The 7 Best Things To Do In Brisbane This July
Deep in the heart of icy Brisbane winter, festivals keep Brisbanites from shivering and having a whinge about the temperature dropping below 22 degrees. Gear up for celebrations of French culture, Scandinavian film, local produce, and Terry Pratchett’s fantastical worlds. From the gourmand to the goat-fancier, there’s a weekend for everyone in July.
[listicle]Cindy sundae
Part of a major exhibition of New York artist Cindy Sherman’s subversive art and fashion, GOMA hosts monthly Sundays with Cindy. July’s Cindy-inspired Sunday event features a pop-up zine fair, a DIY workshop with artist Rachel Burke, and a talk from Ellie Buttrose, QAGOMA’s associate curator of International Contemporary Art. This month’s Sunday with Cindy takes place on July 3, while the Cindy Sherman exhibition runs until October 3.
Photo: Cindy Sherman/QAGOMA
Object permanence
This is my heritage is an exhibition exploring the profound emotional connection objects can have to family, country and culture. Twelve Queensland based Indigenous artists and educators use images and film to share poignant memories, and reveal the surprising spiritual histories of objects and the people connected to them. This is my heritage is free to view at Queensland Museum from July 7 until February 7, 2017.
Got your goat
Finally, an event that can’t be bleat: Brisbane’s first annual Goat Festival. Perhaps the first of its kind since the ancients worshipped Pan, the horny goat-legged god of nature, this festival is your opportunity to faun over all things hircine. A true capricornicopia, Goat Festival features bands such as Peyote Goat(ie), The Skategoats and Göatzilla, as well as goat art and, of course, a petting zoo, complete with floppy-eared new kids on the block. One day you’ll gloat to your grandkids that you were there, maaaaaan. Goat Festival runs from midday on July 9 at New Globe Theatre.
Nothing Toulouse
Known as Le Festival, Brisbane’s annual French Festival returns to tempt you with all that French culture has to offer. Naturally, there’ll be wine appreciation — officially, in classes, and unofficially, at the Wine Pavilion — or you can level up your tasting skills with a champagne degustation class. Try your hand at culinary master classes or engage your mind with French language and art workshops. French Week extends the festivities to July 16, taking in Bastille Day on July 14. There’s no better excuse for a weeklong champagne brunch. Le Festival itself runs from 8 to 10 July at South Bank Parklands.
Photo: Le Festival
Scandinavian screens
Embrace a real winter wonderland inside the chill of the cinema, with the annual Scandinavian Film Festival. Over two weeks, the festival features the best in contemporary film from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland. Charge up your star power and catch special guest, Norwegian actor Jakob Oftebro, at certain screenings. The Scandinavian Film Festival runs from July 13 to 27 at Palace Barracks cinema.
The flavour state
South Bank Parklands transform into a foodie wonderland with a festival marketplace showcasing gourmet produce from Queensland’s top farmers, providores and chefs. Take in live cooking presentations from the likes of Maggie Beer, Matt Preston and George Calombaris, and then knock back a warming cocktail or two with free live entertainment by the river. Regional Flavours runs from July 16 to 17.
Photo: Visit Brisbane
Hit the Disc-o
Step sideways through time and space into the Discworld to celebrate a more magical version of Christmas in July – Hogswatch. A significant holiday in the late, great Terry Pratchett’s witty fantasy series set in the Discworld, Hogwatch is a Yuletime festival with a difference. Challenge a dwarf in an axe-throwing competition; see whose cabbage can roll fastest down the hill; and try fan-tasty Discworldian snacks at the market. You can even have your photo taken with some special guests: the Hogfather or, his nemesis, Death. Hogswatch in July takes place on July 30 at Dutton Park Skate School.
Photo: Axe Throwing at Hogswatch/Facebook[/listicle]
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