The weather is crisp, the boots are out of storage and our beach body goals are but a distant memory lost in favour of hoovering pasta directly from the pan. It’s autumn in Brisbane, baby! These stunning days and brisk nights create the perfect environment for some revelry – from tiny dogs to Greeking out and celebrating queer culture, we’ve found the best of what’s happening in Brisbane on the May 17–20 weekend. more
This time of the year is a particularly dangerous one – as soon as Brisbane’s temperature drops a little and we’ve exhausted our bank of long weekends, all we can think about is jetting off to another country for a sweet escape and loads of feasting. If you’re lusting after a cheese-fuelled European getaway but can’t spare the airfare, we have the next best thing – take a trip to the Fromage Laneway, popping up at West Village on Sunday May 27. more
Look, maths definitely isn’t universally loved, but you can’t deny its force. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of numbers, it’s pretty incredible when you bring everything back to the basic notion that humans invented their own way to make sense of things that were previously impossible to comprehend. Much like maths, theatre is another avenue that people use to explain the inexplicable – and it’s a marriage of these two things that has created something close to magic. Making its world premiere at La Boite Theatre from June 2–23, The Mathematics of Longing draws from two different worlds to help us understand ourselves better. more
There’s no nice way to put it – colonisation is brutal. Most of us are aware at least on a base level of our country’s history, but there’s a lot more to the story than a bunch of criminals getting shipped off to a country that was actually already occupied. From its prisoners to our First Nations people, the Moreton Bay penal colony changed the lives of many – not to mention the course of history. Museum of Brisbane is taking us back in time with Life in Irons, an exhibit that shows what life was like on both sides of the fence. more
Is baking a piece of cake? Or do your cakes not rise to the occasion? Either way, the International Cake Show Australia is the place to be. Whether you want to attend a masterclass, watch industry experts or just simply get your sugar fix, this event has something for everyone. The ultimate cake decorating competition is taking over Brisbane Showgrounds from May 18–20. more
Brisbane, the time is almost here – the haloumi is sizzling, the honey puffs are getting dusted with sugar and the zorba lines are approaching at a rapid pace. That’s right, Paniyiri Greek Festival is back! Returning to Musgrave Park and the newly renovated Greek Club from May 19–20, Brisbane’s biggest celebration of Greek culture will fill your belly and warm your heart. more
Back in the day, technological breakthroughs and advancements seemed to happen at such a pace that certain things – like flying cars and space travel – seemed too far ahead of our time to fathom. Well folks, we’re here to tell you that time has caught up in a major way and what were once distant dreams are now becoming a reality … fast. Returning to Brisbane Powerhouse from May 16–18, Myriad is bringing the brightest minds in innovation and technology from around the world right into our backyard to discuss the endless possibilities of the future. more
Drink, dance and dine the day away as South Brisbane’s iconic laneway is transformed into the hotspot of the city. From midday on Saturday May 12, bring your mates and your appetite down to Fish Lane Festival – it’s going to be tasty! more
Critiques can be so vicious and harsh but it’s just people’s opinions about what you’re doing. Sometimes it’s helpful, sometimes it’s not – whether it’s really critical or really supportive, it doesn’t really help you put the pen to paper ...~ Sam Beam more
If you’ve been mourning the loss of West Village’s iconic Bromley Room, we have some news that is bound to perk you right up. The West End lifestyle precinct is back at the arty activations again with Laneway WV, a series of themed pop-ups set to take the cobblestones by storm between May and October this year. Creatives and gourmands alike will be thrilled by the ever-changing offering across food, art and culture, all with a distinct local twist. Laneway WV is kicking things off with some hands-on fun, bringing renowned ceramicist Erin Lightfoot on board for a pop-up studio and store experience. more
If strobing, contouring and baking are among your daily vocab and you often find yourself in a YouTube vortex of make-up tutorials, pencil May 19–20 in your diary. Pacific Fair Shopping Centre's Beauty Weekend is back and you can trust us when we say it's going to be well worth the trip down the M1. more
We’re calling it right now – mimosas are making a comeback. The humble mixture of sparkling wine and fruit juice is critically underrated for so many reasons – it’s delicious, it’s fresh and you won’t get judged for ordering it at breakfast. Hot off the heels of its sold-out wine and cheese event in March, Treasury Brisbane is once again turning its courtyard into an epicurean paradise – but this time, there will be citrus. Mark Friday May 11 in your diary because Wine, Cheese & Mimosas is about to get juicy. more
The year 1988 was a huge one for Brisbane for many reasons, but there is one event that positively impacted our city in ways that our people had never experienced before – we’re talking World Expo '88. The enormous festival was a catalyst for change across Brisbane’s entire cultural landscape, putting us on the world map as a place worth seeing. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of World Expo '88, Brisbane City Council has taken the existing World Expo '88 Public Art Trail and elevated it to a whole new level. more
Mischief making and cross dressing? Sounds like a classic Shakespearean comedy to us! Follow the twisted tale of mistaken identities, separated twins and, of course, a love triangle that can still bring the laughs after 400 years. Shakespeare’s most notorious comedy Twelfth Night is taking over QPAC's Playhouse from April 28 to May 19 – and it’s bringing a musical twist. more
Folks, the wait is finally over – after a sultry summer, Brisbane is chilling out and embracing the change of seasons. Now that we can go out during the day without melting into a puddle, it’s the perfect time to explore what The City has to offer. It’s not just dining, drinking and shopping – there are plenty of cool activities going down that you might not even know about. From live tunes to garden parties and even interactive skylines, we’ve rounded up a list of things happening in The City this May that deserve your attention. more
Although there is still a ways to go in the fight for equality and acceptance, Brisbane boasts a festival that is all about taking these struggles, throwing some glitter on them and using them as a vehicle for moving forward. Returning to its home of the Brisbane Powerhouse from May 17–27, MELT Festival is an open invitation for one and all to celebrate Brisbane’s wonderfully diverse queer communities. more
Have you ever gazed at the Brisbane skyline and wondered what it might look like if you were in charge? The Museum of Brisbane has teamed up with beloved Australian illustrator Megan McKean to create BRISTOPIA, a bright and bold reflection of our city’s past, present and future – that you can contribute to. more
She’s the one who has cooked you countless meals, consoled you through every horrible break-up, fixed your fringe when you tried to cut it yourself and always let you lick the wooden spoon after a cake-making session – yep, we’re talking about your mum. One day doesn’t seem like nearly enough to say thanks for all that she’s done, but it’s worth packing as much love as you can into your Mother’s Day proceedings. On Sunday May 13 (that’s Mother’s Day, in case you forgot), Treasury Brisbane will be celebrating all things matriarchal with a host of fantastic events to suit every kind of mama. From champagne garden parties to fancy high teas or even a family breakfast, it’s all taken care of. more
You may have seen The Pop-Up Hotel before – a luxurious bell tent in the middle of Brisbane Festival, on the sandy shores of Kirra at Bleach* Festival, or smack-bang in the middle of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. As its name implies, The Pop-Up Hotel can pop up anywhere at any time ... and this May it's bringing a whimsical night of luxury to Death Valley Fun Camp. more
Many people tend to come out of their shells after dark. The night has long been associated with things getting a bit freaky, with the cover of darkness allowing us to be our true selves. Under this rationale, it makes perfect sense that one of our city’s most alluring attractions is perhaps best experienced by night. Patricia Piccinini’s Curious Affection is getting the famous GOMA Up Late treatment, bringing a host of eclectic musicians and the chance to see the exhibit after hours. Coming to the Gallery from June 8 to July 6, the program packs a serious punch to match the weird and wonderful nature of Patricia’s groundbreaking exhibit. more
For many people, the daily commute to work is at least a bit of a drag. Whether you’re perfecting your car karaoke during a peak-hour traffic jam or doing your best impression of a sardine on the train, these aren’t exactly ideal day-starting situations. Ever watched people breeze past on bikes on their way to the office and thought it looks pretty dreamy? You would be right – no gridlock, some fresh air, a few extra dollars in the pocket and a good workout sounds like a sweet deal to us. If you’ve thought about riding to work but didn’t know where (or how) to start, we’ve teamed up with Cycling Brisbane, an initiative of Brisbane City Council, to get you prepped for the two-wheeled way to travel. more