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With cheese to please and Splendour to share, here’s your plan for Brisbane’s best weekend

Counting down the days, hours and minutes until the weekend? Us too. There’s plenty of exciting events coming to Brisbane over the next few days – you can fill up on fromage at a high cheese, sing along to some bangers at a 90s-themed musical or travel down the M1 to Byron for Splendour. Here’s our pick of some of the best things to do this weekend …

Jul 22, 2022, updated Jul 22, 2022

Party it up at Splendour: This weekend, Splendour in the Grass will make its glorious return with heavyweight headliners Gorillaz, The Strokes and Tyler, The Creator leading the charge. Those lucky enough to have scored a ticket can enjoy a full spectrum of international and Aussie artists ready to join you on your long-awaited adventure back the country’s biggest celebration of music. From British indie-pop legends and a controversial rock’n’roll star to seminal indie-rock royalty, dance-ready DJs, Grammy award-winning vocalists and acclaimed hip-hop stars, Splendour in the Grass is back with a mammoth team of international talent in tow. Combine this with Aussie rock icons and a selection of homegrown heroes and you’ve got yourself the ultimate crew, ready to take over The Amphitheatre, GW McLennan and Mix Up stages. Plus, Splendour’s new PARK(lands) Stage which will feature carefully curated lineups bought to you by the legends at Secret Sounds, Astral People and Love Police. To see the full line-up, head to the Splendour in the Grass website.

Have a go at this pinball competition: Crack those knuckles and dust off your old arcade skills, because two weeks of hard-core pinballing has arrived at BrewDog in Murarrie. From July 15–24, the brewery is hosting one of the biggest pinball competitions in the southern hemisphere. BrewDog’s warehouse space is being converted into a competition floor with 60 pinball machines and 40 classic arcade games. All are welcome – novices, intermediate and pro players, as well as spectators eager to absorb some serious pinballing skills. Purchase tickets here or pay at the door on arrival. Plus, entry is free throughout the ten days for spectators.

Be captivated by comedian and performer Oliver Twist: Refusing to be defined by a turbulent past, comedian and performer Oliver Twist uses his exceptional storytelling abilities to reflect on his time as a refugee and to unpack what his life looks like now. In JALI, his one-person show that is as delicately told as it is captivating, Oliver uses personal anecdotes, drama and humour as a powerful antidote to trauma. JALI premiered in Sydney in early 2021 to rave reviews and an entirely sold-out season and is now set to make a splash when it comes to QPAC. Tapping into feelings of isolation and hopelessness, and transforming them into a story that is clear, resilient and bright, JALI is a vibrant and emotional journey that patiently proves there is light at the end of the tunnel. Grab your ticket at the QPAC website.

Ignite your curiosity at this year’s Sexpo: This year’s all-inclusive Sexpo is different and it’s not just about sex! It’s a celebration, a commemoration, a shame-free event and tribute to all thoughts, feelings, lifestyles and sexualities. There’s something for everyone at Sexpo and everyone is accepted. It’s about education, it’s about empowerment, it’s about exploration, it’s about celebrating what makes you, YOU! Running from July 22–24, the 2022 Sexpo is here to satisfy curiosities, frolic with fetishes, dance around kinks and flirt with a tantalising display of education, demonstrations with bountiful exhibitors and entertainment changing hourly on the main stage. Grab your tickets here.

Indulge your senses at this bottomless wine and high cheese experience: Few phrases get us as excited as ‘bottomless wine’ and ‘truffle-infused cheese’. Both are on offer at La Valle this month, as the Fortitude Valley wine bar hosts an indulgent fromage and vino-centric series every Saturday. This weekend, guests will be able to gorge on a tiered cheese tower (loaded with sweet and savoury truffle-infused morsels) while enjoying two hours of bottomless wine for only $55 per person. The High Cheese tower will boast truffle and fontina cheese arancini balls, truffle whipped mascarpone focaccia, house made truffle brie slices, and four-cheese croquettes with truffle aioli. The offer is available every Saturday in July, with seatings from 11:00 am, 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm. More details and bookings can be found on the La Valle website.

See Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical: Based on the acclaimed hit film starring Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Michelle Gellar comes Cruel Intentionsthe ultimate 90s party. Kicking off this weekend, the exciting production features back-to-back bangers including ‘Bye Bye Bye’ (*NSYNC), ‘Sometimes’ (Britney Spears), ‘Just A Girl’ (No Doubt), ‘Candy’ (Mandy Moore) , ‘Foolish Games’ (Jewel), ‘Genie In A Bottle’ (Christina Aguilera), ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’ (Deep Blue Something), ‘Kiss Me’ (Sixpence None the Richer), ‘Iris’ (Goo Goo Dolls), ‘I’ll Make Love To You’ (Boyz II Men), ‘Every You and Every Me’ (Placebo) and of course, ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ (The Verve). Drawing you deep into the manipulative world of Manhattan’s most tempting liaisons – Sebastian and Kathryn are seduced by revenge and fuelled by passion. Set out to ravage the virtuous Annette Hargrove and anyone who gets in their way, the siblings find themselves entangled in a web of secrets, temptation, and the cruelest game of all – love. Grab your tickets at the Fortitude Music Hall website.

Catch this social satire at La Boite Theatre: Oscar Wilde’s unmistakable style is combined with a hefty dose of ’90s nostalgia for La Boite Theatre’s newest production, An Ideal Husband, which kicks off this week. The scintillating show is playwright Lewis Treston’s adaptation of the iconic society drama about political corruption. Set in Canberra in 1996, this fresh adaption of Wilde’s classic comedy is a hot take on Australian politics and is a must see for any theatre lover. Want to travel back in time to the political landscape of Canberra in the 90s? An Ideal Husband will play at La Boite at Kelvin Grove from July 18 to August 6. Grab your tickets to this scintillating show at the La Boite website.

Catch up with your favourite Friends: The hilarious New York and Las Vegas hit Friends! The Musical Parody is pivoting its way back to The Tivoli. Join your six favourite friends at your favourite cafe for a night of unstoppable laughs with the new parody musical that lovingly lampoons the beloved NBC sitcom! Follow Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe as they navigate love, life, friendship and true unagi, all while reliving your favourite moments from the smash hit TV show. Friends! The Musical Parody will be there for you! Grab your tickets here.

Immerse yourself in this stage production: We all know that Metro Arts is the place to get your dose of thought-provoking theatre, but its upcoming shows further prove this point. This month’s offering includes Sunny Tribe District (July 22–30), a heart-warming show that balances comedy with catharsis. This laugh-filled production from theatre collective Robert The Cat and writer/director Patrick Mu’a follows the story of a group of camp counsellors who have dedicated their lives to bringing sad people back to their happy selves. Their methods may be questionable, but they have the right intentions. Gather your friends and strap in for the trip of a lifetime. Just don’t forget the mozzie spray. Head to the Metro Arts website to grab your tickets and prepare to be dazzled.

Head to these mesmerising live shows: A bunch of must-see concerts, gigs and music-soaked soirees are coming to Brisbane this weekend, and we are ready to rock. Valley party palace The Zoo will host some of the best queer female performers this city has to offer for BIRKENSTOCK on Saturday, while Chinese hip-hop music festival Get Some Sauce/整点儿sauce will be providing some hectic beats on Sunday. The Fortitude Music Hall will welcome Australia’s favourite Yorkshire born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist YUNGBLUD on Saturday, while fans of Britpop can get their fix at The Triffid on Saturday when Cool Britannia come back to Brisbane for one night only to play our favourite 90s Britpop anthems!

Fight the freeze with toasty tipples at these European-inspired winter pop-up bars: We’re deep in the throes of winter, so we might as well celebrate the chilly conditions with some very appropriately themed winter bars. If you’re keen to rug up with belly-warming boozy concoctions and delicious bites amongst faux snow and European-inspired chalets, then we know of a few very-cool destinations worth checking out – from riverside igloos and apres-ski-inspired pop-ups to champagne-filled ski chalets and Christmas in July-themed secret sipping spots. Check out our round-up of pop-up winter bars and rug up!

Explore a hidden underwater world in this immersive experience: Prepare to deep dive into an enchanting undersea world as a new bucket-list-worthy experience is swimming into our city this month. Love Lust Lost is the latest production from theatre collective Broad Encounters, the same folks who brought the Edgar Allan Poe-inspired theatre experience A Midnight Visit to Brisbane in 2021. Guests can expect to once again be transported to an otherworldly dreamscape, where they can discover 38 different spaces and a cast of seven stellar performers. These rooms will be filled with everything from song and spoken word to dance, circus and film – and a whole lot of skin. Oh, and we’ve heard that there’s a secret bar submerged somewhere in the experience, so keep an eye out on your escapade if you’re feeling thirsty. Want to dip your toes in Love Lust Lost’s water? Tickets are on sale now online, with shows kicking off from July 13.

See one of the greatest operas of all time: The second main stage show in Opera Queensland’s 2022 season is a new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, which is coming to QPAC’s Lyric Theatre from July 14–23. Hailed as one of the greatest operas ever written, La Traviata tells the tragic tale of Violetta – a courtesan who longs to love and be loved by a man she is not allowed to have. This production of the spellbinding romantic tragedy sees Dane Lam lead the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and an ensemble of some truly talented singers, including Kang Wang, José Carbó and renowned soprano Lorina Gore as Violetta. Directed by Sarah Giles and boasting some of opera’s most adored arias and stirring choruses, La Traviata is this season’s classic opera highlight. Come in the mood for champagne, but bring tissues for the ending … La Traviata is limited to five performances only, so book early for the best seats in the house. Head to the Opera Queensland website to grab yours.

Test out your mini golf skills at this Disney-themed pop-up: Get ready to kick some serious putt at Pixar Putt, Australia’s much loved open-air mini golf sensation. The course is made up of interactive putt-putt holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Pixar’s most beloved films including Toy StoryMonsters Inc.The IncrediblesLuca, plus many more! The Brisbane season will also feature brand-new holes from Pixar’s two latest releases, Turning Red and Lightyear. Putt your way around nine or 18 holes at Northshore Brisbane, for a strictly limited season until Sunday July 24. Tickets are currently on sale, so make tracks here to secure yours.

Be whisked away to speakeasies of yesteryear at this magical musical: Not since the critically acclaimed Ladies in Black has Queensland Theatre brought their masterful storytelling to musical theatre. But here they come again, teaming up with QPAC for the first time since the record-breaking success of Boy Swallows Universe to present The Sunshine Club. This is a show filled with all the razzle dazzle that musical theatre audiences are used to, but it’s set on our own soil. First Nations boy Frank Doyle (Marcus Corowa) returns to Brisbane from the battlefields of WWII filled with optimism and ready to start the next chapter of his young life. All he wants to do is spend time with girl next door Rose (Irena Lysiuk) but in 1946 Brisbane it’s still frowned upon for black and white to be together. Filled with hope and defiance Frank sets up his own ballroom, The Sunshine Club, where anyone and everyone can come together … to dance. Together internationally acclaimed playwright and director Wesley Enoch, prolific composer John Rodgers, and a cast of industry icons and leading lights, harness the innate optimism of the musical theatre form to create an unmissable love story – a love story between two young people, and a love letter to a future nation. Grab your tickets here.

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Check out stunning shots at the World Press Photo Exhibition: The World Press Photo Exhibition has returned to Brisbane Powerhouse on its worldwide tour showcasing the best and most important photojournalism from around the globe. For its 65th edition, the World Press Photo Contest saw 4,066 photographers from 130 countries enter 64,823 photographs. In yet another transformative year for the world, the highly anticipated exhibition presents courageous stories, invaluable insights, and a diversity of interpretations – from the undeniable effects of the climate crisis and civil rights movements to access to education and preserving indigenous practices and identity. Providing a variety of perspectives from all corners of the globe, the World Press Photo Exhibition 2022 invites viewers to step outside the news cycle, and think critically about important topics in our world. To learn more, head here.

Reach seventh heaven at this delectable truffle degustation: Delve into the delights of the glorious truffle at Signature with a five-course degustation menu exclusive to Sunday. The Lady Truffle herself, Debbie Oliver has delivered and so the highly anticipated truffle degustation is back! The menu is packed with mouth-watering fare such as truffle pasta made with venison ragu and truffle pecorino, 7+ Icon Tri Tip wagyu served with crispy truffle potato rosti, confit shallot, and a whipped pyengana cheddar with apple compote, beurre noisette and a moreish truffle-infused honey. For dessert, you can treat your taste buds to a melt-in-your-mouth Valrhona Chocolate marquise with vanilla mascarpone, coffee and truffle ice-cream – all made in-house by executive chef James Gallagher. Bookings can be made at the Emporium website.

Experience the magic of Disney coming to Brisbane in this enchanting exhibition: Fans of Mickey, Minnie, Elsa, Anna and everyone in between are sure to adore Queensland Museum’s newest exhibition, Disney: The Magic of Animation. This kid- and adult-friendly exhibition will draw back the curtain on almost 100 years of the Walt Disney Animation Studios, revealing the magic and hard work behind scenes of your favourite animated films. From pencil to paper and now computer-generated wonder, visitors will be able to take a step inside some timeless scenes from their favourite movies and discover how animators use colour to express emotions, and the technical skills of crafting character and storytelling to breathe life into the studio’s memorable stories and characters. To grab your tickets, head to the Queensland Museum website.

Check out this spellbinding solo showcase from Chiharu Shiota: Currently on display at QAGOMA, The Soul Trembles is the largest solo exhibition of thread-weaving artist Chiharu Shiota’s work to date – and it’s an art-filled ‘gram-worthy adventure, to say the least. Best known for her mammoth installations featuring millions of black, white and red threads, Chiharu creates works that express the intangible experiences of life – memories, dreams, anxiety and silence. The exhibition will highlight Chiharu’s practice across large-scale installations, sculptures, video performance, photography and drawing. In other words, this is one immersive exhibition that must be seen to be believed. To purchase a timed ticket, head to the QAGOMA website.

Discover jewellery designer Margot McKinney’s World of Wonder: Currently on at Museum of Brisbane, World of Wonder: Margot McKinney is a mesmerising celebration of the brand that is Margot McKinney, as well as the inspirations behind Margot’s designs – from Queensland’s coral reefs to the rich colours found on safari in Tanzania. You’ll be able to set your eyes upon a treasure chest of jewels – from magnificent opals and eye-catching pearls to rare, exotic gems like blue tanzanite, lilac amethyst and pink tourmalines. To learn more about this eye-catching exhibition, pop over to the Museum of Brisbane website. If you really want to level up your experience, pull up a chair at the World of Wonder High Tea and Tour.  In this exclusive experience, you will be taken on a guided tour of the sparkling exhibition, World of Wonder: Margot McKinney, before returning to MoB’s jewel-toned Dome Lounge for a luxe high-tea experience.

Ask to speak to the manager at this very-rude Karen’s Diner pop-up: Karen’s of Brisbane unite! A pop-up dining experience has opened its doors and is home to more Karens than you can complain too! From the brave minds at Wonderland Bar & Beyond Cinema comes a diner like no other – expect rude service, singing waiters and regular guest appearances from the manager – the most Karen Karen ever – just don’t dare ask to see her! This is dining with a twist – the food is great, the service is ungrateful but your experience will be unforgettable. Learn more about Karen’s Diner here.

Traverse through The City on this self-guided art trail: The Indigenous Art Program transforms Brisbane’s streets into an exhibition of Aboriginal artworks in various places and spaces, including large-scale banners, light boxes, vitrines, and projections, in Brisbane’s laneways. Until August 7 you can explore the OUTstanding exhibition throughout the Outdoor Gallery, featuring new and existing artworks from Australia’s leading Aboriginal artists. The spectacular line-up of artists includes Elisa Jane Carmichael, Jody Rallah, Kyra Mancktelow, Boneta-Marie Mabo, Chris Bassi, Mia Boe, Keemon Williams, Tori-Jay Mordey, Sam Harrison, Melissa Stannard, Dylan Mooney and LaVonne Bobongie. The exciting event invites us to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Australia’s First Nations people, not just through the visual art on display but also by way of a series of artist-led workshops, talks, studio visits and walking tours with the curators. To learn more about the program, head to the Council website.

Stream a cinematic soundtrack as you stroll though Brisbane: Earphones at the ready, keen foot travellers, as a nifty new app is hotfooting its way into town and onto your phones on June 24. Part of World Science Festival’s Curiocity Brisbane Program, the City Symphony app plays you a personal soundtrack of relaxing songs while you make your way through Brisbane City. It’s as easy as downloading the app, picking a spot on the map, putting in your headphones and beginning your amble. As you walk around you’ll hear music and stories from some of Brisbane’s most beloved artists such as Kate Miller-Heidke, Hope D, David Hudson, Anisa Nandaula, Kathleen Jennings and many more. Download the app and find out more here.

Try out this pop-up immersive experience: Brisbane’s most ‘grammable experience – Imaginaria – has extended its run! This stunning immersive play experience combines audio-visual art, inflatable architecture, light installations and futuristic gamification suitable for all ages. Visitors are invited to step inside, slip off their 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. Ready to step into a world of mind-blowing visual excess? You can grab your tickets to Imaginaria now through Ticketmaster.

Shop up a storm at these weekend markets: If you’re eager to stroll through some stalls and stock up on some fresh fruit and veg, be sure check out these markets happening – Saturday Fresh MarketRiverside MarketsKelvin Grove Village MarketJan Powers Farmers MarketsDavies Park MarketCarseldine Markets and the Redcliffe Markets. For delicious dinnertime eats, Eat Street Northshore is on for your snacking pleasure on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

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