Original Stories from the Original Storytellers

Original Stories from the Original Storytellers

Honour the stories of two of the longest-surviving cultures in the world with more than 170 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors and leaders sharing their stories through music, dance, theatre, cabaret and art installations this September.

#On The Stage

From the original storytellers, four fantastic world premiere theatre works reimagine how we engage with and experience First Nations storytelling.

Tracker

Tracker

Culturally rich and ambitiously original, Tracker evokes an immensely powerful and personal story of Alec "Tracker" Riley.

20 — 23 Sep, Brisbane Powerhouse

Hide the Dog

Hide the Dog

Intrepid explorers will delight in this heart-warming, family-friendly celebration of friendship, adventure and the power of First Nations’ cultures.

21 — 23 Sep, QPAC

Kuramanunya

Kuramanunya

A ceremony for those who didn’t get their ceremony, Kuramanunya pays homage to the thousands of First Nation lives that were lost during colonisation.

13 — 16 Sep, Metro Arts

don't ask what the bird look like

don't ask what the bird look like

Uncover family secrets and unravel long-hidden mysteries in an intimate work from an exciting new First Nations voice.


19 Aug — 9 Sep, Queensland Theatre


#Celebrating Musical Excellence

Songs speak volumes, and these artists breathe life into beats and bars that'll leave you breathless.

Yirinda

Yirinda

Butchulla Songman Fred Leone and musical innovator Samuel Pankhurst combine ancient Aboriginal language with sublime modern production to invoke the sounds of thousands of generations of story and culture whilst emerging as something entirely new.

Tue 12 Sep, The Princess Theatre

Soniclines

Soniclines

Embark on a musical odyssey as Tyrone Noonan, didgeridoo legend William Barton and virtuoso guitarist Anthony Garcia weave a rare tapestry of contemporary rock, pop, Indi folk and electronica.

Sat 23 Sep, South Bank Piazza

Moorooka Block Party

Moorooka Block Party

Moorooka Block Party returns to Peggs Park for an afternoon of free entertainment from some of Australia’s finest First Nations and World Music musicians and artists including Jessie Lloyd with Ailan Songs.

Sat 9 Sep, Peggs Park

Busby Marou

Busby Marou

Two lifelong mates share their distinctly Australian storytelling and gifted musicianship. Their 5th album feels like a true realization of the unlimited potential they have shown until this point.

Sat 9 Sep, The Princess Theatre


#Opening the Festival

Two beautiful works bring to life the opening weekend for the Festival.

Jarrah

Jarrah

Through stories, song and dance, journey to the ancient world of Australia as we honour and pay respect to the Brisbane Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities. The gathering of Nations.

Fri 1 Sep, Australian Retirement Trust Festival Garden

Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale

Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale

Journey through Meanjin Brisbane’s past as 400 drones take to the sky to light up a 65,000 year old story.

2—3 Sep, Australian Retirement Trust Festival Garden


#Experience Art in All Forms

Sing, dance, and gaze as the stories of the past are brought to the fore.

Yuldea

Yuldea

From the incomparable storytellers of Bangarra Dance Theatre comes a major new work. Yuldea awakens the earth and sky worlds to tell the story of the Aṉangu people of the Great Victorian Desert.

31 Aug — 9 Sep, QPAC

West End Stories

West End Stories

This world-premiere show weaves storytelling and song writing tools to illustrate an historical timeline of Meanjin Brisbane through the lens of First Nations people.

Fri 8 Sep

KWM First Nations Art Award

KWM First Nations Art Award

Celebrating the highest standard of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art practice in Australia

14 Sep — 14 Oct, Griffith Uni Art Museum


#Visual Installations

Rainbow Serpent (version)

Rainbow Serpent (version)

An invitation to reconsider the spaces and places we inhabit.

#What's On

Choose from 80+ shows, or go to them all 😘

Brisbane Festival expresses deep respect to and acknowledges the First People of this Country.