Comedy greats, prolific plays and a festival of cheese – what’s on in Brisbane this weekend
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
Music
It’s been 20 years since Missy Higgins released her debut album The Sound of the White and the indie-darling is celebrating with a brand new tour. On Thursday and Friday at QPAC, Missy will be performing this award-winning album front to back as well as a heap of her newer hits. Celebrate this classic album of Australian music at this intimate concert.
In the mood for a boogie? The DJ duo Bag Raiders will be spinning all its addictive hits at Summa House this Saturday. Fresh off a feature on Troye Sivan’s latest album, Bag Raiders has been scoring our dance floors with its electronic tunes for more than a decade. Catch the house music royalty this Saturday for an exclusive show.
Stand-up, theatre and live events
Brisbane Comedy Festival might be in its final few weeks – but we assure you, it’s not running low on laughs. This weekend, catch a clutch of established and emerging comedians taking the stages of Brisbane’s leading venues. From Geraldine Quinn’s side-splitting new show BROAD to stand up by Deadloch’s Nina Oyama, Dave Thornton, Geraldine Hickey, Dilruck Jayasinhaave and the showcase of some of Australia’s funniest comedians with disability or chronic illness, . Plus, for your comedy-flick fiends, the festival has joined forces with Dendy Powerhouse to bring you the riotous Kenny (2006) on the big screen and in the open air.
Mythology gets reimagined at Queensland Theatre’s latest production, Medea. The story of history’s most notorious anti-heroine has been re-examined by Kate Mulvany (Jasper Jones) and Anne-Louise Sarks. Set in modern-day Australia, Medea recasts the classic story from the perspective of her two young sons, telling the story from their bedroom. Catch the haunting play this weekend.
With a Tony and Oliver under her belt, playwright Suzie Miller has returned to Brisbane. Her prolific play RBG: Of Many, One continues its run this weekend, following a sold-out 2022 season. The one-woman show follows the remarkable life and career of the formidable Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for a heart-warming (and wrenching) look at one of gender equality’s most passionate advocates.
Australian actor-playwright Thomas Weatherall – the heartthrob of Netflix’s Heartbreak High – has brought his one-man play to La Boite for a strictly limited run. Debuting at Sydney Festival last year to critical acclaim, Blue is a coming-of-age story of very personal fiction, considering the relationship between the protagonist Mark and his relationship with his mother.
Show-tune fans should flock to Ad Astra Theatre to experience a new production of Sondheim’s inimitable Merrily We Roll Along. With the musical currently Tony-nominated, this cult-favourite show tells the story of its three main characters backwards, starting at old age and ending at youth for a stirring mediation of friendship, time and change.
QPAC is inviting you to be their guest with its magical musical production of Beauty and the Beast the Musical. Experience the beloved Disney film reimagined for the stage but still featuring Alan Menken’s classic score. The classic fairy-tale story comes to life with captivating sets and opulent costumes for a reverie of romance.
Be mesmerised by the world of dance at MetroArts’ new festival Dance24. Across one week, Dance24 will host interactive workshops, engaging discussions and industry networking events in celebration of the diverse expressions of this art form. Experience genre-defying performances and even try your hand at a few moves as well from Wednesday May 22 to Saturday June 1.
Exhibitions
QAGOMA’s latest exhibition from Waanyi artist Judy Watson. mudunama kundana wandaraba jarribirri is currently on display, combining four decades of Judy’s prolific reflections on her family’s Waanyi Country in north-west Queensland. Whilst exploring QAG, you can also take a wander through the Seeds and Sovereignty exhibition. These curated pieces from the museum’s Indigenous Australian Art Collection consider the intricate relationships between plants, people and Country. Discover artwork by traditional and emerging First Nations artists and unlock the cultural stories, ceremony and Songlines.
Experience Japanese artist Hiromi Tango’s artist residency at the Museum of Brisbane this weekend, showcasing the community-led project Gentle Petal. The multi-room installation features upcycled textiles for attendees to create flowers, which will then enliven the walls of the Adelaide Street Pavilion. Hiromi’s vibrant project aims to inspire healing through the social connection of creating together.
Brisbane’s Institute of Modern Art has welcomed its next fleet of exhibitions, bannered by an exciting range of local and international artists. Platform represents the gallery’s new annual series which is dedicated to showcasing new work from emerging artists under 40. Visit the Brunswick Street space over the weekend, and catch the works of Miguel Aquilizan, Mia Boe, and Sarah Poulgrain.
Food and drinks
Mould Cheese Festival returns to Brisbane this weekend to treat cheese devotees to the crumbly, creamy and cured creations of the country’s best cheesemakers. These cheese masters will be joined by a slew of beekeepers, providores, fermentaries and butchers as well as local and visiting wineries. Savour these artisan goodies and shop from the makers themselves at this festival taking over the Brisbane Showgrounds from Friday.
Howard Smith Wharves will be embracing that dolce vita lifestyle with two days of food and fun to celebrate Festa Italiana. This year, Festa Italiana is collaborating with guest chef Orazio D’Elia (of Sydney institution Da Orazio) to serve up his famous dishes from pasta and aperitivos to focaccia and even delights from Orazio’s traditional bakery. Experience the best of Italian culture and cuisine on the Main Lawn, complete with Italian vino and spritzes.
Markets and more
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.
At South Bank’s Whale Mall, you’ll find a slew of stalks stocked with handmade-artisan creations for The Whale Mall Markets. Kicking off from 10:00 am on Saturday, the mall will be home to a line-up of local creators, ready for you to explore. Discover ceramics, jewellery, art and so much more, all under the watchful eye of Queensland Museum’s flying wales.
