What's on in Gladstone this weekend

LOOKING for something to do in the Gladstone region this weekend? 
Here's a rundown of some of the events and activities on offer.

FRIDAY

Spring Morning Tea

A SPRING Morning Tea will be hosted by the St Andrew's Presbyterian Women's Association at 10am.

The morning will include a fashion parade by Limestone Clothing, prizes for the best spring outfit and best spring hat, and entertainment by the Gladstone Musical Society.

It's on at 2 Bloomfield St, Calliope. Phone 4975 6619 for more details.

Sydney Comedy Festival showcase

THE Sydney Comedy Festival has hit the road with an awesome line-up of international and local acts from the festival.

The festival's funniest have been squeezed into one hilarious night of world-class comed at the Gladstone Entertainment Centre.

The show, which starts at 7.30pm, is recommended for audiences 15 years and over.

Tickets cost $30 and are available here.

Country singer at RGs

COUNTRY singer Nicky Convine will play at RGs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

The Casino-born songwriter has won or been a finalist in numerous competitions, and in 2005 was one of the final 40 to audition for Australian Idol.

Her music has been played on Triple J's Unearthed and she recently finished recording her debut album, Parade.

The shows kick off at 8pm on Friday and Saturday, and 3pm on Sunday.

Movie session for parents and kids

MUMS, dads and bubs are invited to come along to the Gladstone cinemas to attend a child-friendly event at 9.30am.

Ticket are $8 or $20 for Gold room.

The lights will be left on and dimmed and the sound is lowered  Visit the website for more information.

SATURDAY

Gladstone Community Hub markets

GLADSTONE Community Hub will host markets and an open day at 5 Butler St, Gladstone.

There will be lucky door prizes, sample bags, sausage sizzle, face painting, Old Macdonald's Farm, live and free entertainment, and art exhibition.

The event will run from 10am to 1pm. Phone 4979 4821 for more details.

The Lego Movie screening

HILLCLOSE estate in Gladstone will host an outdoor screening of The Lego Movie.

Live music will begin at 4.45pm, with the movie screening at 6.15pm.

Food and drinks will be available to purchase. Bean bags are available for hire, and there are Lego prizes to be won.

The event will be held in Harmony Park, Sundowner Rd, Clinton. Phone 1300 650 614 for more details or click here.

Industries of Gladstone cricket match

THE annual 20/20 cricket competition where industry vs industry is on this weekend.

Game one will begin at 11am on Saturday, with the final game at 2.30pm on Sunday, when the Harbour City All Stars will take on the Queensland Bulls Masters.

Entry is free. There will be entertainment for the kids, and canteen and bar facilities will be available each day. 

The action takes place at the Boyne Island Tannum Sands Oval, Jacaranda Drive, Boyne Island.

BITS Classic Pool Competition

THE 2014 BITS Classic Pool Competition will be held at the BITS Club, Jacaranda Dr, Boyne Island from 9.30am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Prize money of $5000 is up for grabs, with up to 64 players able to register.

The top 32 players will go through to the big money round, and the bottom 32 will go through to the repo-charge.

A Calcutta will be held on Saturday from 9.30am, so get there early to buy up the big gun players.

Spectators are welcome to watch the competition over the two days. Entry is free.

Phone Tom Johnson on 0448 803 818 for more details.

Biloela Markets

HELD on the third Saturday of each month, Biloela Markets in the Park offer a wide variety of stalls for everyone to enjoy.

Those attending can enjoy fresh produce, try their green thumb with huge variety of plants, and find a special piece of jewellery, clothing, accessories and hand crafted goodies.

The markets are held in Barimis Park in Callide St, Biloela, and run from 9.30am to 2pm.

Phone 0400 162 219 for more details.

International Day of Peace

GLADSTONE Region Interfaith Network will host an International Day of Peace prayer event from 3-4pm at Anzac Park in Tank St.

The International Day of Peace, also known as Peace Day, provides an opportunity for individuals, organisations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. 

All attendees are encouraged to take a plate of food and a chair to the event, which will finish with an informal group discussion.

Phone 4976 6352.

Cent sale at bowls club

THE St John Ambulance will host a cent sale on at the Gladstone Bowls Club from 11am with a 1pm start.

There are 400 prizes to be won and a homemade cake walk. For bookings phone Cheryl on 0418 792 244 or Sue on 4975 6473.

Miriam Vale Markets in the Park

THE Miriam Vale Lions Club hosts the Miriam Vale Markets on the third Saturday of each month at Blomfield St, Miriam Vale.

Stroll through the delightful cool and shady park to view a variety of stalls, or try a sizzling fillet steak, sausage or bacon burger.

The markets run from 7am to noon.

Friends of Bindaree Markets

THE Friends of Bindaree Garage Sale is a popular market event at Boyne Island run monthly by Bindaree Lodge Aged Care Facility.

You can find lots of bargains on second hand clothing, manchester, books, footwear, toys, furniture and much more.

The markets run from 7am to noon at 1 Beacon Ave, Boyne Island.

Spend a morning with acoustic tunes

JHAM Bar Gladstone will host Acoustic JHAMS, a morning of music by local artists each Saturday from 9am-noon.

Sit and have a coffee and watch the world go by while enjoying music by Animal Throwdown, White Room and Rob (Country) Hopkins at JHAM Bar, 117 Toolooa St, Gladstone.

Get fit with Parkrun

STOCKLAND Gladstone and Parkrun Australia faciliate a unique, community run program that provides free weekly timed 5km running events for people of all ages and abilities every Saturday morning from 7am - 8am at Lions Park.

Register online here before your first run.

SUNDAY

Rotary Kmart Markets

THE Rotary Club of Gladstone Midday Markets are held on the third Saturday of each month in the Kmart car park on Phillip St, Gladstone.

There is a wide range of goods on offer including food, coffee, cakes, jewellery, hand-made soaps, plants, toys, clothes and bric-a-brac.

There also is entertainment from local artists. The markets run from 6am to 1.30pm.

Chill out at Sunday session

LIGHTBOX Espresso and Wine Bar is the hottest place to be in Gladstone at the moment and Sunday is where you can try it out.

Take your friends along to the bar in Goondoon St, next to the Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre, for a cocktail this weekend.

The Sunday sessions are a chilled way of wrapping up a weekend while listening to some live acoustic music.

You can order some tapas and sit at one of the booths from 2pm onwards for a relaxed afternoon.

Sunday Coffee Cruise

TAKE a cruise around the Gladstone harbour and surrounding island every Sunday and Wednesday on a a Curtis Ferry Services Coffee Cruise.

Enjoy a two-hour cruise with morning tea and commentary on the Gladstone region, while keeping an eye out for turtles, dolphins and dugongs.

Cruises are held 11am-1pm. Bookings are essential and can be made through the Gladstone Visitor Information Centre.

Passengers must collect their ticket from the Information Centre at 72 Bryan Jordan Drive) before departure, and ensure they arrive at Curtis Ferry Services Terminal by 10.45am.

If the Information Centre is closed, tickets and payments can be made from the departure point.

The Sunday Coffee Cruise will run until September 28.

Tickets cost $24 adults, $22 concession and $16 children aged 7-16. Phone 4972 9000 for more details.

Sunday session at Yachties

GLADSTONE Yacht Club will have a Sunday session in Yachties Beer Garden with live music by Tim Anderson from 2.30pm.

There will be great drink specials and a great atmosphere to wind-down your weekend.

The Sunday session runs until 6.30pm.

PUBS AND CLUBS

FRIDAY

• Yaralla Sports Club, bingo, 10am and 1pm
• Queens Hotel, dance until late with Karina and Mak
• Gladstone Bowls, bingo, 10am
• Wolves Soccer Club, bingo, 7.30pm
• Reef Hotel, 888 PL Poker registration, 6.30pm for 7.30pm start
• Diggers Arms Hotel, karaoke, 8pm
• Rocky Glen Hotel, Nicky Convine, 8pm
• Agnes Tavern, See You Next Tuesday, 8pm

SATURDAY

• Yaralla Sports Club, free poker, 7pm
• Queens Hotel, dance until late with Karina and Mak
• Club Hotel, 888 PL Poker, registration from 1pm for 2pm start
• Rocky Glen Hotel, Nicky Convine, 8pm
• Tannum Sands Hotel, Relics, 8.15pm
• Agnes Tavern, Uncle Arthur

SUNDAY

• Young Aus Hotel, raffles, 11.30am
• JD's Karaoke, 8pm
• Queens Hotel, 888 PL Poker, registration 1pm for 2pm start
• Yaralla, bingo, 1pm
• Railway Hotel, Sunday session, 2pm
• Gladstone Bowls, Wolves Soccer Club bingo, 7.30pm
• Rocky Glen Hotel, Nicky Convine, 3pm
• Tannum Sands Hotel, Ben Beasley, 1pm
• The Reef, Adrian Brown, 4pm
• Agnes Tavern, Steve Jay, 2pm

Source: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/whats-gladstone-weekend-sept19-21/2389943/

Spring is Beautiful at The Botanical Gardens in Sydney

There is nothing like early spring at the Botanical Gardens in Sydney, clear skies, fresh air, and beautiful flowers appearing for the first time as dazzling displays of colour.

Sydney is buzzing with tourists - the sun is out and Sydney is again on its best display thrilling crowds with its natural (and man-made) beauty.

Botanical Gardens are a short walk from Circular Quay Station so are well worth the visit.

Find out more about the Botanical Gardens - http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/

Location: Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

Images and write-up By Joseph Gale

Cruise Season Begins

For the first time Australian’s who chose to spend their holidays cruising has surpassed North America taking Australian to No 1 in the world for cruises per capita.

A record 833,348 Australians took a cruise last year and it is predicted to rise to one million by 2016 as more cruising ships enter Australian waters.*

As Sydney is a key departure point for many cruises, why worry about trains being delayed, traffic jams, problem of where to park the car, feeling stressed to the max before even arriving at the ship when you can stay in central Sydney in luxury apartments.

Metro Apartments Darling Harbour will be offering passengers pre and post cruise stays with a ten per cent discount on all packages and best available rates for the length of their stay. This includes a bottle of sparkling Australian wine and chocolates on arrival.

With cruises departing from the International Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay and from the White Bay terminal in Rozelle, both are just a short taxi trip from the Apartments to the terminals.

Situated in the heart of Sydney directly across from Darling Harbour, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour is an ideal location to explore some of the city before cruising.

Nearby is King Street Wharf and Cockle Bay where you can enjoy a cocktail in one of the many boutique bars, a meal in one of many harbourside restaurants to suit everyone’s budget or stroll across the footbridge to try your luck at The Star Casino.

Metro Apartments Darling Harbour are priced to be affordable for mid-week and weekend getaways starting from $199.00.

A selection of 32 recently renovated loft-style one-bedroom apartments, each with a queen sized bed and sofa bed, offer all the comforts of a ‘home away from home’ with the convenience of a perfect city location. Each apartment is appointed with a fully-equipped kitchen, washing machine, dryer and ironing facilities, air conditioning and heating.

To make a reservation, visit www.metrohotels.com and enter the code CRUISE to be entitled to the 10% discount or call the toll free reservations on 1800 114 321.

View details of Cruise Sydney Accommodation Package at Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

* Source news.com.au

Sydney Craft Beer Week October 18-26th 2014

This October, the streets of Sydney will be flowing with Craft Beer as we return bigger, better and tastier for our fourth year. Over 50 of Sydney’s leading venues will host the city’s largest and most exciting celebration of Craft Beer, with more than 100 enticing events happening from October 18-26.

Beer is a deep, wide river that flows through human history and culture. It appears along with the earliest signs of civilization and is thought to have been instrumental in mankind’s move from nomadic people to farmers who needed to settle in order to tend crops. 

Beer’s contribution to human existence can not be overstated and its role in ritual, ceremony, economics and community has been documented as far back as 3500BC, some even believe it’s probably became a part of human life in Neolithic times or about 9500BC when cereal was first farmed.

Fast forward to 2014 and brewers are now producing some of the most creative, delicious and incredible beers ever. 

Sydney Craft Beer Week means to celebrate everything that is happening in craft today, to give Sydney siders a chance to experience just how awesome beer can beer.

Better beer for everyone!

View official Website of Sydney Craft Beer Week www.sydneycraftbeerweek.com

Art and About Sydney 2014

Art & About Sydney is a collaborative arts festival where every street, laneway, building site, intersection and thoroughfare is a canvas for creation and storytelling.

From home-delivered theatre performances in private living rooms, to Sydney’s largest backyard party in Martin Place, Art & About Sydney 2014 is set to excite and delight.

With a program boasting works from the quirky to the quintessentially Australian, local and international artists will present works that explore the festival theme of ‘endangered’ from 19 September to 12 October.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the 13th Art & About festival contains a unique three week program of works that will surprise and delight the city.

“This program of artworks and performances provides great insights and reflections on our rapidly changing society. I invite everyone to come and enjoy the wonderful things on offer”

Friday Night Live – Quarter Acre Block Party
Once a staple of Australian life, the quarter acre block is a fading dream in many parts of Australia. The 2014 Art & About Sydney launch will be a celebration of this diminishing pastime and all it stands for – evoking memories of our own backyards and neighbourhoods.

Martin Place will be transformed into a giant backyard – a welcoming and relaxed ‘block party’, featuring entertainment, quality food and drinks and a great place to begin your festival adventure. BBQs, Hills Hoists, back fences, lawn cricket, garage bands, garden furniture, dogs, vinyl records, beer and snags….all slap bang in the middle of Sydney’s CBD.

Australian Life
For the first time, the former Sydney Life photo competition and exhibition is going national. The Australian Life exhibition in Hyde Park will display large scale images depicting Australian life across the nation. 

The $10,000 competition winner will be announced at the Art & About 2014 opening night.

Little Sydney Lives
The always-popular Little Sydney Lives photo competition is back, displaying a selection of images from our smallest citizens, set amongst the greenery of Sandringham Gardens.

Entries for Little Sydney Lives, Australian Life Exhibition & Prize and a new $5,000 Instagram competition (#australianlife) are now open.

The Banner Gallery – Milk Bar
Passiona, a mix bag of lollies, a milkshake – Australia’s much-loved Milk Bar is back, with images of this fading icon emblazoned on our city banners during Art & About Sydney. 

The changing landscape of our beloved bars were born out of The Island Continent by Eamon Donnelly, an online archive capturing the colour, nostalgia, fashions, design and people across our country. Image credit, below: Eamon Donnelly.

Neon Nomads
Ten three-metre-high tepees in Hyde Park will illuminate the works of some of Australia’s and the world’s most respected graphic artists. The designs, by artists including Wendy Red Star, Phil James and Brett Chan, will pay homage to nomadic lifestyles and urban lifestyles.

Us
An outdoor photographic studio set up at the Queen Victoria Building will invite strangers to come together for old school style group photos as part of Us. Created by James Dive and The Glue Society, each participant will receive a copy of the photo.

The Walking Neighbourhood
Kids will turn the tables and take adults on a tour of city streets, providing a rare glimpse into their world. Taking the reins, kids guide adults on a 90-minute curated tour of Kings Cross and Redfern, sharing their thoughts and experiences of the ‘hood.

Bodies in Urban Spaces
Under the direction of Austrian artist Willi Dorner, 20 human bodies will cram themselves into doorways, alcoves and any gap they can find in the CBD. Dressed in brightly coloured clothes, the audience will spot them in all sorts of nooks and crannies as the festival finale.

Trolleys
Best described as part dance performance, part ballet, part outdoor spectacle, Trolleys is a 20 minute outdoor high-energy theatre work where street dancers and acrobats come together with the humble shopping trolley to spin, glide and slide across city spaces. Created by Shaun Parker & Company, Trolleys will take over Martin Place, Customs House Square, Hyde Park and Pitt Street Mall. Main image credit: Irven Lewis.

Armchair Apocalypse
Jumping off the stage and into your home, Armchair Apocalypse presents three brand new lounge room theatre shows, written and performed by some of Sydney’s most exciting young writers. Sydneysiders will be able to order these performances straight to their door and into their lounge room.

View Official Art and About website

Slash, Train to kick off NRL Grand Final

Slash will pump up the crowds at the NRL Grand Final on October 5

Former Guns N' Roses guitar god Slash and American pop-rock group Train - both of whom headline Australian music festivals in the next few months - have been picked to pump up the crowd before the NRL Grand Final on October 5.

Both acts also have new albums out in the next month. 

Slash will release World on Fire with his band Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators next month, while Train's seventh album, Bulletproof Picasso, is due out next week.

Train have a strong chart history here, scoring a No. 1 single in 2009 with Hey Soul Sister and a No. 5 with Drops of Jupiter in 2001. The band also has three top 10 albums.

What songs will they play? Slash (who is actually English and a fan of Stoke City football club) accompanying at least one Train song is a good bet (Hey Soul Sister is the obvious choice), while the top-hatted axeman is certain to turn out at least one classic Guns N' Roses number.

While the choice of entertainment won't entirely satisfy fans pining for the return of AC/DC or even Cold Chisel, Slash and Train seem a better fit for a big, expectant footy final crowd than Sir Tom Jones. 

The 74-year-old Welsh crooner will kick off procedings before the AFL Grand Final on September 27.

Slash is a headliner at the Soundwave festival next February and March while Train have already confirmed for Bluesfest next April 3.

Say ‘Oi’ to the Brazilian ‘Ritmo’ Sydney Festival!

Say ‘Oi’ to the Brazilian ‘Ritmo’ Sydney Festival!

The Culture Beats festival season at Darling Harbour continues with the Brazilian ‘Ritmo’ Festival on September 21! Portuguese for ‘rhythm’, ‘Ritmo’ is a perfect description of the event, which celebrates the soul and passion of Brazil’s unique fusion of cultures.



The Brazilian Community Council of Australia (BraCCA) is delighted to welcome an expected crowd of 20,000, including fans and newcomers alike, to Tumbalong Park for this hugely popular event, where the young, the old (and the young at heart).

With an interest in Brazilian culture can indulge in a full day of entertainment featuring live music, dance, cultural performances, art and craft stalls and traditional Brazilian cuisine, and learn a thing or two about Brazil’s vibrant culture while they’re at it!

Sing the Melody



Performers in this year’s star-studded line up include The Voice favourite Emily Rex, whose rendition of ‘Pure Imagination’ on the prime time TV show won her a place in the heart of the Australian public. 

A proud member of the Brazilian community, Rex will explore both modern and traditional Brazilian sounds throughout her set, hinting that she may even treat crowds to some smooth and sassy bossa nova! 

Also treading the stage is The Voice season two hero Ben Goldstein, who will bring cool acoustic summer vibes to springtime Sydney.

Tap the Beat



Demonstrations of the Brazilian martial art Capoeira, which combines music, acrobatics and dance, will be led by Edielson da Silva Miranda, aka Mestre Roxinho, who has been undertaking the discipline since 1979.

Roxinho is considered one of the world’s best Masters of Capoeira Angola, and founded Project Bantu, a program that uses Capoeira Angola as a tool to engage marginalised youth and thus forge out positive social outcomes in Brazil, Australia and the Asia Pacific.









View original post