Y2Gay and Speakeasy 

For New Years Eve, The Tivoli and The Princess are hosting two big parties from the gay age and the jazz age.

Queer collective Shandy are holding a a cyber-punk, Y2K themed New Years’ Eve party Y2Gay with a huge host of performers and DJs at The Tivoli.

Over at The Princess, Speakeasy is an immersive 1920’s jazz age world awaits with a live six-piece jazz band, performances from artists and musicians, and interactive actors.

“Well would you look at that, there’s just over a week until we kiss 2021 goodbye,” said spokespeople from The Tivoli and The Princess.

“Despite shutting our doors at the mercy of lockdown for most of April, July and September, we hosted 157 events across both venues and welcomed almost 80,000 people into our spaces.

“We literally could not have gotten through this year without you – so thank you to everyone who danced, sang, laughed or cheered inside our venues.

“Your support during these times means Brisbane’s live music and arts scene will continue to thrive.

“So goodbye 2021, it’s been real… Now here’s to all the good times 2022 will bring!”

Speakeasy: On New Year’s Eve will be held at The Princess Theatre (Image: The Princess Theatre)

Spaced Out Festival 

For those on the Gold Coast in the New Year, there is a brand new festival arriving on the shores of Burleigh on 2nd January.

Spaced Out Festival will see 21 artists across two stages, including headliners indie band Pacific Avenue, Perth band Death by Denim will play their vibrant style of dreamy indie music, while Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are the group of 19-year-old women re-energising grunge.

There will also be performances by self-described ‘woozy guitar pop’ pioneers VACATIONS and Keli Holiday which is the new project by Peking Duk’s Adam Hyde bringing uplifting electronic music.

“We believe that live music is an essential part of the human experience, so we’re delivering a jam-packed day of live music on the sunny Gold Coast with 21 artists from all around Australia across two stages,” said the producers, Interstellar Music.

Spaced Out Festival will be held at Burleigh Bazaar on 2 January (Image: Interstellar Music)

An American in Paris at QPAC 

If it’s theatre you’re after, An American in Paris opens at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre on 8 January.

Based on the George and Ira Gershwin composition and subsequent 1951 film, An American in Paris tells a love story set in post-war Paris between American soldier Jerry Mulligan and aspiring ballerina Lise Dassin.

Co-produced by The Australian Ballet, the production includes the classic original score combined with inventive choreography and immersive set design.

“The Gershwin brothers’ music provides a wonderful foundation from which to explore and evoke all the elegance, madness and energy of post-war Paris,” said John Kotzas, Chief Executive of QPAC.

“Christopher Wheeldon and Craig Lucas have taken the vitality and beauty of a screen classic and recrafted it for a new century. I have no doubt audiences will love it and I look forward to welcoming our friends from The Australian Ballet back to QPAC.”

An American in Paris opens at QPAC on 8 January (Image: Johan Persson)

IMAGINARIA 

An immersive, technology-based multi-sensory art experience, IMAGINARIA is an art playground where reality is relative.

Creative Director Nick Ennis said the experience was like being in a kaleidoscope of light, sound and wonder.

“IMAGINARIA builds a constant sense of anticipation. Each room is slowly revealed as you move through the space and a different atmosphere and mood is presented.  You can play, chill, explore and engage at your own pace,” he said.

“Step inside, slip off your shoes and engage with AI projections, sensor-triggered LED waves, giant silk parachute canopies, cosmic gardens, an anti-gravity sunset, an electronic hall of mirrors and a digital wishing well that whispers your greatest desires.”

Located at the Queensland Maritime Museum in Southbank, IMAGINARIA is open throughout the holidays until it closes on January 31.

IMAGINARIA closes on January 31 (Image: Annette Dew)