Nostalgic new musicals and deliciously double-billed festivals – here’s what’s on this weekend
This weekend promises a bevy of festivities, music acts and new theatre to get you ready to charge full steam ahead into silly season. With some sun finally on the forecast, this weekend marks the perfect opportunity to get out and about. From berry festivals to nostalgic new musicals, indie-pop greats and drag royalty, there’s plenty to do this weekend, November 14–17.
Concerts on in Brisbane this weekend
This Thursday night, Australian alt-pop faves San Cisco returns to Brisbane for a show at The Tivoli. Since bursting onto the scene in 2012 with its chart-topping hit ‘Awkward’, San Cisco has remained a fixture of the country’s indie music. The Fremantle-born outfit is touring its latest album Under The Light, with support from Haiku Hands and very special guest Touch Sensitive (DJ Set).
British alt-rock quartet Bombay Bicycle Club has returned to our shores this month to tour its sixth album, My Big Day. The band rose to prominence in 2009 with the release of A Different Kind of Fix, cultivating a passionate fan base. After a brief hiatus, Bombay Bicycle Club is back on the scene, with its latest album collaborating with the likes of Chaka Khan and Holly Humberstone. Catch Bombay at The Tivoli on Friday night.
On Saturday night, Thelma Plum will be taking the stage at Fortitude Music Hall for a fiercely anticipated hometown show. The ‘Better in Blak’ singer returns to tour her latest release, I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back. A deeply personal collection of songs, this latest tour promises to be a night of love, heartache and resilience, scored by Thelma’s soul-stirring sounds.
Theatre on in Brisbane this weekend
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Don’t lose your head but the wickedly wonderful multi-Matilda Award-nominated satire CAKE will be leaving Metro Arts this weekend. Saturday marks your last chance to experience this provocative comedy and its deliciously dark exploration of the debauchery and opulence of Marie Antoinette’s royal court.
La Boite Theatre’s biting-new satire on wellness Yoga Play continues its run this weekend. Penned by writer Dipika Guha – whose credits include TV comedy icons like Marvellous Mrs Maisel and Black Monday – the play follows a floundering new yoga apparel CEO as she adapts to her new role and this complex industry. What ensues is mediation on the tension between authenticity and enlightenment in today’s age of wellness.
After raising a generation with its creative and curious storylines, Round the Twist is back with a brand-new stage adaptation debuting this week. Created by Paul Hodge, the playwright best known for his zany works like Joh for PM and Clinton: the Musical, this new musical experience follows the Twist family as they fight to save their lighthouse home whilst unravelling a 100-year-old magical mystery. Get ready for all of your favourite oddball stories to get musically reimagined and for the show’s earworm theme song (“Have you ever, ever felt like this?”) to be stuck in your head once more.
Live events on in Brisbane this weekend
Blanc de Blanc Encore arrived at Brisbane’s bespoke new theatre and bar The West End Electric last weekend. The stage show is a riotous revue of acrobatic talent, great tunes, big laughs and lots of skin. Choreographed by Kevin Maher (whose past clients include Madonna and Britney Spears) and scored by Danish electronic artist Kenneth Bager, Blanc de Blanc Encore boasts an international cast of world-class performers. Running into the new year, Blanc de Blanc Encore invites you to escape the ordinary for a captivating night of circus cabaret.
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In a herstory-making event, drag royalty has teamed up to sashay away the festive season. Slay Belles will see the likes of Alyssa Edwards, Kitty Scott Claus, Coco Jumbo, Kween Kong and many more sleigh the stage of Princess Theatre with a dancin’ and prancin’ drag extravaganza. From the team behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, World of Wonder, this new show will be a gag of holly-jolly joy.
Australia’s reigning queen of comedy Celia Pacquola returns to the stage, with a series of shows across Friday and Saturday at Brisbane Powerhouse. It’s been five years since Celia has done stand-up and she is back to catch up with a yap on all things parenthood, gossip and going to bed by eight.
For even more fun, Pink Flamingo is ringing in the festive season with a fresh new deal. Experience the pavilion’s awe-inspiring antics with an evening romp at Vegas-style comedy Suave from only $79. Be wow by a night of naughty-and-nice aerial spectacles and captivating cirque acts.
Festivals on in Brisbane this weekend
Pinot Palooza returns this Friday and Saturday to wine and dine you with a very special and stinky collaboration with Mould, Australia’s premier cheese festival. This delicious double header promises a seemingly endless line-up of vintners, cheesemongers and tasting sessions. Discover the story behind your favourite delicacy with a series of special talks and wine chats running throughout the festival as well.
Beloved bash Stanthorpe Berry Festival returns this Saturday to Stanthorpe Showgrounds for an array of sweet culinary experiences and groovin’ entertainment. The festival’s barbecue returns to fire up some of the region’s finest meats whilst the Boutique Market Lane will be brimming with a variety of fresh berry produce and of course, the festival’s favourite strawberry ice-cream. Entry is only $20.
Markets on in Brisbane this weekend
Garage Sale Trail continues this weekend with thousands of garage sales popping up across Brisbane. Shoppers can hunt for pre-loved gems with the help of Garage Sale Trail’s interactive maps showing the sellers near you. The trail is running Saturday and Sunday with a bunch of Brisbane sellers set to take part.
Stock up on fresh-local produce, bespoke goodies and street food snacks at one of the weekly markets as well. Kelvin Grove Village Market, Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Nundah Farmers Markets and the Redcliffe Markets are open and trading this weekend.