Don’t you love a mid-week holiday? Plus, with all the fashion buzz, Friday the 13th and heaps of sport happening, it's a big week in town.
This Wednesday is People’s Day at the Ekka and those of us in Brisbane get a public holiday just to celebrate the annual Show. Many school children have Thursday as a day off too.
The Ekka finishes this Saturday so be sure to plan your day if you want to catch the animals, the rides, the fashion, the food and the fun of this year’s Show.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival
This is the big week for the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Festival (MBFF). The exciting array of the best local, national and international design talent, events and parades finishes on Friday.
Evening Young Designers Market
Don't miss your chance to buy from Brisbane's up and coming designers (before they become household names) at South Bank's Evening Young Designers Market this Tuesday from 5pm.
Little Red at Little Stanley
Little Stanley Supper Club wraps up on Friday and they’re going out in style with a free concert on the lawn with Little Red.
Valentino Retrospective
Brisbane has never been so fashionable, thanks to the one-off, haute couture outfits on display at GoMA. Read our review of the exhibition and admire some photos.
You can join a volunteer guided tour at GoMA each day at 11am, 12 noon and 2pm.
Valentino: The Last Emperor
Limes Roof Top Cinema is screening Valentino: The Last Emperor on Monday night. Matt Tyrnauer's documentary about the venerable Italian fashion designer is a love story in more ways than one.
Performance
Hit one-man shows
There are two one-man shows playing in Brisbane at the moment and they both close this weekend. Find out why they’re wowing audiences. The shows are I Love You, Bro and boy girl wall.
Swan Lake
With four performances only, be quick to catch Queensland Ballet's lavish production of Swan Lake. Set to the music of Tchaikovsky, François Klaus’s interpretation of this classic ballet honours its choreographic heritage, and tells an epic story of devotion and betrayal. It’s only on from Friday to Sunday this week.
MAMMA MIA!
Over 40 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show. And now the musical is coming back to Brisbane. It starts this Tuesday at the Lyric Theatre and continues until 19 September.
Shopping fun
Brookside Shopping Centre will have amusement rides, show bags, a jumping castle, animal farm, pony rides, sand wizard and face painting as part of the family fun day on Wednesday.
Check the opening times for your favourite shopping centre on the the Ekka holiday.
Or use the public holiday to have a day out with the family.
Markets
City Farmers Markets
They will be open in Redacliffe Place during the Wednesday public holiday, selling the usual array of fresh produce and delicious food.
Mathilda's Market
Mathilda's Market showcases and sells beautiful handcrafted and limited production baby and kids goods. Head there this Saturday at Brisbane Racing Club at Eagle Farm.
Marky Markets
Marky Markets is taking over West End’s Vinyl (out front of The Hi-Fi) this Sunday to bring you bargains, bites and bevvies.
Valley Laneway Markets
Discover the Valley's hidden laneways and support local designers and artists at this new Sunday market.
Friday 13th
Schlock Horror Pyjama Party
Tribal Theatre is going all out for Friday the 13th with a schlock horror pyjama party! Dress in your PJs, bring pillows and chill out for a night of low-budget schlock horror classics:
- 6.15pm - Slumber Party Massacre (1982, R18+)
- 7.45pm - Razorback (1984, M)
- 9.30pm - Last House on the Left (1972, R18+)
Judy Breaks
Calling all break-dancers and hip hop enthusiasts! This Friday is your chance to compete at the monthly break-dance competition, Judy Breaks. Hosted by Australia’s Got Talent sensation Dr Rhythm and DJ Bacon, Judy Breaks is Brisbane’s most popular break-dancing competition – with cash prizes up for grabs. It’s an all-ages event too.
Dark Energy and Cosmic Structure
If you’re fascinated by the universe and the big bang theory, you won’t want to miss Dr David Wiltshire’s free talk at QUT Gardens Point this Friday 13th.
Sport
There’s heaps of sport on this week. Choose from:
- NRL - Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
- NRL - Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys Saturday 14 August at Skilled Park.
- AFL - Lions vs Adelaide at The Gabba on Sunday. First bounce is at 1.10pm.
Roller Derby Monster Bash
The best spectator sport ever! Two all-girl, roller skating teams compete against each other around an oval track. Don't miss the big double header Monster Bash at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this Saturday.
Exhibition Wednesday Races
The annual Exhibition Wednesday Races will take over Eagle Farm Racecourse this Wednesday.
The Lakes College Fun Run & Fair
The Lakes College Fun Run has events for all ages with courses of 2km, 6km and 10km along the bikeways and pathways that criss-cross the North Lakes. It’s on this Sunday.
Super Trucks
This weekend, the Super Trucks unleash their thunderous big rig mayhem upon Queensland Raceway. They headline an all-action round four of the 2010 Queensland Racing Drivers Championship.
Walk Against Warming
This Sunday thousands of Brisbane people will join the annual Walk Against Warming. Some CBD streets will be closed for the event. Speakers and stalls will fill King George Square from 11am onwards.
