Attention all trendsetters and trailblazers – James Street RESORT, one of Brisbane's most anticipated celebrations of cutting-edge culture, is set to return on October 10–12. The team behind the annual event series has revealed the first of its esteemed guests, announcing that disability advocate and activist Sinéad Burke will make her first (and only) Australian appearance at RESORT this year. more
In May, some of Brisbane’s finest culinary minds dispensed their foodie wisdom. In June, a panel of awe-inspiring artisans delved into the inner-workings of the design world. This month, some of our city’s sharpest sartorial figures will gather to talk about the current state of style – from giving fast fashion the flick to making a sustainable statement. On Wednesday July 24, The Locals Panel Series gets suited and booted for a forum on fashion, featuring conversation between beloved designers, stylists and members of the fashion media. more
Brisbane, the most fabulous time of the year is almost upon us. Dust off your sequins, bust out the rhinestones and take the feather boa out of storage – MELT: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture is back with so much more than a bang, baby! Returning to its spiritual home of the Brisbane Powerhouse from June 28 to July 7, this iconic festival shines a spotlight on what are historically some of the world’s most amazing but marginalised communities, all while celebrating them in every iteration. From filthy-gorgeous cabaret to insightful conversations and high drag, we’ve picked five events at this year’s MELT that you cannot miss. more
Real talk – who doesn’t love a redemption arc? Hearing the stories of a serious struggle while knowing that the subject came out on top is one of the more uplifting moments in human life – knowing that even against insurmountable odds and a devastating history, we are capable of turning our lives around. Casey Legler is one such person – a former French Olympian and model whose story really has to be heard to be believed. For one night only on Wednesday May 8 at Brisbane Powerhouse, Casey will be baring her soul in an enlightening and uplifting conversation session. more
Curiosity is an underrated quality – those with wandering minds are always open to the endless possibilities in the world around us. Questioning and exploring your environment can often lead to a change in perspective – and where’s the fun in always seeing things the same way? If you’re the sort of person who loves to challenge your mind and explore new outlooks, we have some news that will ignite your interest. Taking over the city from South Bank to New Farm across March 15 to April 9, Curiocity is an all-in sensory experience that will make you see Brisbane in a whole new light. What are you waiting for? Open your mind and dive in … more
From humble beginnings in 1962, the Warana Writers Convention, as it was then known, featured just six sessions over one day. Nowadays, the Brisbane Writers Festival has flourished to become a seminal literary event that brings together over 200 internationally renowned writers, thinkers and opinion makers to entertain, enlighten and inspire. This year, the line-up is stronger than ever with science guru Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, human rights barrister, activist and author Geoffrey Robertson Q.C. and New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth all gracing the program. more
Karl Kruszelnicki, or more popularly known as ‘Dr Karl’ is many things – author (of no less than 43 books with more on the way), renowned science commentator, all-round excellent human and now he can add tour guide to his long list of creds. Yes, friends, Dr Karl is embarking on an adventure into the Antarctic and you can tag along. more
Back in the day, technological breakthroughs and advancements seemed to happen at such a pace that certain things – like flying cars and space travel – seemed too far ahead of our time to fathom. Well folks, we’re here to tell you that time has caught up in a major way and what were once distant dreams are now becoming a reality … fast. Returning to Brisbane Powerhouse from May 16–18, Myriad is bringing the brightest minds in innovation and technology from around the world right into our backyard to discuss the endless possibilities of the future. more
‘Science’ is a word that conjures up all sorts of preconceived notions. Upon mention, your mind might immediately wander to complex graphs, white lab coats and pouring colourful liquids into beakers with lots of smoke billowing out. The truth is, science is absolutely everywhere in the world around us – and it’s really darn interesting when you start to pay attention. World Science Festival Brisbane returns to the South Bank Cultural Precinct from March 21–25 to uncover the coolest, craziest and most fascinating aspects of this discipline that is responsible for so much of what’s good about the world. more
Did you know that a pig’s bladder can help humans grow muscles from scratch? How about the fact that axolotls are able regenerate parts of their own brains if damaged? The science of self-renewal is as weird as it is fascinating, and we are already living in a world where we are reaping the benefits. The field of regenerative medicine has seen some seriously exciting advancements are already changing the way we live – right now, scientists are completing the first lung stem cell transplant trial and creating brand-new skin for burns victims. To take a peek into the world of bespoke bodies, check out some of the mind-bending stuff that’s happening as we speak. more
Women kick ass and that’s a stone-cold fact, son. History may favour dudes, but fearless females have been dominating all over the world since the dawn of time. Thankfully times are changing and ladies finally getting a chance to be heard, particularly in fields that are traditionally male-dominated. The world of tech and start-ups is often viewed as something of a boy’s club, making it both difficult and intimidating for ladies to step in and step up – but Startup Weekend Brisbane Women is here to help. Coming to River City Labs from February 9–11, the landmark event will bring together some of Brisbane’s brightest minds to innovate, activate and collaborate. more
There’s nothing that matches the excitement levels of a lightbulb moment – you know, when the pieces come together and you feel like you’re exactly where you need to be. Sharing these feelings can often have a snowball effect, causing a chain of inspiration spurned from what was once a single thought. Throughout this year, the Brisbane Powerhouse has been playing host to minds filled with brilliant thoughts for its ongoing Writers+Ideas festival. The latest crop of talent announced is truly inspirational, featuring some of the brightest minds in the business. more
Let’s be real, our lives would be terrible without animals – the joy a pet can bring cannot be quantified. The only thing that could possibly compare to the feeling of patting a happy puppy is eating some scrumptious cupcakes, which is why the RSPCA’s Cupcake Day is such an important event. It’s time to get your bake on, invite some friends around and raise funds to help rescue and rehabilitate the thousands of animals that the RSPCA shelters yearly. more
We all go through hard times – it’s just a fact of life. You might be in a rut with your job, have just eaten your way through a nasty break-up or be feeling a bit down about your appearance, for example. Challenges can really suck when you’re facing them, but at the same time it’s all about growth and perspective. One man who knows this all too well is Paul Pritchard, one of the world’s most adventurous mountaineers. After suffering a catastrophic accident while scaling Tasmania’s treacherous Totem Pole back in 1993, this incredible man went up against some pretty slim odds (and gnarly injuries) to return to the site 18 years later and complete the climb that nearly killed him. If you want to figure out how the heck he did it, his speaking tour at Metro Arts on Thursday July 6 is a good place to start. more
A change of seasons can often cause some kind of internal panic – winter is just around the corner and your mind is probably way back in March when you promised yourself you were going to take that cooking class or learn to sew. Don’t beat yourself up about it, pal – we’ve all been in the throes of wanting to self-improve but not knowing where (or how) to start. hundred acre bar is here to save the day with its brand-new event series, a collection of classes and workshops themed to the changing seasons that will have you learning new skills like a boss. more
Whether or not you’re really interested in it, we can all agree that science is dope. There are so many facets of modern life that we owe to science that listing them would be a waste of time, so let’s just acknowledge that it’s the closest thing we have to magic and be done with it. Forget your days of sitting in a stuffy classroom trying to memorise the periodic table of elements – the World Science Festival returns to the South Bank Cultural Precinct from March 22–26 to uncover the coolest, craziest and most fascinating aspects of this discipline that is responsible for so much of what’s good about the world. more
For the most part, living on the giant island that is Australia is a pretty sweet deal. However, sometimes it can feel like we’re missing out on the big-time technology and innovation events that our US and European pals are privy to. We’ve never really had anything to the scale of, say, South by Southwest or Slush – that is we didn’t until Myriad came along. From March 29–31 the Brisbane Powerhouse will turn into a hotbed of creative energy for the brand spankin’ new festival, bringing together some of the brightest minds in innovation to ignite our inspiration. more
Women’s rights are a very important issue, now and always – it seems like every time us ladies make a little headway, something happens to undo the hard work. For example, the man currently leading the free world is probably one of the most publicly sexist people in the free world, so it’s an uphill battle to say the least. There is a silver lining – badass feminist warriors who refuse to sit down and shut up are out there spreading the message that women deserve to take up space. Shrill: An Evening with Lindy West is coming to the State Library of Queensland on Wednesday March 1 to help men and women alike laugh and learn from one of the most powerful voices of this generation. more
Have you ever pictured yourself scaling the ancient peaks of the mighty Himalaya like a boss? Adventure is out there, dear readers, but sometimes it can fall by the wayside when the practicalities set in. Planning the itinerary, knowing where to go and learning how to maximise your time overseas is a pretty daunting task, especially when you want to do it all. Combining inspiration with knowledge is the Himalaya information night at World Expeditions, a free session on Wednesday February 1 aimed at uncovering the best ways for budding explorers to carve their own path. more
Calling all movers, shakers and general dreamers – we’ve got a little something for you. Feast your mind upon Creative3, a one-of-a-kind summit run by the brightest minds in creative and entrepreneurial industries set to hit the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday September 22. Think Martin Luther King giving a TEDx talk on innovation – that’s the kind of inspo level we’re talking here. more