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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

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  • 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.

 

Common Ground in Negotiations to Secure its Second Site in Fortitude Valley

Following the success of its residential development in South Brisbane, Common Ground is now looking to expand in Fortitude Valley.

The company is currently in negotiations to secure its second site in a prime location in Fortitude Valley.

Common Ground is driven to end homelessness in areas where they operate with the help of Supportive Housing solutions. This is made possible through their effective community, public, and private partnerships.

Photo credit: www.commongroundqld.org.au

To support Common Ground’s social housing project, the Queensland Government invested $1.8 billion on 12 June 2017 to help increase the number of affordable and social housing that they offer.

Common Ground has proven that their Supportive Housing model truly works. Based at 15 Hope Street, South Brisbane, Brisbane Common Ground’s successful Supportive Housing is currently home to more than 140 formerly homeless and low-income tenants.

Their success helped in improving the community’s quality of life while saving the Queensland Government $13,100 a year for every formerly homeless person who resides there.

The exterior of the former Prince George Hotel at 14 East 28th Street, Manhattan, New York City, now one of the housing facilities of Common Ground
Photo credit: Beyond My Ken/Wikimedia Commons

The Common Ground Supportive Housing model originated in New York City over 20 years ago. With the model’s proven success in ending homelessness, six Australian States and Territories now have at least one Common Ground development.

For Common Ground Queensland, Brisbane Common Ground is its first supportive housing initiative. They have adapted and used the principles of the New York City Common Ground model to implement a specialised Supportive Housing property and tenancy management approach at Brisbane Common Ground.

While the site for the Fortitude Valley site is still under negotiations, Common Grounds is also set to work with a wide range of corporate and government organisations this 2018 to encourage workplace giving which will help in raising funds to help people who had been homeless have a productive future.

For The Older Folks: Apia Young At Heart’s Seniors Film Festival In Fortitude Valley

The Apia Young At Heart – Seniors Film Festival is back for its 13th edition and this year, catch quality flicks from yesteryears at the Palace Centro in Fortitude Valley.

The festival, which is the country’s only film festival for seniors, kicked off on 2 April in Adelaide. In the Valley, it will run from 17-25 April.

The festival will kick off in each city with a grand opening afternoon tea with the movie The Bookshop, which is a film adaptation by Penelope Fitzgerald. The opening will start at 3:00 p.m. here in the Valley.

This year’s movie-line-up includes the following:

Get your tickets here.

Youth Week In Fortitude Valley: Learn, Dance, Create!

Enjoy this year’s Brisbane Youth Week from 6-15 April across the city. In Fortitude Valley, you are in for a lot of activities.

Visible Ink will be hosting a number of free workshops for the youth. This is a Brisbane City Council program targeted at young people aged 12-25.

Bloom Live Music Festival

A free live music festival for everyone happening from 6-15 April, the Music Industry College will entertain you with good music at various locations around the suburb.

For the full schedule and locations, click here. 

French Knitting Communal Weave

When: 9-15 April / 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Learn how to french knit and create colourful pieces on your own.

No bookings required, just walk-in!

Maker Space: Arts Hub

When: 9 – 12 April / 12:00 p.m.

Try your hand at drawing, sticker design, badge making, and painting. There will also be activities that will let you make your leather key rims and t-shirt tote bags.

Paint Your Own Pot and Succulent Cutting Party

When: 9 April / 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

This workshop is hosted by Chloe and the Paper Pots where you can decorate your own pre-made paper mâché indoor pot and take it home with you. You also get to choose the plant of your choice.

You can also join the succulent cutting party.

Daggy Dancing

When: 9 April/ 11 April / 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Get down and boogie! This class will involve a lot of stretching, guided freestyle dancing and aerobics. Think of it as a fun exercise!

Yoga To Your Favourite Tracks From the 2000’s

When: 10 April / 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Ideal for beginners, do yoga to your favourite 2000’s soundtrack.

Back to the 80’s Yoga

When: 11 April / 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This class will be all about the 80’s soundtrack whilst you do yoga poses.

Love Food Hate Waste

When: 11 April / 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Visible Ink

This class will focus on ways to reduce food waste and cut prices on your grocery bills. It will also teach young people to shop and eat more efficiently.

Learn how to make a vertical garden using recycled pallets. Finish the afternoon with a compost free workshop.

Afternoon tea will be provided.

Hackathon

When: 12 April / 9:00 a.m.
Where: Visible Ink

This program will teach the youth the basics of social enterprise and start-up businesses. They will learn about the concepts of business modelling and many more. They also get a chance to pitch their own ideas!

Email visibleinkvalley@brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 0136 for bookings.

Visible Ink Takeover The Pod

When: 12 April / 13 April / 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Brunswick Street Mall

Catch Brisbane’s emerging musicians:

  • Jamie-Lee Griffiths
  • Hallie Tait
  • Nathan MT
  • Acoustic
  • Lucy Dron
  • Jalapeño Business

On 13 April, catch these talented musicians:

  • Zebra
  • Pivotex
  • Marco Ghikas
  • Evano
  • Hope D
  • Bailey Rivera
  • Lucy Dron

Silent Disco

When: 12 April / 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Brunswick Street Mall

Experience music and dance the unique way – to your own beat!

Spooky Yoga

When: 13 April / 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Visible Ink

Perfect for Friday the 13th, get your spook on and do some stretches!

KISVIS Horror Edition

When: 13 April / 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Visible Ink

Collaborate with other artists, this is the perfect place to meet like-minded people. Get involved in writing workshops, music jams, and free food!

Brunch With Glo

When: 14 April / 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Visible Ink

Support the GLO young women and listen to their ideas on how to solve social issues within their local communities.

Global Sisters is a national not for profit that focuses on empowering young women from refugee and migrant backgrounds to become entrepreneurs.

Suitcase Rummage

When: 14 April / 12:00 p.m.
Where: Brunswick Street Mall

Bring a suitcase or two and fill it with your own goods and treats. Bring it over to the Brunswick Street Mall and sell them. Or you can come to shop!

A Good Ol’ Clothes Swap

When: 15 April / 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Visible Ink

Clean out your closet and swap with others. You can also learn how to mend your old clothes or make your own t-shirt tote bag using your old items. Bring a maximum of ten items to swap.

Bookings are required. Email visibleinkvalley@brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 0136.

80s Inspired Bar Set To Open In Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley is set to welcome a new bar that will be filled with 80s vibe.

Called Blute’s Bar, the new venue will open in the Brunswick Street Mall underneath Black Bear. The owners are targeting to open the bar in mid-April 2018.

Jesse Barbera, one of the owners of The Brightside and Black Bear Lodge, named the new bar after his friend for more than 30 years, Jon Blute. The two grew up together in the United States before Mr Barbera moved to Brissy to open a number of live-music venues with business partners.

Blute stayed behind and pursued a career in a law firm. Back in the days, the two always dreamt of starting their own bar and now, that dream is in the works and slowly turning into reality.

The bar will take inspiration from classic Australian pubs of the 1980s, complete with exposed brick walls, tiles, and Australian hardwood. A deck area and a beer garden will also be made.

They will offer 14 beer taps and an extensive wine list.

The 350-seat bar will also showcase their personal stuff such as their portraits and other replicas they currently have in their homes.

Food will also be available and brunch every weekend is included in the plan.

Sip Wine and Paint at Brush & Barrel in Fortitude Valley

Unleash the Van Gogh in you at Brush and Barrel in Fortitude Valley.

The art studio allows participants to paint whilst having a glass of red. In fact, they encourage participants to come in early to mingle with fellow painters, grab a bottle and unwind before the start of the painting session.

Whether you’re a newbie or you are confident you can paint like a virtuoso, this is one of those places that can help you de-stress and discover your creative side.

Studio for Everyone

This intimate art studio brings painting to the next level.

Mind the brush strokes whilst you sip a glass of red. Or if you’re up for more, why not get a cheeseboard to accompany your vino.

Brush & Barrel is a “studio for everyone,” encouraging everybody to try their luck on art because it’s good for the mind, body and soul. It was established by Jimmy Truong and Matthew Dewacht following their experience at a friend’s birthday party at a painting studio where they were served liquor. Now, they have two locations, one in Brisbane and another one in the Gold Coast.

Interested to sip and paint? All you have to do is book your session of choice. Each session has a featured theme and runs for two hours. The studio provides all the painting tools. A social painting instructor will be there to guide you through the process, so there’s no need to be afraid if you have no experience in painting.

You can book here.

Address: Shop 12, 421 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley Streets to Come Alive as Artists Converge for Brisbane Street Art Festival 2018

The 3rd Annual Brisbane Street Art Festival (BSAF) has been announced and Fortitude Valley will be at the centre of many of the events that will happen throughout the festival.

Brisbane Street Art Festival 2018 will run from 31 March up to 15 April. Brisbane’s walls will be put to life with live mural creations by more than 50 local and international artists. Live murals will happen in Brisbane CBD as well as in South Brisbane, Spring Hills, Paddington, and Annerley.

Aside from Australian artists, there will be seven international artists who will be showcasing their work in Brisbane. Six of those international artists will be doing their first Australian work in Brisbane.

Launch Party

To kick-start the event, a Launch Party will be held at Ric’s Backyard on Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley on Sunday 1 April from 5:00 p.m. until midnight.

The free event will see performances by The Gametes, YELLOWCATREDCAT, and Feelsclub.

Scribble Slam

Live art battle Scribble Slam is making a return on Sunday 1 April in Fortitude Valley. Hong Kong-based artist Bao Ho and EJ Zyla will battle it out in 90 minutes, working on a 2.4m x 2.4m wall.

Scribble Slam has been running monthly for three years and used to be held at Kerbside Bar. This time around, it will be at Ric’s Backyard on Brunswick Street.

Live Murals

Many of the live murals will happen in different parts of Fortitude Valley. Head over to these locations to witness the exciting mural creations in the suburb.

The Tivoli, 52 Costin Street

Fuzeillear, known for artworks that bring calmness and stillness, will be taking her artistry at The Tivoli Theatre on 52 Costin Street.

Viewing Time:
Sunday 1 April, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

251 Wickham Street/49 Warner Street

Photo credit: bsafest.com.au

Several local and international artists will be painting the walls on 251 Wickham Street on Sunday 1 April. Artist line-up includes ASIO, Leah Falcocchio, Mandy Schöne-Salter, Rosie Woods, Sarge Jhorgenson, Sirmano, Xandolino, Julia Townsend, TBC, Kenji Chai, EJ Zyla and Benny Pierce.

Viewing Time:
Sunday 1 April, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Rail Bridge, 89-101 Gipps Street

Photo credit: bsafest.com.au

Indonesian artist Tuyuloveme will be bringing his street artistry to Gipps Street. Catch his live mural on Sunday 1 April.

Viewing Time:
Sunday 1 April, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Ric’s Backyard, 321 Brunswick Street

In the evening, Gus Eagleton and Drapl & Treazy will be doing live murals at Ric’s Backyard.

Viewing Time:
Sunday 1 April, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Sabotage Social, 143 Wickham Street

Sydney-based illustrator Sindy Sinn will be at Sabotage Social to bring his bold rad artwork to Fortitude Valley.

Viewing Time:
Sunday 1 April, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

BSAF 2018 events will be scattered around Brisbane and will also include workshops and exhibitions.

See the full list of BSAF 2018 events.

Visit the BSAF website for more details.

Fortitude Valley’s New Globe Theatre Faces Final Curtain, but There May be Hope of Saving It

New Globe Theatre in Fortitude Valley has announced that it will close for good at the end of April 2018.

The organisers shared the sad news on Facebook earlier this month, after extensive discussion with stakeholders of the live music venue.

The announcement came as a shock to many who had fun memories of the music and arts venue. Known for presenting live music, cult films, burlesque, slam poetry, musical theatre and drag shows, New Globe Theatre prides itself on supporting local live music and arts.

Despite the impending closure, the venue remains committed to all the shows that have been booked up until the end of April.

Fund Raising

Hope may not be completely lost for the live music and arts venue as supporters are finding ways to save it.

One move is a GoFundMe campaign called “Save The Valley’s #1 Arts Venue,” spearheaded by Aurora Storm Baxter. The campaign is not intended to save the New Globe Theatre per se, but to fund a new venture that will keep the spirit and vibe of the beloved local venue.

Funds will go to licensing, equipment and stock and basically securing the lease for a rebranded venue. The campaign aims to raise $50,000, but in case the goal is not reached, all money plus fees and charges will be refunded to the donors.

Ms Baxter is also doing fundraising shows until April to help refurb and re-open the venue after closing.

See the GoFundMe campaign here.

Fortitude Valley to Hold First-Ever Gin Festival

Bakery Lane in Fortitude Valley seems to recognise Brisbane’s love for gin, enough for it to hold the first-ever Gin Sanity Festival in Brisbane on Saturday 17 February 2018.

Photo credit: www.thebotanist.com

On the day, Bakery Lane will become a haven for gin lovers as it features the best Australian and international gins.

Sipsmith Distillery, Whitley Neill, Archie Rose and The Botanist are just some of the gin crafters that will be at the event.

Each distiller will be making a classic G&T as well as its signature cocktail.

Event Details

What:Gin Sanity Festival
When:Saturday 17 February 2018
2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where:Bakery Lane
690 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Tickets:$15

Buy Now

 

Some of the best bands in Brisbane will provide music to liven up the late summer party. Tickets to the festival will include a free drink upon entry.

Photo credit: sipsmith.com

The festival is made possible through a collaboration of Moubment Group and Toowoomba’s Cooreuosity Group. Moubment’s The APO and Laruache on Ann Street will be hosting the event.

Find out more about the event.

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