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.

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.

Conference centres in Brisbane are keen to promote a world class event this November – their fair city is hosting the 2012 Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSAs).  The richness, colour and diversity of the international film industry will come together at this year’s award ceremony to be held at the QPAC Playhouse .  Acclaimed filmmakers from more than 30 countries will attend what is considered to be the region’s highest accolade in film.

With the power to bridge cultural divides, to inform and entertain and explore and tell our stories, film in the hands of a great filmmaker is not to be underestimated.  Winning a major award is the aspiration of most filmmakers as the recognition boosts the filmmaker professionally and greatly extends the film’s critical and commercial life.

Since its inception 5 years ago, 180 films have been nominated in the APSAs, –  Films are judged on cinematic excellence and the way in which they attest to their cultural origins which gives rise to a wonderful diversity as each film tells its own story, in its own way, from its country of origin.

As we enter the festive season, Brisbane conference centres would encourage you to treat yourselves to this inspiring celebration of creative endeavour – the film industry.

DATE: 23 Nov 2012

VENUE: Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Corner Grey & Melbourne Streets, South Bank
W: www.asiapacificscreenacademy.com

You can always rely on conference centres in Brisbane to be in the know about new and exciting events in their city.  Here is a fresh idea for Spring that you won’t want to miss.

The vision for the ‘James Street Food and Lifestyle Trail’ is that of an epicurean adventure. So, if you are a devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasure, especially to the enjoyment of good food and comfort , then come along to this inaugural event. Showcasing the ever-expanding food, fashion and lifestyle precinct in the heart of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, you will have the opportunity to indulge the senses with all manner of lavish offerings.

Over a series of intimate mid week events, the Trail will blend internationally acclaimed designers with Michelin-starred chefs to delight the epicurean enthusiasts amongst us. The week culminates in a large-scale celebration to satisfy the fussiest of gourmands with fresh food stalls, tasting stations and pop-up bars aplenty.

Why not book your accommodation at a conference centre in Brisbane and settle in for a week of indulgent pleasure.

Date: 15 Oct 2012 – 20 Oct 2012
Venue: James Street, FORTITUDE VALLEY

Event Times:

• Monday 11am
• Tuesday  6:30pm
• Wednesday  6pm
• Thursday  6:30pm
• Friday  6:30pm
• Saturday 10am

Locations: Various

Website: www.jamesst.com.au

Santos GLNG City of Lights

Brisbane conference centres are proud to get on the band wagon in promoting the 2012 Brisbane Festival.

With an all-encompassing variety of options in the creative and cultural spheres, this years’ festival is bound to cause a sensory overload. Santos GLNG City of Lights is back to intensify the stimulus even further as they illuminate Brisbane in a new light, laser and special effects show.

Towering structures,  searchlights, lasers and cascading water will wow spectators nightly over the three weeks of the Festival. South Bank’s Cultural Forecourt, home to Santos GLNG Lounge offer the best seats to view the mesmerizing show , but if you are watching from your own vantage point in the CBD precinct, tune into 95.3FM for the Santos GLNG City of Lights narrowcast.

Revered creative director Tony Assness and internationally acclaimed lighting designer John Rayment are the artistic masterminds behind Santos GLNG City of Lights so you can be sure it will be a breathtaking spectacle. Take the advice of Brisbane conference venues and make the most of this fresh new season by getting along to see some world class events under the magical lighting of the Santos GLNG City of Lights.

Website: www.brisbanefestival.com.au/

Dates: 8 – 28 September

Times:

• Nightly from Saturday 8 – Friday 28 September
• Sunday – Thursday at 7pm and 8.30pm
• Friday – Saturday at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm

With Spring just around the corner, Brisbane conference centres are enthusiastic about this opportunity to get out and about in their beautiful city.

Redland Spring Festival or Redfest as it is also known, is an annual music and cultural festival held in Cleveland, just 25 minutes east of Brisbane on beautiful Moreton Bay. Boasting musicians and artists from across the globe, it is Redland City’s premier event.

On the weekend of September the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th, Redlands Showground will be transformed with a symphony of beautiful sounds and a magical blaze of colour, as we celebrate with this amazing community.

Hundreds of singers, dancers, poets and artists from around the world are making their way to Redlands to both entertain and share their skills in a jammed packed program that runs across 6 venues.

Redfest is the absolute favourite place to bring children with a program designed just for them.  Get amongst the fun with the famous Strawberry Eating Competition, sideshow alley, spectacular fireworks and the illuminating Lantern Parade.

RedFest entertainment program for 2012 is their best yet, with a wonderful array of entertainers, performers, artists and exhibits – follow the cue of Conference centres in Brisbane and don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the arrival of Spring with this fun event.

DATE: 7 Sep 2012 – 9 Sep 2012

EVENT TIMES – Friday 5pm – 9pm; Saturday 9am – 9pm; Sunday 9am – 4pm

VENUE: Cleveland Showgrounds, Long Street, CLEVELAND.

For program details, go to http://www.redfest.com.au/

Brisbane is the first Australian city to witness yet another of the extraordinary shows produced by the Quebec based company recognized the world over for brilliant, artistic entertainment. Only 73 people worked for Cirque du Soleil in 1984. Today, the business has more than 5,000 employees worldwide, including more than 1,300 artists.  Conference centres in Brisbane play host to many avid fans of the production and even the troupe themselves.

Cirque du Soleil constantly strives to invoke the senses  while evoking the imagination, and provoking the emotions of people the world over. They are a multifaceted creative force that combine Dance, Acting, and Acrobatic performances with daring, grace and dexterity as well as extraordinary costumes and vibrant colour.  Art forms from around the world are showcased in their productions of excellence.

The latest of Cirque du Soleil’s imaginary worlds to be explored is entitled “Ovo” and focuses on a day in the lives of a family of bugs. The story tells of a ladybug who falls madly in love with a foreign fly that stumbles upon the community of insects.  It is a story about acceptance and love.

If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, why not book some accommodation at a Brisbane conference centre and join the estimated 15 million people who will see a vibrant, life affirming Cirque du Soleil show in 2012.

Where: Under the Big Top at the Northshore Hamilton

When: From July 14 –  September 02, 2012

Times:  8pm –  Mon – Sat; 4pm Sat; 1pm and 5pm Sun

Things always get quite busy at Brisbane conference centres when there is a production of this calibre in town, so join the musical enthusiasts for this delightful classic.

The much loved theatre production ‘Annie’ is thirty-five years old this year, and doesn’t she look fab for early middle age. While there is a definite leaning toward modern and more spectacular productions these days, there is still so much fun to be had with something as traditional and nostalgic as this wonderful tale, in fact, the charm of Annie is that it relies on good old-fashioned showbiz to make it pop.

Even more reason to experience this particular season of Annie is the sensational line-up of talent.  The iconic Anthony Warlow is an absolute powerhouse in the theatre. He received critical acclaim in the last Aussie tour of the production in the role of Daddy Warbucks and will reprise this central character in the return season. It is clear that treading the boards is where Todd McKenney really belongs, even though he has spent considerable time adjudicating on Dancing with the Stars in recent years. Who could forget him in The Boy From Oz – he was almost as good at being Peter Allen as the man himself.  It should be a real treat seeing him perform opposite the much loved stage veteran Nancye Hayes. Also appearing, will be the long-serving and very talented Chloe Dallimore’s who’s wonderful ability to be funny will be essential in keeping Annie relevant and amusing to a modern audience. The producers have gone the extra mile and also cast 30 local kids in this production so chances are, if you believe in the rules of six degrees of separation, you too will know someone in the cast of Annie.

‘Annie’ opens in Brisbane at the Lyric Theatre QPAC on April 7, so contact any of the conference venues in Brisbane, book accommodation and then prepare to immerse yourself in this timeless classic.

SEASON: April 7 to May 6, Lyric Theatre, QPAC

COST: $75.90-$127.90

Be sure to take time out to enjoy this glorious autumn weather with some unforgettable outdoor experiences in and around beautiful Brisbane. There are many delightful options available for your consideration.  Here are just a few suggestions from Conference centres in Brisbane.

Brisbane River Dinner Cruise

Treat your delegates to a sensational Brisbane River dinner cruise. Watch the twinkling city lights from the outer decks, and enjoy a pre-dinner drink from the fully licensed bar.  Then head inside for  a sumptuous three-course seafood  buffet of prawns and oysters, Moreton bay bugs, salads, desserts and cheeses and  enjoy delightful waterfront views from your dining table while you cruise.

Duration: 2.5 hours to 3 hours

Location: Brisbane, Australia

From AUD$75.00

Springbrook National Park Discovery Full-Day Bushwalk including Glow Worm Tour

Take the opportunity to explore the World Heritage Rainforest of Springbrook National Park. Featuring many waterfalls, rainforest walks (approx. 4.5km), panoramic look outs and fascinating Glow Worms, this idyllic day is hard to beat.  Complete the picture with a lovely lunch served with views over Purlingbrook Falls.

Duration: 10 hours (approx.)

Location: Brisbane or Gold Coast, Australia

From AUD$125.00

Hot Air Ballooning including Champagne Breakfast from the Gold Coast or Brisbane

This is certainly one to tick off the bucket list this Autumn. Watch the magic of a sunrise from a brand new perspective – floating in a hot air balloon over the beautiful lush Hinterland. Breathe in the wide-open spaces and enjoy the colourful spectacle of other balloons in the morning sky.  After landing, further indulge the senses with a glass of champagne and a hearty breakfast at O’Reilly’s Grand Homestead and Boutique Vineyard.

Duration: 4 hours (approx.)

Location: Gold Coast or Brisbane, Australia

From AUD$240.00

Give the conference centres in Brisbane a call for more fantastic outdoor activities this Autumn.

What better place to enjoy the post ‘Christmas unwind’ than in beautiful Brisbane.  With perfect weather, you’ll be able to set in motion some of those New Year Resolutions to ‘embrace life and make time for a little more fun and relaxation’.  The following are a few suggestions from Brisbane conference centres to start the ball rolling in the month of January. If cultural enrichment ticks your box, then consider these two options.

‘The Hand, the Eye and the Heart’ Exhibition  (Culture)

This fascinating concept is not to be missed! ‘The Hand, the Eye and the Heart’ exhibition combines unique works that comment on the public dimension of private experience. The exhibition incorporates various mediums including video, photography, drawing and sculpture, used by artists to record private aspects of the human experience and provide the opportunity to observe how these acts of remembrance are made both material and spiritual.

• TIMES:    Saturday & Sunday  9am – 5pm,    Weekdays  10am – 5pm

• DATE:     2 Dec 2011 – 4 Mar 2012

• VENUE:  Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art , Stanley Place, South Bank

‘Matisse: Drawing Life’ Exhibition (Culture)

This major exhibition features the works on paper by Henri Matisse the iconic artist of the twentieth century and includes more than 300 drawings, prints and illustrated books. Providing a unique insight into the artist’s daily practice of drawing, the exhibition explores the themes and subjects to which Matisse repeatedly returned throughout his long career.

In addition to several international museums, various private collections have also contributed to this remarkable exhibition in a bid to adequately explore the extraordinary range and depth of Matisse’s engagement with the graphic mark.

This stunning exhibition is sure to have you channelling your inner-Matisse, so come and be inspired.

• TIMES:    Saturday & Sunday    9am – 5pm,  Weekdays  10am – 5pm

• DATE:     2 Dec 2011 – 4 Mar 2012

• VENUE:  Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Bank

Brisbane Moonlight Cinema ( Event)

The Brisbane Moonlight Cinema is the perfect way to kick back and enjoy the cool of a summer’s evening. Consider the great range of popular and new release movies coming your way this month.

Thu 12 Jan                  Jack and Jill (PG)

Fri 13 Jan                    Puss In Boots (PG)

Sat 14 Jan                   The Darkest Hour (M)

Sun 15 Jan                  Red Dog (PG)   Doggie Night – BRING YOUR DOG ALONG!

Wed 18 Jan                 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (M)

Thu 19 Jan                  Monty Python’s Life of Brian (M)

Fri 20 Jan                    New Year’s Eve (M)

Sat 21 Jan                   Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (M)

Sun 22 Jan                  J. Edgar (M)

Wed 25 Jan                 A Few Best Men (CTC)

Thu 26 Jan                  The Sitter (CTC)

Fri 27 Jan                    Midnight In Paris (PG)

Sat 28 Jan                   Dolphin Tale (PG)

Sun 29 Jan                  Buck (PG)

• TIME:       6 pm

• VENUE:  New Farm Park Rotunda, Brunswick Street

Gold Coast Blaze Home Games (Sport)

Take a drive along the beautiful coast to catch the hottest sporting action this summer – Meriton Gold Coast Blaze returns to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) for the team’s fifth NBL Season.  Now mid way through, the season is in full swing, Blaze continues to bring all the adrenalin-packed basketball action, live entertainment and an opportunity to meet players after each game.

• TIME:      7 pm – 11 pm, Saturdays

• WHEN:   through to 25^th March,2012

• VENUE:  Exhibition and Convention Centre, Corner Gold Coast Highway, TE Peters Drive

Laneway (Music)

Be there!

A batch of fresher than fresh young Aussie talent joins the already popular hype bands such as Girls, Cults and M83 for an explosive line-up of newly discovered talent.  That’s right, this will be a big moment for the winners of the triple j Unearthed Muso’s Competition held recently across each state. From melodic indie rockers, The Medics to the hazy garage surf wonders, Drunk Mums, you will want to make sure you are amongst the first to see the best of new Aussie talent at Laneway.

• COST:     $120.00

• DATE:     28 January @ 12:00PM

• VENUE:  Alexandria Street

If you still have a week or two of Summer holidays, why not make the call to a Conference centre in Brisbane and book one last hurrah before the routine of another year begins.