Theatre of Magic, Chic and an artist market: The best things to do in Brisbane this weekend

This weekend you can feel enriched by engrossing exhibitions and world-class theatre; eat delicious things in the cool of Brissie’s spring evenings; or get up and move it to the world’s funkiest musicians.

There’s even a new weekly conjuring show at the Elizabeth Picture Theatre. As if you needed confirmation that Brisbane/Meanjin really is a magical place.

Thursday, October 19

Soiree is a performance season featuring Queensland Ballet’s Academy dancers.Credit: Queensland Ballet

Dance: Queensland Ballet Academy: Soiree
Dancers in Queensland Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program perform to live music by Camerata in a show made in collaboration with Philip Bacon Galleries and artist Michael Zavros.
Thomas Dixon Centre, Oct 19-21, $44-$74. Buy tickets.

Film: Killers of the Flower Moon
The highly praised new Martin Scorsese epic concerns the murder of oil-wealthy First Nations people in Oklahoma in the 1920s, with Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio starring in morally dubious roles.
In cinemas.

Theatre: Frankenstein
Shake & Stir Theatre Co (A Christmas Carol, Dracula) adapts Mary Shelley’s 200-year-old science fiction novel, promising to raise the dead with clever stage effects.
Playhouse, QPAC, until Oct 28, $89. Buy tickets.

Friday, October 20

Phat Boy restaurant is serving Kung Tung Thai seafood as part of a Progressive Dinner at Brisbane Quarter.Credit: Phat Boy

Food & Drink: Progressive Dinner at Brisbane Quarter
Ascend those enticing escalators to experience a progressive dinner at Brisbane Phoenix, Tenya, Phat Boy and Persone restaurants featuring Peking duck, sashimi and Kung Tung Thai seafood.
Brisbane Quarter, 5pm, $179. Buy tickets.

Art: Brisbane Portrait Prize
See prize-winning works by top artists in this exhibition of 84 finalists in the competition for portraits of people with a connection to Brisbane.
Brisbane Powerhouse, daily until Oct 29, 10.30am-4.30pm, free.

Music: Nile Rodgers & Chic
Le freak, c’est chic ... Hitmaker and super producer Rodgers brings Chic and his half-century of hits to town for a show where sitting still is not an option.
Fortitude Music Hall, 7pm, $101.68-$142.46. Buy tickets.

Saturday, October 21

Three of the stars of Theatre of Magic at the Elizabeth Picture Theatre.Credit: Theatre of Magic

Theatre: Theatre of Magic
The Presidential Suite of the old Irish Club becomes the scene for a weekly up-close magic show followed by an on-stage performance. Tickets include a drink on arrival.
Elizabeth Picture Theatre, Saturdays 7pm, $59. Buy tickets.

Markets: The Great Artist Market
More than 50 Brisbane creatives will sell their wares all day accompanied by live music, vinyl DJs, stilt walkers and a magician. There’s also face painting, balloon twisting and workshops for the kids.
Felons Beer Hall, Howard Smith Wharves, 8am-3pm, free.

Food & Drink: Night Feast
Chefs from 25 top restaurants and bars are showcasing their signature dishes from pop-up kitchens in the Brisbane Powerhouse forecourt and surrounds. Entry is free; food and drink is not.
Brisbane Powerhouse, Wed-Fri 4.30-9pm; Sat-Sun 3-9pm, until Oct 29.

Sunday, October 22

Dead Puppet Society have built an interactive installation for the Museum of Brisbane’s Making Place exhibition.Credit: Katie Bennett

Museums: Making Place: 100 Views of Brisbane
This exhibition of artworks depicting Brisbane locations has had a refresh with pictures by Margaret Olley, Joe Furlonger and Gwendolyn Grant rotated in as well as an interactive audio tour and an interactive “memory map” by Dead Puppet Society.
Museum of Brisbane, daily 10am-5pm, free.

Music: Warpaint
The psychedelic LA foursome led by Emily Kokal bring their colourful dream pop to town for the first time in six years.
The Zoo, 7.30pm, $72.95. Buy tickets.

Museums: Working Country
The State Library’s kuril dhagun space on Level 1 is showcasing the stories of Aboriginal stockmen and stockwomen. Learn the role of Indigenous trade routes in establishing Queensland’s farming industry, what happens at Aboriginal-run rodeos, and more.
State Library of Queensland, daily until Jan 28, 2024, free.

Need more ideas? What about the 50 best things to do in Brisbane?

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