Brisbane

Brisbane’s performing arts scene is hot!

Did you know that US music industry magazine Billboard named Brisbane one of 5 contemporary music hotspots in the world, alongside international cities like Berlin and Beijing? But it’s not just our music that’s internationally acclaimed.

Our ballet and contemporary dance companies have toured overseas to rave reviews in places like Germany and Washington. Our orchestra and theatres bring world class performances to your backyard.

Now Test Drive the Arts gives you the opportunity to see for yourself what the rest of the world already knows. And your first performance is on the house. It’s the perfect way to try-before-you-buy.

We want you to be our special guest, along with your partner or a friend. Find out how to collect your complimentary VIP double pass and enjoy a great night out.

And now Test Drive is bigger and better than ever for 2008 – with new venues and companies, more performances and more choice for you. What are you waiting for?

New offers are added to the site all the time so make sure you check back soon. If you’ve already taken a Test Drive why not suggest it to a friend?

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Theatre

Vula

Brisbane Powerhouse - Magic and illusion combined with traditional song and dance create a captivating piece of Pacific Island visual theatre.

Wild Dogs Under My Skirt

Brisbane Powerhouse - The hot new solo show that brings the Pacific, quietly salivating for human flesh, to Brisbane.

Concert

Broad

QPAC - four unique musicians and songwriters join Deborah Conway in Broad 2008.

Tujiko Noriko and Guests

Judith Wright Centre - See a swag of astounding new recordings that situate Tujiko Noriko at the very apex of contemporary avant-electropop from Japan.

Tell Heaven

Judith Wright Centre - Every year seven esteemed and eclectic musicians with ‘form’ put down their weary loads and join in that musical conversation.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University - A musical setting to Shakespeare's
A Midsummer Night's Dream that captures and enhances the plays joyfulness and good nature.

Dance

On Thin Ice

Judith Wright Centre - A compelling, visually rich and physically exciting dance work.

Recent Test Drive offers

Already in the short few months since the Test Drive program was launched in late 2007 more than 1,100 Queenslanders have received tickets to Test Drive valued at over $40,000.

Thank you to all our Test Drivers who are helping to make this program a success.

Take a look at all the exciting performing arts offers that have already been Test Driven.

Arts etiquette

A few tips for making the most of your night out.

Ballet myths busted

There is more to ballet than tutus, pointe shoes and classical music. Get the mythbusting facts.

Are you an opera virgin?

Never been to the opera? Read our guide to making your first time an amazing experience.

Classical music comes out

Open your ears and your mind to the classics, as classical music is coming out of the closet.

60 second feedback

If you have already been to a Test Drive performance please take a minute to give us your feedback.

Our online survey is quick and easy and you will be helping us to improve the Test Drive program.

Test Drive the Arts Partners
Brisbane venues and artistic companies

Brisbane Powerhouse
· Wild Dogs Under My Skirt

· Underground

· Vula

· Paprika Balkanicus

. Taken

. Woyzeck on the Highveld

. Paradise City

. c90 by Daniel Kitson

· roadkill

· Doch Gypsy Orchestra

· Flipside Circus: Now I'm 10

· Barney McAll Septet featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel

Circa

· New Circus Now

Harvest Rain Theatre Company

· A Midsummer Night’s Dream

. Jane Eyre

. Hot Shoe Shuffle

Ipswich Civic Hall

. The Manfreds and The Spencer Davis Group

Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts
· On Thin Ice

· Dream, spill, fear, percussion

. A Slightly Sondheim Wedding

· In the Pink

· The Aaron Goldberg Trio

· Emma Dean album launch

· Tujiko Noriko and Guests

· Tell Heaven

· Ninehoursnorth

· Tarnished

· Paul Grabowksy and Megan Washington

· Two Horsemen

· Terika

· Looooooping Live

· Emma Dean and Tara Simmons

· The Necks

· Barb Jungr

· 2 Dogs Soundsystem

· Gyan & Leunig perform live: Billy the Rabbit

Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts

· Whispers of this Wik Woman

La Boite Theatre Company
· Kitchen Diva

· The Narcissist

. Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

· The Danger Age

· Walking by Apple Tree Creek

· Summer Wonderland

Logan Entertainment Centre
. Shirley Valentine

. Merry Melodies: Fabulous Showbiz Favourites

· Marches, Musicals & Mayhem!

. Menopause the Musical

. Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

· Spectacular China

· The Mikado

· The Music of the Night

· The Club
· Fabulous POPS Favourites

· Show & Tell: Australian Army Band Brisbane

Musica Viva

· Cheryl Barker, Peter Coleman-Wright and Piers Lane

· Eggner Trio

· Jerusalem Quartet

· Pekka Kuusisto & Simon Crawford-Phillips

· Takács Quartet

Opera Queensland

. The Barber of Seville

Queensland Arts Council

TICKETS ON OFFER SOON

Queensland Ballet

· The Nutcracker

Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

. Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra

. A Midsummer Night's Dream

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)
· Broad

· John Williams and John Etheridge - Together and Solo

· deep blue

· The Government Inspector

· Berlin - Sydney Dance Company

Queensland Theatre Company

· The Prisoner of Second Avenue

QUT Gardens Point Theatre
· Shirley Valentine

· The Carpenters from Kempsey

· Bombshells

· The Arrival

· The Club

· The Gospel According to Elvis

· Educating Rita

Roundhouse Theatre
· Post Office Rose

The Queensland Youth Choir

. JazzJam

The Queensland Orchestra

· Best of James Bond