Some thoughts on the Brisbane Festival
One thing is missing from an excellent program. Plus: should we ban e-scooters?
I know that, among other things, I’m the Bring Back Warana guy, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the Brisbane Festival.
The program for this year’s event has just been released, and I can honestly say that it looks pretty good.
But, as I also noted around this time in 2023, does the program have, or could it ever have, something for everyone? Is it a festival for all of Brisbane?
It does seem that there is a lot more than just the fireworks that will appeal to families and those among us with an entertainment budget of zero dollars.
The balloon art on the bridges, or “ANZ’s Walk This Way by Craig & Karl” to give it its official title, will put smiles on more than a few faces, as will the big dance in and around City Hall and the many free concerts, some of them participatory events.
The theatre and music program — which, in a previous life, I would have been all over — seems to be both world-class and local in a good way.
Festival director Louise Bezzina should be proud of what she has done for one last time before taking up her new position running the Powerhouse.
But — and I know you’ve been waiting for this — would it have hurt too much to bring back the community parade?
It got the boot a generation ago because it was amateur and cheesy and, for some in decision-making roles, that underscored an image of Brisbane they didn’t like and were trying to shake.
Well, we’re all grown up now, and maybe we can bring it back, even if we have to pretend that we’re doing it in an ironic way.
Why? Because a parade allows people in the community to generate something from scratch — get the band back together, do dress-ups and march with some mates, or decorate a float — and show it off to the whole city.
It’s one thing to put on a circus for the people; it’s another — and, perhaps, better — thing to let people create their own.
Mister Brisbane is free to read, but if you appreciate what I’m doing here, and/or
at The Wrinkle and Radio Bert, you can buy me a coffee.
Scooter madness
The recent suspension of e-scooter hire services in Perth, following the tragic death of a pedestrian struck by an allegedly intoxicated rider, underscores the urgent need for Brisbane to reevaluate its approach to regulating these vehicles.
I was nearly struck by one a few months ago in our CBD, and I’m appalled at the way some riders disrespect pedestrians in the way they use these vehicles and then park/abandon them wherever they like.
I’m not saying we should ban e-scooters outright, but we should enforce the existing rules and reassess them as required.