d give you a taste with some must-do events throughout the festival. more
Lovers of literature, poetry and all things to do with the written word, listen up – the Brisbane Writers Festival is back for another year, and you’d best believe that its program packs a serious punch. From September 5–8, the State Library of Queensland and our city as a whole will play host to some of the world’s most creative, inspiring and gifted thinkers – and this year, the program will shine a special spotlight on the traditional storytellers of Australian land. more