From drive-ins to night markets, we've rounded up the top things to do on the Gold Coast this weekend. Here's a snapshot of what's on from Thursday November 25 to Sunday November 28. more
It seems that Brisbane is coming alive again – there are live gigs aplenty, our city's dining scene is thriving and stage shows are popping up left, right and centre. One such show that's well worth your time and ticket is Return to the Dirt, a new play coming to Queensland Theatre this spring from October 16 to November 6. Imaginative, honest and uplifting, this play will raise some of those usually awkward conversations we tend to avoid about life and death – and delves into what it means to really live in the moment. more
If you can believe it, in two short months it will be September. Although this year seems like it is passing by quicker than you can sing Earth, Wind & Fire’s catchy song, that's not necessarily a bad thing, as the arrival of September means the return of our favourite city-wide fiesta – Brisbane Festival! The beloved celebration will set our city alight from September 3–25 with a thrilling three-week program that is shaping up to be the brightest party yet. From an art-filled boat cruising down Brisbane River and dance performances inside a bubble to much-anticipated stage shows and enchanting gardens full of larger-than-life florals, it doesn't get more weird and wonderful than this. more
Get ready to enter the pleasure dome, Gold Coast – INFAMOUS is back and it's bigger, cheekier and even more jaw-dropping than ever before! Shaking up an intoxicating elixir of circus and risqué cabaret, the saucy adults-only stage show and its delightfully extravagant Spiegel Big Top is rolling into the Broadwater Parklands from Friday June 18 to Sunday August 8 to deliver night-after-night of wild debauchery, sass and even a Wheel of Death. Intrigued? You definitely should be. Read on for all of the juicy details ... more
Unless you’re new to the coast or you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably well familiar with BLEACH* Festival. For those who aren’t, well, allow us – BLEACH* Festival is our premier arts and cultural festival that is proudly and passionately Gold Coast. In 2021, BLEACH* Festival will not only celebrate its ten-year milestone but will once again transform the city's esplanades, vacant blocks and hinterland hideaways into backdrops for awe-inspiring, thought-provoking, and exhilarating experiences from August 12–22. Intrigued? You should be! Here's what BLEACH* Festival 2021 has in store ... more
QT Gold Coast is teaming up with Pink Flamingo Gold Coast for a not-to-be-missed event, Brunch with the Queen(s), which promises to be a day full of fierce looks, fabulous performances and flamboyant fun. more
Whether you're loved-up long-term, going steady or think cupid is stupid – Valentine’s Day is upon us (Sunday 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
This year may have robbed us of many of our favourite pastimes, but live music, foodie festivals and exhibitions are coming back in 2021 with a vengeance and we couldn't be happier. Never again will we take life's simple pleasures like catching a live gig or meeting with mates for a beer for granted. With that in mind, here are five unmissable events to add to your calendar immediately. more
One might think the pairing of ice-cream and circus make for strange bedfellows, but when you think about it, they make the perfect combo. Gourmet ice-cream and world-class circus acts are both things worth seeking out, while our jaws drop at the sight of inventive displays of performance theatre and inspired culinary creations alike. SCOOP! is a new three-day summertime celebration that is bringing a jam-packed program of cool circus, cabaret and acrobatic performances to HOTA this weekend, serving them up with a sprinkling of decadent desserts, pop-up bars, live music and more. more
HOTA is sending 2020 a live-entertainment lifeline with a cracking line-up of music, ballet, movies, art and more as part of the UPSPRING program. Welcome in the new season and farewell the winter blues with talented local performers and artists. more
BLEACH* is set to make a triumphant return to the Gold Coast – hurrah! Kicking off on Thursday November 12, the annual arts and cultural event will run for 11 action-packed days, with audiences invited to experience the best of the city through one-of-a-kind contemporary art, live music, cabaret, theatre, dance and storytelling, with the magic to unfold across three key precincts – Burleigh Heads, Chevron Island and the Botanic Gardens in Benowa. While the entire festival program is well and truly worthy of the spotlight, we’ve cherry-picked our top five events for your viewing pleasure. From parties at an abandoned block of houses to acrobatic archers – go ahead and clear your calendar because you definitely won't want to miss these. more
Gold Coast, strap yourselves in – internationally acclaimed cabaret-style variety show Club Briefs is back! The evocative, steamy and very physical disco-dipped, glitter-sprinkled extravaganza will hit the stage at Miami Marketta for one night only this September. Are you ready? more
Imagine this – you're home alone with your beloved family member when they start acting a little strangely. Maybe they just don't seem like themselves. One thing is for sure – something is definitely off, but you can't quite put your finger on it. This is the concept behind the hair-raising at-home audio experience, Double, which pits players against their loved ones in a race to find out who is the imposter. more
The global phenomenon that is MAMMA MIA! The Musical is (finally!) here on the Gold Coast and be still our ABBA-loving hearts. Presented by renowned Australian production company Matt Ward Entertainment, this exciting rendition of Catherine Johnson’s classic tale invites you to fall in love all over again and get swept up in the romance, heartbreak and drama of this much-loved musical. more
After months of virtual concerts, live-streamed ballet lessons and 80s-themed lounge-room workouts, we're thrilled to bring you news of Fireside, a month-long series of events happening at HOTA this July. Yes, we're talking actual events with actual people, real performers, live music, food, drinks and a helluva lot of fun. It's time to pack away the loungewear, folks – July just got a whole lot better. more
While HOTA – the Gold Coast's own Home of the Arts – may be temporarily closed, the team is still working tirelessly to help the city's arts industry and creative communities navigate their way through these challenging times. This week, HOTA CEO Criena Gehrke announced Rage Against The V(irus) Artist Fund – an initiative designed to turn downtime into a spark for innovation, using digital technology as the medium. more
In what could arguably be one of the best worst-kept secrets around town, Secret Broadway is coming to the coast! No longer must musical-theatre lovers have to make the trek up the M1 to get a fix of fabulous because it's all happening right here at HOTA. Secret Broadway kicks off on Saturday February 22 with a musical mash-up that you are definitely not going to want to miss! more
Feathers, glitter and impossibly high heels. Eccentrically painted faces and barely clothed bodies. There is something undeniably alluring and utterly impressive about cabaret shows and recent years have seen an influx of burlesque-style performances gracing stages in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. If consider yourself enticed by these particular exhibitions, then you won't want to miss Yummy Deluxe – a brand-new cabaret show hitting HOTA this January. more
Let’s be honest – even if you’re not the most musically talented individual, most of us at some point have dreamed of living the rockstar life. Touring the world, legions of adoring fans and looking like a badass all in the name of your job sounds like a pretty sweet gig, right? Well in the immortal words of AC/DC, it turns out that it’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock’n’roll – and sometimes you need to enlist the help of a few pint-sized pals to help you on your way. If you’ve ever caught yourself fantasising about a life on the stage, listen up – School of Rock is hitting QPAC from July 12 with a tidal wave of humour, cheek and true rock’n’roll soul. more
When it comes to traditional theatre shows, we're used to witnessing the magic in auditoriums, theatre stages, music halls or the like. This May, the walls of a small country hall in the Byron Bay hinterland will come to life through an unmissable site-specific original production from regional theatre company, Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA). more
