Watchwords

Photo by Atmosphere Photography.
THE COURIER-MAIL SPIEGELTENT - Courtesy of Brisbane Festival.
Photo by Atmosphere Photography.
SANTOS GLNG CITY OF LIGHTS - Courtesy of Brisbane Festival.
Photo by Marty Pouwelse.
SUNSUPER RIVERFIRE - Courtesy of Brisbane Festival.
Photo by Atmosphere Photography.
SUNSUPER RIVERFIRE - Courtesy of Brisbane Festival.
PAUL CAPSIS in ‘ANGELA'S KITCHEN’. Photo courtesy of Brisbane Festival.

Watchwords

Brisbane Festival

It’s the last day of the 22-day Brisbane Festival.

LAST CHANCE – LAST DAY!

Golden Casket Light Sphere

While you’re wandering around waiting for Riverfire to begin, walk down to River Quay (near the Goodwill Bridge) and check out the Golden Casket Light Sphere designed by Tony Assness. The mirrors reflect everything, including you, and the sphere looks like something out of Dr Who. There is an undercurrent of strange and sometimes unnerving music. The Aliens have landed and the reflections at night are something to behold.

Wunder Bar

The festival is over but you don’t feel like going home. The Wunder Bar in the Cascade Court of QPAC has a line-up of free live music and entertainment, and is open on Saturday 29 September from 8.30 p.m. until late. And no, the cascade isn’t running while the electrical cables are about, otherwise the Wunder Bar might trump Riverfire for explosive fireworks. It’s free to enter, but you have to pay for drinks and nibbles of course.

Late Night Music at the Courier-Mail Spiegeltent

Have a drink in the Spiegeltent’s Garden Bar (what is it with the psychedelic pink?) and then head for the Spiegeltent to join the late night DJs mixing it up along with some special live acts on Saturday night from 11 p.m. It’s all free.

And the last picks – decisions, decisions!

It’s on – the event the people of Brisbane wait for every year! SUNSUPER RIVERFIRE! – See the Riverfire page on this website for further details.

The Event: SUNSUPER RIVERFIRE, in association with Triple M Radio and Channel Nine TV (Australia).

Date and time: Saturday, 29 September 2012 at 7.00 p.m.

Venue: Vantage points all along the Brisbane River with South Bank being the most popular one for families. This is an alcohol-free event and the venue is fenced for public safety and will be closed once it reaches capacity.

More information about getting there and things to see and do on the Riverfire page

 

And for those to whom Riverfire doesn’t appeal...

See the amazing PAUL CAPSIS in Angela’s Kitchen at the Brisbane Powerhouse

The Event: ANGELA’S KITCHEN, presented by the Brisbane Festival and QUT.

Date and time: Friday, 28 September 2012 at 7.30 p.m. and Saturday, 29 September 2012 at 8.00 p.m. Duration is 75 minutes with no interval.

Venue: Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm – Visy Theatre

Ticket price: $Adult: $38, Concession: $32, Groups $30 (includes all fees and charges). Bookings at Brisbane Powerhouse Box Office on (07) 3358 8600 or visit the Brisbane Festival website at http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au

What’s happening: Paul Capsis is an Australian singer and actor of Greek and Maltese heritage who is best known for his stunning cabaret roles and powerhouse voice. He became well known after appearing in the 1998 film, Head On opposite Alex Dimitriades, but aficionados were already well aware of his talents and snapped up his three CDs with alacrity. Now Paul turns his attention to the stage with a play about his family.

Angela’s Kitchen is a beautifully and evocative staged piece of theatre which begins at the kitchen table and travels back and forth in time and space, channelling the characters who shaped Paul’s life.

In 1948, Paul’s beloved grandmother, Angela, gathered up her five children and sailed for Australia on the Strathnavar, to give them a bright new life and leaving war and poverty behind. In Surry Hills she built a new life for the family. Years later, Paul travels back to Malta to reclaim his past and the resulting play is both deeply moving and in some places, downright hilarious.

Paul co-wrote Angela’s Kitchen with theatre director Julian Meyrick and the support of playwright Hilary Bell. It was nominated for two Helpmann Awards for Best Actor and Best New Australian Work.

Those who know and admire Paul’s work will not be surprised to find that this versatile and entertaining performer does an Alec Guinness and plays all the characters in the play, including himself as a young child, his grandmother, his Aunty Doris and even a bingo caller.  

Of his performances and musical talent The Age said: ‘Capsis did more than uplift; he had the audience almost levitating with sheer delight.’

 

The Event: DANCE ENERGY, presented by the Brisbane Festival and QUT.

Date and time: Saturday, 29 September 2012 at 2.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. and also on Sunday, 30 September at 3.00 p.m. Duration is 1 hour 25 minutes with an interval.

Venue: Playhouse, QPAC.

Ticket price: Premium: $65, Adult: $60, Concession: $52, Groups: $50 (transaction fee of $5.95 will be applied). Get tickets at qtix on 136 246 or visit the Brisbane Festival website at http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au

What’s happening: Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Noel Staunton is very excited about Dance Energy. He says: ‘For the first time in our history, we will bring Dancenorth, Expressions Dance Company and Queensland Ballet together for a world premiere collaboration. Dance Energy will explore the brilliance and vibrancy of the arts in Queensland and celebrate the extraordinary talent we have right here at home.’ To bring the performance to a stunning conclusion, London-based, New Zealand choreographer Cameron McMillan will create a crescendo of movement using dancers from all three companies.

Following the matinee performance of Dance energy on Saturday, 29 September 2012, ticket holders for the matinee performance can join choreographers Raewyn Hill, Natalie Weir, Gareth Belling and Cameron McMillan for a conversation and question and answer session.

 

The Event: QSO WITH EDVARD TCHIVZHEL, presented by the Brisbane Festival and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Date and time: Saturday, 29 September 2012 at 8.00 p.m. Duration is 1 hour 50 minutes with an interval.

Venue: Concert Hall, QPAC.

Ticket price: Adult: $75–$90, Concession: $62–$75, Student: $30, Family (2 adults and 2 children): $161–$193 (transaction fee of $5.95 will be applied). Get tickets at qtix on 136 246 or visit the Brisbane Festival website at http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au

What’s happening: Lovers of Rachmaninov have a double treat in store with a Tchaikovsky fantasia also included in this three-part program. Our very own Queensland Symphony Orchestra under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductor Edvard Tchivzhel, also features superb Russian pianist Nikolai Demidenko. The program: Francesca da Rimini by Tchaikovsky is the story of a noble heroine who awaits a tragic fate, Piano Concerto No. 4 by Rachmaninov, features Nikolai Demidenko whose performance has been described as being a force of nature and lastly, Symphonic Dances by Rachmaninov, praised as an imaginative work of ‘lush melodies and rhythmic vivacity’.

 

The Event: THE WAU WAU SISTERS’ LAST SUPPER, presented by the Brisbane Festival and Judith Wright Centre.

Date and time: Saturday, 29 September 2012 at 8.00 p.m. Duration is 65 minutes with no interval.

Venue: Performance Space, Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Fortitude Valley.

Ticket price: Cabaret: $42, Adult: $38, Concession: $32, Groups: $30 (includes all fees and charges). Get tickets at Judith Wright Centre on (07) 3872 9000 or visit the Brisbane Festival website at http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au

What’s happening: Here is a sinful serving of chaos, burlesque, comedy and circus. New York’s bravest and bawdiest duo will subject you to a night of endless fun as twelve disciples, umpteen cocktails and fearless abandon descend into mayhem. A word of warning though: if you would be offended by an hilarious but somewhat profane reinvention of The Last Supper with a finale you wouldn’t believe, best go to Riverfire instead.

 

And for the kids on Friday! – Sorry, if you didn’t go you missed it...

The Event: DR BROWN AND HIS SINGING TIGER: THE KIDS’ SHOW, presented by the Brisbane Festival.

Date and time: Friday, 28 September 2012 at 9.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. Duration is 55 minutes with no interval.

Venue: The Courier-Mail Spiegeltent, Cultural Forecourt, South Bank.

Ticket price: Adult: $15, Child $15, Groups: $12. Get tickets at Qtix on 136 246 or visit the Brisbane Festival website at http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au

What’s happening: This is a physical comedy performance that has had kids storming the stage. From the United Kingdom comes the award-winning show which sold out seasons at both the Melbourne Comedy Festival and the Adelaide Fringe. It follows the madcap adventures of Dr Brown and his singing tiger from breakfast to bedtime and includes a tennis match, a game of golf and a spectacular BMX finale. The kids will love it!

 

GO TO THE NEXT PAGE FOR SUNSUPER RIVERFIRE!

DR BROWN BROWN BROWN BROWN and HIS SINGING TIGER. Photo courtesy of Brisbane Festival.
SANTOS GLNG CITY OF LIGHTS BARGE. Photo by L.J. May.
This unlovely barge stationed at Southbank turned on a magical laser light display nightly.
COURIER-MAIL SPIEGELTENT DETAIL. Photo by L.J. May.
A dazzling array of performers appeared at the Spiegeltent.
CORINNE GRANT AT THE SPIEGELTENT. Photo by L.J. May.
Our favourite hoarder and comedian gave away her stuff because now she can!
THE GOLDEN CASKET LIGHT SPHERE. Photo by L.J. May.
Near the Goodwill Bridge Tony Assness’s light sphere continued to fascinate.
GOODWILL BRIDGE REFLECTED. Photo by L.J. May.
Reflected in the Sphere, The Goodwill footbridge later rained fireworks during Riverfire.