Can we get a hefty Amen for short weeks? Although a Wednesday public holiday definitely isn't ideal, it's nice to come back to work knowing there are only about 16 working hours left between you and freedom. From trailer trash pageants to beery good marriage equality parties, we've rounded up what's good to do on the August 17–20 weekend in Brisbane. more
As much as we love them, the humble music festival can be a bit of a daunting experience. From standing in the same spot in the blistering sun for hours on end to navigating heartbreaking set clashes and dank food, it’s all just part of the ‘experience’, right? Wrong, amigo. It doesn’t have to be this way! There’s a new player in the festival game and though it be young, it is pretty damn impressive. Mixing its line-up of big names with a more boutique approach, the Maroochy Music & Visual Arts Festival is returning to the Sunshine Coast’s New Maroochy CBD on Saturday August 26 to bring us the perfect balance of thrills and chills. more
Some things are just so quintessentially Queensland that it almost physically hurts. If someone is to mention the Big Pineapple, The Veronicas, XXXX Gold or Stefan’s Skyneedle, we undoubtedly feel a twang of pride deep within – that’s a seriously impressive legacy in anyone’s eyes for sure. Jokes aside, there is one thing that stands above all as being the cornerstone of our state’s rich culture – the Royal Queensland Show, or The Ekka as it's more affectionately known. This year sees the show celebrating its 140th edition, returning to its home at the Brisbane Showgrounds from August 11–20 to celebrate the best that our fair state has to offer across food, fashion and all things fun. more
While genres can come in handy for classification, they can also be kind of limiting. We all know that one person who only listens to this or that, throwing some things aside and embracing others all because of a label (we see you, people who profess to hate country more than anything). Life is way more fun when you take the time to dig a little deeper and uncover what’s not so obvious – Restrung is taking over the Brisbane Powerhouse from August 17–19 to bring us a smorgasbord of strings-driven music, dance, theatre and art that pushes the boundaries of music and art. Let’s take a closer look at the spaces in between … more
The best things often take on a bit of an edge after dark – the lights dim, the music gets louder and the atmosphere changes completely. Things are just a little bit more exciting, you know? This is the premise of GOMA’s absolutely killer Up Late sessions, where night owls can gain exclusive access to world-class exhibitions with a side of live music and quality chat. The latest instalment sees the awesome Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe exhibition host six unique sessions across Friday nights starting from July 28, treating punters to some of the best live acts in the business. more
Some people have the certain skill of being able to command a room with their talent – this in itself is no easy feat. Of these special people, there are a rare sub-breed possessing an air and energy that simply swallows everything around them, taking those in the vicinity on a journey to another world. One of these people is the incomparable Dmitry Sinkovsky, a baroque music star shining bright on the classical landscape. Audiences will be treated to a performance like no other on Tuesday August 8 when Dmitry whips the QPAC Concert Hall into a frenzy for The Singing Violin, his one-night-only stop on a national tour with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. more
Even the most powerful movements in the world often start with a single voice. Sometimes all it takes is the courage of an individual to stand up to injustice and eventually the tide can turn as a chorus of others join in and speak up. The louder the call gets, the harder it is to ignore – this is the principle for You’re the Voice. Running as part of the Queensland Music Festival, this unique project will culminate at the South Bank Piazza on Saturday July 29 to shine a light on domestic and family violence. more
Few things in this cold and often senseless world are as unifying as music. From our highest moments to our biggest struggles, music is there to intensify the experience for better or for worse. Being able to stand in a room full of strangers and relate to them on a deeply personal level is a pretty powerful experience, which is exactly what live music does every single day, all around the world. From July 7–30, the entire state will come alive with the sound of sweet unity for the Queensland Music Festival – keep your eyes peeled and your ears primed for surprises and inspiration around every corner. more
Any Brisbane local who is trying to impress someone from interstate or overseas will almost always bring up two things – the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art. This writer is definitely guilty of humble-bragging to mates across the border about our world class, kickass cultural jewels (I am not sorry and I will never apologise). One of the key factors to QAGOMA’s success – apart from the amazing staff – is the Future Collective, a group of benevolent young guns that throw their financial support behind the galleries. Once a year they throw a party to end all parties in the name of raising dosh for art – prepare yourself for Future Collective Revel. more
When it comes to politics, often the truth is stranger than fiction. Here in Australia, we have seen all manner of larger-than-life characters make their way through the government at various levels – some of them loveable (g’day Bob Hawke), some of them incomprehensibly daft (looking at you, Pauline Hanson) and some of them downright sinister. One of the most controversial figures in Australia’s political history is finally getting what he deserves – that’s right, it’s time to learn all about the life and times of Joh Bjelke-Petersen through the medium of the musical. Heading to the Brisbane Powerhouse from July 7-16, Joh for PM will have you roaring with laughter about something that definitely wasn’t funny at the time. more
Since moving to a huge new location, extending trading hours and changing its name, Eat Street Northshore has continued full steam ahead when it comes to bringing the people of Brisbane some of the coolest foodie and cultural events on the calendar. The latest innovation to come from the dining precinct is the Chef’s LaneWay LongTable Dinner series, a monthly event that will take diners outside of their culinary comfort zones and into a whole new world of deliciousness. Not one to do things by halves, Eat Street is launching into this new venture with a Christmas in July themed soiree on July 26 that will firmly plant them on top of everyone’s ‘nice’ list. more
July is a great month for a lot of reasons – winter days full of crisp air and sunny skies, officially marking the halfway point of the year and of course, the Teneriffe Festival sets up shop. This social calendar highlight celebrates everything we know and love about one of Brisbane’s (technically) newest suburbs, bringing together delicious food, awesome entertainment and a wholesome sense of community. Mark your diary for Saturday July 1 because it’s going to be one delight of a day. more
You can bleat on all you like about sexism not being an issue in the music industry, but the facts don’t lie – women are critically underrepresented. Things have certainly come a long way, thanks in large part to badass ladies who have paved the way to equality between the sexes in music, but there is no denying that we still have progress to make. Bursting onto The Tivoli stage on Sunday July 16, Songs That Made Me will shine a light on Australian female talent with a line-up featuring Deborah Conway, Clare Bowditch and Hannah Macklin. more
We are no strangers to the fact that Westfield Chermside has been killing it lately. The retail powerhouse recently gifted Brisbane with a fashion precinct that would make even the most discerning fashionista totally dizzy and is following this up with a food offering that is equally mind-blowing. Not one to shy away from an opportunity to celebrate, the centre is throwing a party to welcome its new foodie residents to the neighbourhood. The fun all starts on Thursday June 22, but you ain’t seen nothin’ yet … more
What happens between here and eternity? One thing is for sure – the arts make life worth living, and are capable of transporting us to an otherworldly place. From June 21–23, the Judith Wright Centre will play host to Heaven & Earth, three nights of unique performances showcasing the specialist disciplines of the Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts. With one evening each dedicated to singing, dancing and acting, this is a triple-threat program that promises to be on another level. more
Nostalgia is a powerful thing – sometimes we all yearn to take things back to a simpler, more wholesome and carefree time. As much as living in the present day has its advantages (hello, wifi), the lure of generations past provides a certain comfort and joy that we can’t quite put our finger on. So why wouldn’t we jump at the chance to rewind time for a day? Sanctuary Cove’s famous Sunday Sounds has returned for winter with a distinctly retro twist – the precinct is kicking things off on June 25 with an afternoon filled with classic tunes, live entertainment and vintage-themed fun for the whole family. more
For most of us, Thursdays are a bit of a bummer. They are that pesky little stopper between you and the weekend – something of a roadblock preventing you from living your best life. The fine folk at the Port Office Hotel thought that it was time for this day of the week to get totally revamped and to shirk off its reputation as totally lame – thus, The Thursday Club was born. Commencing from Thursday June 15, this brand-new event is set to extend those weekend feelings and get the good times rolling (a day earlier than usual). more
Time is zooming past us this year at a rate akin to one of those scenes in a movie where everything is on hyper-fast forward and things get blurry. The distinct chill in the air points to the indisputable fact that it is winter, which is a pretty excellent time to be hanging out in Brisbane. Our amazing climate means that we can get around outdoors but there are still plenty of chances to rug up and snuggle once the evening rolls around. Make the most of the new season by taking advantage of Brisbane City Council’s LIVE Guide – we’ve taken the liberty of picking our top five events for the winter. more
Cabaret is one of those things that you can’t really pin down into any specific description. Most of us are familiar with the vague, abstract concept – smoky rooms, dimly lit tables, clicking fingers and simmering sensuality. Turns out there is so much more to the genre than we give it credit for – and there is a dedicated event set to show us what it’s all about. The Queensland Cabaret Festival is returning from June 1–15, sashaying into three key venues to bring us a load of sauce, sizzle and spark with a serious side of heart. more
Regardless of where you come from in the world, there is one event on Brisbane’s cultural roster that gets everyone super excited year after year. After all, how is it possible to resist the combination of drinking, dancing and more food than should possibly be consumed in one sitting? When it comes to celebrating culture, the Greeks have got it going on – strap yourself in for the 2017 edition of the Paniyiri Greek Festival, returning to Musgrave Park and The Greek Club on the May 20–21 weekend to bring a hefty dose of joy to town. more