In sizzling news that is sure to get you excited, Brisbane Festival has unveiled a new format for this year’s edition, announcing a jam-packed month of wonder this September. From September 1–23, Brisbane’s arts venues, landmarks and suburban streets will play host to more than 1000 events, from large-scale theatre works and colour-soaked light trails to never-before-seen massed drone performances and a string of mini-concerts.
As always, Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust will light up the city skyline, helping kick off the festival on Saturday September 2. From here, the festival program expands with groundbreaking theatre works, including the world-premiere performance of Salamander – a large-scale, dance theatre work created by internationally renowned choreographer and director Maxine Doyle – and Eternity, a spellbinding performance from Brisbane-based Circa being staged at St John’s Anglican Cathedral. Other theatrical highlights include The Making of Pinocchio, a compelling and emotionally rich tale making its Australian debut at Brisbane Powerhouse, Kuramanunya by Thomas E.S. Kelly and Karul Projects, and JARRAH – a festival-opening event that honours and pays respect to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.
Brisbane Festival centrepiece, the Australian Retirement Trust Festival Garden, will transform the South Bank parklands into a hub of food, wine, entertainment and discovery, while Brisbane Serenades will offer a program of free mini-concerts across Brisbane’s suburbs, free, all-ages celebration of music and dance All Together Now will take over Victoria Park, and Lightscape will see a 2.5-km light trail snake its way under glowing tree canopies, past larger-than-life flowers and around neon roots at the City Botanic Gardens.
To close the festival out you can be part of the world’s biggest, kazaniest orchestra ever, 10,000 kazoos-strong. On September 23, the mass participation event 10,000 Kazoos will take place in the heart of Victoria Park, and anyone can join.
Head to the Brisbane Festival website to see the full 2023 program.
