Fluent Spanish speakers, as well as those whose most commonly uttered Spanish phrase is ‘yo no comprendo’, can come together to soak in the language, culture and stories of this year's Spanish Film Festival from May 1–14. more
Variety shows could be best described as ostentatious, flashy and a little bit kitsch. And, in Queensland Theatre Company’s newest production A Tribute of Sorts, the plot presents what happens when two oddball teen cousins create their very own variety show. more
Linking Wickham and Ann, Warner Street may have become something of a thoroughfare for music lovers of Fortitude Valley in recent times. But, the lengthy lane has recently welcomed new music venue The Brightside to its territory, giving gig-goers a fresh spot to experience live music in. more
There are some things that we would rather not think about. Things like growing old and maybe even suffering from dementia. more
For a single evening on Thursday May 1, Griffith Review’s founding editor Julianne Schultz and deputy chair of the Australia Council Robyn Archer will talk about culture and its significance. The two cultural leaders will convene at Brisbane Powerhouse on the evening to discuss their opinions and experience about culture and its place in political discussions and in Australia. The event entitled Griffith Review: Culture Wars or Cultural Solutions? will be filmed as part of ABC TV’s Big Ideas program. more
Spit-shine your leather jacket and pin curl your bangs ready for a three-day celebration of hot rods, custom cars and 1950s culture this weekend. Greaser guys and pin-up gals will roll their hot rods up Tamborine Mountain on the Gold Coast Hinterland for Garter Belts & Gasoline, running from Friday May 2 through to Sunday May 4. The nostalgic festival will see 16 live rockabilly, jump blues and alt-country bands from Australia and overseas grace the outdoor stage, while burlesque performances and workshops, pin-up contests and vintage fashion parades will keep primped ladies occupied. This year, films from bygone eras will screen in an old-world theatre, while rev heads with cars from the 1970s and earlier decades can partake in classic car cruise on Saturday. more
The talented musical theatre students of Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, present I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – a theatrical performance that encompasses the topics of dating, romance, marriage, love, husbands, wives and in-laws. Described as ‘Seinfeld set to music’, the musical celebrates love – as experienced in suburbia. Bringing humour, sentimentality and insight to the much-explored topics, the students’ show will run from May 2–10 at Woolloongabba’s Burke Street Studios. more
Local choreographer Penelope Mullen has imagined a world of simmering desire and lust in her latest production, Danse Noir, which follows on from last year’s popular Blaque Bordello. While Blaque Bordello explored love and lust in a superficial world of smoke and mirrors, Danse Noir takes it one step further by looking at the motivations of the characters, and their experiences of joy and heartbreak, which inevitably come from falling in love. The story takes place in an apartment block, offering the audience a glimpse into the lives of various residents – a group of lost souls searching for meaningful connections. The show’s season opens at Judith Wright Centre on Saturday April 26 and runs until May 3. more
Singing the praises of Australia’s most pioneering creative types, the Asahi Silver Sessions is a series of interactive events that aims to foster this kind of innovative behaviour. more
Portraiture photography has come a long way since photographer George Goodman opened Australia's first photography studio in Sydney in 1842. Had selfies been around then, the poor gent may have gone broke, but, at the time, he popularised portraiture photography and anyone with a few spare dimes was lining up to have themselves immortalised on film. more
When musicians Angie Hart, Dean Manning and Stella Mozgawa come together, they create mesmerising, ethereal sounds as Holidays on Ice. Whilst the three have their own respective musical endeavours – Dean was the songwriter and guitarist for Leonardo’s Bride, Angie is the voice of Frente! and Stella is a member of indie-rock outfit Warpaint – together they have created three albums as Holidays on Ice, the latest of which will be launched at Dowse Bar this Sunday. The new album, The Luxury of Wasted Space, was a labour of love, funded through Pozible and recorded and produced in Dean’s living room. Stella is currently in the US, so Dean and Angie have enlisted the talents of a guest cello player for the April 27 gig. more
To those who love a bluesy guitar riff or the sounds of a soul master stroking the piano, Easter doesn’t just mean chocolate and hot cross buns, it also means a chilled-out long weekend of musical goodness. more
Get ready to don your boat shoes and Breton-striped t-shirt for the Festival of Sails at Redcliffe. more
Across the state, shutterbugs are celebrating their craft during the month-long Queensland Festival of Photography. more
Each person has a different relationship with their body – some cherish it as the being that houses their spirit, while others view theirs in a more aesthetic way. In More or Less Human – an exhibition of performance and sculptural works at Metro Arts until May 3 – artist Leena Riethmuller considers the different ways in which we can perceive our bodies. Leena’s inspiration for the exhibition came from her own personal experiences, as well as her research into somatic exploration and interactions with others. As you move about the gallery space, you’ll be able to reflect and also participate in some of the interactive aspects of the exhibition. Leena will deliver more of her insights in her artist talk on April 23. more
Wrap your arms around Brisbane's independent music stores this Saturday April 19 to pick up some fine albums and celebrate Record Store Day 2014. more
The weekend of guilt-free breakfasting on chocolate and hot cross buns has arrived. If everyone else is doing it, it doesn’t count right? Join the decadent celebrations of Easter at the lively Giant Easter Egg Hunt in Clontarf. You won’t be hunting for one prized giant egg, but rather for thousands of smaller eggs, giving everyone a chance to walk away with a sizeable haul of chocolate riches. As well as the hunt, there’ll also be games and face painting for the kids. The hunt kicks off at 3:00 pm on Saturday April 19, and will be held at the Star Christian Church. Once you’ve devoured your loot, get an early night and do it all again on Sunday, when the Easter Bunny himself hops in to town. more
When a musician is passionate and determined to succeed, their creative energy flows in abundance, inspiring all who hear their ardent tunes. Ahead of this weekend’s 2014 Yamaha National Band Championships, budding musicians are tuning their instruments and finessing their performances, eager to take to the stage and battle it out. If you happen to be in the CBD on Saturday April 19, you’ll see some of musicians performing in the Parade of Bands event from 8:30 am onwards, which will see 47 brass and concert bands march through the city streets. Tickets for the shows are available online and, if you can’t make it along, performances will also be streamed online. more
What is a typical day like for you? It’s likely that you wake up to the sound of your phone's alarm, before jumping on the train or bus to get to work, where you plug away at a computer all day, heading out to grab lunch and perhaps an afternoon coffee. And, if it’s a good day, you may even make your gym or yoga class after work. more
Leafy Paddington has welcomed a creative new neighbour into its midst, with the opening of LA51 Art Gallery. more
