Oh, the old BAT! How I love thee with such fond memories of yesteryear when I played Violet in…read moreWilly Wonker & The Chocolate Factory. Nestled on Petrie Terrace, there have been so many good times had in this venue and I'm so glad it's still around. In terms of Brisbane theatre it's a bit of an icon and a talking point. So many performers started their careers within the walls of the Arts Theatre and hopefully it will keep happening for decades to come! It's always good to keep an eye out on their season. And if you have kids who want to be involved in theatre there are frequent auditions for kids shows and always something to entertain them during school holidays. It's a great thing to support local theatre and the arts, so why not jump onto the Arts Theatre website and see if there's a play or musical to tickle your fancy. You won't get a more intimate or local experience in any other theatre in Brisbane.

Gosh. I love this place…read more I've been to a good few shows here over the years, and my last visit was my second viewing of Avenue Q in this venue. First up, this place is small, and yes, it's an amateur run place. I love how cozy it is. We were back row and still incredibly close, and they definitely get some great talent. There's a bar (you can't take alcohol into the theatre, but the bar opens a hour before the performance, and there's usually an intermission) with a limited range of alcoholic drinks, but you can get the usual soft drinks, snacks and ice creams too. I am particularly fond of BAT because they appear particularly fond of Terry Pratchett, so that's a big win in my books. Don't go in expecting QPAC, just go along, have fun and support a community theatre. There needs to be more places like this.

I have been an adult student with "A.D.S." for 40 years & have had a lifetime association with the…read moredirectors of the Studio. I and all students from age 3 to 'over 70' have always been welcomed and taught competent Dance Skills, from all types of Dance. This Studio is an amazing on, in that it teaches everyone, of all ages all avenues of Dance. It has been such a wonderful part of my life, never regretted. I can only thoroughly compliment the Directors of the Ashgrove Dance Studio. Well Done Judith & Wendy.

From the owner: Ashgrove Dance Studio teaches the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus.read more

I recently experienced the energy and fun of Kam and Leigh from Empire Swing at a 21st birthday…read moreparty where they'd been hired to kick things off with some swing dancing classes for the guests. There must have been at least 50 people at the party but Kam and Leigh managed it extremely well, getting pairs into a large circle to begin the progressive-style class. I'm not much of a dancer but I really enjoyed this intro to swing, learning the basic moves and meeting people at the party as I moved around. When not providing entertainment at functions, Kam and Leigh run four studios throughout Brisbane, in Paddington, New Farm, Fortitude Valley and Wooloongabba. Best to check their website for class information and costs. If Kam and Leigh run their studios like they do their function-specific dance classes, they're bound to be full of energy and enthusiasm.

From the owner: Empire Swing is Brisbane's premier Swing Dance School, specializing in having fun teaching and…read moreperforming a variety of different styles of Swing Dancing including Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Blues and Vernacular Jazz routines like The Big Apple and The Shim Sham. With multiple locations around Brisbane including Paddington, Fortitude Valley and Woolloongabba. Empire Swing caters for all different levels of dancers from beginners through to advanced swing dancers.

I decided at 29 years of age to start taking Tap classes. I had done Tap dancing as a child but had…read morenot kept it up into my teenage and adult years, and had no real skills left from those days. I found Red Hot Rhythm in Kelvin Grove, a tap school run by Bill Simpson, a young fantastic Tap dancer, who always has a big smile on his face. They have a small, funky, air-conditioned studio on Kelvin Grove Road, that has big mirrors and a great hard wood floor. Red Hot Rhythm does corporate entertainment as well as Tap classes for kids and adults and were also grand finalists on Australia's Got Talent in 2009. And do these guys have talent or what! I started with the Adult Tap Tutorial, which was a great re-introduction to Tap. It's a great place to start if you've had no experience at all. You don't even need tap shoes, just wear some thick soled shoes so you get the feel of it. That way you're not spending money on tap shoes before you know if you like it or not. When you are ready to progress there are 2 levels of Beginner classes, 2 levels of Intermediate classes and then Open Advanced. Beginner & Intermediate classes are all $14 (casual) or $12 if you pay for the whole term up front. For beginners, there's the special offer price of $23 to do Adult Tap Tutorial and Adult Beginner 1 class back to back. I really enjoyed the weekly classes and it is a great form of exercise. I was working up a sweat every time. Bill is really funny and friendly and is a very thorough and patient teacher. We wrapped up the year with a Super Awesome Student Showcase/Trivia Night/Disco/Night of Fun at the Enoggera Bowls Club, where all the classes got to perform and we had a fun night of Trivia. Adult Beginner 1 (my class) and Adult Beginner 2 did a tap dance number together and it was so much fun. As soon as it was over, I wanted to do it again and again and again! The adult classes are all run in the evenings, so you can come after work. The kids classes are run on Fridays after school hours.

I was actually heading to salsa at Casablanca when the flags of my two favorite states (Arkansas…read moreand Tennessee) caught my eye across the street. I ventured in to have a sneak peek. Unfortunately I had just missed the live music so I will have to go again but the vibe made me feel like I had been transported back down South. I really liked the red interior, booths, and chandeliers. I am a bit confused by the stuffed monkey on the stage though... Will be able to give a better review next time when I grab a drink off the menu! Will share if the drinks are as good as they make them in the South.

Hey, Lefty's! I'm feeling what you're putting down. You're so cool and yet you probably don't even…read morerealise it. Well played, Sir, well played. We were set to see a movie at The Barracks across the road from Caxton Street and rather than dine at any number of the respectable choices in the Barracks centre, I made a beeline for Lefty's. Arriving just before 6 I was the sole punter in this seriously brooding and sexy bar. Would it seem out of place to see Saloon girls do the can can atop the higher level balcony? Probably not. I approached the bar and asked the bar keep what their house drink was. "Whiskey and apple," he said tossing a Granny Smith apple in his hand. Yeah, not just apple juice from a bottle but freshly squeezed, baby. I was all prepped to order said drink when he let slip it also goes well with Gin. You, mister, are good. "I'll take a gin and apple, thanks!" My dining partner arrived and we settled each on having their interpretation of the cheeseburger. Be warned: unless you are ravenous, you'll easily be able to share this between two. We didn't realise this and I tapped out long before I could claim my plate of fries and burger complete. Still, it was delicious and for $12 it's an affordable take on "pub grub." This place already had some serious swagger at 6pm on a Wednesday night, I can only imagine (and look forward to seeing it) in full swing on a Friday or Saturday eve.

Going to the cinema should be an experience. Blue Room offers just that and while there ticket…read moreprices may be a fraction more expensive, when stacked up against other cinema chains you're actually only paying approx $3-$4 more. Upon arrival you can collect (if you've pre-booked) your tickets or purchase for the session of your choosing, then join the line (not that it is ever very long) for the bar. Once at the bar you can select from a menu including cheeses, salamis, pizzas, chips, desserts, wine, beer and coffee. You can select to take it then or have it delivered to you in the first hour of your movie. The cinemas themselves are smaller and would seat maybe 40 people. They're cosy seats and in pairs with a small table in between including a call button should you wish to order anything throughout your movie. Our experience on a Saturday evening at Blue Room Cinebar was stress free and there was a calm and pleasant atmosphere. There was no rowdy teens, no mobile phones ringing throughout the movie and no notable hiccups. It's cheaper than gold class and seems to have a far more luxurious feel to it. There's only 4 cinemas so they're not screening mass number of films but the films they do screen are generally selected well.

I really like the Blu Room Cinebar and have seen movies here a few times. Although it does not…read moreoffer the largest screens or have the biggest range of films available, it is a nice alternative to "Gold Class" from Birch Carol and Coyle. Come here on a Tuesday where you can see a movie for only $10! Not only is this place a nice alternative to "Gold Class", it is also more intimate as most of the cinema rooms only fit about 20 people or so. You get large reclining seats and can enjoy dinner and a drink whilst watching your film. Word of warning though- since the cinema rooms are not very big, I advise you make a booking. Also, this is not really the place to go to on your own, you may end up feeling lonely as it is definitely suited to couples. The seats are placed in pairs making it more intimate. That does not mean you can not simply come here with a friend. If you are considering going to a "Gold Class" session, why not be a little unique and come here instead?

The other day, I was surprised to spot a brand-new guitar string on the floor of my house. My…read moreimmediate thoughts: one of my housemates is either going to garrotte me, or is planning on learning the guitar. I hoped dearly for the former. Alas, this has been followed by hours of two young men attempting to learn the opening chords of Led Zepplin songs, despite my "No Stairway" signs about the house. I decided to visit Simply For Strings, partly because my housemates wanted to see if the place sold guitar-related stuff, partly because it's a quick walk from our house, and partly because the building looks beautiful. From the outside it looks like, and may well be, an old church. Inside it seems as though the church theory is confirmed - there are original stain-glass windows and other small signs - but it's been re-outfitted so that it now contains newer floorboards and white paint, making the interior with its high walls resemble a "local" art gallery or concert room. (By local, I mean the interior mimics the Red Hill/Paddington style of converting old buildings into funky, retro businesses.) As you walk inside, you're greeted by pure beauty. Honestly, I didn't know where to look first. I noticed a piano occupying a sturdy position in the corner, then my eyes ran across the selection of cellos, violins, violas, and double basses. Even those who don't play such instruments must admit that their construction is beautiful - pieces of art in their own right. There's also a lot of bright colours amongst the wooden instruments, including a splash of beautiful, brashly coloured music stands - and one brass stand with a harp-shaped top that looks like it came straight out of the 1800s, or Phantom of The opera, or bygone, magical times. I was struck to see a stage area, too. The store uses the stage for lessons - at present, Violin Technical Work Boot Camp is on for those already familiar with the violin and eager to improve their skills. I also imagine the stage is used for performances, but the pleasant male staff member (and perhaps co-owner) was busy and I felt guilty asking, knowing I wasn't intending to make a purchase. I scanned the Strings website and can't see any upcoming performances, however. Even if you don't play a stringed instrument, I recommend coming here - it's a visual delight, at the very least. And hey, I didn't notice any guitar sheet music for Deep Purple's Smoke On The Water, so that's an extra bonus!

We were recommended to visit Simply for Strings by our teacher, and we're so glad we visited! The…read morestore is stunning - built inside an old church, everything is beautifully presented and it's like Harry Potter for string instruments. Our teacher recommended my daughter purchase a set of Obligato strings for her viola, and the staff were very accommodating in letting her try Obligato strings on a store viola first so we could get a better idea about how they sound. They even put them on her own instrument for free! They have a beautiful sheet music library packed to the brim with books, so it looks like you'd be able to find everything you need under the one roof. Safe to say we'll be back soon!