Eight shows to dive into in the final week of BrisFest22
We’re past the halfway mark of BrisFest22 and there’s been a full schedule of gorgeous art on show, including world premieres, dance parties, dark dystopian dance and so much more. The team has caught almost all of the goodness, which you can check out via our brisfest22 tag.
After all of that, there can’t be that much arty goodness left, right?
WRONG!
The final week of the festival is absolutely chockas full of sexy art to bring the fun, feels and frivolity that a post COVID Meanjin needs. For our final series of recommendations as taken from our latest monthly newsletter, the team brings you eight shows to dive into in the final week of the festival. There’s the lastest work by it dance company DanceNorth, the chance to sit courtside for the ode to one of our greatest tennis players and the House of Alexander returns with their biggest, baddest Ball yet. Show’s are selling out fast, so get your tickets soon or be prepared for a serious case of FOMO.
The Alexander Ball. Saturday 24 September. Tivoli Theatre, The Valley.
It's time to return to the Ball, Meanjin. The House of Alexander brings their third epic ball to town for BrisFest and it’s guaranteed to be their biggest yet, with Houses from across the country and Aotearoa expected to be in attendance. Do you dare walk and leave it all on the floor in one of the many categories, including Vogue Fem, Old Way, Realness, Sex Siren, Face, Runway & Bizarre. Celebrate our trans people and queer people of colour and see why the ballroom scene is such an important institution around the world. If you’d like to know more about ballroom before you attend, check out the short documentary, ‘The Alexander Ball: Curious Australia’, which is now streaming on SBS On Demand – Ads
Tiddas, 5-24 September. La Boite, Kelvin Grove.
Author Dr Anita Heiss has adapted her novel Tiddas into a play, which has its debut this September on the La Boite Stage. It is a story about five women who have been best friends for life and whose favourite past-time is dissecting each-others life and being brutally honest in the process. Sounds very intriguing and my academic brain is ready for all the political discourses that I'm sure will be addressed – Virag
Wayfinder. 21 - 24 September, Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm.
I was absolutely delighted by Red last year (reviewed here by Tristan Niemi last year) and can't wait to see this premiere from Dance North who are an exceptional contemporary dance company. "By the stars, the waves, and the sun, we find our way." Sounds like a dreamy night - Nadia
Dancenorth always brings the goods. Their show at last year’s festival, 'Red' was an absolute highlight of the program. This year they bring the world-premiere of their latest work to BrisFest for a 'kaleidoscopic fusion of dance, music and visual art'. Combining the gorgeous choreography of the company with a soundtrack by three-time Grammy nominated Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron J. Scullin and stage design and costuming by Japanese-Australian visual artist Hiromi Tango, it's guaranteed to be a feast for the senses – Ads
Cirque O L I O, South Bank Piazza, 20-23 September
I am intrigued by the world premiere of O L I O, described as ‘a mixed melting pot of miscellaneous magic, circus, variety and art’ that is designed to ‘amaze and astonish’ the whole family. From 5pm daily, with an additional show at 7.30pm on Friday 23 September - Catherine
Queen’s City, 21-24 September. Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, South Bank.
Blak Social brings First Nations Futurism to the 80s for BrisFest. Set in a fictional town in so-called Australia, it’s a neon inspired theatre comedy extravaganza backed with a rocking original soundrack (check out the first single here). Queen’s City will place First Nations excellence at the forefront, smash apart colonisation and bring the beats and the belly-laughs all at once - Ads
Raise the Roof | Brisbane Festival. Friday 23rd September. Various Locations.
If you have some cash to splash (or maybe just a wealthy relative you can convince to support the arts), I think Brisfest's Raise the Roof events are going to be pretty damn exciting. Six different creative teams taking over six different rooftops for one night of heavenly chaos - oh and did I mention the drinks packages? - Kian
Sunshine Supergirl, 22-24 September. Playhouse, QPAC, South Bank.
Witness the story of one of our greatest sporting heroes, Evonne Goolagong, seated ‘courtside’ in this landmark new Australian work. Written and directed by Yorta Yorta / Gunaikurnai theatremaker Andrea James, it pays tribute to a woman whose life and journey continues to inspire our nation and generations of tennis players like Ash Barty. For something different, you can experience Sunshine Super Girl seated ‘courtside’, from a specially installed tiered bank of seating onstage that faces into the auditorium – Ads
Batshit, 23 September. Metro Arts, West End.
Leah Shelton is back with what will no doubt be another banger, again directed by the genius of Ursula Martinez. A masterful performance artist who gets up close-and-personal with social narratives & stereotypes manifest, this time she turns her eye onto female madness, in what is listed as a "requiem for Leah’s grandmother Gwen". I'm not quite sure what to make of the descriptor but she's a top class act so looking forward to it - Nadia
Note, Batshit is almost COMPLETELY SOLD OUT. A new show has been added on Friday 23 September, but get in quick, because tickets will be snapped up.
Each month, NEHIB releases a newsletter to give you our recommendations of what you simply MUST see. This list is a sneak peak of some of recommendations from the latest newsletter, so you can get a taste of what to expect if you subscribe.
The Nothing Ever Happens In Brisbane Newsletter is the 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 …
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