September is spring and Brisbane Festival.
On the third day of spring, Brisbane Festival kicks off three weeks of entertainment, art, music and culture across the city. But as much as we love our city-wide festival, there’s more to September than free concerts in the suburbs, free art installations to check out, an immersive playspace wonderland, an artboat cruising up and down the river and Sunsuper Riverfire. That’s not to say you shouldn’t see and do as much as you can that is part of Brisbane Festival because you do definitely should. There’s just much more to do in Brisbane in September but first, what else is going on at Brisbane Festival.
1. BOQ Festival Garden
Brisbane Festival has a home base this year and it is located in the lush surrounds of South Bank Parklands. Set up as a playground of food, wine, entertainment and discovery, it invites everyone to come along and check out what’s on offer there and all around town.
The festival begins at the BOQ Festival Hub with The Smoking Ceremony (Jumoo) on Friday 3 September from 5.45pm before world premiere of Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe takes to the stage. You’ve also got Razzle Dazzle Riot bringing to life the Jazz Age with a fabulously glam show.
There are also a bunch of other performances and interactive works to spark the imagination including I Believe, Light Seesaw and Imaginaria.
For everything happening at BOQ Festival Garden, see here.
2. What’s That by Amanda Parer
We’re no stranger to famed artist Amanda Parer’s works. They have popped up all around the world including here in Australia at such festivals as Beyond The Sand on Surfers Paradise as well as part of this year’s Brisbane Festival starting on September 3.
But we’re counting ourselves lucky because What’s That, a five-metre tall giant humanoid that is part of Parer’s larger collection of figures titled Fantastic Planet, arrives at Portside Wharf on 31 August and will remain until September 26. Find more info here.
3. Magic Men
Magic Mike Live has been cancelled half-way through its Melbourne run of shows and announced that it is no longer coming to Brisbane (or anywhere else in Australia for that matter) anytime soon.
If you’re still keen on a cheeky night out, you’re in luck as Australia’s best male dancers are serving up a heart-racing and sweat-inducing spectacle. From the hunky stars in their eye-catching costumes to the gorgeous waiters, who will be serving you a glass of sparkling on arrival and carrying around complimentary finger food for you to bite down on in the case it all gets a bit much, this is one cheeky show that is not for the prudish.
More info and tickets4. A Midnight Visit
The House Of Usher funerary services has set up shop in Brisbane and in doing so have transformed a disused warehouse into an immersive, 36-room theatre experience filled to the brim with frights, laughs and everything in between.
A Midnight Visit has extended its stay and will now finish on 12 September at the House of Usher, 95 Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley.
5. Candlelight
If vintage classical music isn’t quite your jam, then no worries because the Candlelight series has upped the offering with tribute concerts to jazz and rock greats as well as Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi.
Take a look at all the Candlelight concerts this month.
6. Rosé Revolution
With more than 30 Australian and international wines on offer as well as eats by Southside and live beats and entertainment, Brisbane’s Rosé Revolution will be taking over Fish Lane’s Town Square and closing off the nearby alley for one Saturday in late September.
Rosé Revolution takes place on September 25 from 2-5pm but once that party is over, it will be time for Fish Lane Rosé Month where much-loved bars and restaurants will be tickled pink for over a month.
7. Meat Up BBQ Festival
It was supposed to happen in August, but then it didn’t. No worries though because beers, bourbon and BBQ are coming together on Saturday 18 September. The Eastons Hill Hotel’s first official festival dedicated to cooked meats will also see live entertainment, eating competitions and more.
More info and tickets8. Cirque Illusionaire
Wednesday nights are on the up and are looking fabulous in the Valley with circus acts, illusions and burlesque taking to the stage as part of Cirque Illusionaire Spectacular. Fully loaded with acrobats and M-rated comedy, magic and some sultry dance moves with a side of pizzazz, you’ll be in raptures.
9. Archie Brothers Cirque Electric Showtime
Head over to this epic circus party for some adults-only kidult fun.
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is playing host to a dazzling and immersive circus extravaganza experience in Toombul. Set to continue every second Saturday night of each month (7-10pm) all the way till November 13 this year, the show promises to be a hoot and then some.
10. Attend Potion’s Class
Complete challenges and solve mysterious puzzles and riddles for points, bragging rights, and necessary potion ingredients. Then, hope you weren’t distracted by the floating books, bubbles, and spider webs (and also hope you’ve followed the instructions correctly!) and your magical brew comes out smelling, tasting and performing as you had desired. Otherwise, who knows what will happen or who you will become.
Classes ($45) have begun and will run through until 26 September. To make sure you don’t miss out, sign up for a class today.
11. Keep Winter Alive
Winter isn’t over, just yet.
Winter Lodge has taken over a Riverbar & Kitchen with firepits, faux furs, fondues and other decadents dishes. The wonderland has an après-ski kind of vibe and makes for one of the cosiest places in Brisbane until September 14.
12. Juicy Paint and Sip
The Wickham in Brisbane is hosting Juicy Paint and Sip later on 26 September for a fabulous Sunday sesh of painting, drinking and laughs with the gorgeous Shushu Funtanna.
Purchase cocktails, beers, wines and spirits as well as food from the bar in this three-hour mirror-ball painting session where you will be provided with all the essentials as well as step-by-step guidance of how to paint the artwork.
More info13. Farm Gate Trail
The Scenic Rim is home to heaps of local producers providing the state with plenty of food and drink that we love to taste at city restaurants and pick up from markets around town. However, the Farm Gate Trail, which launched just last week, will see many of us hit the road to and go to this foodie paradise ourselves.
Whether you’re looking to pick up wines, cheese, learn a thing or two from a cooking class or sit down to some fine dining, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Eat and explore from Saturday until October 23.
More info14. European Masterpieces From The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
It’s still on but European Masterpieces From The Metropolitan Museum Of Art won’t be here forever.
Exclusive to Brisbane, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And since this will be the only tour that The Met conducts in 2021, this is also a huge coup for Queensland and Australia with most of the artworks unlikely to ever return Down Under ever again.
The exhibition closes in October. More info
15. Titanic The Movie The Play
We all know how the story goes, but why not see the Titanic sink one more time with aristocratic Rose and lowborn Jack and their story of love.
Produced by Act React, a Brisbane-based company specialising in pop culture-inspired performances, this show promises Hollywood-esque special effects and more for a hilarious live show and night out for all.
More info and tickets16. Brickman Wonders of the World
More than 50 structures have been recreated using the famous plastic bricks. Some of the displays are tall (space shuttle), some of them are heavy (the Titanic) and others are long (the Tokyo subway). Other wonders of the world include the Great Wall of China and Taj Mahal as well as the Empire State Building.
Ryan McNaught is one of LEGO Master Australia Judge and one of only 14 certified LEGO builders in the world, so you just know that this exhibit is going to be pretty spectacular as well as fun for the whole family.
More info17. City In The Sun
Museum Of Brisbane’s newest exhibition City In The Sun explores Brisbane’s subtropical image with large-scale new contemporary artworks featured alongside historical imagery depicting the city’s history of migration, tourism, climate and environment.
The exhibition will question if Brisbane still is this City In The Sun or if it ever really was. There’s plenty to explore and plenty that will bring the memories flooding back.
Entry is free.
More info18. Milton Markets: Seasonal Flavours
It’s a twilight edition of Milton Markets beloved Seasonal Flavours event and it’s happening on Saturday 11 September from 4-10pm.
There’ll be gourmet food, a pop-up bar, live entertainment and plenty of shopping with hundreds of specialty stalls filled with unique finds.
More info19. Blak Superheroes by Dylan Mooney
Proud Yuwi, Torres Strait Islander and Australian-born South Sea Island man, Dylan Mooney, draws First Nations characters in a dynamic comic-book style that incorporates his stylistic drawing, street art technique and printmaking.
Dylan is inspired by history, culture and community, and attempts to refocus our our perspective on Blak characters by bringing them into the spotlight. His works reflect the resilience, innovation and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
More info20. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien with choreography by Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory promises to be a joyride for young and old alike.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory begins its run of shows on Thursday 2 September and will close on Sunday 19 September.
21. Lumber Jacks Axe Throwing
The team at Lumber Punks are no slouches when it comes to hurling hatchets. They’ve got real axeperience nailing their targets and they’ll be on hand to help you spin the primaeval tool. Soon, you too will be hitting your target 100% of the time—hopefully.
Each axe-throwing session begins with a brief safety induction & training on how to best throw the SOG Tomahawks before you get to have a go yourself. After much experimentation, you’ll hopefully start to get the hang of things and then you’ll move on up to the large Estwing Camp Axes.