By Susan Schwartz
If you want to know what to do this week and into the weekend, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our round-up of what’s on in Brisbane and beyond.
Theatre
Fourteen returns to QPAC on Wednesday at the Cremorne Theatre, following a sold-out season in 2022. Set at a rugby-mad all-boys Catholic school in coastal Queensland, it is based on a memoir by Shannon Molloy which has been adapted by Shake & Stir Theatre Co. The year is 1999 and Molloy has a secret. He is gay. It follows him through a year of self-discovery against a backdrop of torment, bullying and betrayal at the hands of his peers and the adults who were meant to protect him. It is a moving true story of adversity and trauma, but also a story of resilience, hope and humour – thanks to his close-knit friends and fiercely protective family. Runs until July 6 with matinee sessions available and night-time starts at 6.30pm or 7.30pm.
Wankernomics 2.0: As Per My Last Email is a satirical look at the bureaucracy, banality, buzzwords and bullshit of the working world. If you’ve worked in an office, endured pointless meetings, or been told to “Drill down on key learnings and get stakeholder buy-in,” this is the show for you. The performance is on Friday at 6.30pm at the Powerhouse Theatre.
Plied and Prejudice is billed as a side-splitting parody of Jane Austen’s classic novel. It is the reimagined story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy – if they were drunk when they met it may have been a very different outcome. Opens on Friday, with two shows at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. Until August 18 at The Shed, Dock C, Northshore Brisbane.
Pulitzer prize winning drama Cost of Living examines the lives of carers and people living with a disability. Written by former carer turned playwright Martyna Majok, it introduces us to four seemingly disconnected characters whose lives are at a crossroads. There’s John – a wealthy successful PhD student with cerebral palsy – who hires the secretive Jess to be his new carer. And then there’s Eddie, an unemployed truck driver, desperately trying to reconcile with his ex-wife Ani, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. From Saturday at 7.30pm until July 13 at Queensland Theatre’s Billie Brown Theatre, 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane.
Queensland Ballet’s adaptation of Coppelia has been hailed by critics for its unique Aussie twist. It’s on from 6.30 pm and 7.30pm depending on the night, plus some matinee performances on weekends. At the QPAC Playhouse until June 22.
Music
Australian 90s rock band Regurgitator team up to belt out fresh tunes from their newly released album Invader at The Tivoli on Saturday at 6.30pm. Regurgitator had hits with songs such as Polyester Girl, Kong Foo Sing, Black Bugs, Happiness, and Blubber Boy.
Prepare for an evening of Queen’s most iconic hits when premier tribute band Queen Forever performs their “A Night at the Theatre” tour at The Princess Theatre on Saturday at 6.30pm. Freddie Mercury impersonator Gareth Hill is renowned for his accuracy, humour and infectious energy. The show spans the entire spectrum of Queen’s music from their early glam rock days to the big anthem hits that defined their later years.
Australian Rock Collective – otherwise known as Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), Mark Wilson (Jet), Davey Lane (You Am I) and Kram (Spiderbait) will bring to life Led Zepplin’s 1971 album Led Zepplin IV on Saturday at 7pm at The Fortitude Music Hall.
Multi-platinum artist and lead vocalist of 5 Seconds of Summer, Luke Hemmings will debut his solo career this week at the Tivoli on Sunday at 7pm. His tour will showcase his highly anticipated latest solo EP, boy and the release of his new single Shakes.
Australian Idol contestant Kiani returns to the shores of Sandstone Point Hotel in a free live event on Sunday from 1pm-4pm. The singer/songwriter/guitarist hails from Bribie Island will belt out some soulful jazz tunes.
Art
Making Place features more than 100 historical and contemporary artistic depictions of Brisbane at the Museum of Brisbane daily from 10am-5pm until July 7. It includes works by Margaret Olley, Lloyd Rees, Judy Watson, Richard Randall, and William Bustard.
Prism: Light, Colour, Form is a recently opened exhibition at GOMA which examines the refractive qualities and universal appeal of glass until October 20 from 10am-5pm.
First Nations artist Judy Watson’s exhibition titled Mudunama Kundana Wandaraba Jarribirri or “tomorrow the tree grows stronger” continues at the Queensland Art Gallery until August 11 from 10am-5pm. It includes 130 works across painting, prints, sculpture, installations and video.
Food Events
Learn more about wine at the Yalumba Masterclass on Wednesday at 6.30pm at Sense of Taste, Portside. Cheese platters will be provided to enjoy with your wine. Each attendee will receive a free bottle of Yalumba Signature Cabernet Shiraz valued at $75.
From Pad Thai to Tom Yum Goong, the Brisbane Thai Festival will showcase the best of Thai food, dance and music on Saturday from 9am-5pm in King George Square, 100 Adelaide St, Brisbane. This year is a celebration of 72 years of friendship between Thailand and Australia.
General Entertainment
Glow in the Dark Golf puts a new spin on this sport at St Lucia Golf Links daily from 5pm until July 28. Putt your way around the illuminated mini golf course with a glow in the dark golf ball to light the way.
Queensland’s biggest racing day the Stradbroke Cup is on Saturday from 9.30am at Eagle Farm Racecourse. More than $6.5 in prize money is up for grabs, and the $3 million Stradbroke Cup is the jewel in the crown.
For something a little bit country, the Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular is on at the Boonah Showgrounds on Saturday and Sunday. Clydesdale horses were first bread in the Scenic rim in the 1800s by Arnold Wienholt who had a stud with 400 horses for farm work and heavy hauling. The event will also feature Scottish pipe and drum bands, whip cracking, carriage rides, blacksmithing and wooden wheelwrighting demonstrations, woodchopping, billy boiling, the Australian Light Horse troupe, and an animal nursery. From 8am-4.30pm.
Calling all rev-heads. The past, present and future of motoring will be on display at the RACQ MotorFest on Sunday. Plus there will be roving entertainment, kids’ rides, food stalls and special exhibits. At the Brisbane Showgrounds, Gregory Tce from 10am-3pm. Tickets are $2 at the gate.
For something laid-back, Victoria Park will host Park Vibes on Saturday for an afternoon of live music and food trucks from 11.30am-4.30pm. Entry is via Gregory Tce, Spring Hill.
Markets
More than 120 stall will showcase their wares at The Made Local Market on Saturday June 15 from 9am-4pm and Sunday June 16 from 9am-4pm at the Brisbane Showgrounds, Gregory Terrace.
The first ever Pooch & Paws Pet Market is on at the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds on Saturday from 9am-2pm. There will be more than 80 vendors selling paw-friendly wares. $2 entry.
