Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

After 123 articles posted in 123 days, some family and friends are saying that I'm addicted to blogging and the internet (which is probably true). But in order to show that I can control it (some people call that the first stage - denial), I will not touch a computer from Christmas Eve through Jan. 2nd. So if you post any comments or send any emails they will not be answered till then.
It has been a pleasure to provide information about the current events and news in Brisbane for the last 4 months. I hope I have satisfied your curiosity and research needs, and I look forward to improve in 2008. I will try to give this blog a more personal approach, other than stating mere facts and statistics. Any suggestions will be welcomed, but not necessarily implemented.

So for the end of the year, as usual the gathering point is South Bank

New Year's Eve Party

Get your New Year's Eve started with some free family movies. Catch The Ant Bully, Dr Dolittle 3 and Oceans Thirteen on the Suncorp Superscreen.
The year's biggest video clips will be played across five giant screens to the beat of a thumpin' sound system.
Dance your way into the New Year - salsa with the Ipanema Dance team or improve your moves with the team from Gotta Swing.
Six-piece band PF6 will take you on a musical journey from the forgotten classics of your childhood to the latest chart hits.
The Brisbane River will once again come to life with two amazing fireworks displays to bring 2007 to a close. The first display takes to the sky at 9pm, with the spectacular midnight finale to follow.

And if this is not enough, here is the complete listing of events.

The night the river sings!

Probably to late to book. December 23rd - Boarding 5:30pm, but something to consider for future years.
Enjoy the very best of Christmas Carols with live entertainment while we join the flotilla of Boats decorated for Christmas. The evening ends with Fireworks at Southbank.' Adults $65.00 Children 4-14 years half price. Family Discount of 2 Adults and 2 children of $160.00. Senior Special price of $55.25. Bring the family along for one of the most enjoyable Christmas events on the River.
And if you don't want to wait until next Christmas for a lunch or dinner cruise contact Kookaburra River Queens

UV #11: Vino's Restaurant and Bar

This will be the last post in the unique venues series.

Situated on the beautiful Brisbane River upstairs at Eagle Street Pier with magnificent views of the Story Bridge and the river, Vino's Restaurant and Bar offers an enviable Australian and international wine list and award winning Australian dining menu.

Winner Restaurant & Catering Queensland State Awards for Excellence 2006
Winner Best Tourism Restaurant

Features:

• Restaurant, bar, private function room, balcony and entire venue available for private use
• Audio-visual and technical equipment available for hire
• Easy access for deliveries and equipment
• Disabled access
• Full conference service available
• Cocktail parties, dinners, wedding receptions, wine tastings, bar functions, conferences and more
• Modern Australian cuisine

http://www.vinos.com.au/

Latin Dance at Reddacliff (Brisbane Square)

Just to let you know that on Fridays 21st and 28th of December, there will be latin dance from 7:00pm to 11:00pm at Reddacliff (top of Queensland Street Mall in front of the casino). Free!. I will let you know as soon as I find more information about these events. Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia.

Australian Flavour

Hi all,

Every once in a while I get questions about Australian cuisine. Since I am a recent immigrant I don't know much about that, but luckily today I ran into a site called Australian Flavour
Here is the introduction written by Sharon Robards "About Us".

"Become part of a growing Australian online community based around the heart of the Australian Flavour website, which is a unique collection of original recipes from Australia’s earliest days, which have been verfied as having been cooked in the late 1800s or early 1900s. They have been taken from a book being compiled of the same name. These dishes were cooked by our great-grandparents. They are still cooked today, and have universal appeal. Some recipes are iconic. They are our unique contribution to world cuisine. When the first fleet of ships carrying convicts arrived in 1788 they brought with them recipes based on the British eating habits and cookery of that time. It was heavy with red meat, dull in some cases, and the availability of the ingredients required for many recipes, not known in Australia. What developed over the next two hundred years was a food culture diverse in ingredients. It is now a distinctively Australian cuisine with world-wide roots..."

I hope you try some of them and enjoy them. My favourite? Lamingtons

Brookwater: Queensland's best golf course

Only 30 minutes from Brisbane's CBD and 45 minutes from the Gold Coast, nestled amongst rolling hills within a natural bushland setting and bounded by rocky creek beds and secluded ponds is Brookwater, a residential community surrounding a Greg Norman designed championship golf course.
Brookwater Golf Club is a spectacular 18 hole, par 72 championship golf course with signature bunkering and superb use of natural waterways. This stunning layout comprises two nine hole loops and measures 6,505 metres. Its varied terrain, strategic design and landscaping makes it a course of outstanding character and the perfect environment for you to enjoy a day of premium golf. The stunning award winning Clubhouse boasts modern fixtures and furnishings, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, a lounge bar, casual dining areas, two outdoor terraces and their signature 'Magnolia' restaurant, all with breathtaking views of the golf course.

How to get There
From Brisbane city, take Milton Road onto the Western Freeway which turns into the Centenary Highway. Follow Centenary Highway for approximately 10 kilometres and turn right at the first roundabout into Tournament Drive.
From Coolangatta Airport, follow the Pacific Motorway to the Logan Motorway exit. Follow this and exit left at the Centenary Highway Exit. Follow Centenary Highway for approximately 10 kilometres and turn right at the first roundabout into Tournament Drive.

ENTRY INFORMATION
Open Times: Open every day from 0630.

Adult $110.00 (01 Jan 06 - 31 Mar 08)
Price valid Monday to Thursdays.

Adult $130.00 (01 Jan 06 - 31 Mar 08)
Price valid Friday to Sunday.

School is over for 2007.

Kids will be back at school next year after January 28th. So in the meantime...

Queensland Museum Sciencentre at South Bank
Hands-on, Minds-on FUN!

Besides the many other wonders of the Museum, the Sciencentre offers hours of interactive, science-based fun for kids of all ages (including the 'big kids'!) in a premium location.
Almost 100 interactive exhibits have been divided into three galleries:

• Body Zone
• Earth Space
• Action Stations

There are no 'visitors' at the Sciencentre - everyone is a 'participant'. This place is a one hundred percent hands-on experience!

Opening Hours : 9.30am - 5.00pm daily (closed Xmas day)

Admission: Adult $10, Child (5-16yrs) $8, Concession/full-time student $8, Under 5 free Family (2 + 4) $29, Groups (10+) $6 Bookings are essential for organised groups.

Location : Level 1, Queensland Museum South Bank Cnr Grey & Melbourne Sts

FREE! Christmas Movies at Suncorp Piazza

Instant Scratch-It! Christmas Movies
Bring a blanket or a bean bag and watch your all-time favourite Christmas Movies on the larger-than-life Suncorp Superscreen for FREE!
With two screenings each night of the Golden Casket Christmas Celebrations at South Bank, no one will miss out on experiencing motion picture magic while sitting under the starry summer sky.
Movie times:
Friday 21

• 6:00pm - Santa Clause (rated G)
• 8.30pm - Miracle on 34th Street (rated G)

Saturday 22

• 6:00pm - Happy Feet (rated G)
• 8:30pm - The Chronicles of Narnia (rated PG)

Sunday 23

• 6:00pm - Nanny McPhee (rated PG)
• 8:30pm - Christmas with the Kranks (rated PG)

Not only that, you will get a chance to see the fireworks display between 8:00pm and 8:10pm.

For a complete list of events, see the brochure (PDF Acrobat Reader required)

Brisbane's business visitors drive $412 million domestic tourism increase

It looks like I'm not the only one who loves this city.
Visitor numbers and visitor spending have experienced significant growth, shown in the National Visitor Survey for the year to September 2007. Brisbane is Australia's fastest growing city and has become a national hub for business and leisure. Domestic visitors spent about $2.7 billion in Brisbane over the past year, an 18 percent - or $412 million- increase while the numbers of visitors increased by 7 percent to 4.9 million.
What is particularly pleasing to see is Queenslanders supporting Queensland with a 37 percent increase (561,000 people) in business visitors to Brisbane from within the state.
According to Tourism Research Australia, business tourists spend significantly more than leisure tourists, making this market extremely important to the tourism industry in Brisbane.

Snapshot (Year ending September 2007):

• Total spending: $2.7 billion - up $412 million or 18 percent
• Spending per visitor per night: $168 - up 14 percent
• Spending per visitor per trip: $549 - up 11 percent
• Total visitors: 4.9 million - up 7 percent
• Total v isitor nights: 15.3 million nights - up 1 percent
• Average length-of-stay: 3.1 nights
• Business tourism visitor numbers: 1.3 million - up 17 percent
• Business tourism visitor nights: 3.3 million - up 28 percent
• Leisure tourism visitors: 3.3 million - up 6 percent
• Leisure tourism visitor nights: 11.0 million nights - down 3 percent
• Intrastate leisure visitors: 2.0 million - up 18 percent.

I'm a winner! :)

Thanks to the people of Iguana win. I won an iPod.

Check it out. It's pretty cool.

UV#10: River Canteen

River Canteen is an iconic, boutique venue on the banks of the Brisbane River. With rustic French-provincial charm and a wrap around balcony, River Canteen is relaxed riverfront fine dining at its best - perfect for weddings, conferences or corporate events.
Winner of the Riverfeast Best Menu award (2005), a finalist in the Brisbane Restaurand and Catering Awards (2003 and 2004), featured in the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide (2005 and 2006), The Courier-Mail Best Restaurant - CBD Dining Awards (2001) and the Golden Plate Awards, the River Canteen prides itself on offering an unforgettable experience.
Features:

• UpRiver: sensational 200 degree views with 30 foot pitched ceiling and exposed beams. The perfect venue for any convention, reception or function.
• The Boardwalk: river frontage with city views. A dynamic facility that can cater to large events such as The Fire Ball, the Premiers Photographic Awards 2006 and corporate lunches as well as small gourmet BBQs
• Fully licensed
• Air-conditioned
• Wheelchair access to the restaurant and boardwalk
• Spectacular fireworks viewing

http://www.rivercanteen.com.au/

Brass in the Parks. FREE!

On December 16th, between 2pm and 3pm enjoy some fantastic festive music at Brisbane City Council parks as the annual ‘Brass in the Parks’ event gets underway.
Eight of the area’s favourite brass bands will be volunteering their services for the event – part of the ’12 Days of Christmas’ program – which will be taking place at parks across the city.
Brass in the Parks is a great opportunity to take in the sights of Brisbane’s fabulous parks and enjoy some festive cheer at the same time. There will even be a chance for people to sing along to this unique Christmas event.
This year’s ‘Brass in the Parks’ event will take place at the following parks:

1. Wynnum Esplanade (near the swimming pool) – South Brisbane Federal Band
2. Upper Moora Park, Shorncliffe – Brisbane Brass
3. 7th Brigade Park, Kidspace, Murphy Road, Chermside – Sunnybank Brass
4. Mt. Cooth-tha Gardens – Queensland Wind and Brass
5. New Farm Park – Brisbane Symphonic Band
6. Guyatt Park, St Lucia – Windsor Brass
7. Rocks Riverside Park, Seventeen Mile Rocks – St John Ambulance Concert Band
   

There will also be an additional brass band spectacular taking place at Queen Street Mall, featuring the City Tabernacle Band, from 3pm on Sunday.

From Albuquerque to Brisbane

Hi everyone. I just discovered a travel blog detailing a trip to Brisbane that started on Dec. 9th, 2007. Jay is doing a fantastic job and I think anyone planning to visit Brisbane should read it, and look at the photos. There are plenty of suggestions on what you can do, as you follow his adventures through the land down under. And it will give you the tourist perspective, different from the local fan (me!) :) Enjoy!

Brisbane itinerary builder - Online - Dec. 14th

We live in the River City, in the Sunshine State, boast the best weather in the country and a host of unique tourist attractions.
This week, Brisbane Marketing unveils "The Local Experience Brisbane campaign".
We do take the city for granted. But this really is Brisbane's day in the sun. Everything is happening here now, from having two Brisbane born figures like our new Prime Minister and Treasurer; to the residential boom and massive growth; to the development of the Gallery of Modern Art (now hosting Australia’s first major Andy Warhol retrospective bringing together more than 300 works spanning all areas of his practice from the 1950s until his death in 1987 — paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, photographs, films, videos and installations).
Many visitors to the city are now keen to experience the lifestyle of Brisbane people ... "to relax, to mingle with the locals and enjoy all the day-to-day things that people who live here might take for granted."
Brisbane's laidback lifestyle and outdoor culture offer a multitude of opportunities for visitors (from bars, restaurants and nightlife to picnics in the many parklands, or a stroll along the kilometres of riverside or bayside pathways).
Something as simple as riding the CityCat along the length of the river, or seeing a band at one of the live venues in the valley can open up visitors' minds to the great lifestyle we Brisbane residents enjoy all the time.
Brisbane has grown immensely in terms of its tourism and leisure options in the past five to 10 years - it's simply no longer the case that there's nothing to do in Brisbane.

The showpiece of the local campaign is a new online itinerary builder featuring about 300 world class leisure activities located within the greater Brisbane region. Content will continually grow and evolve as new activities and destinations become available. The online tool will allow people to grab a pre-built itinerary from people who know Brisbane best, based on the key motivational segments: Outdoors and Active, Community Connection, Intellectual Pursuits, Family Fun, Indulgence or High Energy.
People can also develop their own itineraries based on activities from each of these experiences, or customise an itinerary from any of the products or precincts listed in the builder.
The itinerary builder also offers helpful advice like booking details, right down to suggestions on where to have lunch or dinner.
The online Experience Brisbane itinerary builder will be live on Friday, December 14 at http://www.experiencebrisbane.com.

Brisbane Christmas Lights 2007 Winners

For 2008 info go here
Congratulations to all the entrants in the Classic Hits 4KQ Christmas Lights Competition.
The Judges have made their decision... and the winners are....
(links are for maps not photos)

Residential South Side
1ST PLACE - 29 Halse Street, Sunnybank
2nd PLACE - 28 Kolan Street, Runcorn Heights
3rd PLACE - 26 Quintinia Street, Algester

Residential West Side
1st PLACE -10 Warunda Street, Kenmore
2nd PLACE - 133 Dorrington Drive, Ashgrove
3rd PLACE - 24 Cougar Street, Indooroopilly

Residential North Side
1st PLACE - 68 School Road, Kallangur
2nd PLACE - 25 Addison Court, Morayfield
3rd PLACE - 136 Galaxy Street, Bridgeman Downs

Residential East Side
1st PLACE - 65 Senden Crescent, Manly West
2nd PLACE - 4 Albert Court, Alexandra Hills
3 rd PLACE - 199 Geldart Road, Chandler

Incentive Awards

Bill Stratton Hall of Fame - 27 Crest Street, Beenleigh
Best Logo Display - 44 Larbonya Crescent, Capalaba
Encouragement Award - 28 Grebe Court, North Lakes
Youth Incentive Award -13 Umbel Place, Calamvale
Best Use of Recycled Materials - 20 Sirrah Street, Geebung
Best New Entrant - 17 Bowers Road South, Everton Hills
Best Church Community Group - St Gerard Majella Catholic Church, 146 Maundrell Terrace, Chermside West
Best Lighting Display - 10 Warunda Street, Kenmore
Commercial B - 161 Kianawah Road, Wynnum West

Source: 4KQ Classic Hits

The Veronicas from Brisbane for Brisbane

December 11, 2007 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre - 6:00pm
Not cheap: $55.95 plus booking fees

The Veronicas are an award winning Australian pop singer/songwriter duo composed of identical twin sisters Lisa Marie Origliasso and Jessica Louise Origliasso (born December 25, 1984 in Brisbane).

The Veronicas have taken little time in establishing themselves as one of Australia's premier music acts. The Veronicas' Hook Me Up Tour will be their first Down Under since they thrilled thousands across the country on 2006's Coke Live arena tour.
Working with an array of acclaimed producers and writers, including John Feldman and Greg Wells on their new album Hook Me Up, The Veronicas promise to release one of this year's most spectacular albums, a feat which is set to be mirrored by their Hook Me Up Tour. Undeniably one of Australia's best, and favourite, live acts, The Veronicas never fail in setting the crowds before them alight.
Dean Geyer will be The Veronicas' special guest on their forthcoming tour, ensuring the Hook Me Up Tour will be Australia's pop spectacular of the year. Don't miss your opportunity to see The Veronicas live.

CitySights: Brisbane's best point of view

Discover the historical and cultural sights of Brisbane... whilst enjoying modern air conditioned travel. Listen to a unique and interesting commentary from one of the "Locals" - your tour driver.
The City Sights hop on hop off tour lets you set your own pace as you can leave and rejoin the tour at any one of the strategically placed stops around Brisbane. Stop a while and experience the flavour of Brisbane – stroll through one of the many parks, enjoy the superb views or dine in one the excellent cafes or restaurants.
Your ticket ($25.00) also allows you to cruise the Brisbane River on the frequent CityCat ferry services – you can board at several points along the way. See map

Brisbane City Hall
Built during the 1920s, City Hall is an elegant heritage-listed building located in the city centre and is the official residence for the Lord Mayor of Brisbane. The city’s most significant historical landmark combines Brisbane City Hall, The Museum of Brisbane, The Clock Tower and King George Square.

Botanic Gardens at Mt. Coot-tha
Queensland's premier subtropical botanic gardens. These 52 hectare gardens are open every day. Entry to the gardens is free.

Mt. Coot-tha
Panoramic views of Brisbane City stretching across the city out to Moreton Bay and around to the distant mountains.

UV#9: Michael's Restaurant & MIX Lounge Bar

Hi. I will stop the "Unique Venues" feature by the end of the year. I really thought it would be interesting, but as the time passed I found these articles not very relevant. They are very expensive places and I don't think the average person is interested in them, other than curiosity. Also they are more oriented to functions than regular dining. If you ever decide to organise a function I recommend you visit http://www.meetinbrisbane.com/accomodation-and-venues-search.aspx
With superb food, outstanding service and the best river views you will find anywhere in Brisbane, Michael's Restaurant and MIX Lounge Bar wil make every event unforgettable.
Features:

• The 2 private dining rooms, the Wine Room and the River Room, are perfect for banquets, corporate dinners, VIP functions, degustation dinners and special occasions
• Michael's Restaurant can host sit-down functions for up to 300 people.
• MIX Lounge Bar is a relaxed and stylish space for cocktail parties of any size
• A full range of event coordination services available, such as decorations, cakes, flowers, audio-visual equipment and entertainment
• Can cater for all events such as corporate functions, business meetings, presentations, conferences, product launches and celebrations.
• From casual get-togethers to formal dinners and classy cocktail parties, can cater for any style and size of event
• Award winning cuisine

http://www.michaelsrestaurant.com.au/

Queensland Orchestra steals the show

The Queensland Orchestra has beaten its more famous counterparts the Sydney Symphony, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra to take out the top award for best orchestral performance of the year.
This is a stunning achievement and confirms the role the Queensland Orchestra plays in building the State's reputation for world-class artistic performance and diversity

Non-Stop China flights from Brisbane

China Eastern Airlines inaugural Brisbane-Shanghai non-stop flights are a major step for trade development between Queensland and China. The Brisbane-Shanghai service comes on the back of the lauch of the China Aviation Action Group (CAAG), an initiative created to cement direct flights between mainland China and Brisbane.
There is a huge opportunity for airlines to service the emerging Chinese market that has seen more than 150,000 Chinese visitors to Queensland last year and which is increasing at around 20 percent a year.

Andy Warhol in Brisbane

From Dec 8th through March 30th - Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)
Exclusive to Brisbane, Australia’s first major Andy Warhol retrospective brings together more than 300 works spanning all areas of his practice from the 1950s until his death in 1987 — paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, photographs, films, videos and installations.
One of the most influential and important artists of the late twentieth century and the figurehead of Pop art, Andy Warhol created some of the most recognisable images of modern culture. The exhibition includes his important ‘Death in America’ works; iconic images of Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Onassis, Mao Zedong and Elvis Presley; and his Campbell’s soup cans. The exhibition will show for the first time in Australia Warhol’s early commercial work, Interview magazine as well as his late monumental paintings. ‘Andy Warhol’ will also investigate how the artist represented himself through his art practice, including his Self-Portrait paintings, Time Capsules, drawings, films and videos.
In addition to works from The Andy Warhol Museum, the exhibition includes loans from the National Gallery of Australia; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo; the National Gallery of Victoria; and private collections.

Carols in the City

You might be wondering, does anything else happen other than Christmas?. Well I just love celebrating and all these free entertainment. For those looking for substance, Kevin Rudd assumed today as the 26th Prime Minister of Australia and ratified Kyoto.
Now to the important news :) lol.
River Stage, City Botanic Gardens (behind QUT)- December 8th 7:30pm (doors open at 5:00pm)
Carols in the City, previously the Golden Casket Lord Mayors Christmas Carols, is a celebration of Christmas for Brisbane's whole community. It is an event for the entire family, with a range of outstanding artists confirmed for the night, including Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian, the magical voice of Marina Prior and jazz virtuoso James Morrison. Whatever you plan to do this Christmas, don't miss this night of inspiration and entertainment for the whole family. This premier free Brisbane Christmas event for 2007 showcases outstanding artists who will please all ages.
Be at Carols in the City 2007 to be in the running to win an accommodation prize from Royal on the Park. A FREE CD will be available for the first 8000 to attend Carols in the City 2007.
An edited version of the Carols program will be shown on Channel Ten midday Christmas Day.

Aerial Angels in Brisbane

From November 30 to December 24. Daily 12pm, 1pm, 2pm at Queen Street Mall stage. Free
See the Aerial Angels, be amazed by the manoeuvres and seemingly impossible twists and bends contortionist and admire the sublime dancers as they perform in three exciting stage shows.
Cirque du Brio this unique and original show is guaranteed to leave crowds excited and amazed. From incredible acrobatics to awesome chair balancing and outstanding displays of strength and ability, Cirque du Brio performers keep the energy flowing with fast track dance beats and entertaining comedic antics.
Cirque Du Moulin is a production inspired by the romance, mystery & thrill of the world’s most infamous playhouse.
Cirque du Orient as the name suggests, this production will transport patrons on a journey to the exotic Orient. Kimono style costumes, a dazzling Geisha being carried on a plush silk pillow, aerialists and acrobatics, this show is a stunning reminder of a time gone by.
Show Times.

North Bank a glimpse of the future

Celebrating my 100th post!!! Here is a fantastic project that when finalised will make the city look even better. See a YouTube presentation here.
Construction on Brisbane's $1.7 billion North Bank will start by the middle of next year, Premier Anna Bligh said today. The revised proposal was unveiled today by Ms Bligh and Multiplex's Shane Bulloch five years and a couple of re-designs after it was first mooted.
The new vision is more river- and people-friendly, with reduced building heights and a public boardwalk on the waterfront. Riverfront office towers were originally proposed to be 25 storeys but have been scaled down markedly to just eight storeys. However, the tallest buildings in the precinct will now reach as high as 46 storeys. Ms Bligh said this was necessary to free up the extra public space along the river.
A public plaza will be built in front of the old Commissariat Store and National Trust House in an effort to maintain the city's connection to its colonial days. A new park has been added at the Alice Street end of the site, while a 50m pool and pedestrian bridge to South Bank are still included. A new City Cat terminal and extra berths for tourist boats have also been incorporated.
"We have worked hard to deliver a project that offers the most for the public at absolutely no cost to taxpayers," said the premier.
"I understand that no one design will please everyone but what has been achieved is a fair balance that allows Multiplex to provide almost $300 million worth of facilities to the public."
Work on the project will start next year and it will proceed in three stages, with the first being ready by 2011 and the entire project being finished by 2019.