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Check Out What’s On In Mt Gravatt This Month

March is a busy month for Mount Gravatt. Check out the list below to see the events that you may find interesting.

Saturday, 10 March 2018 (4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.)

Songs from Our Suburbs – Southern Cross Voices

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

Southern Cross Voices are performing a free community concert as a part of the Songs From Our Suburbs project. Don’t miss their performance at the Upper Mount Gravatt Progress Hall.

Southern Cross Voices is a mixed voice choir that embraces the blending of musical excellence and community participation. Their main goal is to sing for enjoyment while sharing it with the community for free.

Songs From Our Suburbs is a community music project commissioned for Festival 2018 Brisbane.

Venue: Upper Mount Gravatt Progress Hall, 1873 Logan Rd, Mount Gravatt

MORE INFO

Friday, 16 March 2018 (6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.)
Saturday, 17 March 2018 (10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.)

Frock Up Brisbane Vintage Fashion Event

Photo credit: Facebook/Frock Up Australia

Brisbane’s original vintage fashion event is back for autumn. Mount Gravatt Showgrounds’ Community Hall will once again be filled with vintage dealers and retro designer fashion “Sell the Wardrobe” participants. Vintage fashion from straight-laced Victorian dresses to big shouldered 1980’s numbers accessories, costume jewellery, fashion art and more will be up for grabs for fashion enthusiasts.

Venue: Mount Gravatt Showgrounds – Community Hall, 1644 Logan Road Upper Mount Gravatt Brisbane

MORE INFO

Tuesday, 20 March 2018 (10:30a.m. – 11:30a.m.)

Celebrate the books

Photo credit: CC-BY/Mosman Library/Flickr

An event perfect for a little bookworm, the upcoming Celebrate the books celebrates children’s favourite books from Mem Fox. Join the magical storytime ideal for children aged 3-7 years. Admission is free but booking is required to reserve a spot. Simply call the Mount Gravatt Library on 07 3403 7775 for reservations.

Venue: Mount Gravatt Library, 8 Creek Road, Mount Gravatt

MORE INFO

Sunday, 25 March 2018 (10:30a.m. – 12:00p.m.)

Trove basics

Photo credit: CC-BY/MagneticNorth/Flickr

Want to learn how to find more than four million Australian resources online? Join the Trove basics, a Brisbane Libraries Tech Connect workshop and get access to a number of online resources including books, historic newspapers, images, maps, music, archives and more.

Admission is free but booking is essential to reserve your place. Call the Garden City Library on 07 3403 7745 for reservation.

Venue: Garden City Library, Garden City Shopping Centre, Corner Logan and Kessels Road, Upper Mount Gravatt

MORE INFO

 

Experience Rio Carnival in Mt Gravatt

Photo Credit: Circus Rio Facebook

Rio de Janeiro or simply Rio is one of the top tourist destinations included in the bucket list of any person driven by wanderlust. The city is pulsating with energy, particularly during Rio Carnival time.

Who could say no to the company of bronzed samba dancers in colourful costumes, the exhilarating beat of Brazilian music played in the streets, and the throngs of people ready to party all night?


Credit: juniorpetjua YouTube

Fortunately for Brissy, people won’t need to travel more than 12,964 kilometres to Rio de Janeiro to experience the world famous Carnival! Mt Gravatt Showgrounds will have its very own Circus Rio from the 1st to the 11th of March.

Circus Rio is an occasion themed around Rio de Janeiro’s famous Carnival. From the colourful Brazilian costumes to samba dancing, the event will transport people right to the party capital of Brazil. There will be tightrope walkers and aerialists who will perform heart-stopping antics, dangling from the ceiling whilst riding their FMX bikes.

Aside from partying and merry-making, the night promises to be action-packed as well, with a Capoeira exhibition fight. Capoeira is a Brazilian form of martial arts.

The Circus Rio will run until the 11th of March in Mt Gravatt and then will run again in Capalaba from the 16th to 25th.

To find out more about the Circus Rio, please click here.

Council, Sonia Anderson In Talks on Making Bianca Girven Tree a Permanent Memorial

A tree in Mt Gravatt Reserve has become a place of solace for those who are victims of domestic violence. Visitors have also been leaving flowers, trinkets, and mementos at the base of the tree.

Eight years ago, Bianca Faith Girven was killed by her boyfriend beside that tree at the park. The young mother of two had been advocating for domestic violence survivors when she was alive. To express their sympathies, people came to the tree to leave flowers for her.

Credit: The Red Heart Campaign Facebook

As the years passed, the tree has become a symbol of hope for domestic abuse victims. It has also been a spiritual place for Bianca’s mom, Sonia Anderson, and Bianca’s two young daughters.

Ms Anderson, her friends, and other extended families have even wrapped the tree with beautiful wool blankets and colourful yarns. After Bianca’s death, Ms Anderson has dedicated her time in a mission to end domestic violence, in support of her daughter’s advocacy.

Credit: The Red Heart Campaign Facebook

Recently, Brisbane City councillor Krista Adams met with Ms Anderson to talk about proposals for finally making the tree a permanent memorial site in the park. By providing a safe and comfortable place of commemoration, the council wants to express their support for Bianca’s mission and compassion to all the victims of domestic violence.

The initial proposal involves a park bench beside the tree, according to Cr Adams. The council will ask Bianca’s family to personally design the bench. There will also be a memorial plaque. Flowers will be planted within the surrounding of the tree to attract butterflies which hold a special part in Bianca’s heart.

Plans are not yet finalised but Cr Adams assured that they will be working hand in hand with Ms Anderson to come up with the perfect memorial for Bianca.

Bianca’s killer continues to remain in a forensic psychiatric facility after it was ruled that he was unfit to stand trial.

Whilst justice looks to be elusive, Ms Anderson and Bianca’s children could at least seek comfort right under Bianca’s tree, in a place which was marred by violence but is now a place for people to find comfort and peace.

Boppin’ Babies Opens First Term of Weekly Music Groups in Mt Gravatt

Boppin’ Babies at the PCYC at 90 Klumpp Rd, Upper Mt Gravatt, has opened enrolment for its first term which will run from the 22nd of January to 29th of March. The weekly music groups are open for children of all ages, babies and toddlers, even pre-prep and kindies.

Credit: Boppin babies’ Facebook

Boppin’ Babies focuses on enhancing children’s engagement in music to help them grow happy and confident. The place employs a program, designed by a registered music therapist that nurtures, develops, and fosters a love of music among children.

Credit: Boppin’ Babies Facebook

The sessions are held once a week. For each of the sittings, children are made to enjoy live music where music therapists and early childhood experts sing and play the guitar. According to Boppin’ Music, there are various researches that support the use of live music when teaching young kids as compared to just making them listen to recorded material.

Credit: Boppin Babies Facebook

Parents who are unsure about committing themselves to the programs being offered at Boppin’ Babies have the option to attend a trial session. A trial session lasts for 45 minutes and they can experience the classes and observed teachers in action.

Boppin’ Babies aims to develop the following skills among children:

  • sensory integration
  • self-regulation
  • social skill development
  • creativity and emotional expression
  • speech and language skills
  • gross and fine motor coordination, and confidence to move
  • cognitive concepts and learning
  • musical development

Boppin’ Babies is founded by Vicky Abad who has extensive experience in paediatric and music therapy. She has written the book “The Economic of Therapy” and is currently the president-elect of the Australian Music Therapy Association. Ms Abad’s first students for the first ever session of Boppin Babies’ in 2007 were her own daughter and her friends’ children.

Room 90 at Mt Gravatt PCYC Presents Rock Bands in One Night

Mt Gravatt PCYC has convened several of Brisbane’s emerging rock bands in one night. The event will take place on the 20th of January from 4:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at the Room 90.

Meet the Bands

Credit: Mt Gravatt PCYC Facebook

Lachlan Mckay, Weekend Hysteria, Whisky Grinn, The Redundants, and Days Like These are bands invited to perform on the 20th. Check out the schedule of performances:

5:00 p.m. – Lachlan McKay
5:45 p.m. – Weekend Hysteria
6:30 p.m. – Whisky Grinn
7:30 p.m. – The Redundants
8:30 p.m. – Days Like These

The Weekend Hysteria plays alternative post-punk rock while the Whisky Grinn is new in the scene. The latter perform versions of the blues, rock and roll and funk. Its influences are the Led Zepplin, The Red Hot Chill Peppers, Gary Clark Jr, Sticky Fingers, and The Rolling Stones.

Credit: Weekend Hysteria Facebook
Credit: Whisky Grinn Facebook

Meanwhile, The Redundants is a rock band who has already performed across Brisbane while Days Like These is a pop punk band who is fond of playing post-hardcore rock.

Credit: The Redundants Facebook

Room 90 is an events place located at the Mt Gravatt PCYC where band gigs are usually held. The place boasts of state of the art sound and lighting system which is perfect for unforgettable nighttime events.

PCYC is a youth centre that encourages young people to engage in music, dance, creative writing, audio engineering, film, skating, BMX and to participate in activities facilitated by the Brisbane City Council, like the Chillout and GOLD Programs. Through these activities, PCYC hopes to provide the youths with a community that promotes leadership, respect, teamwork, and self-expression.

Mt Gravatt PCYC is located at 90 Klumpp Road Mt Gravatt

Mt Gravatt Plaza Hosts Free Holiday Workshop, Plus What’s In Store for 2018

Parents who need something to do with the children while they wait for the last few weeks of the holidays to be over will only have to go to Mt Gravatt Plaza on the 15th until the 20th of January to find something worthwhile to do. Let the kids enjoy a free workshop called “Decorate Your Own Library Bag” whilst you relax and have coffee around the area.

Credit: Mt Gravatt Plaza Facebook

The workshop has three sessions at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. daily. It is being held outside Coles. As noted, the workshop is free but reserving slots is essential. Please click here.

The workshop will teach kids to create and decorate their library bag which can also be their shopping or lunch bag. To keep the children amazed, facilitators will be using different cut fruits as unique stamps.

Start Kids Creating is the group facilitating the workshop. The group has been established since 2005 and had since been providing innovative approach in art education and the entertainment industry. The QLD Arts Council has approved its Artistic Fitness Program, a syllabus which was developed to be both fun and educational. The workshops facilitated by the Starts Kids Creating develop children’s aesthetic appreciation and unlock their understanding of the basic of visual language and expression.

What’s in store for 2018 at Mt Gravatt Plaza?

The grocery hub located on the Corner of Creek and Logan Roads is home to Woolworths and 34 specialty stores, as well as fresh food and fashion stalls.

At the start of the year, the Plaza welcomes a new Flowerama Kiosk just outside Coles. It provides flower arrangements and sells plants that can be given as gifts for all occasions. There are orchids, potted succulents and kokedama plants.

Credit: Mt Gravatt Plaza Facebook

Millers, which offers great value fashion essentials for women, has apparel with bright pops of colours exclusively for the summer season. The fashion for women store, nonetheless, still has wardrobe for all seasons, their key basics, weekend wear, denim, sleepwear, and swimwear.

Credit: Mt Gravatt Plaza Facebook

As for food, the all-time favourite stalls at Mt Gravatt Plaza continue to provide their specialities that have always loved by the community.

Chatterbox Cafe continues to perfect their Mushroom Risotto, Club Nachos, and Citrus Quinoa Salad. As always, the cafe is open for breakfast and lunch daily and all through dinner on Thursdays.

Credit: Mt Gravatt Plaza Facebook

A & M Meats continues to provide fresh meat in a variety of cuts and styles, as well as gourmet sausages and house-smoked bacon. Crispy Carrot, meanwhile, remains consistent in offering seasonal and quality fruit and vegetables.

Credit: Mt Gravatt Plaza Facebook

What Awaits Patrons at Mt Gravatt Marketta for January 2018

Evening market get-togethers, sumptuous food, live music, cocktail and wine bar, and boutique beer are all business as usual at the Mt Gravatt Marketta as it kicks off 2018 with a full January schedule. Happening as usual every Saturday, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the street food market takes after its sister, the Miami Marketta of the Gold Coast, and serves up lots of good vibes and weekend partying for the first month of the new year.

Launched in August of 2016, Mt Gravatt Marketta prides itself with an excellent collection of food stalls that it invites to participate. Over time, as the market built its credibility, it has become sort of expected for people to be served unique cuisine offerings. These days, what they wait for is the interesting line-up of bands and the set lists that would keep them company as they eat and drink the night away.

Here is the list of performers that are all set to entertain guests this January at the Mt Gravatt Marketta.

Hello Tut Tut on 6th January

Credit: Hello Tut Tut Facebook

Hello Tut Tut is known for their fun and energetic performances. They also perform their original music for people to get a taste of their rich European roots. They also carry out renditions of the Klezmer, Balkan, Gypsy, and Latin musical traditions. In each of their acts, Hello Tut Tut combines their original style as they also belt out contemporary dance music; hence, they have been the favourite among those who eat and breath partying and dancing.

Mick Buckley & The Hepcats on 13th January

Credit: Mick Buckley & The Hepcats Facebook

Known for its rockability, rock ‘n roll, and jump swing music, Mick Buckley & The Hepcats is a fixture to any party scene. Mick Buckley also boasts of an extensive experience in the music industry, not just locally but internationally as well.

Mick had his first brush with fame as the drummer for The Radiators. He then became a solo pianist, performing rock, swing, and boogie and had since been known for his feel-good music.

Throughout his career, Mick has attained Platinum and Gold album sales and has performed in concerts and festivals around Australia and the US. At some point, he has also been the front man and lead vocalist for the School for Scandal & The Big Heat. In the US, he played the piano in some of the most iconic places in New Orleans, Nashville Tennessee, Michigan, and Texas.

Joe Tee & Afrodisa Band on the 20th January

Credit: Joe Tee & Afrodisa Band Facebook

Joe Tee & Afrodisa Band is known for playing African party songs, Reggae, calypso, Latino, 70s, 80s, 90s, old school, motown, as well as modern hip hop, R & B, and rock and roll.

Joe Tee arrived in Melbourne in 1984 from Ghana. He formed the Afrodisa band in 1988. The band had since been a regular act in major festivals in the country such as the Melbourne Music festival, St. Kilda festival, Moomba Festival, Piccolo Speleto Festival and many more.

The Steele Syndicate on 27th January

Credit: The Steele Syndicate

The band is known for playing old school funk, reggae, ska, and indie rock. They have played regularly across known music venues in Brisbane and have performed at The Sydney Opera House. Among its many accolades are headlining a Sunshine Coast festival, touring the Byron Bay, and playing on a yacht off Mooloolaba. The band has also won the Sigma Stockies Band Competetion in 2016 and the Brightside Homegrown Battle of the Bands in 2015.

In 4th August 2016, the Steele Syndicate has debut its album titled “Antipodes”. The album’s launch in Newstead has been attended by 600 fans and its sing “Where I need To be” has been receiving nationwide attention as it continues to play on local radio stations.

At the heart of Mt Gravatt is Still the Good Food

As always, the marketta will feature 60 different food stalls and food trucks, all at reasonable prices. Some of the street food stalls joining the marketta are:

· Hugh’s Bulgogi Korean Food

· Samba Catering Co. which serves authentic Spanish paella, Brazillian moqueca, and Char-grilled BBQ

Chicken & Spanish Chorizo
Credit: Samba Catering Co Facebook

· District 1’s rice paper rolls packed with prawns, chicken and tofu

Credit: District 1 Facebook

District 1 aims to be Brisbane’s Ho Chi Minh City. It looks forward to become the hub where people gather to chomp down the quirkiest street food.

· The Barrio’s super spicy Filipino skewers

Skewers
Credit: The Barrio Facebook

The Barrio brings to Brisbane Filipino and Latin-Asian fusion cuisines. They serve meals created from recipes passed down from their families.

· Mussel Brothers’ fresh and juicy seafood

Credit: Mussel Brothers Facebook

Mt Gravatt Marketta is at 41 Broadwater Rd, Mount Gravatt QLD 4122

Love Food Hate Waste: Mt Gravatt to Host Jamie Oliver-Inspired Cooking Workshops

Brisbane residents can learn to cook like Jamie Oliver at the Jamie’s Ministry of Food 5-week cooking course at Mount Gravatt.

Starting Thursday 16 November 2017, Jamie’s Ministry of Food will come in a mobile kitchen purpose-built for the cooking workshops. Participants will join a 90-minute cooking class at the same time every week for five weeks.

Each class will be limited to a small group of up to 12 participants and will be completely hands on. At the end of each class, participants will get to enjoy the food prepared by the demonstrator. They will get to bring home the food they cooked to share with family and friends.

The cooking workshops are suitable for anyone aged 12 years and above. Participants under 16 years of age must come with a guardian.

There will be two cycles, with the first one starting on 16 November 2017. Cycle 2 will start on 15 January 2018. Bookings for the January 2018 workshops will open on Monday 6 November 2017.

What: Jamie’s Ministry of Food Cooking Courses
When: Cycle 1: From Thursday 16th November 2017 – Wednesday 20th December 2017
Cycle 2: From Monday 15th January 2018 – Saturday 17th February 2018
Where: Mt Gravatt Showgrounds
1644 Logan Rd, Mount Gravatt
Cost: Full Fee: $100
Student: $75
Concession: $50

Price includes ingredients for the hands-on cooking sessions.

Book Now

 

What to Learn

The five-week cooking course is perfect for beginners and intermediate cooks. Cooks with ample experience can still join the workshops as they can still learn some new skills and techniques from the sessions.

Photo credit: www.jamiesministryoffood.com.au

The workshops are based on Jamie Oliver’s recipes and cooking philosophy. The celebrity chef is known for his advocacy of preparing nutritious food to help people stay healthy and lower instances of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Participants will not only learn to cook but will also know more about selecting and shopping for ingredients that will help them save money. They will learn the basics of baking, sautéing, grilling, boiling and roasting. They will also get access to Jamie’s tips and shortcuts in food preparation and planning.

By the end of the classes, participants should be more confident preparing food in the kitchen.

Love Food Hate Waste

The cooking workshop is part of Brisbane City Council’s Love Food Hate Waste campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness about waste reduction and minimising food wastage.

The council has lined up various events and activities to educate Brisbane locals who are interested in creating a cleaner and greener community with less landfill.

Find out tips and green events related to the Love Food Hate Waste movement.

Get directions to the event venue. 

Progress Continues for Brisbane Metro as New Depot Selected in Rochedale

The Brisbane Metro project moves ahead as Brisbane City Council selected the target site for the metro depot in Rochedale.

The site lies on a 45,000-square-metre lot along School Road in Rochedale. Once built, the depot will be able to accommodate some 60 metro vehicles. Each vehicle can carry a maximum of 150 people.

The council chose the site because it is adjacent to the Eight Mile Plains busway station, where the Metro will start.

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner gave the public a view of the site chosen to be the new depot for Eight Mile Plains.

The 21-km Brisbane Metro project involves two lines. The Metro 1 line will commence at the Eight Mile Plains station and will link to Brisbane CBD. The line will pass through stations at Upper Mount Gravatt, Griffith University, Holland Park, Greenslopes, Buranda, Woolloongabba and South Bank.

Metro 2 will run from Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to University of Queensland Lakes. The two lines will be interlinked at stations at Roma Street, King George Square, Cultural Centre, South Bank and Mater Hill.

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

Keeping Cars Off the Road

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk believes that the project will help significantly improve travel times and reduce road congestion. He sees the project as the right solution to the growing need for more efficient public transport services. Ultimately, Brisbane Metro would encourage commuters to use mass transit and keep cars off the road.

The $944-million project also aims to enhance the pedestrian experience at Melbourne Street and Grey Street with a new Cultural Centre station. The council is currently looking to get hold of a 1,600-square-metre site on Grey Street for the underground station.  The Cultural Centre station is envisioned to be a green interchange for the Metro lines and the bus services.

Construction is expected to start in 2019 and should be completed in 2022.

Find out more about the project here.

Business Continues for Toys “R” Us Mt Gravatt Despite Parent Company’s Bankruptcy Filing

Employees and customers of Toys “R” Us Mount Gravatt need not worry after the retailer’s parent company filed for bankruptcy in the United States.

Toys “R” Us Australia assured that it is business as usual at its local stores, including Mount Gravatt and 39 other stores spread across the country.

“The company’s operations outside of the US and Canada, including its operations in Europe and Australia and its approximately 255 licensed stores and joint venture partnership in Asia, which are separate entities, are not part of the Chapter 11 filing,” said a statement from the parent company.

Pressure from Debt

The recent move by Toys “R” Us to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy came as the company gave in to pressure from debt of more than $US5 billion. Under Chapter 11, the company hopes to restructure $US400 million in debt that is due next year.

Some analysts believe that the largest toy retail chain in America is just one of the growing number of retailers that fell victim to the rise of e-commerce. However, some put the blame on its inability to innovate to improve its competitiveness.

Toys “R” Us posted net loss of $US164 million in the quarter ending 29 April. The company has not reported annual profits since 2013.

The Australian stores are doing much better as it reported net sales of $US207 million in the year ending January 2017.

The bankruptcy filing will also not deter the plan of Toys “R” Us Australia to open four new stores in the country by Christmas 2017. One of the new stores will be in the greater Brisbane area in North Lakes.