Man, it’s a hot one – some might say it feels like we’re seven inches from the midday sun but that that’s neither here nor there. Regardless of how you feel about the weather, there are a bunch of great reasons you should abandon your couch this weekend. From massive waterslides to bottomless rosé brunches, we’ve found the best things happening in Brisbane on the January 17–20 weekend. more
The world of music owes a heck of a lot to Sam Cooke. Dubbed the Godfather of Soul, his infectious melodies, genre-mixing sound and heavenly vocals combined to propel him to a status that few reach in a lifetime. Not only did he happen to be an amazing artist, but he was also the voice of a revolutionary movement. He broke down religious and racial barriers with his gift, all while smashing out hit after hit. If you mourn the fact that you never got to see him live, we’ve found the next best thing – coming to Brisbane Powerhouse from January 31 to February 2, Songs and Times of Sam Cooke showcases the life of a legend through music. more
We know the feeling all too well – the new year rolls around and before you know it, all of those resolutions to get back on the health train have fallen by the wayside. Don’t beat yourself up! It’s a hard slog to get back into the swing of things, but we’re here to help. Before you fork out for a gym membership, why not take advantage of the Medibank Feel Good Program? If fun, free, low-pressure and outdoor classes sound like your ideal fitness situation, read on. more
To earn the title of a classic is no mean feat, but Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman has managed to retain this status since its release in 1949. The iconic story is a perfect reflection of the time in which it was written, but also manages to stand up today as a heavily relatable story – the themes have proven to remain timeless (which is pretty grim, but that’s the reality of it). A brand-new iteration of the award-winning story is set to open Queensland Theatre’s massive 2019 season – and this is one version you won’t want to miss. more
There are certain things about Brisbane summer that we hang out for every year – the long days, the hot nights and So Frenchy So Chic are just a few of the things that make this time of year so magical. This year’s edition of the Euro-inspired music showcase sees the inimitable Clara Luciani headed to the Brisbane Powerhouse for one dreamy performance only – so clear Sunday January 20 in your diary and prepare to swoon. more
If you’ve already abandoned your resolutions since January 1 ticked over, fear not – a second chance is coming your way. We’re talking the Lunar New Year! To celebrate the occasion, Brisbane will be getting a special one-off night market dedicated to the Year of the Pig – and you’d better come with a swine-like appetite. On Friday February 1, the Treasury Brisbane courtyard will come alive as a hawker-style wonderland featuring delicious food, eye-popping entertainment and good fortune to spare. more
When it comes to keeping us entertained throughout the warmer months, QAGOMA has always had our backs. If you haven’t already checked out the jaw-dropping 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (or even if you have), we would suggest keeping the weekend of January 18–20 free – because QAGOMA’s annual Summer Festival has returned! Celebrating the exhibition in inimitable style, the festival is a perfect opportunity to experience the wonder of APT9 through a wide range of wonderful activities. more
Real talk – while 2018 may have been a great year for Brisbane, we’re even more excited for what 2019 is going to bring. Our cultural sphere just keeps getting better, with a host of local and international events taking place right here in our city. We’ve picked five killer events happening post-New Year that you should get tickets to before they disappear, lest you risk falling victim to some serious FOMO. more
It’s beautiful to have people send us messages that they have woven our music into their everyday lives ...~ Zaachariaha Fielding more
Hot damn, we love a good rags to riches story that also happens to be true – and they don’t come much better than that of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It’s a classic tale of four blue-collar boys with rough backgrounds that go from zero to hero at a skyrocketing pace. The self-made stars did things their way – they wrote their own songs, created their own sound and changed the face of music as it is today (all before hitting 30 years of age, mind you). Their story has been adapted for the stage with thrilling success – Jersey Boys hits QPAC from January 2, 2019 and you’d better believe it lives up to the hype. more
Let’s be honest – living in hot and sunny Queensland doesn’t exactly fit with a traditional Christmas aesthetic. The store-bought wreaths with plastic holly and fake snow seem like a bit of a cop-out – so why not decorate a little more Australiana this festive season? West Village is holding a bloomin’ great native flower market and workshops, taking over the precinct on Saturday December 22 to make sure you’re all set for when the Man in Red comes down the chimney. more
If you haven’t been to the Woodford Folk Festival, it’s almost impossible to describe it to someone else. Every year on the day after Boxing Day, tens of thousands of people flock to the paradise of Woodfordia to indulge in a constant stream of pure magic in the form of music, live art, performances, debates and more, coming together as a mini-community until it all culminates on New Year’s Day. The all-encompassing vibe may sound like a bit of a stretch, but believe us when we say this is one journey you need to take at least once in your life. more
Consistently squeezing a laugh out of someone can be bloody hard work, but the Brisbane Comedy Festival has been managing to keep us on the verge of wetting our pants for ten years now. Time flies when you’re having fun, right? Doling out laughs for a decade is no mean feat, so you’d best believe that the festival is bringing a seriously stacked line-up to celebrate entering double digits. The festival returns to its homes of Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane City Hall and SunPAC from February 22 to March 24, 2019. more
As the school holidays approach at a rapid pace, anyone with little ones to entertain can understand the sheer panic that ensues. If you’re keen to get your kids (or cousins, nieces, nephews and the like) away from the lure of the screen, West Village has curated an absolutely massive roster of cool activities to keep the young’uns busy this summer. From flower crowns to slime making, the Summer of Fun has something for every kind of kid … and it’s all free. more
When it comes to New Year’s Eve, there are a lot of things to factor in – after all, they say that the way you spend the night sets the tone for the year ahead. If you’re keen to hit the town and party down but cringe at the thought of being crammed in a sweaty club with rowdy teens, we have just the solution. Bringing sophisticated style and serious celebratory vibes together, New Year’s Eve at Treasury Brisbane is set to stun with a host of options to suit every reveller. more
Considering the state that the planet is in at the moment, teaching the next generation how to be cleaner, greener and more environmentally conscious is a pretty important thing to do. Heck, we can all stand to learn a little more about making our lives more eco-friendly! Lifestyle precinct West Village is doing its bit to make the education process more fun than preachy with the launch of its own dedicated children’s sensory garden. To celebrate the opening of the garden, West Village is hosting some rad free workshops to get locals and visitors alike acquainted with the space – featuring a different activity for every day of the week. more
In case you’ve been living under a rock (how’s the weather under there?), you may have noticed that the hotly anticipated 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art has finally opened at QAGOMA for all to enjoy. As with all of the gallery’s major exhibitions, the awe doesn’t stop with what we see on the walls – patrons are also treated to a rich and vibrant cinema program to accompany. The APT9 Cinema program has arrived at the GOMA Cinémathèque to give us a taste of the Asia Pacific through the magic of film. more
Through its various adaptations, most of us are at least vaguely familiar with the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. The age-old story of compassion, forgiveness and redemption has been given countless reboots since it first arrived on the scene back in 1843, so you might think that an original take at this point would be impossible. Remarkably, this is not the case – the maverick renegades at shake & stir theatre co. have given the tale their distinctive touch to create a new classic. more
The tinsel is out of storage, the ornaments are polished and the oven is prepped at a perfect pavlova-cooking temperature – we think it’s safe to say that the festive season has well and truly arrived! Christmas in Brisbane is truly a magical time where the River City comes alive to celebrate in a uniquely Australian way. From enchanted gardens to pop-up riverfront cinemas, we’ve found the best things happening during Christmas in Brisbane across The City, South Bank and Roma Street Parkland. more
While it may seem like more of an American thing, we can assure you that the Black Friday sale phenomenon is very much alive here on our shores. What originally started as a post-Thanksgiving tradition to mark the beginning of the Christmas shopping season has actually spread to our retail landscape, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to embrace it. If you can’t resist a bargain, listen up – The Myer Centre Brisbane is about to hold its famous Black Friday Sale this Friday November 23 and you'd better believe there are some deals that will make your jaw drop. more
We're going to just go right out there and admit it – we look forward to every third summer in Brisbane more than any other. Why? Because that's when QAGOMA's Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art is in town! Seeing as this explosion of life and colour only happens every three years, its opening night is definitely cause for the entire city to celebrate. From 7:30 pm this Friday November 23, both QAG and GOMA are opening up their doors to the public for one heck of a party, filled with DJs, performances, food, drink and of course some awe-inspiring art. more