Following their success in Newstead, the owners of The Triffid are embarking on a $40-million project that aims to fill a void in the live entertainment scene in Fortitude Valley.
The plan is to turn the site at 312 Brunswick Street into an event, theatre and music venue, able to accommodate up to 3,300 people.
Location of the upcoming 312 Brunswick venue. (Photo credit: Google Earth)
While the likes of The Triffid and The Zoo provide some of the best in music venues in the city, there is still a need for medium-sized music spaces. This is the gap that the future venue intends to fill.
Owners and operators of The Triffid, including Scott Hutchinson of Hutchinson Builders, are teaming up to develop the 2,500-square-metre site. Around 1,000 square metres will be allocated for food and retail spaces.
Revitalising the Live Music Scene
The addition of the 312 Brunswick music venue is a positive development as it would help revitalise the live entertainment in the city.
The project is something that is close to the hearts of the collaborators who are all deeply engaged in the local live music industry. John Collins is the former bassist of Powderfinger, while Paul Piticco is a co-founder of Secret Sounds and operates music tours and festivals in the country. Mr Hutchinson is a huge patron of QMusic.
The trio saw a need for venues that would accommodate a crowd between 3,000 and 4,000. This would attract artists requiring a space in between the huge music arenas and the more intimate music halls.
The Triffid in Newstead (Photo credit: The Triffid/Facebook)
The music venue promises to be a state-of-the-art space. It should be a perfect replacement for Festival Hall, which closed in 2003.
The same people responsible for the acoustic design of the Triffid will make sure that the 312 Brunswick Street venue will provide the same quality sounds as the Newstead music hall.
Construction on 312 Brunswick is set to start in January 2018 and is expected to open in mid-2019.
Police received several reports on the 21st of October stating that a ‘scooter gang’ comprised of teenagers brought chaos along the streets of Fortitude Valley towards Kangaroo Point.
The minors involved were reportedly participating in the annual Brisbane Street Jam, including 18-year-old YouTube star Jack Dauth. The latter claimed that he was arrested. Other teenagers asserted that police were aggressive towards them.
Internet sensation and YouTube star, Jack Dauth Credit: Jack Dauth YouTube Page
Police confirmed that no teenagers were arrested or charged in connection with the incident, adding that they had contacted the parents to coordinate where they could safely collect their children. The police also maintained that the teenagers were dangerously riding their scooters going towards oncoming traffic.
Footage released by Nine News Queensland showed police dispersing the crowd from Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. Footage also showed boys wearing safety helmets charging towards the police, prompting them to cordon off parts of Brisbane CBD for crowd control. Hundreds of scooter riders were driving on the wrong side of the road.
The situation spun out of control when Dauth, whom police had tagged as the instigator, claimed that he was violently arrested by police. “First they tackled me down, they ripped my camera, grabbed my microphone and twisted out. They picked me up and just threw me in,” the boy was quoted as saying in an interview with other media.
The police has since released Dauth but he posted a video of his arrest both on his Instagram and YouTube accounts. By October 23, the hashtag #FREEJACK had gone viral on the internet. Dauth has 170,000 YouTube subscribers and 160,000 Instagram followers. In the video that he posted on his Instagram account, fellow scooter riders can be heard chanting “Free Jack!” in the background.
A post shared by YOUTUBER • SCOOTER RIDER (@jackdauth) on
Credit: Jack Dauth/Instagram
Dauth’s social media profiles state that he is from Sydney, Australia. He has been riding scooters since 2011 and calls himself a professional freestyle scooter rider. His profiles also state that he is currently sponsored by UrbanArtt. “My aim is to document what I get up to while out riding, exploring and all round having a fun time,” he wrote in one of his profiles.
Credit: Jack Dauth/YouTube
Police also clarified through a statement given to other media that authorities were not informed ahead of the event. Further investigation revealed that the event was only organised through social media.
Presented by Brisbane City Council, the event will be held on 27-28 October in the streets of Fortitude Valley. With only five days to go before Brisbane’s biggest free music festival, here are some interesting trivia about the exciting line-up of artists who are set to perform.
The Jungle Giants has recently made its comeback to the music scene in 2017 with a new single titled, “Feel The Way I Do.” This track follows their 2015 album, “Speakerzoid,” which gained praises from music critics, earning 4 stars from Rolling Stone. This Brisbane band has been performing since getting together in 2011, with Sam Hales on Vocals/Guitars, Cesira Aitken on Lead Guitar, Andrew Dooris on Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals, and Keelan Bijker on Drums/Trombones.
Fatman Scoop Credit: Valley Fiesta Facebook Page
Hip-hop artist Fatman Scoop is popular for his song “Be Faithful” that ranked number one in the UK and Ireland in 2003, and top five here in Australia. He has also worked with internationally known artists like Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Pitbull.
The Creases Credit:Valley Fiesta Facebook Page
The Creases has just released its debut album, “Tremolov” in August 2017, rated three stars by Rolling Stone. The AU Podcast Network describes the album as “a collection of songs so solidly constructed they couldn’t fall over if pushed.”
The Bleeding Knees Club Credit:Valley Fiesta Facebook Page
The Bleeding Knees Club released their newest EP, “Chew The Gum” in April 2017. This alternative/indie band has come a long way from its first introduction as a duo back in 2010. Friends Alex Wall and Jordan Malane founded the group, which hails from Gold Coast, Australia.
The Gooch Palms, originally from Newcastle, Australia, is now based in Los Angeles. The gonzo-punk sweethearts are now touring the US, Europe and Australia. Aside from the Valley Fiesta, the duo has been back in Australia this October for Spring Break.
RACKETT Credit:Valley Fiesta Facebook Page
RACKETT is known for its loud and experimental punk-pop music. The band has left its mark in the music scene since their introduction in 2016. It is set to release a new single “Ready or Not” within 2017.
Velociraptor was founded in 2009. The group defines its genre as garage pop. While the group is a home-grown Brisbane band, they are known internationally. Their most recent release, “The Hunk With A Hunch,” was in November 2016.
The Jensens takes pride in its continuous search for “new sound.” The group’s bio on TripleJ Unearthed states that the group was “formed out of a deep friendship and a desire to make great music that pleases the ear and touches the soul.”
The Fresh Outfit Concrete Surfers released its new single, “Miscommunication” in September 2017, with an EP to follow soon after. The group is comprised of brothers Jovi (vocals) and Jamie Brook (guitar and drums). Other members of the band are Sean Froster on lead guitar and Trent Courtney on Bass.
Home-grown Port Royalwas founded in 2016. The group released their debut EP in May 2016. They finally gained popularity in March 2017 with their single “Get Heavy.”
FeelsClub defines its genre as Trash Pop. Since their first gig in March 2016, the band has performed with Philadelphia Grand Jury, Bugs and Gideon Benson.
Harmon Credit: Valley Fiesta Facebook Page
Producer/Songwriter Harmon’s influences in music are Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Radiohead and The Strokes. Aside from performing at the Valley Fiesta, he will be touring Brisbane, bringing with him his indie-rock music.
The Seefelds draws inspiration from punk, grunge, Britpop and Indie rock music. Widely considered to be a group that’s just bursting with potential, the group’s gig at the Valley Fiesta will be their largest event to date.
Valley Fiesta is a FREE event. No tickets required. Performances done in public stages are open to the public. Private events at different venues in Fortitude Valley during Valley Fiesta, however, require payment. For more information, click here.
Chinatown Mall in Fortitude Valley will be lit with Asian-inspired festivities as it celebrates Chinese Moon Festival on Saturday 7 October 2017.
Chinese Moon Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. It is a full moon festival widely celebrated in by Chinese and Vietnamese people. It is also celebrated across the world, with mooncakes hailed as the main delicacy during the festival.
The festival at Chinatown Mall is a free event that promises to entertain people of all ages. Kids and older folks are sure to enjoy the entertainment in store including lion dances and colourful lantern parades.
Event Details
What:
Chinese Moon Festival
When:
Saturday 7 October 2017
4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where:
Chinatown Mall, Duncan Street,
Fortitude Valley
What to Expect
The festival will not be complete without a lion dance. The festivities will start with a vibrant lion performing acrobatic tricks on high poles.
Adding to the colour will be a unique lantern dance that will be featured during the festivities. At night, a dragon dance will be performed in the traditional palace costume and a dragon prop.
Photo credit: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The festival will be filled with music, dancing and lively entertainment featuring traditional Chinese, cultural and modern Chinese dances. There will also be a traditional Chinese tea ceremony performed through dance.
Fortitude Valley is home to some of the most fascinating buildings in Brisbane. On Brisbane Open House, locals and tourists will have a chance to learn more about some of the top architectural structures in the suburb.
Brisbane Open House will be on 7 and 8 October 2017. It is a free public event designed to give the public a behind-the-scenes look at interesting architectural structures in Brisbane.
Some 90 buildings will open their doors to the public. They include charming small spaces as well as historical industrial and heritage architectural icons.
Enter via 291 Street Paul’s Terrace, Fortitude Valley
Date:
Saturday 7 October 2017
10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Guided tours every 30 minutes
Photo credit: CC-BY/bradeastman/Flickr
Housed in a mural and graffiti-decorated brick building, the 4ZZZ station was once the headquarters of the Australian Communist Party (ACP) – Queensland Chapter. It was attacked by alleged Neo-Nazis in 1969 and 1972.
In the 1980s, the ACP hosted punk gigs on the top floor of the three-story building. That was the start of the evolution of the 4ZZZ broadcasting station, which provides a radical alternative to mainstream media and promotes activism and engagement in the community.
Central Village Heritage Precinct
Photo credit: www.deickerichards.com.au
Address:
Cnr Trinity Street and Diggles Close, Fortitude Valley
Date:
Saturday 7 October 2017
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Guided tours every hour
Fortitude Valley’s Central Village Heritage Precinct is a group of late 19th-century defence buildings, including the oldest-known surviving Drill Hall in Queensland.
The buildings were originally constructed around 1880 on Boundary Street in Spring Hill. They were then relocated and repurposed to house various functions.
Brickworks Design Studio
Photo credit: brisbaneopenhouse.com.au
Address:
Tenancy 6 & 7, James Street Centro, 27 James Street Fortitude Valley
Date:
Saturday 7 October 2017
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
General Access
The Brickworks Design Studio, built in 2015, will be open for general access on Brisbane Open House day. The building houses a broad selection of building materials from clay bricks, blocks and stones, to timbers and cladding, to concrete and clay tiles.
The building is an inspiring piece of work that marries aesthetics with function and form. The studio incorporates state-of-the-art technology in its spaces to create flexible yet comfortable zones for designers, architects and builders.
Vee Design Studio
Photo credit: brisbaneopenhouse.com.au
Address:
109 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley
Date:
Sunday 8 October 2017
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
General Access and Guided Tours Available
Once a flour mill and a World War II base, the Vee Design Studio has been transformed into offices and bars. The ground floor serves as office space to landscape architectural firm, Vee Design.
More than 250 animals will have a chance to find their forever homes at this year’s Big Adopt Out.
The event, which will be on Saturday 16 September 2017 at The Marquee, Brisbane Showgrounds, will be a grand gathering of all the top animal rescue groups and welfare organisations.
The annual event is free of charge and is focused on finding homes for displaced and rescued animals from more than 30 shelters. Most of the rescue groups will be showcasing the dogs and cats for adoption. However, some groups will provide the best information on the animals available for adoption.
Photo credit: www.bigadoptout.com.au
Event Details
What:
Big Adopt Out
When:
Saturday 16 September 2017
Where:
The Marquee, Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
Cost:
FREE
Aside from the adoption pavilions, there will be heaps of food stalls at the venue. Attendees can also take advantage of professional veterinary advice and browse through various pet products to help them start right with their new family member.
Extending Lifeline
The Big Adopt Out event intends to provide a lifeline to a wide variety of cats and dogs looking to find a loving home. In return, new owners can get the love and joy that these animals can offer.
Organisers will set up a Dog Pavilion and a Cat Pavilion where prospective owners can find the perfect match for them. Attendees can find different types of breeds, from small to large breeds.
Photo credit: www.bigadoptout.com.au
People looking to adopt can bring their own dog from home to introduce to the new dog. The organisers can do a meet-and-greet with the dog they want to adopt. Dogs from home are not allowed to enter the event area, but they can stay at the Paws and Relax area located at the entrance.
Cats are not allowed in the event area. However, the adoption team can provide advice on how to introduce the newly adopted pet to the home cat.
Adoption prices range from $150 to $1,200. The price includes the amount spent for updated vaccination, flea and worm treatments, desexing and microchipping.
With the latest revision of the development application for California Lane in Fortitude Valley, the developer, AMC Developments, intends to inject some Californian style to the space.
California Lane is the third laneway to be redeveloped as part of the move to rejuvenate the laneway culture in Fortitude Valley. The first one was Winn Lane, which was successfully transformed into a haven for creative artisans, fashion designers and foodies. Next on the list of Valley laneway redevelopment is Bakery Lane, which will be a mix of cafes, restaurants, office and apartments.
A fourth laneway to be redeveloped is the Warner Lane, which will feature a new restaurant and bar at 702 Ann Street. All the small laneways will be connected once the fifth laneway, called Lucky’s Lane, is developed.
(Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)
Californian Treatment
AMC Developments, which also lodged the redevelopment proposal for Bakery Lane, submitted minor revisions to the California Lane development application in response to the conditional approval given by the Brisbane City Council.
(Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)
The council asked the developer to reconfigure the layout of the plan and reduce the number of tenancies from 11 to seven new tenancies. Also conditional to the approval was the addition of outdoor seating and dining areas as well as retractable awning for outdoor dining
The revision submitted not only complied with the conditions by the council, but also espoused a Californian feel in its architectural style. Design renders show Phoenix palms adding a posh Californian touch to the proposed retail precinct.
(Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)
Designed by Guymer Bailey Architects, California Lane will provide a beautifully designed connection between Ann Street and McLachlan Street.
Find out more about the California Lane (DA A004713610).
The state government announced that it will be setting aside $3 million for the maintenance of the heritage-listed building. But to completely restore the museum, at least $60 million is needed.
To generate the needed funds, the government will create a fundraising body, which will be chaired by Chris Freeman AM. Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey has agreed to be the patron of the fundraising body.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the task will be a challenge worthy of the talents of the governor and Mr Freeman. She also stated that the restoration is an important bridge to connect Queensland’s history and its future.
“The Old Museum will continue to be owned by Queenslanders but will form part of the precinct, for use by the RNA, during the EKKA each year,” she said.
Significance of the Museum
The Old Museum was built in 1891 for the Queensland National Agricultural and Industrial Association. It was formerly called the Exhibition Building and Concert Hall. The state government took over the building in 1897.
Photo credit: oldmuseum.org
The building’s concert hall became the main venue for concerts in Brisbane. The concert hall was later transformed into the Queensland Art Gallery before the museum collection was moved to South Bank.
In 1992, the Old Museum was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. It is one of the most important works of G H M Addison and is considered as one of the most substantial works of the building boom in the late 19th century in Brisbane.
Brisbane is proudly a diverse mix of cultures and each community gets to showcase their colourful cuisine and culture. This 2nd Saturday of August, it will be the South Korean’s turn to celebrate everything Korean at the 2017 Korean Cultural Festival.
The festive event will feature traditional and contemporary culture at the heart of Brisbane. Attendees will get a fill of delicious Korean food and witness traditional Korean performances, Taekwondo demonstration, modern K-pop music and dance, children’s activities, workshops and so much more.
Everyone is invited to join in this fun event that is free of charge and suitable for all members of the family.
Event Details:
What:
Korean Cultural Festival 2017
When:
Saturday, 12 August 2017
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where:
King George Square
Adelaide St, Brisbane City
Cost:
FREE
Photo credit: www.ksqld.org
Last year’s Korean Festival attracted more than 50,000 people, and this year promises to be just as exciting. The venue will be lined with a top selection of Korean food stalls to give everyone a taste of authentic and unique Korean cuisine.
Throughout the day, there will be entertainment, including performances from K-pop acts AO Crew and P4pero.
Bored with your usual weekend routine? Find yourself flying solo this weekend and unsure of what to do, or where to go? Done with chores and have too much energy left to just stay home? Need cheering up? Or simply looking for something (anything!) new and exciting to do?
Here are four ways to have an unforgettable weekend at Fortitude Valley that is guaranteed to get you out. Out of your usual humdrum weekend routine, out of the doldrums, or just plain out and about.
FRIDAY: GO TO THE PROM!
Spend Friday night at Barbara and enjoy a nostalgia-filled Prom Night. SWOP Clothing Exchange, in its first-ever team-up with the popular Fortitude Valley bar, is inviting everyone to come in their best prom outfit. This is the perfect time for slow dancing with your date, or getting your groove on to the beat of your favorite dance hits. If you miss your prom days, or if you’ve missed going to the prom at all, this is your chance to try for that Prom King or Queen crown. SWOP, a West End store that specialises in recycled clothing, is offering a 15% discount to those who want to check out their merchandise in hopes of finding that perfect prom outfit. Friday-night/date-night has never looked so “prom”-mising!
Prom Night starts at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, 7th April at Barbara, on Warner St. Details here.
SATURDAY: FEAST YOUR EYES ON ART!
Spend your day immersed in the Valley’s cultural scene. Have an early breakfast at Harvey’s, widely considered as a breakfast institution along James St. What better way to get your “art day” started than to go to this place where they have elevated brekky-cooking to a fine art. Try their ricotta-buttermilk pancakes with honeycomb butter and caramelized banana, for some carbohydrate-fueled energy to jumpstart your day.
To avoid visual overload, head for a quieter spot for a late lunch. Try King Arthur. Tucked away on Arthur St, just off busy James St., this two-level café has fun and edgy dishes that push culinary boundaries. Their “all-day breakfast menu” is really also perfect for a light lunch. Try their slow-cooked lamb salad, their yummy steak sandwich, or their avocado on grain with some of their chai chia pudding.
Street Art in the Valley (Photo from richardslaughter.com.au)
What if art galleries are not your thing? If your taste in art is notably more pedestrian, book a three-hour street art tour with the Brisbane Greeters. Explore the different colorful murals and street art installations in the Valley, and find out about the stories of the people behind them.
SUNDAY: LOOK AT THE BRIGHTSIDE!
Start your Sunday with an open mind. Join Lululemon’s free yoga class in James St. at 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m., and greet the day with a relaxed body and refreshed spirit.
If the downward facing dog isn’t really your style and you’re just not the type to get up early on a Sunday morning, there’s a different kind of dog (event) in town.
The Brightside is hosting Bark & Brews on Warner St. at 2:00 p.m. for Fortitude Valley’s lucky pooches and their proud “paw-rents”. As the event name implies, this event largely centers around dogs and beer. Bring your furry little partner and take fun photos for free in the doggie photo booth. Wear matching outfits and join the “Pooch and Owner Lookalike Competition”. Prizes await the lucky winners, bragging rights included. Have loads of fun with your pet; ice-cold beer in hand, of course. It is, after all, called “Bark & Brews”.
Doughnut Time’s original window on Alfred St. Photo from Visit Brisbane
End your day with some takeaway from Doughnut Time. Although this donut shop has grown to a veritable chain of stores all over Australia, their iconic, original window on Alfred St. is still open. Have some to bring home, before you call it a day.
Going to the prom, imbibing the local culture, getting some yoga in and some of Fortitude Valley’s famed café cuisine, plus quality time with your pooch. Oh, and let’s not forget the beer. Most definitely a weekend to remember! Mission accomplished.
