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Parma for a Farmer: A Relief Campaign for Drought-Stricken Farmers

As farmers are still reeling from the effects of what is called the “worst drought in living memory”,  pubs and clubs across Australia are heeding their call for help through the Parma for a Farmer campaign.

Amanda Kinross, an English expatriate who with her Australian husband moved to Australia 25 years ago, came up with the idea for a fund-drive that she called “Parma for a Farmer”.

Whilst reading and watching news coverage of the drought, Ms Kinross was moved by the image of a farmer who had to put down his starving livestock yet could not even afford bullets.

Photo credit: PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay

Ms Kinross launched the campaign through the “Parma for a Farmer” Facebook page and was quickly picked up by a local radio station. The initiative has since caught the attention and support of dozens of venues across Australia.

Read:  Common Ground in Negotiations to Secure Its Second Site in Fortitude Valley

The Australian Hotels Association has also expressed their support for the fund drive calling pubs nationwide to jump on board as well. The “Parma for a Farmer” campaign will have registered pubs and clubs donate to the ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, one dollar for every chicken parmigiana that they sell.

Photo credit: Jodie Matthey‎/Facebook

So, what happens to your donations? The funds collected will be used to buy hay that will be shipped to the affected farmers to feed their livestock.

Here is a breakdown of your donation in action:

  • $20 buys a small bale of hay and helps transport it to the affected areas
  • $60 buys 3 x $20 gift cards to help put food on the table
  • $100 buys a large bale of hay
  • $500 buys 5 large bales of hay
  • $1000 buys 10 large bales of hay
  • $5700 buys a single-trailer load of hay
  • $9500 buys a semi-trailer load of hay and transport it to an affected area. (up to 900 km)

For venues who would like to get involved with this campaign, you may check out the Buy A Bale webpage, The Parma for a Farmer Facebook page, or email parmaforafarmer@gmail.com.

Valley Fiesta Returns to Fortitude Valley

Valley Fiesta, Brisbane’s biggest street party, returns to Fortitude Valley with an event-filled five-day stretch that promises to deliver a diverse line-up of music, theatre, and cultural events put on by more than 500 performers.

The 22nd edition of Fortitude Valley’s flagship festival offers extended days of live entertainment from Wednesday, 29 August to Sunday, 2 September 2018.


Credit: Brisbane City Council/YouTube

Fortitude Valley is already known for having excellent venues for great food and parties. For this event, the streets, malls, and laneways of the Valley will be packed with live music,  theatre and arts performances, art installations, and so much more.

Read: A Tropical Retreat: X-Cargo Is Opening In Fortitude Valley

According to Lord Mayor Graham Quirk , Brisbane City Council’s revamped Valley Fiesta expects to welcome up to 65,000 fans to 48 local venues for the festivities.

“Council is committed to creating more to see and do, and with critically-acclaimed shows, larger-than-life projections, flashmobs, laneway parties and inflatable art installations, the new-look Valley Fiesta is set to be one of the stand-out events on this year’s cultural calendar,” Cr Quirk said.

“Valley Fiesta will once again provide a fantastic platform for Brisbane’s emerging creative talent, with Le Coup Cabaret nightly headline shows as well as live sets from Thelma Plum, Seaside, Sweater Curse and local favourites The Steele Syndicate, Gabriella Cohen and The Jensens,” he added.

Photo credit: Valley Fiesta/Facebook

The 2018 program includes a variety of live entertainment such as live music, performance, food, workshops, and visual arts across three laneways and different venues. Highlights include the Brunswick Street Mall Main Ring, which will host free entertainment daily including Le Coup Cabaret, a high-flying performance by Brisbane’s own contemporary circus troupe Company 2.

Photo credit: Valley Fiesta/Facebook

Since its first launch in 1997, Valley Fiesta has been showcasing the best of Brisbane’s music and arts scene by providing a platform for the city’s emerging musical and creative talent.

Most events in the Valley Fiesta are free but some require pre-booking or tickets. Check out the complete line-up of events to see individual event listings. For more information about the event, you may visit the FAQ page of the official Valley Fiesta website.

Valley Fiesta is just one of more than 50,000 festivals, events, and markets that the BCC helps to deliver each year as part of their commitment to creating more leisure and lifestyle opportunities in Brisbane. More lifestyle precincts are about to make waves in the city this year with several venues set to open in the coming months.

Read: Felons Brewing Co to Open 1000-Square Metre Brewery and Gastropub at Howard Smith Wharves in October

 

Three Sundays Of Vegan Ramen Goodness At The Coop In Fortitude Valley

Heads up, vegans!

On 19 August, make sure that you grab the chance to eat a delicious and vegan bowl of ramen by i like ramen in partnership with The Coop Bistro in Fortitude Valley.

The good news? There will be three Sundays when you can enjoy good vegan ramen. Mark the dates:

  • 19 August
  • 26 August
  • 2 September

They will be open for both lunch and dinner.

What To Expect

Enjoy bone-free broths such as white miso and spicy kimchi topped with all the vegan stuff that you can think of from bob chow to roasted tomatoes.

There will also be side dishes such as the sour cream & onion seasoned panko-crumbed mushrooms served with a tangy Asian slaw in a soft roll.

Why don’t you pair your ramen with a delicious glass of wine? There will be a specially curated list of natural wines that you can choose from.

This is the first time The Coop will open its doors on a Sunday for over a year.

Only walk-ins will be accepted for this event. However, large groups with eight or more persons are encouraged to email hello@thecoopbistro.com.au for seating arrangements.

Address: The Coop, 388 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD

El’Rosa Gives James Street a Rosier View

Thinking of the perfect place for your next event, or perhaps, a new place to hang out whilst you have a cup of coffee? The new El’Rosa by Arc + Family on James Street in Fortitude Valley will surely brighten your day and help you get into the pink of things.

Husband and wife Ash and Ben Keily, who both design and sell pots, are the two geniuses behind Arc + Family. All the work used to happen in their home studio in Morningside until they finally decided to open their own showroom plus its newest addition, the events & cafe place that now seems to be the talk of town.

With its generous splashes of pink, the place would be hard to miss. Located in the courtyard behind Arc + Family, the venue can host events, bridal showers, engagements, and all other private parties.

Photo credit: El’Rosa / Facebook

Pink has always been the colour of choice for Ms Keily, a former make-up artist and self-confessed fan of the shade. Choosing pink as the anchor for the place’s colour palette, and even its name, was a no-brainer. The idea is to make El’Rosa the place for pink, pots, picks (cactus), and plants in the city.

When it is not being used for a private event, it is open to the public. Everyone is welcome from Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 a.m. — the whimsical, airy ambience and steaming cup of delicious coffee make for a great afternoon off from your daily bustle.

Following their successful launch in June, El’Rosa has become a place to see, be seen, and yes, the place to be if you want some interesting snaps for your ‘gram. Insta-worthy, indeed, as regulars would attest.

Address: 85 James St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia

A Tropical Retreat: X-Cargo Is Opening In Fortitude Valley

After months of waiting, locals will soon witness the much-anticipated opening of the latest food and party destination in the Valley. Mark the date: 28 July 2018.

The Social Hub X Cargo on McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley will welcome you to a tropical paradise. Boasting of summer-y vibe enhanced by tropical terraces, the multi-functional space will offer a number of bars and dining areas.

Expect a dedicated area for all of your local food truck favourites at the site’s very own food truck alley. With a stack of shipping containers acting as the venue’s pièce de résistance, your morning coffee runs and night catch-up with friends will become more relaxed and fun.

Not only will X Cargo cater to anything that you can put in your mouth, it is also set to bring entertainment such as an outdoor cinema and boutique events.

On the ground, you will feel welcome at their main beer garden, The Lawn, which features a 40-foot bar and entertainment area. The Eats Alley will also be on the same area. Their kitchen, cafe space, and the Palm Lounge can be found need the street front.

The upper levels will feature the shipping containers converted into something that mimics a house booth with seats, high tables, and lounge areas with wonderful views.

The Lookout will also provide you with views of the McLachlan Street Strip and The Lawn, whilst The Flamingo Lounge will overlook the Eats Alley.

The kitchen will be headed by the former chef of The Meat & Wine Co in Melbourne, Peter Popow. The food will focus on American cuisine mixed with Cuban flavours. The cafe will open early for your morning coffee and a selection of tasteful pastries. Of course, there will be a dine-in option.

The bars will keep the drinks flowing with a wide selection of liquor, from beers, to wines, and to tap cocktails.

X Cargo will be the first of its kind in the city.

Universal Field Robots in Fortitude Valley Develops Autonomous Robotic Avocado Picker

Fortitude Valley’s Universal Field Robots is currently developing a robotic machinery that could possibly be a game-changing technology in agriculture.

Jeff Sterling, the founder of Universal Field Robots, was particularly interested in developing robots that can work in an outdoor setting as the use of autonomous machines in factories increased.

Photo credit: Twitter/Universal Field Robots‏

The company’s first project is a robotic avocado picker capable of identifying ripe fruits and can harvest avocados as fast as manual picking. The selling factor of this autonomous robot is its ability to operate 24 hours a day without the added costs in labour.

The Universal Field Robots team exhibited their autonomous robots in the recently concluded International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) which happened in 21-25 May 2018.


Credit: Intech Engineers/Youtube

Not only that, their website proudly announces that they are “…already working with avocado farmers to define the needs for the product in this space. Industry applications include: weed control, pruning, fruit picking and mowing.”

The robotic development is not commercially available yet but Mr Sterling was confident that their product will soon be available on a commercial level.

Apart from their horticultural devices, Universal Field Robots’ innovative solutions also cater to the forestry, construction, mining, and solar farm supports. For more information visit their official website or follow them on Twitter for updates on their latest innovations.

Felons Brewing Co to Open 1000-Square Metre Brewery and Gastropub at Howard Smith Wharves in November

Felons Brewing Co is one of the latest additions to the list of bars and restaurants that will open at the Howard Smith Wharves.

Read: Howard Smith Wharves Reveals Bars and Restaurants Signing on

The new 1000-square metre brewery and gastropub will have 500 seats and is brewing up to be the anchor tenant of the retail and lifestyle precinct.

Photo credit: howardsmithwharves.com

Felons Brewing Co is set to become Brisbane’s first riverside brewery and will start serving their fresh brews under the Story Bridge in the Howard Smith Wharves in November 2018.

Named after the four felons who, in 1823, were the first Europeans to discover the Brisbane river, the giant brewery is inspired to carry on their spirit of freedom and discovery as they passionately brew beer for the people of Brisbane and beyond.

Photo credit: howardsmithwharves.com

The Howard Smith Wharves is set to open in late 2018. With a promising line-up of food and drinks venues, the precinct is sure to become one of Brisbane’s most exciting riverside event space.

For more information and updates on Felons Brewing Co, you may visit their website.

To learn more about the Howard Smith Wharves, check out their official site.

World Gin Day On Ann Street In Fortitude Valley

Celebrate World Gin Day in Fortitude Valley on 9 June. This day is dedicated to everything gin so you might want to head on over to these places and get a glass (or two!) of one of the broadest categories of spirits in the whole world.

The Osbourne Hotel

Enjoy a long lunch starting at 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at this hotel to celebrate this day. If you’re looking for an intimate kind of way to celebrate it paired with a full meal, this is a great spot for you.

The menu consists of a four-course degustation by the Head Chef, Ben King. Most importantly, there will be a variety of gin available from Australia, to English, to United States, to Sweden.

Ticket costs $79 each. Book it here.

Address: 766 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

The APO

The APO will also be participating by holding a FREE event from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You’ll get to partake in masterclasses and demos. This is the perfect place to learn and immerse yourself in the wonders of gin.

A select range of Australian and international gins will be featured during the event. Each brand will be making a classic G&T plus a signature cocktail of their choice.

All you have to do is register here.

Address: 690 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

International Cake Show Australia 2018 in Bowen Hills: A Sweet 3-Day Event

Immerse yourself in all things cake! From cake art, decorators, to food personalities, this is going to be a sweet and buzzing three-day event!

The International Cake Show Australia is coming to Brisbane on 18-20 May at the Brisbane Showgrounds Exhibition Building in Bowen Hills. It will begin at 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice!

The ICSA weekend will feature celebrity cake artists, chefs, bakers, and chocolatiers.

There will be a live cake-off, which will be televised, that will feature six of the world’s famous cake artists: Paul Bradford, Dorothy Klerck, Timbo Sullivan, Verusca Walker, Margie Carter, Paul Delaney, and Karen Portaleo.

There will also be live cake and chocolate sculpting shows.

Also, there will be over 70 demonstrations distributed to four demonstration stages at the event, with something new happening every hour.

Participants can also join mini classes such as the “Create, Make & Take” cake and cookie decorating.

As if that’s not enough, there will be over 80 pop-up shops offering various pastry-related products to browse through.

Photo credit: Must Do Brisbane

For brides-to-be, there is a Haute Couture Zone featuring different wedding cakes and decorations. Need ideas for the big day! This is definitely the place to be.

Cake Artists In Brisbane:

Watch out for these locals who are renowned for their awesome cake-making skills:

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Pleasure to meet you @backstreetbrisbane – and for the record, I love your blue butterfly 🦋😊 #Repost @backstreetbrisbane with @get_repost ・・・ Earlier in the week I was lucky to attend A Sweet Meet with @sugar_art_by_zoe_byres – check out the link in my bio to see more of Zoe's amazing creations, and my attempt at fondant painting! 🍰 🎨 You can see Zoe's work or take a class with her at the upcoming @internationalcakeshowaustralia (which you can also read about on the blog!). . Hope you're having a sweet weekend! 😀🍰❤. . . . . #backstreetbrisbane #brisbane #eatonshill #lollipopcakesupplies #cakedesign #cakedecoration #fondant #fondantcake #fondantpainting #cakepainting #acada #internationalcakeshowaustralia #brisbanebusiness #brisbanecreatives #brisbanecakes #brisbaneevents

A post shared by Zoe Byres (@zoebyres) on

Photo credit: Sweet Ruby Cakes / Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiLl635AO8B/?igref=ogexp&utm_source=fb_www_attr

  • Shayne Greenman

Cake Artists in Sydney:

Take a cake and eat it, too and see how these Sydney cake artists create magnificent cakes out of flour and eggs.

Cake Artists From Around The World:

Some of the cake geniuses are flying in from all over the world to participate at this 3-day event also!

Click here to get your tickets.

Address: 600 Gregory Terrace

Fortitude Valley Stages First Ever Fully-Interactive Comedy Game, The Great Debate

You’re Joking  is back at The Flying Cock on Thursday, 17 May 2018 with a hilarious new game called The Great Debate.

Photo credit: Facebook/You’re Joking‎

Following three successful events that left its audience laughing out loud, You’re Joking returns to one of Fortitude Valley’s most beloved watering holes for a night filled with laughter. National and homegrown comedians are set to entertain the audience with the funniest acts in town.

Don’t miss the chance to be a part of the first ever fully-interactive comedy game called The Great Debate. The game lets audience members get on the stage to a battle of wits, debating on unconventional topics. Check out the video below to see how it works.


Credit: Adam Hunter/YouTube

Following the debate, Aaron Pratt is set to deliver his headline act. He is known for his offbeat slow and easy delivery style of joke telling that has brought him to several stages nationwide. One of his recent performances is opening for Fiona O’Laughlin, Heath Franklin’s ‘Chopper’, and Kevin Tate (America).

Photo credit: Facebook/Aaron Pratt Comedy

Aaron will grace the stage with the tales of his childhood, observations on the hilarious topic of cultural stereotypes, and what it’s like to literally live in Mordor. It will certainly be a great night with lots of knee slap laughs.

Doors and sign-ups open at 6:00 p.m. with The Great Debate starting at 6:45 p.m. prior to the stage acts.
Marcus Thorpe will be the night’s MC. Performances start at 7:00 p.m. so make sure to get in early.