Hockey Dad, a maker’s market and the Queen of Rock – what’s on in Brisbane this weekend
Music
Open Season continues this weekend with a stacked line-up of music acts coming to Brisbane’s most beloved venues. At the Princess Theatre on Friday night, Mildlife returns to Brisbane for a new show of its beloved psychedelic-jazz sounds. The band is touring its latest album Chorus, which is stacked with Mildlife’s signature hazy sounds. On Saturday night, the Australian band Pond will be touring its fiercely anticipated new album Stung!, along with its plenty of chart-topping indie favourites. A team up of Tame Impala members, Pond is best known for its psychedelic-infused hits and rock-pop elements.
At QPAC, living legend Patti Lupone will be gracing the stage on Thursday with her one-woman show, A Life in Notes. The three-time Tony Award winner will be singing her way through her illustrious career in a powerful musical journey, reflecting on her life. Witness this Broadway icon explore almost six decades of work in an intimate and riveting new show.
MetroArts will be continuing to fright and delight this weekend with its exhilarating new production Scaredy House. The interactive theatre event has been created with fearsome families in mind, inviting you to venture inside a haunted house quite like no other. Ideal for our Wednesday Addams or A Series of Unfortunate Events fans, you’ll need to work together to make it through this twist on a classic tale.
Shake and Stir’s acclaimed play Fourteen continues its run at QPAC this weekend. An adaptation of award-winning journalist Shannon Molley’s memoir, the play follows Shannon’s experience coming of age (and coming out) at an all-boys Catholic school in region Queensland during 1999. Expect a mixtape of nostalgia nineties bangers, the play is a story of self-discovery against adversity.
Queensland Theatre’s continues to ask if love has a bottom line with its latest play Cost of Living. Created by the Pulitzer-winning, Polish-American playwright Martyna Majok, Cost of Living follows four seemingly disconnected characters, enduring the same very-human experience of needing to care and be cared for. The latest iteration of this prolific play will be running from June 15 to July 13.
On Saturday, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical – the Broadway show dedicated to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll – makes its debut at QPAC. Experience the iconic careers of the legendary songstress with simply the best soundtrack of the songstress’ most beloved tunes from “River Deep – Mountain High” to “Proud Mary”. This musical is a celebration of the tour de force that was Tina, showcasing her inspiring life story, renowned career and lasting legacy.
The school holidays call for kid-friendly fun – and fortunately, Brisbane is hosting a bunch of new shows to keep your little ones entertained. At Queensland Ballet, discover a very special rendition of the classic fairy-tale with the latest instalment of its My First Ballet series, Cinderella. My First Ballet tailors the company’s ballets for little theatregoers, shortening the runtime and simplifying the story for a magical experience everyone can enjoy. This weekend will also host a Children’s Dance Workshop, Cinderella’s Tea Party and a Q and A with the cast as well.
At QPAC, Bangarra’s first work for children has begun its run this week with Waru – the journey of the small turtle. Set under the starry skies of Torres Strait, this captivating new piece of dance theatre follows a green turtle making her way back to the beach where she was born. The show offers a contemporary saltwater Lagaw Kazil (Island Children) story, which celebrates Torres Strait Islander culture through an experience designed for three to eight year olds and families.
Exhibitions
The fiercely anticipated new blockbuster exhibition from QAGOMA opens its doors this weekend, with the launch of Iris Van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses this Saturday. The exhibition will showcase more than 100 mesmerising garments by the prolific Dutch designer, showcasing their pioneering approach to 3D printing, new-wave fabrications and robotics. The designs – which fuse fashion and art – will be exhibited alongside a curated collection of the specimens, contemporary art and artefacts which have inspired their creations.
At Echo & Bounce, Woolloongabba’s record-store-and-community-hub hybrid, 12 up-and-coming artists will be displaying their works for purchase, with short films screened in the basement and a post-exhibition DJ set. Titled Floating Void, this event is dedicated to the secrets and wonders of the night’s void.
Food and wine
The Urban Wine Walk is back this weekend to take budding oenophiles for a tour of The City’s best vino spots. The self-guided experience invites you to trot from bar to bar at your own pace, and sample sips from an incredible line-up of winemakers. This walk will feature the likes of Babylon, Embassy Hotel, Miss Demeanour, Port Office Hotel, The Gresham, Tillerman and Walter’s Steakhouse – who will all be pouring up delicious and diverse wines for you to discover.
This weekend is your last chance to indulge in Dine BNE City’s slew of experiences and dining deals. At lunchtime, elevate your EOFY celebrations with the Let’s Do Lunch series. Grab a gozleme or pita at Babylon with your choice of drink, toast to the weekend with steak frites and pinot at Gather Bistro and plenty more. You can also take a walk on the wild side with a Bar Safari. From Souvlaki and Sips at OPA Bar + Mezze, Beer and Bao at Longwang, to Seafood and Spritz at Blackbird, there’s a bevy of drink experiences shaking and stirring their last deals this weekend.
If this taste of winter we’ve been experiencing has you craving icy temperatures, snowy escapes and serious cold-season festivities – Prince Consort has transformed into a winter wonderland for its Snow Week. This weekend, the Fortitude Valley pub will be decked in more than 50 tonnes of real snow and even cooler events. On Friday and Saturday, zip up your best ski coveralls – its Retro Ski Party time – bringing a touch of vintage Aspen to Wickham Street. The ice queen is also coming to town – or should we say Queens. The Prince Consort will be hosting drag queen bingo from 1:00 pm on Saturday. Finally, let’s go girls. Celebrate living legend of the North, Shania Twain, with a tribute party.
Markets
After a knockout autumn event, The Great Artist Market is back to take over Felons Brewing Co. on Saturday. The market series lives up to its namesake – featuring more than 50 stalls by the best creatives of Brisbane from illustrators to jewellery makers and ceramists. You’ll also find free face painting, balloon twisting and delicious snacks along with the hottest DJ spins.
Stock up on fresh-local produce, bespoke goodies and street food snacks at one of the weekly markets as well. Riverside Markets, Kelvin Grove Village Market, Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Carseldine Markets, Nundah Farmers Markets and the Redcliffe Markets are open and trading this weekend.
Want more? Head to our comprehensive Event Guide for all of the fun around town where you can search by category, date, location and more! We do our best to remove cancelled events but be sure to check the organiser’s own event page for the most current updates.
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.