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
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
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
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
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
In the age of the internet and limited attention spans, it speaks volumes when something is able to stop us in our tracks and make us think, wonder or simply admire. Even in this brave new world, the World Press Photo Exhibition has remained an event capable of making millions of people from all corners of the globe pause for a moment to observe and consider slices of history presented in powerful images. The worldwide exhibition is setting up at Brisbane Powerhouse from June 30 to July 22, bringing a host of photographs that will engage and inspire. more
Friday June 1 marked a very special day for Brisbane City – the opening of its first five-star hotel in 20 years, W Brisbane. There are many elements that make W Brisbane particularly worthy of the five-star accolade, one of which is the W Insider, Montana Tozzi, a gal about town whose job is to ensure guests have access to whatever they want, whenever they want it. Each month Montana treats guests with her hit-list of what to do and see in Brisbane via the Cool Hunter Guide, and seeing as that's our specialty, we've partnered with her to curate it each month. Here you have it folks – the best of Brisbane this June. more
Real talk – one of the best things about Brisbane is that it’s a cultural melting pot. From the delicious food to the lively events, there is always something happening that celebrates the unique mix of people that call this place home. Whether you want to taste something exciting, take part in a new ritual, catch tunes from another culture or see art from across the globe, it’s all happening in Brisbane this winter. We’ve taken a look through Brisbane City Council’s Live guide and picked five must-do events that prove you don’t need a passport to see the world. more
Real talk – white Australia’s treatment and representation of its Aboriginal population is inexcusably bad. There’s no skirting around the fact that things need to change, but the nature of these issues is harrowing, heavy and can be hard to navigate. Someone adding a touch of humour to this poignant topic is Tony Albert, the award-winning Indigenous Australian artist who has carved his own unique path in our country’s cultural landscape. His latest exhibition Visible is coming to Queensland Art Gallery from June 2 to bring a different perspective to the conversation surrounding race and representation. 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
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
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
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
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
It's all happening – we are currently in the thick of the thrilling Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games! While the sporting action is taking place down south between April 4–15, Brisbane certainly isn't missing out – the city is buzzing with a stellar program of world-class events and live entertainment thanks to Festival 2018. For 12 huge days, the city is coming alive for an arts and culture extravaganza and best of all – it’s entirely free. Last week we rounded up some of our must-sees for the opening week, so we thought we'd help out again with some guidance. Here are our top picks for Week Two of Festival 2018 in Brisbane, from Monday April 9 to Sunday April 15. more
Looking at some of Brisbane’s natural landscapes, it makes perfect sense that artists are inspired by them. The vibrant colours, unusual textures and sensory experiences of nature lend themselves to taking art off the canvas and into the wild. This is exactly what some of the best local and national artists will be doing this month with a Brisbane-first experience – Botanica. Running in conjunction with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games from April 6–15, Botanica will transform the City Botanic Gardens into a living, breathing outdoor art gallery for everyone to enjoy – all for free. more
It's official – the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games have arrived! While most of the action is taking place down south between April 4–15, Brisbane will still be buzzing with a stellar program of world-class events and live entertainment thanks to Festival 2018. For 12 huge days, the city will come alive for an arts and culture extravaganza and best of all – it's entirely free. Here are our top picks for Week One of Festival 2018 in Brisbane, from Wednesday April 4 to Sunday April 8. more
When you think of the great inventors of history, odds are some famous names immediately spring to mind. Most of us are familiar with the Edison and Einstein-level creators from our high school textbooks, but there are so many more people throughout history who have improved our quality of life – and some of them are even from around our neck of the woods! Currently running until June 3 at the State Library of Queensland, Magnificent Makers shines a light on some of the canny creations, daring discoveries and imaginative inventions that all came about in our backyard. more