The 7 Best Things To Do In Brisbane This June
The merest wisp of an autumn breeze, and Brisbanites’ thoughts turn to food, drink and mood lighting to keep warm. This month highlights the city’s luxury side, with a toasty whisky fest, a gourmet tour of Brisbane’s swishest eats, and a star-studded cabaret festival.
[listicle]Feed me, Seymour!
The cult musical Little Shop of Horrors hits QPAC this June. The story of a mild-mannered florist and a murderous alien pot plant, this is the carnivorous classic the critics are calling a “flawless revival” (Sydney Morning Herald) and “dazzlingly, terrifyingly alive” (Daily Review). And because the Little Shop wouldn’t be complete without some real horror, master puppeteers Erth make sure the show’s man-eating plant-life is in full bloom. Little Shop of Horrors runs from June 1 to 12 at QPAC’s Playhouse.
Photo: QPAC
Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome
Queensland Cabaret Festival dims the lights of the city this month, with song, dance and comedy stars coming from near and far. Highlights include an evening with 80s sweetheart-turned-chanteuse Molly Ringwald (USA), Barb Jungr (UK) interpreting the songs of Dylan and Cohen in Hard Rain, and Harry Shearer (USA) — you know him as The Simpson’s Mr Burns — with Judith Owen in This Infernal Racket. Queensland Cabaret Festival runs by the river at Brisbane Powerhouse from June 3 to 12.
Take a gourmet stroll
If you’re feeling fancy this month, take in Bite Sip Stroll – a leisurely walking tour of four of Brisbane’s finest restaurants. Top chefs tantalise and challenge your tastebuds with four courses: food and wine pairings at Esquire (the only three-hatted restaurant in Queensland), Restaurant Two, Saké, and Urbane. Wander through the city’s riverside region between bites and savour a very indulgent side of Brisbane. Bite Sip Stroll runs on June 4.
Small festival, big sounds
Sonic State Queensland Week Microfestival brings together the state’s most innovative experimental musicians and composers. Take in a long weekend of mind-bending performances and workshops spanning electronica, post-rock, contemporary classical, sound art and installation. Sonic State Microfestival is an all-ages event running from June 9 to 12 at Metro Arts.
Whisky business
In the words of the world’s greatest whisky drinker, Ron Swanson, “Never half-ass two things; whole-ass one thing.” In Ron’s honour, whole-ass your whisky/whiskey education (starting with that mysterious spelling variation) at the Queensland Whisky Expo. The Transcontinental Hotel in Brisbane’s CBD hosts this fine affair, with more than 100 whiskies to taste. Queensland Whisky Expo cracks open a bottle or 100 on June 17, with further sessions planned due to demand.
Changing of the guard
For over two decades, iconic Brisbane venue The Zoo has been captained by Joc Curran, who set out in 1992 with a dream to make a space for Brisbane’s independent music and arts to flourish. Don’t panic – The Zoo’s not going anywhere, but instead swapping head zookeepers. To thank Curran and welcome Pixie Weyand, founder of carbon-neutral café Lost Boys, The Zoo is throwing an epic shindig. The gig features a mystery line-up of over 40 artists who’ve made their home at the Zoo. Grab a slice of Brisbane music history on June 25 at The Zoo.
Young at art
A festival for the young and young at heart, Out of the Box presents a weeklong program of play and immersive arts aimed at under-eights. Those without little ones will definitely want to offer to babysit just to get in on the fun: laser-lights and bubbles in Gazillion Bubble Show (direct from Broadway); immersive bilingual dreamscapes in 보인다 I See You; 3D imagery meets acrobatics in Creature: An Adaptation of Dot and the Kangaroo; as well as workshops on everything cool — from puppetry to kung fu. Out of the Box runs from June 21 to 28 at Brisbane’s Cultural Centre precinct.
Photo: Out of the Box [/listicle]
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