Any preconceptions you have of a string orchestra will be shattered from the moment you take a seat at DeepBlue’s latest show Who Are You. Void of stiff seating arrangements and sheet music, a DeepBlue show instead fuses circus antics like stilt walking and rope jumping with intricate, fast-paced melodies. more
From coming-of-age dramas like Stand By Me, to the horrific war-time drama Saving Private Ryan, film shares stories of life in all its forms, from loss to love and everything in between. The medium is a powerful educational tool, particularly for the younger generations who are still shaping their ideas of the world. In an effort to provide youth with an opportunity to delve into the history of movies and their message, the Cine Sparks program has been developed for school students as a part of the Brisbane International Film Festival. This year, Cine Sparks will focus on the importance of the spread of foreign languages with films from all corners of the globe. You can find the full Cine Sparks program for 2012 here. @ State Library of Queensland, October 15–20 more
Teamwork is one of the best ways to share and discover new ideas and methods – especially within the creative industries. Forging together their talents are Brisbane’s creative beacons Jan Manton Gallery and Metro Arts for the Platform 2012 exhibition. Five international artists have been chosen to feature in the collaboration, which will include a gallery showing and an artist talk. The artists included are husband-and-wife duo Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, photographer Joachim Froese, sculptor Michael Riddle, Indonesian artist Heri Dono and renowned Australian artist Imants Tillers. Each artist has shown innovation in their work, with exploration and experimentation obvious in each piece. @ Metro Arts, October 10–27 more
With a knack for the natural, Paul Margocsy is a painter with an adept ability to recreate what he sees in reality on canvas. After trying his hand at careers that ranged as far as window dressing at Myer to stints in the army, Paul discovered the world of wildlife art in 1978. Ever since, he has been documenting the movements of the world’s fauna within his work. Paul has since taken part in numerous exhibitions, as well as had a book published on his paintings and created a set of stamps for Australia Post. Animalia is a collection of Paul’s latest creations, with animal subjects featuring from the harsh landscapes of Australia and Africa. The watercolours depict wild birds, as well as leopards, zebras, elephants and giraffes. Paul’s pieces will sit alongside sculptures of the accompanying exhibition Passion for Bronze, with artworks from Glenys Lindsay and Dean… more
From Ronnie and the Ronettes to the Spice Girls, a group of girls banded together in song isn't something to be scoffed at. Joining the ranks of women in music are a couple of local lasses with a bounty full of singing and guitar skills – meet Brisbane's The Phoncurves. more
The Lavazza Italian Film Festival brings Brisbane natives a selection of Italy's biggest recent box office hits, as well as several outstanding new dramas selected from the prestigious Cannes, Berlin, Venice and Rome film festivals. more
The world is booming with a growing population, not only introducing new faces to the clan, but a burgeoning group of new ideas. American cultural connoisseur Kirby Ferguson is one man who has dedicated his life to tackling this concept of creativity and its roots. more
A melting pot of music, movement, art and performance, Lost Movements is an evening's celebration of all things creative, held in the cosy event space of Fortitude Valley's Coniston Lane. more
After a month-long sojourn spent touring Australia’s east coast, musical group The Ottomans is back in town. The bunch of Gold Coast lads will be arriving in Brisbane on October 5 and playing an intimate gig at Black Bear Lodge to coincide with the release of single, ‘Lonely With You.’ With a sound reminiscent of The Doors, the group has already accrued a growing bunch of fans and a strong profile on Triple J Unearthed. Joining The Ottomans’ melodies on the night will be the sounds of guests Moses Gunn Collective, The Kramers and Earl Grey DJs. @ Black Bear Lodge, October 5 more
The combined musical force of two of Brisbane’s most popular theatrical talents, Geppetto has continued to wow audiences both around Australia and the world since starting six months ago. The band consists of Emma Dean and Jake Diefenbach who perform music that combines song, synthesisers, harpsichord, accordion and the violin. On October 5, the duo will be releasing the anticipated debut EP Into The Woods, and in celebration will be performing the group’s musical creations at the Judith Wright Centre. @ Judith Wright Centre, October 5 more
For artist Kelli McGregor, making a move to the Fraser Coast Hinterland has done a great deal more than change her landscape. It’s also refreshed and renewed her creativity in her artwork and inspired her latest exhibition, Brown Sugar. The collection of 35 paintings and prints will be held at White Canvas Gallery from October 5. In each work, Kelli explores her new environment in Tropical Queensland, particularly the history of the sugar cane farms that envelop the surrounding plains. Using vibrant colour, flurried brushstrokes and symbolism, Kelli explores the industry from the point of view of its workers and its impact on the region. @ White Canvas Gallery, October 4–16 more
WIN ONE OF 75 DOUBLE PASSES TO THE WEEKEND EDITION’S SPECIAL SCREENING OF FRANKENWEENIE. Based on his original 1984 short film of the same name, Frankenweenie is renowned director Tim Burton’s latest dark and quirky cinematic offering. A three-dimensional, stop-motion animated film, Frankenweenie is both a parody of and homage to the 1931 classic Frankenstein. Featured entirely in black and white, Frankenweenie follows the story of young Victor and his beloved dog Sparky. After Sparky is hit by a car, a passionate Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his pet back to life. With new Frankenstein-esque features, Sparky frightens the neighbourhood, leaving Victor to face unintended (and sometimes monstrous) consequences. The Weekend Edition is presenting a special screening of Frankenweenie at Palace Barracks Cinemas on Monday October 15 at 6:30 pm. Enter here. more
A family can come in many forms, from single units to huge complex webs that branch throughout different countries and cultures. Whichever the case, the desire to belong to a family is one of the most commonly shared and basic of human desires – it's this notion that is explored by photographer Katrin Koenning in her latest exhibition. more
Creating a space where artists of all genres can practise and exhibit, while also fostering the local creative culture to grow Brisbane’s artistic community spirit, is new inner-city space Bird Gallery and Studio. more
Fancy yourself a bit of a design nerd? The kind that can name a serif from a sans serif font and enjoys taking Instagram shots of cool typographic letters you discover while riding your bike through leafy suburban streets? Then enter the online realm of Typeconnection. more
The Queensland Art Gallery’s celebrated exhibition Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado has now held residence for quite a while. If you haven’t yet had a chance to poke around the astonishing collection of priceless works, now’s your chance with the Prado Up Late program. The after-hours event combines a gig with exhibition entry, with this week’s performer Brisbane four-piece, Gentle Ben & His Sensitive Side. To accompany the group’s sweet melodies, you are invited to taste a touch of Spain with a selection of national specialties on offer. Share a jug of tangy sangria amongst friends, or fill yourself with some of the yummy paella served up to hungry night-time attendees. @ Queensland Art Gallery, September 28 more
Following on from an endless selection of European film festivals (from the French to the Italian and everything in between) Brisbanites are invited to explore Asia with the Korean Film Festival. This year’s theme is ‘Discover your Connection’, encouraging discovery and exploration of Korean cinema, as well as emphasising the ability of films to bring people together. There’s plenty of genres to choose from with romance, horror and gangster creations making up the 2012 line-up. Some of the standout flicks include War of the Arrows, Frontline and In Another Country. @ Tribal Theatre, September 27–30 more
Local artist Jan Jorgensen is a keen observer of the city’s comings and goings. Combining her interests in her hometown of Brisbane with her talent with a paintbrush, Jan chronicles the daily lives of residents and regions of the city’s inner suburbs. In each of her paintings, bright colours clash with lively strokes, reflecting and celebrating the energy of the city around her. Locals will instantly recognise iconography that’s reflective of Brisbane, from CityCats to jacarandas in bloom, bridges and the timber verandahs of a Queenslander. You can explore Jan’s creations at Lethbridge Gallery from September 29 to October 31 more
From The Red Shoes, to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and An Education, the world of film explores every subject and taboo in society. Cinema Obscura is one film club dedicated to the enjoyment of all films great and small, but with a secret twist. The group showcases a selection of the world’s most celebrated releases at various hidden locations around the city – from backyards to basements and rooftops. This much-awaited second screening is to be held on September 28, but to attend you need to be a member – you can subscribe to the mailing list here. Those attending will be notified of the screening’s location within the week of the event. more
Parklife is a music festival that is just as renowned for its attendees as it is for its impressive line-up of some of the world’s best electro and dance acts. Amongst the thriving mass of incredibly short shorts and oversized singlets, you’ll find a crowd who are dedicated to having a good time, well into the wee hours. This year’s Parklife will continue to be held at the festival’s previous home at the river corner of Riverstage in the CBD’s Botanical Gardens. The 2012 line-up is overflowing with national and international gems of the dance scene, including homegrown talents The Presets and Tame Impala. Also journeying to Australian shores to entertain the crowds are international imports, Justice, Nero, Chairlift and Labrinth. Tickets to Parklife can be purchased online. @ Riverstage, September 29 more
