Brisbane Powerhouse: The new home for big outdoor events

Arts, culture and entertainment will take to the streets with Brisbane Powerhouse unveiling four new major outdoor events to be staged in the precinct surrounding its iconic building.

The colourful calendar of events launches in August 2022 and includes a walk-in kaleidoscope of mirrors, a dome of pleasures, a deluxe cinema under the stars and a night market that fuses art, food and culture.

Kaleidoscope is an immense and immersive artwork of glass, steel, mirrors and moving prisms where visitors navigate a maze of corridors on Brisbane Powerhouse’s Performance Lawn.

The latest piece by installation artist Keith Courtney opens on 12 August 2022 and runs throughout Brisbane Festival until 3 October 2022.

From October, the Performance Lawn becomes home to Pleasuredome, a semipermanent magnificent ivory-sailcloth performance venue. When it’s not filled with patrons, the space will be free for the public to relax within.

Brisbane’s newest alfresco theatre and event space can seat up to 360 people for private events or performances from concerts and cabarets to stand-up comedy and circus.

A deluxe new Outdoor Cinema also opens in Spring 2022, nestled among trees in front of Brisbane Powerhouse’s Stores Building.

The year-round cinema features blockbusters, arthouse screenings, film festivals and concerts combining film and live performance.

The Hap Wah Night Market is a month-long celebration of food and art in Brisbane Powerhouse’s forecourt and surrounding parks, launching in early 2023.

Set within a temporary village of Queensland fretwork and finials, Cantonese lacquer and Bladerunner sci-fi, Hap Wah is a celebration of culinary fusion staged twice a year in March and October.

Brisbane Powerhouse CEO/Artistic Director Kate Gould said the introduction of new outdoor events were made possible with the support of Brisbane City Council and the Australian Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (Rise) Fund.

“Brisbane Powerhouse will bring art outside, creating a series of external venues for performance, film and feasting.

“We are grateful to Brisbane City Council for backing our vision to revitalise Brisbane Powerhouse and its environs. And there are more surprises to come.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane Powerhouse is one of the city’s greatest cultural assets, and this investment would deliver more to see and do for residents and visitors.

“We want to ensure this precinct continues to evolve and this new line up of events will support our arts economy and excite art and entertainment seekers,” Cr Schrinner said.

“The Powerhouse is a must-visit destination for tourists as well as a treasure for locals and this new outdoor offering will have something for all ages and interests.

“Brisbane’s fantastic climate means we can enjoy things like outdoor cinemas, night markets and open-air venues all year round.

“Our $1 million investment, along with Federal Government support, will provide the start-up funds to create ongoing cultural events at Brisbane Powerhouse, with the exciting new offerings to start rolling out from spring.”