The Sitchu Guide To The Best Of BrisFest

Brisbane Festival returns to our city in September to once again illuminate our streets and our hearts with stories from some of Brisbane’s most talented creative types. With over 580 performances throughout the city, BrisFest truly showcases the diversity of the people, voices and places that make our little corner of Queensland the incredible city that it is! We’ve plucked some highlights from the programme that are simply not to be missed, so keep your calendar handy while you scroll. 

Jumoo - Welcome To Country Smoking Ceremony

Jumoo means “smoking” in the Turrbal language, native to the First People of Brisbane who have occupied this land for over 65,000 years. Smoking ceremonies are a way to cleanse and reconnect to the land, spiritually resetting the land and acknowledging past, present and future Elders. An open invitation for all to attend.

Sitchu Tip: Capturing video content of traditional smoking ceremonies is generally discouraged. 

Cost: Free

Friday 2 September 5.45pm

BOQ Festival Garden, 410 Stanley Street, South Brisbane

Sweatshop

Brisbane’s sassiest creative troupe Briefs Factory are back and ready to dazzle locals with their newest production, Sweatshop. The award-winning group of dancers, performers and acrobats will inspire and dazzle you and are guaranteed to cause some uproarious laughter as well. Sweatshop is not to be missed!

From $35 + booking fee

Friday 2nd September - Sunday 4th September 

South Bank Piazza, BOQ Festival Garden, 410 Stanley Street, South Brisbane 

Museum of the Moon

Keen to explore the dark side of the moon? This large-scale installation by Luke Jerram uses lunar imagery as a cultural mirror to reflect a sense of wonderment. If you head down to the West Village on Tuesday 6th September, you can enjoy A Picnic with the Moon with free live performances from some of our favourite local talent.

Friday 2nd September - Sunday 11th September

West Village, 11 Boundary Street, West End

Ephemeral

Here for a good time not a long time, these mesmerizing bubbles are a show-stopping pop up (get it!) coming to Brisbane this month from the talented team at Atelier Sisu.

Friday 2nd September - Saturday 24th September

BOQ Festival Garden, 410 Stanley Street, South Brisbane

Brisbane's Art Boat

A float-away hit from last years BrisFest this floating artwork from artist Lindy Lee takes it's cues from year 9 maths and everyone's favourite buddy, Pythagoras. With midnight and dawn cruises, the installation plays on the (other) Pythagorean theorem which speculated that celestial bodies vibrated through the heavens. This one really needs to be seen to believed.

Friday 2nd September - Saturday 24th September

Northshore and South Bank departure points, head here for more info

Brown Church 

This theatrical spectacle by Meanjin based creative outfit The Naavikaran Collective invites you to come forward and pray at their altar of queer revolution. Centering queerness as the cenral faith, Brown Church explores themes of displacement, queer liberation and the euphoria of culture. 

From $15 + booking fee 

Saturday 3rd September to Sunday 4th September

The Tivoli 

Tiddas 

Adapted for the stage, Anita Heiss’ book Tiddas brings to life the story of five women who meet weekly to share their lives, love, books and everything in between. The storyline follows each woman’s complex secret as it all unfurls. Described as a love letter to Brisbane, Tiddas celebrates that each woman has found herself in a city where she has a sense of place.

Cost: From $45 + booking fee

Monday 5th September 2022

La Boite Roundhouse Theatre

Aftermath 

Reuniting once again to bring their incredible and sought-after collaboration to the stage, the Australasian Dance Collective and Danny Harley of The Kite String Tangle will ignite the Piazza with “Aftermath”. Pulsing with a visceral physicality, with an absorbing soundscape played live by Harley.

Sitchu Tip: Don’t miss the Aftermath After Party with a live DJ set by Danny Harley, by booking a special ticket on Friday 9th September. 

From $45 + booking fee 

Wednesday 7th September - Friday 9th September

South Bank Piazza, BOQ Festival Garden, 410 Stanley Street, South Brisbane 

Sunshine Super Girl

Before Ash Barty lifted the trophy at Wimbledon… there was Evonne Goolagong. Sunshine Super Girl tells the story of the quintessential Blak Australian girl from the bush who dared to dream. Growing up hitting a tennis ball against the side of the house, the town rallied to support Evonne in her quest to become the number one tennis player in the world and a household name. Exploring connection to country and themes of poverty, adversity and racism in Australia, this story is told with Aussie grit and humour… making it a must-see. 

*Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander guests are advised that this performance may contain images of people who are deceased.

Cost: From $50 + booking fee

Thursday 22nd September - Saturday 24th September 

Playhouse, QPAC, Russell Street, South Brisbane 

Othello

This tri-lingual production by Jim Bani and Jason Klarwein reimagines Shakespeare’s classic tale in the retelling of the vital role of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion during World War II.  Over eight hundred Torres Strait Islanders signed up in order to protect the northern tip of Australia, including Jim Bani’s grandfather and great grandfather.

Cost: From $39 + booking fee

Saturday 10th September to Saturday 1st October 

Billie Brown Theatre, Queensland Theatre, 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane  

Gaia

Home but not as you know it... Gaia is a massive 7 metre installation from Luke Jerram, the talented artist behind the Museum of the Moon installation which is also gracing BrisFest this year.

Tuesday 13th September - Sunday 18th September

West Village, 111 Boundary Street, West End

Cirque O L I O 

Redefining family entertainment, Cirque O L I O melds magic, acrobatics, dance and performance to create an on stage extravaganza that will delight the entire family. This performance promises three things… something you’ve seen before, something you’ll never see again and something you’ll have to see to believe! 

From $25 + booking fee

Tuesday 20th September - Friday 23st September 

South Bank Piazza, BOQ Festival Garden, 410 Stanley Street, South Brisbane 

To book tickets for any of the above events, visit the Brisbane Festival website here for the full programme. If this explosion of arts and culture has you hankering for more festivals, check out our full 2022-2023 Queensland Festival Calendar, or visit our guide to what’s on around Brisbane for more exciting events in your neighbourhood.