A shadowy darkness is sweeping over Judith Wright Centre with the arrival of Blaque Bordello, an entrancing, cabaret-inspired enactment by a powerful troupe of dancers. more
The words painting and installation aren’t habitually used to describe a single work of art but, from June 8 to July 27, IMA will house post-expressionist artist Judy Millar’s site-specific painting installations. more
Opal Vapour is an ethereal performance filled with shimmering splendour, shadows and sand, which has been collaboratively created between Indonesian and Australian artists. more
Melbourne’s Gypsy & the Cat is returning to Brisbane with its new beatnik-inspired music. The band’s It’s a Fine Line tour has been described as a blend of Brooklyn-inspired sounds, psychedelic elements and a bohemian branch of rock. Recently, the boys have spent much time on the road, building a manically zealous group of fans from all over the world, including Japan, France, Germany and Switzerland. Despite their far-flung travels, the band chose to record its latest album on band member Xavier’s father’s farm. Gypsy & The Cat will play on Friday June 7 at The Hi-Fi, with support acts Clubfeet and Georgia Potter. more
Enliven your weekend with some spirited action from the best of QUT’s BFA Dance Performance students in Essentially Dance at Gardens Theatre. Essentially Dance features original dance works by Lisa Wilson, Vanessa Mafe-Keane, Sammie Williams, Kym Stokes and Les Livesey. Lovers of dance will be eager to observe energetic contemporary dance performances, as presented by the QUT Precincts for the Creative Industries Faculty. Witness the impressive manoeuvres and seemingly unnatural feats of this talented bunch from June 4–8. Image courtesy of Leon Frainey. more
Few art forms convey as much emotion as a photograph taken during an honest and completely sincere moment in time. Whether violent or jubilant in nature, these photographs effortlessly strike an emotional connection with their viewers. more
The fragmented relationship between the non-indigenous and indigenous population of the land girt by sea is a well-documented subject, but one that remains contentious. It's the controversy of interracial relationships that has inspired the latest exhibition to reach GOMA, My Country, I Still Call Australia Home: Contemporary Art from Black Australia. more
This year's most hotly anticipated filmic release is undoubtedly the excessive new interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The latest interpretation of the 1925 novel is vastly different to the 1974 movie release, instead embracing all of the lavish traditions that have come to be expected from its Australian director, Baz Luhrmann. more
From the land of vodka, caviar and incredible dome-shaped architecture, also comes an unparalleled dedication to the art of ballet. Russia's prowess in the graceful form of dance is one that has long been admired around the world. Brisbane audiences will be treated to the incredible skills of the snow-covered nation's elite dancers with the arrival of Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet at QPAC. more
Perhaps it was in Martha Wainwright’s blood to become a musician – after all, she is the daughter of folk artists Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and the sister of talented singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Renowned for her highly emotive songs and expressive voice, Martha has gained a worldwide fan base with her multiple album and EP releases throughout her career. Australian followers will be able to hear her unique voice and music for themselves when Martha shortly arrives in Queensland after a lengthy touring circuit in Europe and the USA. On May 31, Martha will play an intimate show for Brisbane audiences at The Tivoli, where she will be joined by indie-folk duo, Brighter Later. Tickets to the show are still available online. more
Commencing on June 1 and running until July 28, QUT Art Museum’s Heavy Weights: International Works on Paper from the Collection reveals a little-known collection of paper works by renowned international artists. Much of the experimental printmaking featured in this collection has never been exhibited. As well as displaying significant works, this collection is also an opportunity to establish the local and international significance of the QUT art collection. The artists exhibited are said to have pushed the boundaries of traditional printmaking, with the exhibition featuring works from likes of French artist Auguste Rodin, who created the dry-point print Allegry of Spring c.1882–1888 as a means of spontaneous expression. more
The shores of Sydney are not only home to the famed architectural icons of Sydney Opera House and its neighbour the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but also a rowdy bunch of male musicians who play under the name Jinja Safari. The band is on the cusp of releasing its debut album and, in order to celebrate, will be journeying around the nation to play shows for its Australian fans. Those who attend the music festivities can expect to hear played new single ‘Plagiarist’ from the self-titled album, alongside a bundle of older creations (that are no less dance-worthy) including ‘Peter Pan’ and ‘Hiccups’. Jinja Safari will play to Brisbane crowds on May 24 at Fortitude Valley institution The Zoo, with tickets to the event available for purchase online. more
No matter how much technology continues to advance in the realm of cameras, there will always be a certain allure associated with the disposable varieties of old. Whether it’s the rawness of the camera’s filter, or the aura of mystery that surrounds its captured moments that attracts the eye, the disposable camera continues to sell. Indisposable Concept is a project born from a love of the simple disposable camera. The concept provides an individual with one camera (filled with 24 shots) and one week in which to use it. During this time they must capture what is indisposable to them, as well as a ‘selfie’. At the end of the week, the participant sends the camera back and their personal celebration of the every day is printed. The Indisposable Concept exhibition is a collection of images submitted so far and will be held at inner-city haven Bleeding Heart from May… more
Burlesque may conjure up images of a spangled Dita Von Teese, but the art form has a far lengthier history than the modern movements of the raven-haired femme fatale. The dramatic theatrical works of burlesque have been performed since the late 17th century, though certainly these affairs were not as saucy as they may be today. Brisbane audiences will soon be able to enjoy a range of interpretations of traditional burlesque when Empire comes to town. more
As Pablo Picasso once said, "Painting is just another way of keeping a diary". It's not uncommon for painters to use their talents to record the world around them, though more often than not it's an exaggerated state of reality – one with a far prettier palette in use. Michael Muir is one such artist who paints a softer view of the landscape surrounding him. more
Photojournalist Nigel Brennan is presenting his first photography exhibition since he was released from his widely publicised ordeal as a hostage in Somalia. more
When Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange was first released in 1962, the novel sparked outcry in its native Britain. The read was heavy with violence, greed, manipulation, aggression and power, and was met with opposition almost immediately. Despite its dark plotlines, the novel is today largely lauded as literary genius and can be enjoyed in its latest incarnation as a theatrical production at QPAC. more
As has been proven by a myriad of famous bands and collaborators, it's often the friendships formed in school that prove the most enduring. This is the kind of kinship artists Dan McCabe and Mitchell Donaldson have. The lads met as peers at Griffith University's Queensland College of Art and found a shared love of creation that drove them to form the artist-run initiative, Addition. more
Charming brocantes are ubiquitous in the South of France, their interiors filled to the brim with all manner of antiques, treasures, curiosities and knick-knacks. It’s rare, however, to have the opportunity to dine amongst the menagerie. Chic et Boheme, posited in the southern French Mediterranean town of Montpellier, integrates a casual restaurant into its concept, serving up flaky quiche, decadent cakes and a myriad of French teas. The tables, chairs and accoutrements of the cafe itself are all available for sale, meaning its decor will most likely have changed each time you visit. Check out Chic et Boheme on The Street Photographer. more
Greek society is one that is uncompromisingly proud of its culture and achievements. This pride is rather justified when you consider all of the great things the small Mediterranean nation has produced over time, from great thinkers like Socrates to heavenly dishes like honey puffs. Join the Greek community in celebration of the nation this weekend with the return of Paniyiri Greek Festival. more
