Folks, the year is steamrolling along at a cracking pace. The birds are swooping, the days are longer and the humidity is gradually rising, so you should embrace this last window of pleasantness before this city descends into a melting ball of sweat. From Instagram-worthy dessert exhibitions to dedicated beer festivals, we’ve tracked down the best things to do in Brisbane on the September 20–23 weekend. more
Fighting is a deeply personal business. Whether you’re exchanging barbs with a sibling, standing up for justice or stepping into a boxing ring, all fights have one thing in common – the strength they require. We’re not just talking about throwing a punch – all real fights call upon your deepest reserves of mental fortitude. Smash-hit production Prize Fighter proves this sentiment in spades, heading to the Logan Entertainment Centre for two rounds on September 13 and 14. more
Folks, the time is almost upon us – the hotly anticipated Valley Fiesta is back in town and sticking around for an extra few days of goodness. For the first time in its inception, the Fiesta will be spreading its program of live music, art, theatre, immersive experiences and parties across five jam-packed days. There’s so much to see and do that we thought we’d give you a helping hand sorting through it all – from tropical rooftops to laneway shindigs, we’ve picked our must-dos at Valley Fiesta for every night of the week. more
There are two types of people in the world – those who love Twin Peaks and those who just don’t get it. Jokes aside, David Lynch’s bizarre mystery-horror series was a seriously iconic staple of 1990s television. The story of special agent Dale Cooper investigating the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer gripped an entire generation, and went on to retain its status as a cult hit that still holds relevance today. Good news for fans – Brisbane is about to get a true taste of Twin Peaks when a selection of the stars land at Eatons Hill Hotel on Sunday August 26 for a scintillating conversation session. 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
A decade ago, if you said the creators of South Park would be responsible for one of the most beloved Broadway musicals of all time, you’d have been laughed at. It seems truth is stranger than fiction, but no one can deny the rapturous response The Book of Mormon received upon its debut. The charming and cheeky tale of Mormon missionaries travelling to Uganda has resonated around the world, and it seems like it might soon be time for Brisbane to experience the comedic musical firsthand. more
Cast your mind back to your early high-school years and the glorious stretch of summer holidays, before the internet was around to keep you occupied. Most of us had to rely on our imagination and the other kids in the neighbourhood to make our own fun – but oftentimes we would crave a bigger adventure. What do you think you would have done if your town’s resident bad boy came tapping at your window one night asking for your help when they were placed at the scene of a grisly crime? Coming to QPAC from July 28 to August 18, the beloved Australian novel Jasper Jones is getting the stage treatment and is here to answer some questions about morality, guilt, race and growing up – all with impeccable flare. more
In the age of #MeToo, #TimesUp and nasty women, it’s hard not to be inspired by the fierce females standing up and speaking out against gender inequality. Although it may not have been on our home turf, one of the turning points in the conversation around feminism and equal rights was the election of one Donald Trump. Heck, it’s not hard to see why – the dude’s a straight-up monster. If we have anything to thank him for, it’s that his presidency seems to have sparked a fire in the belly of many creative individuals all around the world – including that of Claire Christian. The world premiere of her brand-new play Lysa and the Freeborn Dames is about to hit the La Boite Theatre stage, bringing with it a whole heap of grit and girl power. more
When it comes to modern Australian history, Lindy Chamberlain is a name that almost all of us are familiar with due to the devastating events in 1980 that saw her accused of her own child’s murder. The case was as fascinating as it was heartbreaking, with media and public opinion playing a huge part in Lindy’s wrongful conviction. Though justice was finally served, it is hard to know just how Lindy would have been feeling during the whole ordeal. Letters to Lindy is coming to Brisbane Powerhouse from August 1–4, putting together the missing pieces using correspondence sent to the woman herself – from supporters, detractors and everyone else who had something to say. 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
Ever question how long the longest minute really is? The last minute before the microwave is done? Or the minute before that important interview? We've all been there. Queensland Theatre is collaborating with JUTE Theatre Company to bring The Longest Minute to QPAC from May 26 to June 23, exploring an iconic night in NRL history that rewrote the history books. more
Engage your curiosity as Mark Hadden's best selling novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been transformed into a global theatrical phenomenon and is set to take Australia by storm. The timeless story is coming to Brisbane for the first time from June 12–24, bringing Mark's charming characters and all of their quirks to the QPAC stage. more
Look, maths definitely isn’t universally loved, but you can’t deny its force. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of numbers, it’s pretty incredible when you bring everything back to the basic notion that humans invented their own way to make sense of things that were previously impossible to comprehend. Much like maths, theatre is another avenue that people use to explain the inexplicable – and it’s a marriage of these two things that has created something close to magic. Making its world premiere at La Boite Theatre from June 2–23, The Mathematics of Longing draws from two different worlds to help us understand ourselves better. more
Mischief making and cross dressing? Sounds like a classic Shakespearean comedy to us! Follow the twisted tale of mistaken identities, separated twins and, of course, a love triangle that can still bring the laughs after 400 years. Shakespeare’s most notorious comedy Twelfth Night is taking over QPAC's Playhouse from April 28 to May 19 – and it’s bringing a musical twist. 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
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
Although there is still a long way to go in the fight for equality, it’s always nice to look around and take stock of the progress that has been made. Between same-sex marriage laws getting passed and the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements taking off, there is a global conversation happening around the subject of gender – particularly in regards to breaking down conventions and entering a brave new world where women speak up, stand out and have equal footing. Coming to the Brisbane Powerhouse on April 6–8, Women of the World at Festival 2018 (or WOW if you’re feeling cheeky) is a three-day celebration of everything it means to be a woman in this modern world. more
Fans of breathtaking ballet, bountiful feasts and boutique accommodation (or a combination of all three) are in for a real treat. Spicers Retreats and Queensland Ballet are teaming up for a series of truly unique experiences across three weekends and three luxury hotels, where intimate performances will be matched with exceptional cuisine, making for a one-of-a-kind getaway. more
When it comes to equal representation, Australia still has a pretty bloody long way to go. Considering our First Nations people have been here for a whole lot longer than white folk, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of people of colour in popular media. From movies to breakfast panels and even stage shows, things are looking pretty … well, white. Stuff that! There’s a new crew in town set to shake up the game and shatter some cultural paradigms in the form of song, dance and straight-up activism. Coming to Brisbane Powerhouse from April 4–7, Hot Brown Honey will have you fist pumping, booty shakin’ and leaving feeling all kinds of empowered. more