Our hot picks for BrisFest 2024
Spring is in the air and what does that mean for Magandjin / Meeanjin? It’s time for BrisFest! Running from 30 August to 21 September this year, we’re once again spoilt for choice with some epic offerings of theatre, circus, musicals, dance, cabaret, live music, installations and so much more.
This is way too much goodness in the program for this year’s festival, so who better to turn to than the writers of NEHIB to let you know what you simply must see at BrisFest this year. We’re going to give you a sample of the BrisFest recommendations that they shared in NEHIB’s Ultimate What’s On Guide this month to help your deep dive into the arts this month. And if you want to be the first to know about all the good stuff, subscribe now for as little as $2 a month to receive our newsletter with all the news about the hottest art happening around town.
Now onto the recommendations from the team.
Nadia Jade recommends:
Volcano. Image supplied by BrisFest
Volcano. 3-14 September. The Powerhouse, New Farm.
I am OBSESSED with this show. From the first moment i watched the trailer (do it sound on). It's a mini series, four back to back episodes of live dance theatre with a dark scifi edge. You know me and the weird dark arts, Big Fan of weird and dark. Award winning and created by an exquisite performance artist, Luke Murphy of Ireland's Attic Projects, it sold out across the UK and New York and is coming to Brisbane exclusively.
It's described as 'Black Mirror for the stage' and was created in the great lockdowns of the early covid era. Two performers are staged in a room without a door where they are tasked with answering, what is life like on earth. In its first season was originally performed to just 8 people in separate booths. I have never even heard of something like this being presented in Australia. This is my one unmissable.
Be Iconic. 1 Sept. South Bank Piazza.
Be Iconic is an adaptive fashion takeover of the Jean Paul Gaultier catwalk. Right now you can participate in super inclusive and accessible creative fashion workshops. And you too can be on the catwalk! Wearing your own designs, or those of a new artist. And then they take over the runway at the Piazza. And they need audience to come and cheer and soak up this truly innovative stuff.
Catherine Lawrence recommends:
GRIMM. Image supplied by BrisFest.
GRIMM: Tales from the Brothers Grimm, 31 Aug-6 Oct 2024. QPAC, South Bank.
It sounds like Brisbane audiences are going to be talking about this show a lot this year. Shake & Stir Theatre Co promises a ‘world where fairytales are reimagined with a profound intensity. Be warned – these bedtime stories may cause nightmares…’
Big Name, No Blankets 20-21 Sept 2024. QPAC, South Bank,
We are promised an epic rock ‘n’ roll theatre show that celebrates the journey and impact of one of the founding members of the iconic Warumpi Band. Big Name, No Blankets is a story about the band navigating divides between bush and city, white and black, fame and family—where we are all encouraged to ‘stomp your feet, clap your hands and get swept away by this big-hearted story.’
Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show, 30 Aug-15 Sept. South Bank Piazza.
Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show. Image supplied by BrisFest
An explosive combination of both a musical revue and fashion show, the production depicts the sensational life of Jean Paul Gaultier against a backdrop of his generation’s most defining political and cultural changes.’ The Brisbane Festival team certainly expect Jean Paul Gaultier’s show (Gaultier is credited as author, director and costume designer) to be popular, with multiple shows a day. If you’re curious, perhaps consider booking for the audio described performances and tactile tours (4 & 11 September).
Lightscape, 29 Aug-12 Oct. Brisbane Botanic Gardens, CBD.
Night walks in illuminated botanic gardens have become an increasingly popular phenomena around the world. Cold nights and hot tickets, so I suggest booking early.
Neighbourhood Centres. July-Sept 2024. Various locations around the city.
Some of these events have already taken place, but have a look through the program and you might just be inspired to join in. The Fashion Collab workshops promise to be inclusive, creative, supported, collaborative and fabulous, and there are several dates in August if you want to work with local artists to design your own look.
BB le Buff recommends
Briefs Factory on The Art Boat. Image supplied by BrisFest.
Volcano. 3-14 September. The Powerhouse, New Farm.
Volcano crosses the boundaries of experimental theatre, contemporary dance and psychological sci-fi thriller. A serialised live performance miniseries spanning four 45-minute episodes; by acclaimed director and choreographer Luke Murphy - Attic Projects (Ireland)
Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show. 30 Aug-15 Sep. South Bank Piazza.
The theatrical spectacle based on the life and creations of fashion icon Jean Paul Gaultier. — fifty years of pop culture through the eyes of fashion’s enfant terrible. An explosive combination of both a musical revue and fashion show. Eccentric, scandalous, provocative, exuberant, and funny as ever.
Briefs Factory on The Art Boat. 30 Aug-21 Sep. Boarding at South Bank.
Our beloved Meanjin superstars, Briefs Factory, are back in town! Step aboard The Art Boat and immerse yourself in an unforgettable voyage through the heart of Brisbane. Decadent DJ sets soundtracking the extravaganza and punk that is Burlesque, the drama and defiance of Drag and the addictive and attention-grabbing power of Circus.
Adrift. Image supplied by BrisFest.
Darcie Rae recommends:
Adrift by Counterpilot. 1-28 Sept. Metro Arts, West End.
I love works that centre audience participation and am excited to see something describing itself as "Part mystery, part game". You follow instructions given to you through headphones to explore stories about humanities relationship with nature.
LIMBO: The Return by Strut n Fret, 29 Aug-1 Dec, West End Electric, West End.
LIMBO - The Return will be Strut n Fret's first show in their brand new venue, the West End Electric. Expect live music, fantastic circus, and slick production. Limbo has toured 17 countries for good reason.
Lighting the Dark. Image supplied by BrisFest.
Ads J recommends:
Common People Dance Eisteddfod. 21 Sept. South Bank Piazza.
Round six, fight! Back for the sixth year in a row at the Brisbane Festival, Common People is truly an institution. See seven teams of the most Common of Dancers battled it out on the dance floor in a vomit-splash of colour and sequins to bangers from the 80s to now. Who will take home the most craptastically awesome reverse garbage trophy this year?
Lighting the Dark. 12-14 Sept. Thomas Dixon Centre, West End.
A bold new work by Chris Dyke, a choreographer living with Down Syndrome in collaboration with on of our country’s most exciting contemporary dance companies, DanceNorth.
The Alexander Ball. 14 Sept. The Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba.
Our trailblazing Kiki Ballroom House, The House of Alexander, return for their 5th epic Alexander Ball, in an all new venue, The Princess Theatre. See the best in Ballroom from across the country and across the seas battle it out for glory in 10 killer categories.
Meet your Maker. Image supplied by BrisFest.
Meet your Maker. 31 Aug-7 Sept. The Powerhouse, New Farm.
THIS. Is going to be Epic. Written, directed and performed by Alethea Beetson, it's a grand one women musical by one of our leading First Nations artists backed by cinematic visuals.
Meeanjin Songlinez. 1 Sept. Brisbane Festival Gardens, South Bank.
Come celebrate the stories and artistry of some of our best First Nations musicians at this free event starting at 3pm. A perfect way to kick off your BrisFest season.
Trent Dalton's Love Stories. 8-29 Sept. QPAC, South Brisbane.
Inspired by a personal moment of profound love and generosity, bestselling author – and one of Australia's finest journalists – Trent Dalton spent two months in 2021 gathering stories on his sky-blue 1960s Olivetti typewriter, on a prominent street corner in Brisbane’s CBD. Speaking to Australians from all walks of life, he asked them one simple thing: 'Can you please tell me a love story?'
And finally, don't let cozylivs get in the way of your festival fun this year, because there's also a whole bunch of free events beyond the annual Riverfire event (Saturday 31 August if you're keen). Some standouts include the ANZ Festival Garden, with free live music and entertainment in South bank every Tuesday to Sunday throughout the festival from 30 August to 21 September, and Brisbane Serenades free music festivals all around the city every weekend of the festival.
This is just a sample of the goodness you’ll receive every month if you subscribe to NEHIB’s Ultimate What’s On Guide. Every month on the 25th we email you a list of cool indie circus, drag, burlesque, theatre, arts festivals, impro, experimental art, visiting artists, storytelling, poetry, warehouse parties, all the interesting and unusual stuff, plus occasional comps for free tickets or discounts and other giveaways.…
The list is written by the writers of Nothing Ever Happens, who are a brilliant bunch of cool weirdos who live in the arts world and know where the cool stuff is at. There is SO MUCH GOOD SHIT GOING ON. So much. And we know where to find it.
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