Brisbane Festival highlights
Brisbane Festival continues to light up theatres, precincts, parks, concert halls and stages with its jam-packed program of events and must-do moments. Here are some top picks for this weekend …

Eternity is transforming St John’s Cathedral into a stage for a sky-high circus production, performed to the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s recreation of the monumental music of Arvo Pärt. Watch in awe as talented circus artists and aerialists of the globally renowned Circa ensemble push the capabilities of the human body for this extraordinary hour-long cathedral performance, held nightly from this Wednesday to Saturday. Limited tickets remain on the festival website – be quick!

Siva Mai Club is bringing Pasifika excellence to the South Bank Piazza this week, igniting the stage with island-themed fun and an upbeat fusion of traditional and pop-contemporary live music and dance. This will be one big island party under the hut – expect a dash of humour, suave moves and plenty of surprises!  Siva Mai means ‘come dance’, so head to South Bank to get your groove on, island style. Tickets are required and can be purchased here.

Common People Dance Eisteddfod is the ultimate dance-battle of the suburbs! Don your brightest and most glittery 80s gear and head to Sleeman’s Sports Complex this weekend to watch eight dance teams from across Southeast Queensland battle it out for glory. There will be plenty of spandex, sweat and sequins – and competition will be rife! Gather the crew and barrack for your favourite teams on both Saturday and Sunday nights. Tickets are just $25 – grab yours here.

The 80s King St Party on Saturday night will transport you back to simpler times – when roller skates ruled (they still do), clothes were neon, disco beats reigned supreme and folks played arcade games instead of scrolling on phones. Ignite your 80s spirit and make tracks to King Street from 5:00 pm for a fun-filled night of partying like it’s 1989 – complete with dance competitions, roller-skating sessions, inflatable arcade machines and disco DJs to keep the vibes high all night long! Go on, dust off the skates, slip on some neon threads and have a fun ol’ time.

Fashion Collab is both a static and moving installation of wild and experimental wearable art and adaptive fashion – and you can check out the creative displays of self-expression in person at The Tivoli this Saturday afternoon. Preceding the outrageous glitter-dusted Bowerytopia: TABOO costume party that night, the Fashion Collab is an opportunity see works from its community arts program and recent workshops – it’s part fashion show, part exhibition, part installation … and it’s absolutely genius. It’s free to attend, just head to The Tivoli from 4:00 pm. Bowerytopia: TABOO kicks off from 8:00 pm, when the likes of Betty Grumble and Kween Kong grace the stage (tickets are required for that event, get yours here).

Bananaland’s world-premiere season kicks off at QPAC this Saturday, with the brand-new musical comedy from creative geniuses Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall set to wow audiences with laughs and lyrics. The must-see stage production follows 21-year-old idealist, Ruby, and her unintentionally hilarious protest band that accidentally becomes a massive hit with preschoolers – could they be the new Wiggles? It’s certainly not a show for kids – this rollercoaster romp has plenty of heart and comedy, with a few choice words and cheeky adult content thrown in! The debut season at QPAC’s Playhouse runs until Sunday October 1. Get your tickets here.

Erth’s Shark Dive is just one of a bunch of must-do festival events taking place at Northshore, Brisbane’s home of immersive experiences. This one is a unique choose-your-own ‘shark dive’ adventure, which kicks off from this Sunday. If you’ve ever wanted to swim with the sharks, but don’t love the thought of being in a cage with Great Whites circling (fair call), Erth’s world-renowned puppeteers will take you below the surface and bring you face-to-face with majestic sharks without even getting wet. You can marvel at their beauty, or feel your heart pumping in a thrill-filled escapade – the choice is yours! Get ready for a wild time and book your tickets.

Lightscape, a multi-sensory illuminated oasis sprawling beneath the lush canopy of the Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens, is a must-do after-dark activity this weekend. Take a journey along the sparkling 2-kilometre path of immersive light, colour and sound, strolling through mesmerising light tunnels, passing larger-than-life flowers and neon ‘roots’. It’s an absolute must-see! Tickets are required for Lightscape, but they’re snapped up quick – grab yours here.

Brisbane Quarter is celebrating Brisbane Festival with a bunch of exciting offers and activations, including the world-premiere of new large-scale works by contemporary artist Hiromi Tango. Head to Brisbane Quarter (300 George Street) to check out pop-up art installation  Hiromi Hotel: YU KA 夢花 (Dream Flower), which has transformed part of the precinct into a colourful meditation garden of golden peony flowers. Before or after you immerse yourself in the installation, be sure to sip and snack at one of Brisbane Quarter’s dining destinations to experience Hiromi Hotel-inspired cocktails and dishes.

Head to the Brisbane Festival website to scope out the full program of events for this weekend and beyond!

Live music
Sweet Relief (part of Brisbane Festival, in conjunction with Queensland Music Trails) takes over Northshore on Saturday for one-day-only party and a stacked music roster that will see electronic legends Groove Armada and dance act The Avalanches sending their big beats sky-high. Joining the bill is Ladyhawke, Latifa Tee, Nina Las Vegas, Cut Copy and YO! Mafia. Plus, there will be waterside entertainment including carnival rides, market stalls and more, and it’s all hosted by fun-makers Poof Doof Pride Patrol featuring Jimi The Kween. Gates open at 12:00 pm, be quick to grab final tickets online. Let’s party!

On Friday night, Camerata – Cinematheque will keep audiences on the edge of their seats at QPAC’s Concert Hall with a thrilling cross-genre performance of spooky and surreal string sounds by Camerata and bespoke short films by Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Anthony Lucas. Then on Saturday night, five of Brisbane’s finest ensembles will raise the roof at Concert Hall with Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem. Over at The Triffid on Friday night, you can catch Boom Crash Opera with Bachelor Girl, and on Saturday be whisked away by Greta Ray at The Princess Theatre.

Festivals and food
If this fine spring whether has you dreaming of sips and snacks in the sunshine, round up your cocktail-loving pals and head to Sunday Sessions at Corbett & Claude. For just $69 per person you can indulge in an array of delicious starters to share, followed by favourite pizza or pasta, and two whole hours of bottomless cocktail jugs, beer or wine. Oh, and a side serve of live music, too! Get the details here.

The annual Redcliffe KiteFest returns to the bayside this weekend for a two-day fiesta of colour and sky-high fun at Pelican Park in Clontarf. If you’re keen to jump in the car, check out the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and its spectacular floral displays that sprawl throughout Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park. There’s plenty of music and entertainment happening, various garden tours, delicious eats to indulge in and more – peep the full program and plan your flower-themed road trip.

For some early Halloween fun, there’s Spooky Putt Putt at Victoria Park, which kicks off from this Friday. Sip boo-zee slushies and proceed with caution as you head onto the putting greens, which are filled with spooks galore!

Live shows and theatre
The Australian exclusive of heart-warming new production The Making of Pinocchio takes to the Brisbane Powerhouse stage for a four-night run of shows this week as part of Brisbane Festival. Experience the sheer joy and limitless potential of the Queer imagination in this tale of love and transition, told through the story of Pinocchio – who wants to be a ‘real boy’. Limited tickets remain for the shows this week, head to the festival website to book.

Over at QPAC, Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas!, a sparkling new tragi-comedy told from the heart, created by nationally-acclaimed shake & stir theatre co., is staging its final shows. This magical, camp, song-and-dance fairy tale wraps up on Sunday – don’t miss it! Book your seats here.

There’s also the strictly limited season of MAMMA MIA! showing at QPAC – it’ll have you dancing and singing to ABBA’s greatest hits from your seat! You’ve got until Sunday September 24 to check it out.

Must-see exhibitions
Heading to the Gold Coast this weekend? Perfect timing for you to catch HOTA Gallery’s Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize – a landmark exhibition that explores the rich history of the Archibald Prize, unearthing fascinating stories behind more than 100 carefully selected artworks. Archie 100 delves into the controversies and the commonplace, the triumphant and the thwarted, and honours the artists who’ve made the Archibald Prize the most sought-after accolade in Australian art today. It’s on display until Monday October 2.

Two new exhibitions are underway at the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) that are well worth checking out. Rainbow Serpent (Version) is Daniel Boyd’s first major exhibition in Brisbane, featuring 15 new paintings, a mirrored stage floor, and a program of live activations. There’s also Laresa Kosloff: Capital, which presents three of the artist’s darkly humorous films, created using stock footage sourced from the internet.

Set time aside to visit QAGOMA’s two major exhibitions, eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness and Michael Zavros: The Favourite this weekend – they’re both showing until October 2, so you’ve got mere weeks to see these brilliant showcases.

The State Library of Queensland is uncovering the role Aboriginal people played in establishing our pastoral industry in its latest collection, Working Country. Peruse the halls of First Nations community space – kuril dhagun – and you will be transported to a time of colonial invasion where, amid upheaval and devastation, working Country became a means of survival. You can wander through this free exhibition until January 2024.

Over at Museum of Brisbane, you can check out its latest exhibition, Clay: Collected Ceramics – a celebration of the hand-crafted endeavour that combines works from the Museum of Brisbane’s esteemed collection of ceramics, plus works from more than 300 external makers lending their individual pieces in celebration of the art that beholds them.

The Indigenous Arts Program is turning Brisbane City’s Outdoor Gallery into a homage to our city’s waterways until October 2 with its latest exhibition Reflection: A reflection of Brisbane’s waterways. There are various free guided walking tours, including night visits to Howard Smith Wharves, in the program – you can view all of the details and book your spot here.

Markets
If you’re eager to stroll through some stalls and stock up on some fresh fruit and veg over the weekend, be sure to check out these markets happening – Saturday Fresh Market, Riverside Markets, Kelvin Grove Village Market, Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Davies Park Market, Carseldine Markets, Nundah Farmers Markets and the Redcliffe Markets. For delicious dinner time eats, Eat Street Northshore is open for your snacking pleasure on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.