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
Look, it’s absolutely no secret that Fortitude Valley is one of Queensland’s premier party hubs – the place was literally built for fun. Since 1997, there has been one particular event dedicated to shining a light on the Valley’s reputation as a hub of arts, culture, food and entertainment – the weekend-long celebrations of Valley Fiesta. Well folks, we can confirm that Brisbane’s biggest street party just got a heck of a lot bigger – clear August 29 to September 2 in your diary because the Fiesta is coming in hot with five days of revelry. 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
Certain pairings are just meant to be – peas and carrots, Ben and Jerry, horse racing and … rock’n’roll? Hear us out here – while it may not seem like the most orthodox combination, the union of Tattersall’s Racing Club and Triple M has come about to treat us punters to a race day that is set to shake things up. Taking over Doomben Racecourse on Saturday July 21, the Triple M Rocks Tattersall’s Race Day comes with all of the ingredients of a rad race day event combined with some seriously rockin’ additions. more
He may not be a household name, but William of Rubruck sure did leave something beautiful behind. During his life, he embarked on an epic quest to convert the Great Khan to Christianity in the Mongol capital of Karakorum. During this time he kept a thrilling manuscript and itinerarium detailing his adventures, which have been given a special new life thanks to the Brandenburg Choir and La Camera delle Lacrime. Coming to QPAC’s Concert Hall for one night only on Tueday August 7, Karakorum: A Medieval Musical Journey is a truly stunning sonic ride that will make you feel like you’re trekking the Silk Road circa the 13th century … with David Wenham as your personal tour guide. more
When it comes to a great day out, there are a few key ingredients that we like to include. Delicious food is a given, fantastic drinks kick it up a notch, a spot of shopping certainly doesn’t go astray, and something to keep the kids occupied is just the cherry on top. If this sounds like your idea of a nice time, we have something that ticks all of the boxes. On Sunday June 24, Portside Wharf will come alive in a flurry of food, fashion and family-friendly fun for its inaugural Flavours of Portside event, celebrating all aspects of the precinct in signature riverside style. more
When it comes to iconic voices, few people can hold a candle to Etta James. Known as the Matriarch of R&B, Etta spent decades singing songs across the spectrum of human emotion, all while battling some of the most paralysing demons that one can face in a lifetime. She didn’t just sing the blues – she lived them. Coming to the Brisbane Powerhouse for an exclusive run of shows from June 27–30, At Last: The Etta James Story shines a light on one of the most legendary voices of all time … as well as the rich life behind it. 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
We’re less than a day away from the official opening of Brisbane’s newest five-star hotel W Brisbane and to celebrate, the hotel is kicking off one massive party. Want to know the best thing about this party? It’s mobile! This glamorous shindig will be brightening up Queen Street Mall at midday today before hitting the road and shimmying its way south. 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
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
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
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
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 a tale as old as time – you have a crush on someone, said crush is really into a particular thing and all of a sudden you develop an intense interest in said particular thing. While most of us can relate to exaggerating an interest in comic books or test cricket to impress a budding love interest, some people take it a step further. One such character is Xavier de Maistre, who at the tender age of nine fell head over heels for his town’s local harp teacher and took to plucking to impress her. Luckily for all of us, Xavier stuck with the harp beyond his initial infatuation – and grew into one of the world’s most celebrated classical musicians. more
Folks, the wait is over – the Splendour in the Grass 2018 line-up has dropped and it’s a certified doozy! The festival returns to North Byron Parklands for its 18th rendition from July 20–22 with more than 100 acts just announced in the first release. Pinch those pennies, put in your annual leave and start making a hype playlist because this is a line-up worth travelling for. 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