The 7 Best Things To Do In Brisbane This August
August offers plenty to digest (physically and mentally) in Brisbane: an alien encounter (with interstellar drinks), a feast of Latin cinema, a bazaar of indie comics and zines, and Australia’s biggest celebration of poetry. Tuck in.
[listicle]Ripley’s Believe-It-Or-Not
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Officer Ripley’s triumphant return in 1986, Aliens bursts from the big screen again at Palace Barracks Cinema. Eat your heart out, Independence Day reboot; instead, see Sigourney Weaver kick intergalactic arse in this beast-busting sequel — at a cinema that serves popcorn-and-beer combos. Oh, yes. After the show, defeat Aliens-themed cocktails at Caxton Street’s new StreetSide Bar. Hosted by Brisbane feminist collective Hot Chicks with Big Brains, Aliens is the second in their Screen Queens film series. Aliens screens at Palace Barracks on August 3.
Heritage movement
Bangarra Dance Theatre Company’s new triple bill of dance works explore the infinite stories of Australia’s cultural heritage. Each piece delves into a different chapter: the life and works of acclaimed artist Nyapanyapa Yunupingu; the dark history of 1816’s March of Macquarie; and intimate family life in Wiradjuri country. Don’t miss one of Australia’s most beloved ensembles. OUR Land People Stories runs from August 12 to 20 at QPAC.
Cine Latino Festival
Australia’s first national showcase of Latin American Cinema, Cine Latino Film Festival brings us over 30 flicks from Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Cuba, Uruguay, Venezuela, Chile, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. Recent Cannes favourite Neruda, starring Gael García Bernal, opens the festival with the true story of the Nobel Prize-winning poet’s life as a fugitive in Chile. Cine Latino Film Festival runs from August 12 to 24 at Palace Cinemas in Brisbane.
Photo: Tiempos Felices (Happy Times)
Comic timing
Brisbane’s Zine and Indie Comics Symposium (ZICS) is back for #20ZICSTEEN with The Golden Stapler Awards, free workshops, and of course a giant zine and comics market. ZICS unfolds — with the best views of Brisbane River — at The Edge, State Library of Queensland, from August 19 to 21.
Photo: ZICS/Facebook
Walk on the wild side
Let’s face it: like a third wheel on a date, summer’s already wheedling its way into what should rightly be winter. Before the heat strikes in earnest, get away for a weekend to the pristine beaches of Straddie for a bit of whale-spying or take advantage of the cool rainforests of the state’s hinterland for a bushwalk or picnic. Need some ideas? We’ve got you covered.
Photo: Tourism Queensland
Technicolour dreams
Feast on cuisine from all over the world at Newmarket’s fourth annual Technicolour Multicultural Festival. A perfect family-friendly day out, with kids’ activities, live performances, and food stalls a-plenty. This event runs on August 27 as part of a full-to-the-brim program of Queensland Multicultural Month events, hosted all over Brisbane and beyond.
Photo: Technicolour Multicultural Festival/Facebook
Lost language found
Queensland Poetry Festival returns with a focus on first-nations poets. Immerse yourself in words and rhythm with a stellar program of poetry, spoken word and music from Australia, India, the US, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand. Catch the likes of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith (US) and Australia’s own Archie Roach, BYO hot sauce to learn Beyonce’s moves in a ‘Formation’ dance class, join a weaving circle, or take a Brisbane poetry walking tour with Ellen van Neervan. The Queensland Poetry Festival runs from August 25 to 28.
Photo: Featured artists (l-r) Ellen van Neerven, Gina Williams and Wire MC[/listicle]
(Lead image: Tourism Queensland)
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