Brisbane: What's on

BRISBANE: What's coming up in arts and on the scene. Compiled by Anthony Smith.

HOLDING THE MAN

Breathtakingly honest and achingly funny, Holding the Man is a heart-wrenching account of a 15-year relationship that weathered disapproval, separation, temptation and ultimately, death. It's a story and a celebration that speaks across generations, sexual preferences and cultures.

Tim Conigrave and John Caleo met in high school in the mid-1970s. Tim was in the school production of Romeo & Juliet and had a crush on John. John was the captain of the football team and wanted to play for Essendon. By the end of high school even their school yearbook acknowledged them as the year's cutest couple.

Holding The Man, Feb 16-March 16, Round House Theatre. laboite.com.au

GOING CUCKOO

This February, Brisbane’s boutique theatre heartBeast hits the heights with the World Premiere of its vivacious new comedy, CloudCUCKOOLAND: A Karaoke Musical.

Lance has been running the karaoke. He is constantly at war with Amber Sky, the hyper-tense stage manager, and Stevie, the ubercool, ultra fashionable club owner. Jolene is a country and western cougar, who has just arrived in town. JJ is a returned serviceman looking for the meaning of life. Tiger is a car mechanic obsessed with old fashioned rock and roll. Zeus believes he is a god, Calypso is a faded soapie actress. Andy is the boy next door with a secret, Delilah is a triple threat and Lady Nightingale is a temptress beyond your wildest imagination. Into this mix lands Dawn, an angel with a point to make.

CloudCUCKOOland: A Karaoke Musical, Feb 14-March 2, Trinity Hall. Qtix.com.au

ENJOY A THREESOME

Queensland Theatre Company’s 2013 journey through love, art, laughter, drama, catharsis, glamour, song and adventure begins soon, and to make the choice easier, the company has announced a range of threesomes. Yep, threesomes! Each threesome is a suggested set of three plays harnessing similar themes, from a trio of multi-award winning Broadway greats to the best three for a theatre novice. They include: Best of Broadway, Tour de Force, Live Love Laugh, For Arts Sake, Date Night, First-timer, and Deep & Meaningful.

Tickets available at queenslandtheatre.com.au or by calling 1800 355 528.

BIG AND GAY

It's back again and sponsored by Queensland Pride magazine! Returning for 2013, Big Gay Day is going to be huge once again. Running March 10, once again the area surrounding The Wickham Hotel will be sectioned off with gay spillage on the streets. Catch Samantha Jade, Beccy Cole, Garçon Garçon, DJ Alex Taylor and DJ Sveta, along with many more on the main stage. Hosted by the lovely Miss Synthetique and Trixie Onassis it's going to be an event not to miss. Keep your eyes peeled for more details closer to the day.

Big Gay Day 2013, March 10, Wickham Hotel. biggayday.com.au

ZIPPER GRRLZ

There is a new kid on the block! The new up and coming club night Zip Grrl-Factory will have its debut night on January 25 in Brisbane. Zip Grrl-Factory is a gay/straight/bi/queer/dance/rock/electro/indie night looking to infuse some much needed good energy into the Brisbane nightlife scene and provide an awesome party space in Coniston Lane, (just next to Alhambra Club).

Zip Grrl-Factory, Coniston Lane, Jan 25, 2013.

WICK GOES OZ

Looking for something fun to do this Australia Day? Head down to The Wickham for a free day of chilled entertainment, celebrating all things 'Aussie'. With a free BBQ from 3pm and DJs Kylie Rose and DJ Shame spinning vinyl tracks of rare Australian classics, it's sure to be a fun afternoon.

Australia Day @ The Wickham Hotel, Fortitude Valley, Jan 28, 2013.