Toowoomba Living selects the pick of what’s to do this month.
Carl Barron at Empire Theatre – Friday 5 to Saturday 6 and Friday 12 to Saturday 13 February
The immensely popular funny man will be in Toowoomba. Congratulations if you’ve nabbed a ticket, there seem to be only single ones left! See more at the Empire Theatre website.
Summer tunes – every Sunday in February
Toowoomba Regional Council is bringing the music to the parks every Sunday in February with their Summer Tunes program. Spend a day in Queens Park, Picnic Point, Newtown Park and Laurel Bank park and you’ll have a soundtrack of free tunes to go with your Sunday fun. Event details here.
Superbowl parties – Monday 8 February
What a way to start the week! Fitzy’s and The Spotted Cow are both running Superbowl parties on Monday morning, so if your boss is cool with it, head down for wings, shoulder pads and all American action. Starts at 9am at the Cow and 8.30am at Fitzy’s.
Roses for Rosies – Saturday 13 February
In support of Rosies – Friends on the Street this fundraising dinner includes live entertainment. Hosted at Inbound, starting at 6.30pm, tickets are $99.
Open air cinema – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – Sunday 14 February
*rescheduled – Sat 6 Feb rained out*
Ground Up Espresso are screening the cult classic. Tickets are $10, bring your own deck chair and dress up like it’s 1986 for a chance to win a prize.
Art exhibit: Harry Hart auction – Sunday 14 February
Snap up some Harry Hart pieces at the Toowoomba Art Society auction, starting at 1.30pm. You can preview the art this weekend and Saturday 13 February from 10am to 2pm at 1 Godsall Street.
Adam Brand and the Outlaws – Sunday 14 February
You like a little bit of country? Head to the Blue Mountain Hotel on Valentine’s Day for a country/rock fest to sink your teeth into with Adam Brand and the Outlaws. Starts 1pm, tickets available online or at the door.
Chinese New Year Festival – Sunday 14 February
A free day for the family to ring in the year of the monkey. To be held in the Bell Street Mall the festival will include food stalls, the traditional lion dance and kids’ activities, from 11.30am to 2pm.
Art Exhibit: Right Here Right Now II – Tuesday 16 February
USQ students display their ceramic art in this exhibition featuring both present and past student work. Opening night is Tuesday 16 Feb, but it’ll run right through until 10 March. Entry is free, see Artworx for more details.
Y-Not Music Festival – Saturday 20 February
Have a 12 to 17 year old you need to get out of the house? Send them to the Youth Night Out music festival. This lock-in drug/alcohol free event starts at 5pm, at Metro runs through til 10 and features acts like High-Tail, Something Something Explosion, Molly Parker and more. Cost is $15, no ID no entry, see the Youthconnect TRC Facebook page for more info.
February Film Feast – Saturday 20 to Sunday 21 February
The February Film Feast hosted by the Empire Theatre will feature a kids’ filmmaking workshop, Flickerfest International Short films, food stalls, bar, and live music. You can get daily passes for $15 or a weekend pass will set you back only $25.
Have a Go! and Have a Taste festivals – Saturday 20 to Sunday 21 February
Cobb and Co Museum have partnered with Toowoomba Farmers’ Market to bring a creative and delicious weekend to Toowoomba!
Over the entire weekend the Cobb+Co will host workshops where you’re invited to get stuck in to learning blacksmithing, furniture making, weaving and more. The Have a Go festival is $10 a day for entry with mini workshops at $20 to $30 each.
And, from 4pm until 8pm on Saturday 20 February only, the Have a Taste festival will kick off. Guest chefs will host live cooking demonstrations in an open air kitchen. Food available to purchase and live entertainment on the night. Entry to Have a Taste is free!
Ruby Red Industries Style Market and TheGRID Open Day – Saturday 20 February
From 10am to 3pm at 488 Ruthven St rummage through the vintage style markets, enjoy a BBQ at Bounce City Cafe, see art, hear live music and check out TheGRID and all it offers. See the Ruby Red Industries Facebook event for more details.
Bikes and Bulls – Saturday 20 February
It’s all in the name really. Aussie FMX riders will fly upside down over an arena filled with rodeo action. Sounds crazy, but it’s true. At the Showgrounds, gates open at 4pm. Go to bikesandbulls.com.au for ticket information.
Disney Movie Stars Film Festival – Saturday 20 February to Sunday 13 March
Relive the magic of your Disney favourites with the excuse of introducing your kids to them at the Disney Movie Stars Film Festival at Grand Central over the next month. Tickets to Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King and Frozen are only $8 and each ticket comes with a Disney activity book. Dress up in your Elsa best and get along to the movies!
Art Exhibition: Horses and Horizons – Friday 26 February to Sunday 13 March
An exhibition with an equine feel will hit Toowoomba this month at Feather and Lawry Gallery. Artist Laura Douglas is fresh from a live painting experience at the Melbourne Cup in Gai Waterhouse’s private box, and this will be the first solo exhibition since Feather and Lawry relaunched their space late last year.
Toowoomba City Library opening – Saturday 27 February
The copper clad building finally opens to the public at 9.30am. Events being held to celebrate the new library include an outdoor movie night with a showing of ET and Jurassic World on Saturday 27 February, a family fun day with face painting and craft on Saturday 5 March and a series of lunchtime acoustic performances in civic square starting Monday 29 February and running through until Friday 4 March.
Chivas Whisky Dinner – Tuesday 1 March (*update: sold out)
Tapestry Bar is hosting dinner that will make your tastebuds dance with whisky tastings and a menu designed to match. Starts at 6.30pm, tickets $125 book now or miss out.
White Night – Friday 4 March (*update: sold out)
Local business Rigani have teamed up with Toowoomba Says No 2 Violence (TSN2V) to host a special event for Toowoomba. Guests are asked to dress all in white (no exceptions) and will be whisked away to a secret location to enjoy an evening of fine food and entertainment. The night will include a charity auction and keynote address. A portion of ticket sales are going to TSN2V.
The evening starts 5.45pm sharp on the Empire Theatre lawn, tickets are $160 per person and selling fast.
If you can’t make the event, drop in to Edit Hair Lab on Russell Street to sign your pledge against violence on the White Wall. Go to rigani.com.au to find out more.
Markets
Here’s what’s on and when for markets in Toowoomba this month.
My Local Feast Farmers’ Market – Every Thursday 3pm to 7pm at the Empire Theatre
Margaret Street Markets – Sunday 7 February from 8am to 2pm
Queens Park Markets – Sunday 21 February from 8am to 1pm
Toowoomba Farmers’ Markets – Saturday 27 February from 7am to 12pm
