The latest vegan café in West End is luring non-vegans into trying plant-based eating with delightful degustation dinners prepared by Alejandro Cancino.
Photo credit: grownbne.com
Chef Cancino is the man behind the highly rated degustation menu at Urbane in Brisbane CBD. The plant-based degustation expert is expected to bring elegant dishes that would arouse the interest not only of vegans but the omnivores as well.
Grown will feature the pop-up vegan degustation dinners on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in January and February.
Event Details
What:
Pop-Up Vegan Degustation
When:
Every Tuesday and Wednesday
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where:
Grown
21 Buchanan Street, West End
Cost:
$120 per person
Gone are the days when vegan living is identified with bland cooking. The plant-based restaurant scene is booming in Brisbane and Grown is one of the new hip places created for vegans.
Photo credit: grown_bne/Instagram
Through the degustation events, Grown owner Sacha Muchall and Cancino aim to introduce more people to the vegan way of living.
The pop-up degustation dinners feature seven-course plant-based menu, with an option of matched alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairings. The dinners can only accommodate 16 people each night and bookings are essential.
To book a seat at the Pop-Up Degustation Dinners, call 3036 7213 or email Grown at hello@grownbne.com.
In a bid to fulfil conditions to full approval of the West Village project in West End, the developer has submitted plans to double the green space accessible to the public.
The increase of publicly accessible green space is one of the conditions set by Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jackie Trad when she approved the development application in November 2016. This was after Ms Trad called in the development back in September 2016 after it was met by strong public opposition.
After review of the project, the development was eventually approved, provided that they meet certain conditions. Conditions include providing at least 30% of the site area as publicly accessible open space. The approval also called for the developer to bring down the maximum number of multiple dwelling on site to 1,250 units. Initially, the developer planned for 1,350 apartment units.
On 21 December 2017, the developer lodged a development application to meet certain conditions of the approval.
The plans posted on the Brisbane City Council website on 3 January 2018 address the conditions covering the open areas open to the public. These include plans for The Common and the laneways.
The Common space proposal to meet approval condition. (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)
Under the plan, West Village would provide 1,532 square metres of publicly accessible area through The Common space. The Common space would be available for public access 24 hours a day.
The Common would include a water play area as well as space for public performances. Through the plan, the developer also aims to fulfil requirements for unimpeded and safe 24-hour public pedestrian access and crime prevention through environmental design principles.
The plans for Factory Lane and Wilson Lane are also included in the recent proposal. Factory Lane would be a green laneway leading to The Common space. Wilson Lane would be right next to the existing factory and would provide 10 bike racks and vehicular access bollards.
Plan for Wilson Lane includes bike racks. (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)
The proposal also aims to address the condition covering community focused land uses. This involves adding at least one child care centre, providing a minimum of 500 square metres of the gross floor area for community space and 100 square metres of the gross floor area for knowledge space or co-working hub.
Other Conditions
Approval of the development also depends on the fulfilment of other conditions. These include provision for car and bicycle parking spaces for non-residents, traffic management prepared by a qualified traffic engineer, and deep planting for 10% of the site area.
With music venues popping up all over inner-city Brisbane, there is seemingly one gap that remains to be filled – the all-ages music scene.
Photo credit: Live From Outer Space/Facebook
Outer Space Artist Run Initiative, an artist-run initiative, is filling that void as it presents Live From Outer Space. The music program is an all-ages live music event specifically tailored to the local West End community.
A special introductory run of Live From Outer Space is happening in January 2018. The events will feature local musicians that are sure to capture the vibe of Westenders.
From February 2018, Outer Space will host the all-ages live music event on the last Friday and Saturday of each month at its warehouse on Montague Road in West End.
Since it is an all-ages music event, Live From Outer Space is drug-free and alcohol-free.
Event Details
Dates:
Last Friday and Saturday of the month starting February 2018
Time:
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Tickets:
$10
Venue:
1/170 Montague Road, West End
January is extra special as there will be three live music events. This is as Outer Space makes the most of its empty warehouse, which is currently undergoing renovation.
The gallery’s first major exhibition is also still in the works, so it is the perfect time to launch the music program.
January Schedule:
Friday 12 January 2018
Spirit Bunny // Ultra Material // Slumlawwd
Saturday 20 January 2018
Rivermouth // Accomplice Collective // ARIG
Saturday 27 January 2018
The Delicates // Requin // Gooby Jim
Outer Space Expansion
Live From Outer Space is part of Outer Space’s expansion, thanks to ongoing support from the Brisbane City Council. The main focus of the non-for-profit gallery and studio is to educate and engage the community through the arts.
Aside from the all-ages music program, Outer Space is also expanding to include an affordable studio residency program, an annual exhibition and a community space dedicated to alternative education.
Queensland’s property market is expected to continue its growth in 2018, with suburbs such as West End and Carina leading the pack.
Brisbane is expected to see price increases in the housing sector this year, after a slowdown towards the end of 2017. The slowdown was apparent across the country, particularly in Sydney.
CoreLogic, a top source of property market data, indicates that prices would grow much faster in 2018 than in the previous year in Brisbane. Growth would be primarily buoyed by improvements in the job generation and continuous migrant influx.
While Brisbane trailed Sydney and Melbourne in recent years in terms of dwelling values, the outlook remains strong for Brisbane. CoreLogic revealed that Brisbane dwelling prices were 46% lower than those in Sydney and 32% than in Melbourne. This price difference gives Brisbane the affordability advantage.
CoreLogic reviews Brisbane’s Housing Market in 2017. (Credit: CoreLogic Australia/YouTube)
Growth Areas
Brisbane suburbs that are predicted to do well in the property market are West End and Carina. West End has always been a favourite in Brisbane’s property sector. This is mainly because of its proximity to the CBD and the Brisbane State High School catchment.
Property buyers may have to get into the action quickly if they are interested in the attractive West End market. That’s because the supply is not as high due to strong demand. Houses typically sell quick, so many people tend to miss out on the opportunity.
Another bright spot in the market is Carina, which has had consistent growth in the last five years but dwindled in 2017. Property experts predict strong investment opportunities in the suburb, thanks to quality schools and sound road infrastructure.
Other areas expected to become more popular among investors are Mount Gravatt East, Kenmore and Cannon Hill.
Hot Patootie, bless my soul! Frank N Furter and the gang are back to bring the world’s favourite rock n’ roll musical to Brisbane.
The global hit Rocky Horror Show is on the road again, this time touring Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne. It will be playing at South Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from 17 January 2018. The show will run for three weeks before it moves to Perth.
Event Details
What:
Rocky Horror Show
When:
17 January 2018 – 11 February 2018
Where:
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)
Corner Melbourne Street and Grey Street, South Brisbane
Craig Mclachlan is back to reprise the role of Sweet Transvestite Frank N Furter., while Cameron Daddo will play the role of the Narrator in the classic musical known for its cult following since it first played in 1973. Expect those who have seen it before to see it again for the nth time just to delight in the Rocky experience.
Photo credit: Rocky Horror Show Australia/Facebook
Rocky Horror Show is one big party where it’s normal for the audience to come dressed up like the characters in the show, talk back lines and sing along to the catchy music.
First time to see the show? Rocky Horror Show has written up a thorough guide for virgins. It should be a good guide to… lessen the shock.
The musical comedy follows the adventure of newly engaged Brad and Janet. The prim-and-proper sweethearts run into tyre trouble on their way to visit their old college professor. They seek help at the castle of mad transvestite scientist Dr Frank N Furter, creator of a Frankenstein-like hunk named Rocky, “with blonde hair and a tan.”
Frank N Furter takes the wholesome couple on a naughty, sexy journey they will never forget.
Photo credit: Rocky Horror Show Australia/Facebook
The show mixes science fiction, horror B movie with a lot of sexiness to boot. The best part, of course, is the music that has enamoured audiences for decades. Sing along to classics such as Dammit Janet, Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul and Sweet Transvestite. Then, it’s time to do the pelvic thrust when they start doing The Time Warp again.
While everybody else is lining up to get in a crowded party to end the year, Loft West End is teaming up with Sofi Spritz to throw a free-entry New Year’s Eve party at its Boundary Street venue in West End.
Aside from being a free event, the NYE Summer Spritz Party has heaps of fun prizes and giveaways in store for party goers. Two of the top DJs in Brisbane will also be there to make sure that everyone will have an amazing New Year’s Eve.
Event Details
What:
NYE Summer Spritz Party
When:
Sunday 31 December 2017 – Monday 1 January 2018
10:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
Where:
Loft West End
100 Boundary Street, West End
Launch Party
The Loft West End event will also be the official launch party of Sofi Spritz as it introduces its new White Peach & Ginger Spritz.
Photo credit: Sofi Spritz/Facebook
The first 100 people at the party will take home a New Year’s Eve Party pack, which includes Sofi Spritz product, merchandise and other goodies.
The new flavour is all-Australian and all-natural, perfectly blending the white peach and ginger with white wine and a dash of soda water.
Sofi Spritz is known for creating premium quality Australian wine using locally sourced ingredients. Its flavours drew inspiration from Mediterranean heritage, bringing some Italian style to Australia’s relaxed outdoor lifestyle.
With kids taking a breather from school, it’s an opportune time to visit jail and learn about the history of what was once the main prison in Queensland.
Boggo Road Gaol on Annerley Road in Dutton Park offers tours that will give visitors a glimpse of the history of Australia’s most notorious prison, which was closed in July 1992.
After its closure, the Number 2 Division remnant of the Number 1 Division of Boggo Road Gaol was added to the Queensland Heritage Register for its significance in Queensland history and cultural heritage.
Photo credit: Queensland Heritage Register
The state prison is deemed important in showing 19th-century penological principles and changes to prisoner accommodation. Boggo Road Gaol is also exemplary of Queensland institutional architecture that needs to be preserved for appreciation of future generations.
History Tour
The History of Boggo Road Gaol Tour is kid friendly and provides a peek into the daily life of inmates, officer’s duties, riots and roof-top protests. Visitors will hear of the dramatic escapes of “Slim” Halliday, dubbed the “Houdini of Boggo Road.”
Photo credit: Boggo Road Gaol/Facebook
The history tour happens daily at 11:00 a.m. and can be booked exclusively by any group of more than 10 people.
The 1-hour-and-15-minute long guided tour includes entry to Number 2 Division, visits to the gatehouse, yards and exploration of the F Wing cell block where the rooftop protest happened in 1988. Visitors will also see the original cells and graffiti.
Boggo Road Gaol also provides ghost tours every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. There is also a Prisoner Tour guided by a former prisoner, an Escapes Tour focusing on some of the dramatic escapes from Number 2 Division and an Officer Tour guided by a former officer of the prison.
Brisbane City Council wants locals to have their say regarding future improvements to Davies Park in West End. Residents can send feedback by 1 December 2017.
Davies Park has long been an integral part of West End green space since more than 100 years ago. With the project, planners and designers hope to reinvigorate the park, enhance its attractiveness and explore other recreation possibilities.
The plan is to upgrade portions of the park that are currently being leased. Areas for development include a grassy strip of parkland on Jane Street where there are existing mature trees.
Another portion that will be enhanced is a piece of land along Montague Road. The council and Souths Leagues Club are working together to come up with options to enhance the interaction between the club and the parkland.
Improvements to a shared laneway will also be investigated. Since the laneway is currently being used for community market, the proposals would consider market functionality, aside from pavement and shade.
The fourth area that will be upgraded is the riverside edge parkland. This portion of Davies Park offers scenic views of Brisbane River and is home to a historic gas tower landmark.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council
Sending Feedback
Residents can send suggestions and comments about Davies Park improvements by filling in the online feedback form.
They can also attend the coming sessions in November 2017 to discuss improvements to Davies Park.
Session 1
West End Markets (Montague Road end), West End
Saturday 11 November 2017
7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Session 2
The Colossus Reception Lounge, 71 Jane Street, West End
Thursday 16 November 2017
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
or 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Session 3
Kurilpa Hall, 174 Boundary Street, West End
Saturday 18 November 2017
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
In early 2018, the council will incorporate the suggestions and comments from residents to develop draft options. A consultation period will then follow to see what the community thinks of the draft options.
After closing Lock ‘n’ Load, the bistro’s owners are refurbishing the space to create a modern gin house.
Covent Garden will be serving more than a hundred types of gin to patrons at the former Lock ‘n’ Load location at 142 Boundary Street in West End.
True to its name, Covent Garden will feature a refreshing tropical garden, where guests can relax and enjoy the quenching drinks the bar can offer. The venue will have upper and lower courtyards, a stained-glass skydome and a balcony with a view of Boundary Street.
The multi-level gin joint will offer a wide selection of Australian craft gins, ciders and craft beers on tap. Food at the gin bar is sure to go well with the drinks. The menu would include to-share boards, roast lamb shoulder, smoked salmon and boutique sandwiches.
Adapting to Development
The new gin joint took inspiration from West End, London’s Covent Garden, which used to be a fruit and vegetable market. After massive traffic and development engulfed the area, Covent Garden was transformed to cater to the broader demand. Today, it is a popular shopping and dining destination bursting with history and culture.
The Brisbane Covent Garden can relate to the London story. As high-rise developments flourish around the West End suburb, the owners of the former Lock ‘n’ Load bistro felt that there is a need for a grander change.
The venue is expected to open on 16 November 2017.
Following its successful launch at Davies Park, the Sunset Social is ready to become the top Friday night event for West End.
Photo credit: The Sunset Social/Facebook
It took a while for Souths Leagues Club to start the Friday community event. But after months of planning, Souths opened the Sunset Social on 13 October 2017.
The event will run every fortnight.
Event Details
Event:
Sunset Social
Date:
Fortnightly 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Venue:
Davies Park 120 Jane Street, West End
Cost:
FREE
Souths, the home of the Souths Logan Magpies, launched the event as part of the changes at the venue. It has been a favourite meeting place for locals for many decades. With the Sunset Social event, Souths aims to become a destination venue.
What to Expect
Sunset Social is a fun-filled Friday event with some of the best Brisbane food trucks and street food, wines and craft beers, plus entertainment for the whole family.
Photo credit: The Sunset Social/Facebook
Everyone from West End and beyond is welcome to the Friday night event. Kids will be busy having fun in their own space with engaging activities, free play and a petting zoo.
Grown-ups can enjoy a scrumptious dinner while enjoying live entertainment.
Brisbane’s artisans, artists and small local businesses are all welcome to showcase their products at the weekend event.
Sunset Social is designed to be a community-focused event, supporting local charities such as Tangalooma Ecomarines and West End State School. Organisers are also encouraging the public to suggest a charity with a cause worthy of support.
