The Venue Zone Blog

Metro Arts is top of mind when staff at any Brisbane Conference Venue are asked about favourite outings in their city. Metro Arts offers a unique platform to independent artists through mentoring, production support and critical engagement. The nuturing environment encourages experimentation and exploration of all aspects of the arts resulting in a thrilling and rarely predictable foray into the extraordinary world of creativity.

Located in the Brisbane CBD, with extra space in Norman Park, Metro Arts is a thriving cultural hub which comprises a large gallery and three performance venues in addition to 45 Artist studios/workspaces and 4 rehearsal rooms.

Metro Arts are excited about presenting their ambitious 2013 program. Each of the 6 ‘Works in Residence’ this year are teeming with activity that is sure to entertain, educate or inform, with brave and rigorous new ideas for performance works being explored.

‘Works in Residence’

• LIESEL ZINK & ROHAN KAPITHANY / THE PSYCHOLOGY PROJECT: LOVE
• MARGI BROWN ASH / MAN IN QUOTATION MARKS
• ALICIA JONES / PERFORMING DETENTION
• GENEVIEVE TRACE / AURELIAN
• THE ESCAPISTS / SUBURBIA
• STEPHEN CARLETON, SANDRO COLARELLI, DAVID FENTON, JOHN RODGERS / MADAME CARANDINI’S TRAVELLING MUSICAL CURIOSITY SHOW

For further details of any of these works, visit the Metro Arts website: http://www.metroarts.com.au.  Brisbane conference centres know you will be glad that you did.

There is no greater pleasure than curling up with a good book as we head into the cooler months – Sydney conference centres suggest you get in the mood and gather inspiration from the 2013 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Bringing to our city some of the biggest names in literature, the week-long Sydney Writers’ Festival is sure to provoke, inspire, move and stimulate, with the many passion filled talks, panels and performances planned.

The cerebral stimulation generated by more than 300 events involving over 400 participants will be worth experiencing and to quote Philip Pullman ‘After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world’.

Sydney Writers’ Festival has gathered a truly exhilarating selection of storytellers this year so come expecting to be delighted, informed and entertained.  Make sure you check out the full program and book your tickets at the Sydney Writers Festival website.

Book in at a conference venue in Sydney and stay for the duration, as the enthusiasm rises, Winter, a cosy fire and a good book will never look more inviting.

Monday 20 May to Sunday 26 May 2013

For more information: www.swf.org.au

Perth Conference centres would like to warmly endorse this wonderfully insightful play that convincingly tests and reaffirms our faith in the human spirit.  Supported by The City of Perth as part of ANZAC week and proudly presented by the State Library of WA, Agelink presents the critically acclaimed play DEAR HEART.

Agelink Theatre Inc production is, this year, celebrating 20 years of creating theatre from oral histories, that both entertain the public and affirm the value of our seniors. This delightful play by Jenny Davis, is a poignant story of love, hope and courage.

Featuring live music from WWII this beautiful, true love story is based on Jenny’s aunt’s WWII letters to her young husband, a prisoner of war in Java. DEAR HEART is a tribute to the endurance of the young men behind barbed wire as well as those who waited at home for news.  The play has been published as a novel by Allen & Unwin and captivated young and older generations alike throughout Australia and the UK.

Don’t miss the mix of noble dignity and unfaltering optimism that so many displayed throughout this dark period of history. Conference centres in Perth would encourage you to book early as only three concert style performances are planned.  Running from Friday 19 April to Tuesday 23 April 2013 at the State Library of WA in the Perth Cultural Centre.

It’s here – the extremely popular NSW Wine Festival !  Conference centres in Sydney join with the thousands of wine aficionados to celebrate the state’s 14 wine regions and fine local produce.

NSW Wine Festival  is presented by The Sydney Morning Herald, in conjunction with NSW Wine, thanks to Citibank, our principal sponsor. Join the celebration for the month of March and discover some wonderful wines in the process. There are a multitude of ways to do it:

Dine with NSW Wine -  Offer available throughout March

Top chefs from 60 restaurants throughout Sydney and regional NSW will create a unique menu to pair with some of the state’s finest wines.

Tour of the Regions Dinners: -  Offer available selected dates in March

Join some of the state’s most interesting winemakers over dinner at Hatted restaurants and regional wineries across the state. Hosted by acclaimed wine-and-food experts, you are sure to come away with a wealth of knowledge on the subject.

NSW Wine of the Month: -  Offer available throughout March

From a classic venue to the latest hot spot, explore the city’s bar scene and taste your way around NSW.
Sample a glass of wine with a matching bar snack.
Or,  get a series of tasting pours, plus matched snack.

NSW Sticky and Sweet -  Offer available throughout March

What better excuse to indulge, than learning to match a fabulous dessert with an equally wonderful glass of NSW wine.

NSW Wine Festival at The Sydney Morning Herald Growers’ Market,  -  March 2

This month at Growers’ we are getting into the spirit of the NSW Wine Festival. The winemakers will be there to educate us with talks, food-and-wine matching, tastings and more.

Sydney conference venues suggest that you check out the website for dates and further details of this fabulous Autumn event.

For more information:  www.nswwinefestival.com.au

If you are still hanging in there with a fitness new year resolution or, maybe, need a fresh start, Brisbane conference centres suggest you join like minded souls at beautiful South Bank and enjoy the invigorating motivation that comes from a group class.

South Bank’s most popular fitness and lifestyle program is back, bigger and better than ever in 2013!  The Goodlife Feel Good Program is a result of the collaboration between South Bank Corporation and Goodlife Health Clubs.   These free public group fitness classes are held across the lush Parklands and will be running until the 28 March.  So get amongst it – breath in the fresh Autumn air, get active and reap the physical and mental benefits – all under the watchful eye of qualified fitness instructors who are expert in minimising the pain by making it fun!

Choose between high-energy, fat burning athletic workouts, yoga, aqua aerobics, Pilates, tai-chi, meditation, relaxation and dance.

Conference venues in Brisbane are bound to have a few representatives there with a view to setting the tone for the evening ahead or perhaps, celebrating a Saturday morning with a refreshing aqua class – come and join us.

Monday 12 November to Wednesday 13 March 2013

Sydney conference venues suggest a visit to Sydney ultimate playground to make this a Summer to remember.  In this season, when the city sparkles with creativity and sunshine, the Opera House is absolutely the place to be.  The exciting program has something for everyone, so come along for your fill of 1st class entertainment and create those  wonderful memories that will set apart the Summer of 2013.

Bennelong Point comes alive with music, performers and the best summer food and drink stalls so, why not come and stay at a conference centre in Sydney for a few days and make the most of the extensive line up.

For more information: www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Visit/PlanYourVisit.aspx

Adelaide conference centres are once again gearing up for Australia’s largest arts festival, The Adelaide Fringe.   Attracting close to 2 million people, Adelaide Fringe is an annual open-access arts festival run over four weeks in Adelaide, during February and March.

Artists from across the country and around the globe meld with home-grown talent, in art forms spanning cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, film, theatre, puppetry, music, visual art and design. The result is one of the most diverse melting pots for artistic pursuits in the world.  With the inimitable Paul McDermott at the helm this year as our 2013 Fringe ambassador, be prepared for an extra helping of fresh ideas, spontaneity and fun.

The festival literally takes over the entire city with 900+ events staged in parks, warehouses, pop up venues, lane-ways and empty buildings in addition to the established venues such as theatres, hotels, cafes, town halls and art galleries..

A noteworthy point of difference between Adelaide Fringe and other similar festivals in the world are the many Fringe produced and/or supported special free events, which continue for the 4 week duration.  These events add to the carnival atmosphere that engulfs the entire city and are not to be missed.

Conference centres in Adelaide urge you to make the most of the balmy South Australian weather that is forecast and soak up the sensory sensation that is the Adelaide Fringe. The Opening Night Parade, themed “Inside Out” will be held on Friday 15 February 2013 – Be there.

www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Be sure to get along to Opel Moonlight Cinema, fiercely contested as Australia’s favourite open air cinema.  Brisbane conference centres can confirm the glorious balmy Summer evenings make this event one of the city’s most popular.  Screening a broad range of advance previews, contemporary, cult and classic movies, there is indeed something for everyone.  The lush green lawns of the New Farm Park at Brisbane Powerhouse make the ideal setting to sit back with a few drinks and nibblies and wile away the evening.

Whether you choose an old favourites such as Top Gun or one of the popular latest releases such as Wreck it Ralph, you will understand the confident claim of conference centres in Brisbane when they boast  that the Opel Moonlight Cinema is the best in the land.

DATE: 13 Dec 2012 – 24 Feb 2013
VENUE: Moonlight Cinema
New Farm Park
Brisbane Powerhouse
NEW FARM QLD 4005
W: www.moonlight.com.au/brisbane

Australia Day – your day to celebrate everything that’s great about being Australian.  With the friendly rivalry Aussies are so well known for, Sydney conference centres would boldly declare that their city is the epicentre for celebrations across our nation!  Take a look at some of these options and decide for yourself.

Family is what Australia day is all about, so take the kids to the Summer Playground at Hyde Park where they can get amongst furry friends in the Animal Farm, do the “hot potato” with the newly formed Wiggles, watch their favourite television characters and lots lots more.

Australia Day CARnivale is proudly sponsored by Supercar d’Elegance.  The display of old buses and trucks as well as vintage, veteran and classic cars, is one of the largest in the southern hemisphere and has been growing each year since 1986.  There is much excitement this year as a fantastic dimension of high performance and luxury vehicles is added to the mix. A Concours d’Elegance ‘Best of the Best’ Competition, a Supercar Gathering, a Motorcycle Display and a Concours d’Elegance ‘Prestige Oblige’ will expand the Macquarie Street event even further.

Head to The Rocks Australia Day Festival of the Voice, a free celebration of Australian music and song on the edge of Sydney Harbour.

A floating music concert on Sydney Harbour is bound to draw a crowd. This new event will feature a renowned artist who will perform both on the water and at various Harbour locations throughout the day.  Come ready to party like only we Aussies know how!

The Australia Day Regatta is the oldest continuously held sailing regatta in the world. This spectacular aquatic event staged  annually on Sydney Harbour, never fails to thrill.

Add to these, major events such as the Ferrython, Tall Ships and of course the magical conclusion to this day – The Darling Harbour Australia Day Spectacular. This sensory extravaganza over Cockle Bay will feature a multimedia symphony of light and music and of course, stunning fireworks.  Be there!

Australia Day celebrations in Sydney certainly do befit our oldest and largest city but as well as the friendly rivalry between Australian capitals, Sydney conference venues also feel the strong sense of mateship that permeates our nation and would like to wish to all  …………

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

For more information: www.australiaday.com.au

If you are needing a little inspiration when it comes to planning your Christmas menu, then conference centres in Sydney suggest that you get along to Bites after Work: Christmas Recipe Swap.

Take along your favourite Christmas recipe and swap it for something new and fresh – be it a recipe for prawns, pork, puddings or pavlovas – all are welcome.  Each family group has their own unique culinary preferences for this special day, but sometimes these get a little tired, so add some pizzaz this year with a new taste sensation.

This popular event is the brain child of the City of Sydney and this year features special guest and MasterChef Australia Series 2 favourite Alvin Quah. The very charismatic Alvin will step us through his favourite dishes and share some of his ideas for a stress free Christmas feast (and we know he can handle stress after watching him on Masterchef). Why not take the opportunity to also browse the Library’s cookbook collection and put together a magical Christmas meal for your family.

Sydney conference centres are in the know about all manner of activities across the city this Christmas, so call in for a brochure or some friendly advice from the well informed staff.

Bites after Work: Christmas Recipe Swap is free but bookings are essential so call 9242 8555

When: Tuesday 11 December

Time: 6pm–7pm

Where: Customs House Library