This year’s Ice Cream Festival promises to be better and cooler than last year’s festival, which sold out within six hours after tickets were released.
Ice cream enthusiasts should expect tickets to be gone just as fast this year, so it’s best to be first in line when organisers release tickets on Tuesday 13 February at 10:00 a.m.
Ticket distribution starts Tuesday 13 February 2018
Where:
Peters Ice Cream Factory
97 Boundary Street, West End
There will be three session times for the festival, starting 11:00 a.m.
Just like last year, only 6,000 tickets will be made available due to logistic considerations. Tickets are free and will grant the holder entry to the event. Guests can then purchase ice cream delights from the vendors at the event.
New Frozen Creations
This year’s Ice Cream Festival promises to be the coolest event yet as top ice cream makers across the country gather at the event to feature frozen treats never before seen in Brisbane.
There a dozen reasons to drool over the cool treats at the event. Think sweet treats created by Ruby the Little Red Ice Cream Van, taking inspiration from the ‘Stranger Things’ TV series. Chop Chop Chang will be concocting a Golden Gaytime bao. There will also be cannoli stuffed with pistachio gelato courtesy of La Macelleria.
Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free sweet treats will also be available at the festival for those with specific dietary needs.
It’s the month of love and it can be the perfect time to find love.
For singles looking for a date, CitySwoon is once again hosting special dating events in West End in February.
Valentine’s MegaParty
Singles ages 21 to 39 years can look forward to a Valentine’s MegaParty event on Friday 9 February 2018 at The Loft. It’s not just another Valentine’s event but promises to be the biggest dating event of the year.
Photo credit: Loft West End/Facebook
Guests can have a chance to find their Valentine through a series of quick mini-dates.
After the mini-dates, it will be an all-night party with some of the best DJs in Brisbane setting the party mood.
Tickets will include two drinks and the fast-paced mini-dates.
Singles from 35 to 47 years of age can also participate in a post-Valentine event on Thursday 15 February 2018 at the Archive Beer Boutique.
The Matched Speed Dating event hosted by CitySwoon promises to be a fun night with unlimited drinks, delicious canapes and speed dating. The newly renovated venue should give singles the right atmosphere for the quick first dates.
Based on their profile, participants will be matched in real time with the most compatible person. They will then be sent on a series of quick dates lasting around 12 to 15 minutes.
Event Details
What:
Matched Speed Dating in West End
When:
Thursday 15 February 2018
7:00 p.m.
Where:
Archive Beer Boutique
100 Boundary Street, West End
CitySwoon holds regular dating events in Brisbane, sourcing the best night spots and venues in the city. Events are fun and ideal for anyone looking for a relationship or wanting to socialise. It should also suit those who wish to test going back to the dating scene.
A new 12-storey residential development is being proposed on Victoria Street in West End, and while the developer is touting it as a future subtropical river-garden, Councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) thinks it would be madness to let such a development push through.
Crown Group has lodged a Development Application for a residential tower with 446 apartment units. These would include 1-bedroom to 3-bedroom apartment units and penthouses. The proposal involves building a 10-storey building with a two-storey podium on a lot area of 10,766 square metres.
Site of the proposed residential development. (Photo credit: pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au)
Riverfront Garden Lifestyle
Architectural firm FJMT, which designed the building, said they drew inspiration from the Brisbane River and the Hinterland beyond when they came up with the gentle and fluid design for the building.
Photo credit: pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The idea was to create homes instead of apartments, with units provided with private gardens and balconies of at least 12 square metres. Residents would also be provided with communal landscaped spaces. The building is U-shaped and turns towards the river to take full advantage of the views.
The design boasts a central garden with an infinity waterfront pool and a communal garden terrace for residents. This subtropical riverfront garden concept is in keeping with the Buildings that Breathe guidelines of the Brisbane City Council.
Councillor Jonathan Sri expressed dismay over the proposal. He asserted that it would be madness to approve such a proposal, which does not comply with the neighbourhood plan.
Cr Sri explained that while the proposal states that the plan is for a 12-storey building, the building looks more like a 14 or 15-storey structure.
A vocal fighter for affordable housing, Cr Sri said that what the neighbourhood needs now are safe pedestrian crossings and not luxury penthouses.
“The council can’t cram more people into an area without improving public transport facilities, or traffic congestion will just get worse and worse,” he said.
He also noted that upzoning the area for high-density residential development is based on a premise that the council would first build a new CityCat terminal at the end of Victoria Street. That has not happened yet.
“West End needs more medium-density public housing and affordable community housing – not more,” Cr Sri said.
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.
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.
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.
Brisbane has a habit of holding a festival for all things that locals love, so it is just fitting that West End is the venue for a festivity putting the spotlight on street art.
Photo credit: www.wesaf.com.au
The event, which will be on Sunday 22 October 2017, will bring together all the top street artworks by some of the best artists from Brisbane and the rest of Australia.
Since early October, artists have been painting large murals on Boundary Street and Russell Street. They will be celebrated at the end of the festival on 22 October.
Among the artworks to be featured are murals by Drapl, Leans, Treas, David Hougton, Mr Mupz, the Brightsiders, Kate Hallen and many more.
Event Details
What:
West End Street Art Festival
When:
Sunday 22 October 2017
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where:
Russell Street, West End
Tickets:
$10 at the door, $5 pre-sale
Pre-sale tickets will go to a raffle to win any of the following prizes:
10 x $50 WESAF shopping vouchers
10 x double passes to New Farm cinema values at $32 each
3 x $100 Archive vouchers
3 x $50 Catchment Brewing Co vouchers
The festival will be filled with art and design, murals, street food, live music and interactive workshops. There will be live painting sessions that will benefit charitable organisations and three clay workshops by Jade Tree Ceramics.
Photo credit: www.wesaf.com.au
Digital walking tours will help attendees as they explore the street murals at the festival.
More than 100 market stalls will line up the street to showcase the best handcrafted items and art pieces. Over 30 food stalls will offer delightful eats to art enthusiasts, while special festival brew will be at pubs in the festival zone.
Some of Brisbane’s up and coming musicians will be at the event to provide live entertainment for the festival.
