Live music
Alt-electro pioneers Empire Of The Sun make a return to Fortitude Music Hall this Saturday night as part of a long-awaited string of shows marking the first time the band has played in Australia since 2017 – you can jump on final tickets here. On Saturday, be transported through the romance of music in the passionate season opener of Heartstrings with Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra at QPAC’s Concert Hall. Keen? Tickets to the unmissable one-night-only string showcase are available here. For a rock-punk throwback, head along to Royale with Cheese Ultimate 90s Rock Show at The Back Room on Friday night, where you’ll rock away to your favourite covers from Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Radiohead, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Green Day, Blink 182 and more! Chasing a free gig? Head to Felons Barrel Hall on Friday night to catch Full Flower Moon Band go full throttle with folk-rock prince JB Paterson, Brisbane’s Radium Dolls and Naaki Soul. On Sunday, acclaimed singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin launches her third studio album PRE PLEASURE live on stage at The Tivoli. Fast-forward to Monday – era-defying British sensations Sugababes are in town for one night only and you can still grab tickets! ‘Push the button’ here to get yours.

Out-of-the-box activities
If you’re into exploring the world of wine or want to learn more about your favourite drops, the Queensland Wine Awards – Public Tasting and Masterclass will be right up your alley. The public event, which will be held at Treasury Brisbane this Friday 4:30 pm, offers a unique opportunity to sample the medal-winning wines that were named in the recent Queensland Wine Awards. Plus, there’s a one-hour masterclass with master of wine, Andrew Corrigan, that you can book into before or after your tasting sessions – jump here for information and tickets. After Friday wine tastings, you can balance it all out at the Mind Body Spirit Festival – largest health, wellbeing and natural therapies event – which takes over the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre this weekend. Around 200 exhibitors will be there, with everything from inspirational seminars to psychic readings, meditation sessions, crystals, body treatments, books, giftware, delicious healthy food and more on offer from Friday to Sunday. It’s the fourth Saturday of the month, so that means from 12:00–4:00 pm the lush City Botanic Gardens will come alive with free live tunes for Gigs and Picnics – pack the picnic rug, grab a snack from the food truck and kick back for an afternoon of live music. Head on over to the Visit Brisbane website for more information. If you’re feeling extra adventurous this weekend, hit up Brisbane’s most ‘grammable experience – Imaginaria. The stunning immersive play experience combines audio-visual art, inflatable architecture, light installations and futuristic gamification suitable for all ages.

Theatre and live shows
Brisbane Powerhouse’s pioneering festival ΩHM is in full swing, rolling out its immersive program of music and art, showcasing adventurous and profoundly personal approaches to sound, music and performance. This weekend, you can witness the other-worldly experience that is Hear My Eyes: Pan’s Labyrinth x Sleep D, which takes over the Powerhouse Theatre on Friday for an unforgettable night of cinema and live music. On Saturday night, electronic-music icons Robert Henke (Monolake) and Susanne Kirchmayr (Electric Indigo) take the Powerhouse stage to premiere their new joint tour in an unmissable double-bill. The ΩHM program continues into March – peep the next few events here.

Stirring new stage production Breaking the Castle kicks off at QPAC’s Cremorne Theatre this Friday night, bringing to life a compelling and uplifting story of struggle and redemption, and a tale of human connection. The shows continue through until next Saturday March 4 – you can grab tickets here. Speaking of QPAC, if you’re yet to see Hamilton, or are considering another hit of the wildly popular musical, shoot your shot this weekend and witness Lin-Manuel Miranda’s much-loved musical, which has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education since its Broadway debut in 2015. Also, in case you missed it – the musical genius that is Lin-Manuel Miranda is coming to Brisbane, and you can win tickets to see him live on stage! Read all about it here.

Exhibitions
Those venturing to the Gold Coast this weekend can work in a visit to experience HOTA Gallery’s first-ever international blockbuster exhibition, Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, New York, which takes you into the world of iconic artists Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, with a collection of works never before seen in Australia. The world-exclusive exhibition pairs these three superstars alongside artists inspired by their legacy, painting a unique picture of Pop Art across the past 60 years to present Australia. To grab your tickets to this enchanting exhibition, head to the HOTA website.

Closer to home, QAGOMA’s summer blockbuster exhibition, Air, is showcasing immersive and large-scale works by leading international and Australian artists exploring the cultural, ecological and political dimensions of air. Courage and Beauty is also gracing the gallery and this spellbinding showcase celebrates the vision and generosity of Queensland art collector and philanthropist James C. Sourris AM. Giving us the perfect excuse to wander around the city is Brisbane City Council’s Outdoor Gallery exhibition, play/ground. Art enthusiasts are set to be wowed by a series of breathtaking artworks in light boxes, banners, vitrines, and evening projections across destinations including Howard Smith Wharves, Ann Street and Fish Lane. MoB is once again inviting art lovers to escape the world outside and enter a new, far more colourful one inside its fun-filled exhibition Play Moves. Sticking around until April 16, this fantastical display is bringing together a bounty of local and national artists for a boundary-breaking art experience like no other. Exhibition-goers can stroll through six large-scale installations where every action you take makes the art around you come alive.

Markets and foodie fun
PSA – you can sample Gelato Messina’s new limited-edition flavour this weekend for free! Yes, free! Here’s how to get your hands on a complimentary scoop before it hits stores. Love a good marg? Margarita Week at Howard Smith Wharves continues until this Sunday, with each of the waterside venues serving up inventive interpretations of the salty-rimmed specialty over ten summer days – head on down for a few sips! Summer has almost drawn to a close, so you’ve only got two more weekends to check out Nautilus Beach Club at The Westin Brisbane – it’s the perfect place to cool down with a cocktail in hand. For just $29, guests can enjoy the pool for up to seven hours and you’ll even get a welcome spritz on arrival. It wraps up on March 5, so be quick.

If you’re eager to stroll through some stalls and stock up on some fresh fruit and veg over the weekend, be sure 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 dinnertime eats, Eat Street Northshore is on for your snacking pleasure on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights or a hint of mystery, head to Westoria on Friday – a unique night market bringing a sense of wonder, excitement and sense-enlivening magic to West End. Hot margarita summer has arrived at The Boundary with the arrival of the Patrón Pop-Up. Head up to The Boundary rooftop and be transported to the beaches of Tulum, complete with margarita trees, bottomless nachos, tacos and all the good vibes you could ask for.

Events may be subject to be postponed or cancelled at the last minute. We do our best to remove cancelled events but be sure to check the organiser’s own event page for the most current updates.

This article was written by Janna Hrastovec from The Weekend Edition.