Bust a move at Blues on Broadbeach: The 21st annual Blues festival is hitting the streets of Broadbeach from Thursday to Sunday, boasting a bountiful live up of artists that are well and truly ready to help you shake, dance and jig your blues away. Headlining the festival are the likes of James Morrison, Jeff Land and Karise Eden (to name a few), all of whom are ready to fill your ears with smooth blues tunes that will speak to your soul. 2022 also brings the launch of a fresh new stage, which will be perfect for anyone looking to kick back and soak up the blues’ coolness in a more intimate setting. Oh, and did we mention the whole thing is free? Peep the full lineup over at the Blues on Broadbeach website so that you can plan your weekend and suss out the best places to eat, drink and soak up some soulful sounds.
Step into a night of delicious illusion at the Maho Magic Bar: Inspired by the neon-lit magic bars in Tokyo’s nightlife districts, the Maho Magic Bar at the Broadwater Parklands Spiegeltent allows you to get up close and personal with some seriously charismatic master magicians. Straight from the streets of Tokyo, the Magic Makers from Maho Magic Bar are hitting the Gold Coast for a limited time and are ready to serve up delicious cocktails and mystifying magic tricks. Buy your ticket here and prepare for a night that will surprise and delight your senses.
Take a night off cooking at the Distillery Road Bazaar Markets: Celebrate the spoils of Southeast Queensland and shop local at Eagleby’s Distillery Road Markets on Thursday night. You can head down from 4:00 pm and stroll through the wide range of vendors selling fresh produce, kindred arts and crafts, flowers, homewares and delicious treats from Sugar Creek Smokehouse and Posadas Cantina. These markets are definitely worth your time, especially if you live on the northern end of the Gold Coast.
Image credit: Sanctuary Cove Boat Show
Dream of poppin’ bottles on yachts at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show: If you love boating, or would like to be the type of person that says, “I’m just popping out on the boat this weekend”, then you won’t want to miss the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show happening from Thursday to Sunday. Showcasing everything from luxury superyachts to family-friendly tinnies and everything in between, the Boat Show will have you dreaming of life out on the big blue. Single-day passes start at $26. Alternatively, treat yourself and feel like a proper celebrity by purchasing a VIP pass that includes entry to the Boat Show, Lagoon Lounge, all-day entertainment, and five-star food and drinks courtesy of the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort.
Be the type of person who listens to Jazz: Do you need a little jazz-fueled injection of soul and sweet tunes? Head to Bluewater Bar and Grill on Thursday, where Hope Island Jazz and Cabaret presents Asabi Goodman. Asabi brings over 40 years’ worth of singing and acting experience, and, like a fine wine, her voice has only gotten better with time. There are still a few tickets available, so nab yours and prepare to be enthralled with her equally soulful and mesmerising performance.
Become a crafty eco-warrior at the Nature’s Imprint workshop: Take some time out in nature and let your creativity run wild as you learn how to use natural fibres in eco-dyeing. Hosted as part of Escape in the Scenic Rim, this workshop is about slowing down, sharing and finding beauty in nature’s imperfections, teaching you processes that can help reduce landfill and lessen your impact on the environment. The workshop is running on Sunday at Ecowott Nature’s Imprint in Beechmont – grab your tickets here.
Walk through nature and try your hand at 4WD in the Scenic Rim: This weekend, the ESCAPE in the Scenic Rim Festival is hosting a slew of nature-filled activities that will have you filling your lungs with nothing but the freshest of air. On Friday, you can set off on the iconic three-day Stinson Walk through Lamington National Park. Saturday’s program offers a ladies’ 4WD driver awareness course and a creative bushfire regeneration project. Finally, Sunday allows you to indulge in a reflective walk through the Binna Burra parklands, try your hand at the Teviot Brook Cross to Mount Alford, or take a leisurely bushwalk along the Cedar Creek Forest trail.
Sip and savour some raunchy laughs at Blanc de Blanc Encore: Did someone say cabaret? If you prefer your evening’s champagne-soaked and laced with hedonistic intentions, then shimmy on over to the Spiegeltent in Southport’s Broadwater Parklands for Blanc de Blanc Encore. The show is packed full of risqué humour, breathtaking aerials, champagne towers, well-endowed percussionists and one hell of a pillow fight. This cheeky mix of glamour and comedy is only in town for a limited season, so secure your tickets before they sell out!
See some next level upcycling at the Australian Wearable Art Festival: Have you ever looked at a floral arrangement or a solitary piece of rubbish floating in the breeze and thought, “Wow, that would make a stunning outfit”? The designers on show at this catwalk certainly have, and they are ready to wow fashionable folk with their whimsical creations. We should note that this one is a bit of a hike, taking place in Bokarina on the Sunshine Coast. However, if you found yourself divinely inspired by looks at the Met Gala, or consider yourself a budding designer, then this fashion show should not be missed.
Dance along to free live music on The Lawn: There’s something about sitting back and soaking up live tunes that makes life seem that little bit lighter. Add a cold drink and some delicious snacks into the equation, and you have a recipe for a good time. Garden Kitchen & Bar offers just that, a chance to sit in the sunshine, listen to some live tunes and revel in the good vibes with your mates. You can start your weekend on a high note by dropping low and shaking off the work week with free RnB tunes on Friday night from 5:00 pm. If a Sunday sesh is more your style, then you won’t want to miss an afternoon of live music from Gold Coast boys, the Mckenzie Band. Let them soundtrack the sunset while you sip on a beverage and enjoy a snack or two from the delicious legends at Container Kitchen.
Have a laff with Michael Shafar at Comedy Underground: Head to HOTA, Home of the Arts, on Saturday night to check out Michael Shafar in his show ‘The Return of the Shafar’. You might have seen Michael on The Project or ABC’s Comedy Bites, where he tries to offer pragmatic solutions to all of the world’s problems one joke at a time. If you’re craving a lol, grab your tickets and head to HOTA’s Basement from 9:00 pm.
Sample some Ink Gin as you stroll through sculptures at Husk: If you have a spare few hours and fancy a road trip, why not pop over the border to Husk Farm Distillery and wander through the inaugural outdoor exhibition Sculpture Distilled. This unique competition allows you to get up close and personal with the work of nine contemporary artists from across the Gold Coast and the Northern Rivers. The vibrantly unique sculptures address themes including the impact of plastics on the environment, time, Australian fauna, and stillness.
Transcend into music heaven with Holy Holy at Miami Marketta: Aussie indie rock band Holy Holy is bringing their lush electronic beats and chanted vocals to Miami Laneway on Thursday night. Hayley Mary will support the band as they enchant Gold Coast crowds with their unique sound and popular tracks.
Get jealous over kid’s fashion at the Hide & Seek Children’s Market: I swear babies and toddlers are blessed with the cutest clothes. If you have a little one that loves to dress up (or if you’re obsessed with cute kid’s clothes), then head out to Robina High School on Sunday to explore this dedicated children’s market. Stallholders will be offering a range of beautifully crafted clothing, accessories, toys, decor, furnishings and everything in between. Your wardrobe might not get a seasonal shake-up, but your child’s certainly will.
Tuck a napkin into your collar and chow down on this Mexican feast: We recommend having a siesta before your fiesta on over to Frenzy’s at the Southport Sharks for their Mexicana May all you can eat buffet from Thursday to Sunday. We’re talking plates piled high with nachos, tacos, chipotle chicken wings, quesadillas, pulled pork, fajitas, chilli salt squid, tinga chicken, Mexican rice and, for dessert, churros! Book your table and wear the stretchy pants, hombre, you’re gonna need them.
Sip and snack away your weekend in style: If you’re a fan of spending your weekends sipping on bubbles and indulging in various delicious treats, then clear your calendar because we have back-to-back events that are bound to tickle your taste buds. Start your Saturday with Beachside Brunch at Hyde Paradiso in Surfers Paradise. For two hours between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, you can indulge in a glorious array of Mediterannean inspired tapas, sip on the likes of Chandon and spritzes and overlook the sparkling horizon. From there, toddle on over to Nineteen at The Star for Bellini Saturdays and indulge in free-flowing Bellinis teamed with an indulgent share platter packed with fresh oysters, olives, arancini balls and, of course, plenty of charcuterie surprises. Talk about a Saturday well spent.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, events may be subject to be postponed or cancelled at the last minute. We do our best to remove cancelled events but be sure to check the organiser’s own event page for the most current updates.
