We’ll try to play it cool, but we do get excited when big stars come to town. HOTA is rolling out the red carpet for the city’s very own film festival this weekend, but as well as that there’s so much to see and do from Thursday April 18 to Sunday April 21. From a furry friend market and country road trips to a burger pop-up and a Cherry Blossom Festival, you can be the star of your own life this weekend. more
After wowing the crowds in Brisbane, IMAGINATOR – an immersive playground of light, art and installation – is coming to the Gold Coast. The futuristic experience is set to open in Surfers Paradise from Tuesday March 26, with visitors invited to slip off their shoes and step inside the futuristic wonderland to witness a mind-boggling collision of imagination and technology. more
In case you missed the memo – globally renowned accessible-art phenomenon Affordable Art Fair is heading to Brisbane for the very first time from May 9–12. Tickets are now on sale for the fun-filled four-day art fiesta, which will give Queensland art aficionados and budding collectors the chance to explore and purchase original works from some of Australia's most exciting artists in a relaxed and convivial setting, with prices starting from as little as $100. Thought an original piece was completely out of reach? Think again! more
Whether you're loved-up long-term, going steady or think Cupid is stupid – Valentine’s Day is upon us (Wednesday February 14, in case you missed the memo). When it comes to the day of romance (or anti-romance), forget the tired cliches and check out these unexpected-yet-cute date ideas. more
With 2023 practically a write-off, it’s time to cast our eyes to all things bigger and better. Turn to that fresh calendar page, exhale and start anew with a brand-new year. And from where we're standing – your 2024? It’s looking good. Get ready for a new year of stacked festival line-ups, world-class culture and fun for the whole family. Keep reading to discover all the endless fun in-store for the future you in 2024. more
Have you heard the word? This summer, you can step into HOTA Gallery to see its newest exhibition, Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street. The stellar shoe showcase charts the design and cultural journey of sneakers, displaying more than 200 pumped-up kicks. Giving us another reason to get footloose is Sneakers Unboxed: Up Late, which will be extending the footwear festivities on Friday December 1. more
Step into the world (or wardrobe, quite literally) of the one and only Coco Chanel this November at Kwila Lodge. For the first and last time in Australia, rare pieces from the famed fashion designer's collection will be showcased at two exclusive events featuring garments and jewellery from Coco's personal closet. more
Art lovers, rejoice! A four-day art festival showcasing original works from more than 40 independent galleries will take over Brisbane Showgrounds from May 9–12, 2024, giving money-conscious aesthetes the chance to nab an original artwork, priced anywhere between $100 to $10,000. Keep reading for all of the details ... more
Spring has sprung, the flowers are blooming and the days are getting longer and hotter. Don't you love it? So you can get in the spirit, we have hand-picked a fun selection of events happening across the Gold Coast this October, from family-friendly art exhibitions and revved-up car races to country music festivals and high teas. Helping you get there is the always handy G:link, which operates across 19 stops from Helensvale down to Broadbeach South. more
Whether you're crazy for Converses, line up for every new-release Nike or you're more of an Adidas enthusiast, one thing we can all agree on is the importance of sneakers. This summer, step into HOTA Gallery as Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street charts the design and cultural journey of some of our favourite pumped-up kicks. more
Hold on to your horses Gold Coast, as BLEACH* Festival is just around the corner! Taking over our beautiful beachside city from August 3–13, this year's BLEACH* is showcasing 300 artists, 218 performances and 38 events including two world premieres across five hubs. We've rounded up some of the most exciting events happening at this year's festival – from tributes to Jodi Mitchell's iconic album and LGBTQIA+ discos to shed gigs in the hinterland and huge rollerskating shows. Dive in for our top picks ... more
HOTA is truly putting on a show this year, with plenty on the calendar set to give us Gold Coasters a hearty dose of arts and culture. Next up is Archie 100: A Century of The Archibald Prize, which is celebrating 100 years of Australia’s oldest and most-loved portrait award. This enchanting exhibition will be gracing the Gold Coast gallery from July 15 to October 2, so before you book your tickets, allow us to give you a glimpse inside ... more
In a world viewed through the lens of social media and filters, many of us are often left contemplating the human experience. HOTA's UNDERGROUND Festival is giving artists, creatives and audiences the chance to take risks, explore ideas and consider what makes us human. Over three winter nights, audiences will have the opportunity to occupy HOTA's intimate spaces and explore the obscurity of life and raw emotion, seeking to understand what enrages and liberates us. Fuelled by big ideas and homegrown contemporary artists, here is a peek at what you can expect at UNDERGROUND from July 13–15. more
Have you ever wanted to jump inside a painting, Mary Poppins style? Now, on the banks of the Brisbane River, you can. Step inside Northshore's Le Grand Palais and you will find yourself completely immersed in the world of French Impressionism at Monet in Paris, embarking on an exhilarating adventure across 19th century bohemian Paris and the lush countryside of France with some of history's most renowned artists. After journeying through this sensory spectacular, we've put together a list of our highlights ... more
If you've somehow missed the memo, there's currently a world-exclusive pop-art exhibition running at HOTA Gallery, featuring original and never-before-seen-in-Australia work from seminal and iconic artists including Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. This enchanting exhibition is only sticking around until June 4, so we thought we would round up the last pop-centric events happening at HOTA so you don't miss out on the fun ... more
In 2015 the first IMA Gala was held as a way to recognise a leading Australian artist, academic, or curator for their role in shaping Australian contemporary art and their connection to IMA's history. Now in its ninth year, the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) will honour one of Meanjin's most dynamic artists, Quandamooka artist Megan Cope in a ground-breaking evening of one-of-a-kind experiences, awe-inspiring performances and an auction of artworks from Australia’s leading artists. more
We really are pretty lucky to live on the Gold Coast. It's easy to overlook that fact when you're stuck in traffic on the way to work or trying to find a park at the beach on the weekend. If you need a little refresher, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort in Main Beach is cordially inviting Gold Coast locals to rediscover the magic of our collective hometown with a Legends of Pop Stay & Play Package that was inspired by the world-exclusive Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, New York that recently opened at HOTA. If you're keen for an art-centric staycay on the Goldie, we've gone ahead and compiled a dream itinerary ... more
Art is taking the Gold Coast by storm at the moment and we are here for it! One exclusive exhibition worth laying your peepers on is an eye-catching collaboration between FINEPRINTCO Art Bar and Vogue Australia. Need an excuse to wander aimlessly through a gallery with a cocktail in hand? Let this be it. more
A collection of artworks never before seen on Australian shores will be showcased on the Gold Coast, gracing the gallery walls at HOTA as part of its blockbuster world-first exhibition, Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, New York. The exclusive exhibition, which will light up the HOTA Gallery from its premiere on February 18, is drawn entirely from the coveted private collection of Jose Mugrabi – one of the world’s most prominent art collectors. This, friends, is a must see! more
At a time when the news can leave us recoiling at current events, it's so important to find moments of light to serve as an anchor for our happiness. Events like festivals tend to bring out the best in people as they gather to celebrate, sing, dance and enjoy life as part of a collective. The Sunshine Coast's newest festival is focused on doing that and more, championing inclusivity, sustainability, diversity and reconciliation. The inaugural The Rangebow Festival is gearing up to take the Sunny Coast Hinterland by storm with four days of music, workshops, art and conversations. In order to make the most of your time up north, we've put together a guide not only for the The Rangebow Festival but the very best places to stay, play and eat during a long weekend nestled in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. more
