Quandamooka Festival celebrates the living history, knowledge, stories, arts and culture of the Nughi, Nunukul and Gorenpul clans, known collectively as the Quandamooka People of South East Queensland. Arriving on our doorstep from Friday August 26 to Sunday August 28 with three jam-packed days of fun-filled activities and two evenings of live-music magic, this year's festival has something for everyone. more
Over ten days in August, the Sunshine Coast is playing host to a contemporary multi-arts festival. More than just your average collection of visual art, music, theatre, dance, words, film and creative workshops, Horizon Festival is rooted in celebrating the natural beauty of the Sunshine Coast with a program that thoughtfully honours and highlights the Traditional Custodians of the land in which it operates – the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Peoples. If you relish in celebrating art in all of its forms, have a thirst for the knowledge shared by our First Nations Peoples and are craving a northern escape, then head up to the Sunshine Coast from August 26 until September 4 and immerse yourself in ten days of spectacular creativity and culture-rich performances. more
After almost two years of waiting, BLEACH* Festival is preparing to light up the Gold Coast with carefully curated creativity and performances over 11 days in August. From August 11-21, Gold Coast locals are encouraged to celebrate and support an ever-talented collective of artists, singers, performers and musicians as they take over beachside esplanades, botanic gardens and hinterland hideaways. With more than 233 artists, 94 performances and 36 events lined up on the program, there is bound to be something to satisfy every creative appetite. If you're a little stuck on what to attend, fear not! We have combed through the program and plucked out a few highlights worthy of pencilling into your calendar for BLEACH* in 2022. more
Unless you're new to the coast or have been living under a rock, you're probably well familiar with BLEACH* Festival. For those who aren't, well, allow us – BLEACH* is the Gold Coast's premier arts and cultural festival that proudly and passionately champions the incredible artists and performers that make up the tapestry of the shining city. BLEACH* has been no stranger to COVID-related cancellations and, much to the dismay of everyone on the Gold Coast, last year's festival took a hit. Luckily for us, BLEACH* is back, better than ever and is here to celebrate its 11-year milestone by transforming beachside esplanades, botanic gardens and hinterland hideaways into backdrops for spine-tingling and thought-provoking experiences from August 11-21. We recommend clearing your calendar because the 11-day program has just been released and is packed with a bounty of events and… more
Prepare for popping bottles of bubbles, bendy bodies and a bounty of glitter – Blanc de Blanc Encore is returning to Brisbane! You can expect the same jaw-dropping showcase of jazz tunes, electrifying circus tricks, hilarious antics, gob-smacking acrobatics and risque humour, but this time, amped up to the max. more
Creativity and personal expression come in many forms. Some of us sing, some dance, some may participate in adrenaline sports and others, well, they play with fire and swallow swords. The Australian and international busking community is rich with incredibly talented individuals that thrive on doing what they love in the hopes that it will entertain others. Buskers by the Lake is a Sunshine Coast festival that gives renowned and up-and-coming buskers the chance to show off their skills as part of a wider project, entertaining audiences over three days in one giant, lakeside extravaganza. The festival theme is 'Fantasyland', so get ready to soak up the sunshine and experience a whole new world of mystique, magic and marvel. more
While we may cut shapes at house parties and have the occasional boogie whilst bar hopping, most of us are in no way professional-level dancers (sorry in-denial amateurs). If you want to see some of the pros step up to the plate with their ace freestyle moves, then groove on over to Mad Dance Festival 2022. This celebration of Queensland’s street-dance scene will see some of the best local b-boys, and b-girls, poppers, lockers and hip-hop heavy-weights congregate for one big dance party. more
In case you missed it, the Ballet International Gala is pirouetting into town from January 26–30. Event-goers will be treated to a sizzling ballet showcase starring principal dancers from iconic institutions like The Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Astana Opera and even our own Queensland Ballet. So you can have the ultimate night out at the theatre, we have pulled together a top-tier itinerary that will have you grabbing your tutu and tip-toeing around some delicious pit stops surrounding QPAC. more
We've been starved of international ballets in the past couple of years but, in a win for lovers of killer choreography, next year will be much different thanks to the exciting arrival of Ballet International Gala. The first major ballet production to be headlined by international artists in Australia since 2019, this bewitching world premiere is coming to QPAC from January 26–30 and is a must-see for balletomanes and dance devotees. more
Following a successful season opening with ACT 1 – which featured two hit productions – La Boite Theatre is pulling out all of the stops for a thrilling ACT 2. Kicking off this month and running until August, the exciting second act of the theatre's 2021 season features two diverse main stage productions, a fresh-faced music series and a brand-spanking-new program of HWY events. Order some bubbles, take your seat and settle in for a night at the theatre. more
For six fabulous years, MELT: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture has brought a glitter-soaked treasure chest of events to our city. After the year-that-should-not-be-named, MELT is back and better than ever and is giving us a reason to not only put on our heels, but kick them back. So you can start applying your eyeshadow, we have got your sneak peek into this year's festival. From confetti-covered cabaret to Queen tributes, here's a taste of some not-to-be-missed events ... more
Bid farewell to the 2020 blues and get your daypacks ready because we’ve hunted down some of the best upcoming live-music festivals to shake us out of our lethargy like a sweaty slap in the face. From the good old summer festival to postponed events, we’re ready to make up for lost time and get amongst it. more
Since moving out of its previous home at 109 Edward Street in The City, we have been eagerly anticipating the reopening (and rebirth) of Metro Arts. The famed creative institution has found its new stomping ground within the West Village precinct, bringing West End its first live theatre in a quarter of a century. To usher in the contemporary era of the 40-year-old multi-arts organisation, Metro Arts has lifted the curtain on its vibrant 2020 program, which includes a variety of electrifying performances, thrilling productions, eye-catching installations and enchanting exhibitions. It all kicks off when the doors open to the public on Thursday September 3, with a jam-packed itinerary of exciting events from the Brisbane Festival program. more
Brisbane Festival returns brighter and bolder this year with an exciting 2020 program full of music, art and just a bit of naughtiness. The opening weekend will include all of this and more, illuminating our vibrant city with a laser installation, cul-de-sac concerts and burlesque-filled flashmobs. It all kicks off on Friday September 4 with a program of performances, exhibitions and experiences that will take Brisbane's breath away. more
Look, we're not gonna beat around the bush – life in quarantine has got us doing some some strange things. Whether it's attempting to dramatically change our hairstyle à la Britney circa 2007, text our K-Fed-like exes, or the boundless attempts to replicate Britney Spears' iconic dance moves, our lives are starting to mirror our favourite gym-burning pop queen. To help us get a piece of Britney (and get a good sweat sesh in while we're at it), Brit's former choreographer is hosting a virtual pop-song-fuelled dance class. Yep, that's right – it’s time to work, bitch. more
Mixing playfulness and poetry with a side of pirouetting, The Happy Prince, is The Australian Ballet's take on the classic Oscar Wilde tale of the warm-hearted golden statue. The world premiere of this brand-new ballet by Australian Choreographer Graeme Murphy is coming to QPAC from 25 to 29 February and is set to capture the hearts of those with child-like imaginations with its magical story of love and sacrifice. more
Since news broke in December 2019 that the much-loved heritage-listed arts centre at 109 Edward Street had sold, we have been eagerly anticipating how Metro Arts will celebrate more than four decades of supporting and mentoring artists and their creative works. Set to go out with a bang, Metro Arts, with love is – as you probably rightly assumed – a love letter to the space as well as to the artists and audiences in the form of 12 days of performance, artworks and live music from February 1 to 15. more
As Idina Menzel once sang "It's time to try defying gravity", and that's exactly what the talented performers are set to attempt in Circa's Peepshow, a captivating contemporary circus show that turns cabaret on its head, showing at QPAC from January 14 to 25. more
Roll up, roll up – it's time to walk the tightrope to Cirque du Soleil's big top at Northshore Hamilton, as the largest contemporary circus producer in the world is back in Brisbane with its newest show-stopping spectacle. Cirque du Soleil’s 35th production since 1984, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities is set to wow audiences with weird and wonderful acrobatics teamed with hilarious carnival comedy from Friday January 10 to Sunday February 23. 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 our city comes alive to celebrate in a uniquely Australian way – after all, who needs snow when you have sand? From enchanted gardens to festive beats, we’ve found the best things happening during Christmas in Brisbane across The City, South Bank and Roma Street Parkland. more
